It was about 2003 as I was working on a long-term project for an upstart company. A retired friend and I would talk about him coming down to my work area for lunch. Our target was a nearby establishment having a local reputation for good hamburgers.
He came, we went, had a good time, and even discussed the burger. He returned a month later, but we went to a different place for a burger – discussed and compared. Another time, a third place, a third burger, and then ranking the three. Little did we know about the road ahead.
My project ended, but we continued trying different places – especially ones with a positive reputation or recommendations. I’m not sure of the timeline, but a third friend joined us after he unexpectedly lost his job; thus more comparisons, rankings, and notes.
In July 2005 I decided to start a blog to post reviews of our ventures. I hustled to get local readers by commenting at various local blogs and bulletin boards … then a major (and unexpected) break … a high-profile writer at the Cincinnati Enquirer contact me, and he wanted to have lunch with us. With a photographer and his notepad, we met at the place of our choosing.
I was in Abilene, Texas the day the Enquirer published. Emails were flying into our mailbox, but I didn’t respond because the link to the article was malfunctioning. I did my morning presentation in Abilene, and I was anxious during my flight to Cincinnati. I returned home to discover a call from a local radio station whose powerful signal reaches most of the country, let alone a feature article in the paper’s Life section that extended to an inside page, and many comments on the blog. Yep – the next night we were on the radio for about an hour.
Receiving burger recommendations was one of the benefits from the publicity … thus the reviews chronicling of the adventures of Bucky, Freddie, and Wolfie continued. Eventually, we were also featured in the Enquirer’s weekly entertainment paper – CinWeekly. A local food personality also invited us to her radio show. An upstart podcast company also did a 30-minute interview.
Our journey continued for a few more years. Jobs, projects, or health issues caused us to fade away. Nonetheless, a touch of pride still remains for being one of the Cincinnati Burger Guys … so, Happy Hamburger Week.
Are you in that picture?
Neat story!
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Resa,
It was fun … and I’m Freddie.
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Ah, so you’re “speak no evil”. Niiice!
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That’s a good story. And yes, I have to ask if you were one of those guys in the picture.
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Shimon,
Glad you enjoyed the story … We had fun and never tried for 15-minutes of fame. … and I’m Freddie.
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Great story, Frank. Many years ago some friends and I did something similar….in search of the best lobster roll on the New England coastline, but we didn’t become famous and have special hats like you three monkeys…..I notice you are the one called “speak no evil…” how appropriate!
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Cynthia,
Oh my … searching for the ultimate lobster roll would be so much fun! I must say that we never wore the hats when on location … we were just one of the customers. Glad you spotted me.
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Terrific! And happy burger week to you too! My first job was at a burger joint. Great experience.
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Elyse,
I can see it now … The Queen Burger! 🙂
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And I quote you, “Dang”.
Dang, if you did just sit down and write a story, an a tasty one at that. Personal satisfaction at doing something is confirming, but doing something with people you enjoy doing shtufffs with, is lasting. A good memory to have and hold, be it in your back pocket or in a clipping to take out to feel the glow in what it meant then and now.
Am sure this will bring forth stories of the burger vernacular and of friendships to relish.
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Calvin,
LOL … but the newspaper isn’t folded in a pocked, but framed under glass. 🙂 I think I should re-read it. Nonetheless, a fond and fun memory.
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That’s really cool, Frank! Plus, with all your ballroom dancing, you probably worked off all the calories from those burgers. 😉
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Carrie,
Now you’ve got me wondering, but this venture was probably pre-ballroom. Interestingly, we got questions about our cholesterol levels. We laughed because only got together every few weeks. Glad you liked the pic.
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Oh, great pic too!
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What a great story! Happy hamburger week!
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Pauline,
We had fun … and went into places that we not have otherwise visited.
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That is great! A friend of mine is on the search for the great burger and has been eating his way through Montreal, North and South Shores!
I had a feeling you were Freddie! 😀
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Dale,
Wow ….now there’s a coincidence! Tell your friend about this post. … But here’s the reason I’m Freddie. https://youtu.be/kfEA4H9hu9w 🙂
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Ha ha! Fun stuff!
This is HIS site: http://mrlewburger.com/
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Thanks … and I visited.
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👍
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Now those are some dang nice memories, Frank! Or Freddie…… 😉
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Jackie,
Great memories for sure. It’s easy to recall the wonderful moments!
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Enjoyed your story. I am feel hungry for a burger and maybe I will too 🙂
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Dilip,
Glad you enjoyed this … now go eat. 😉
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🙂
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What a fun thing to do! You just never know where something will lead.
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Debra,
Excellent point. Before the splash of fame, we were simply having a good time with it …. and on a sincere quest.
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So speak no evil? Never? Not even one time? Love the picture and the story, what great fun.
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Val,
Well … I have no idea how I got that one … but it seems right. 😉
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Too cool, Freddie! You 3 remind me of a burger place called, “Five Guys.” Do you have those in Cincinnati?
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Kelly,
Five Guys are here … BUT … we were emphatic in our decision to keep our quest local – meaning no chains.
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Was that decision based on quality standards?
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Absolutely about quality … of course the greater question is what is quality. Nonetheless, we sought consistency … then again, taste is subjective.
I kept my consistency by always ordering a hamburger … not a cheeseburger … not a specialty burger … but a hamburger.
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Sounds like you are quite the burger expert, Frank! I don’t eat them, but I know people take them seriously – there’s always an opinion on making a better burger out there somewhere!
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Interesting the variations we saw. I know we visited places that we wouldn’t have been in otherwise.
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That must have been interesting! And with the rise of gastropubs, I don’t think burgers are going away any time soon 🙂
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Agree … I don’t see them going away …. if anything, some of the combinations/flavors is expanding.
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And everything has a fried egg on it now, too! Have you noticed that?! Makes my job that much harder! lol
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I first saw one with a fried egg around 7-10 years ago, but yes … more popular now.
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Your post reminded me that although I’ve followed your burger recommendations closely over the years, I’ve yet to make over to Norwood to try your No. 1 pick.
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Tim,
For the record, Gordo’s still stands strong!
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This is such a cool post Frank. And are you Freddie? :). You guys look so cool in that photo. I am such a burger person so Happy Hamburger week my friend. Your blog always uplifts my spirit and I’m truly happy to have found this blog :).
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Kay,
Thanks for the kind words. Of course I wonder who found who because I’m not sure. 🙂
Yes …. Freddie I am. Cheers to your love for burgers.
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Oh I enjoyed your story “Freddie!” The three capers having quite a time – loved the read.
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Mary,
Glad you enjoy looking back at a fun journey. Just discovered something that I will share in Friday’s OITS. Hmmmm ….
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Looking forward ~
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So where is the best burger in Cincinnati?
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John,
My three current favorites are Gordo’s, Zola’s, and 915. Come on up!
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Should do it. Maybe on tour. (someday)
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It’s a deal!
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We use to follow your old Cincinnatiburgerguys blog religiously Frank as you now know, I would take my Family to your best-rated locations as often as we could go, after I retired I began a burger blog in the tradition of the burgerguys, and this past month during, Cincinnati Burger week 2018 we rated 18 new locations after about a 2 year break, we met with Frank to discuss Burgers and whatever, and had a great visit with you, thanks again for that, we loved hearing about Burgers and the Cincinnatiburgerguys, here is the link to our new and updated Burger review page, check out our new #1 burger spot in Prime Cincinnati, we still must try out Gordo’s soon.
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Rob,
Meeting you and your wife over a burger was a treat. THANK YOU for the invitation! I haven’t forgotten that I will do a review for you!!!
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It is a unique art form–the burger. Also a fun and important subject to write about. Liking that pic.
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Indigo,
Glad you enjoyed it … and I agree … heck … all of food is an art food, thus burgers can be as well. One of my favorite places simply has a wide variety of unique burgers.
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Great “American Dream” story–from sampling burgers to all of this! By the way the Burger tam looks divine, Frankie! I hope you still have it. 🙂
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Lorna,
Hmmm … Never thought of it as a Great American Dream story. I like it …. and I still have the hat!
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Oh yes, any story of fame is a dream story. And you have the hat to prove it! 🙂
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Such a great story, Frank. Thanks for sharing your Burger Guy memories. That’s a wonderful pic of the three of you. 🙂 That first image has me hankering after a nice juicy burger. 😛
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Sylvia,
I’m with you about the opening pic … thus I took my time picking it out! Glad you enjoyed the story as it was an interesting time … especially since it turned into a splash of local fame. Just discovered an interesting “tribute” that I will share Friday.
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Freddie! I knew that was you before you told us that was you…not sure how, but I did. What a great story. And what a long and winding and amazingly interesting road you have traveled.
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Cayman,
Thanks … just tried to tell the beginning, the highlights, and why it ended. After all, local “fame” through a hamburger was fun.
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How cool is this story!! Love this Frank. Love me a good burger too. Excellent photo. Cheers!
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Audra,
Woo hoo … cheers to your love for a good burger. Here’s my favorite burger place … what would you order? http://gordospub.com/burgers/
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I’ll check it out when I’m the pc. You shouldn’t tease a gal
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LOL … heck, now I may include the question in Friday’s Opinions in the Shorts.
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that’s a great story. have you been to five guys burgers and fries? are they out thatta way? in those thar parts? neck of the woods?
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Rich,
Five Guys is in town … and yes, I’ve been. They are OK, but the Burger Guys journey excluded national and regional chains.
BTW … Please see this post. http://tinyurl.com/otpdpn3 … would appreciate your feedback.
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will do
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Sounds like a perfect lunch bunch. What fun and you guys were “discovered!” ( I knew only such celebs really get to elegantly ballroom dance…)
Nothing is better than a good hamburger. We wept when our long standing “secret” hamburger dive fell to urban gentrification – the land just got much too valuable with all the townhouses, the owners waaay past retirement, and the children not interested in driving into the city to flip burgers. Sigh.
Ditto on the great story designation
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Mouse,
Oh yes … some of the best burgers are in the unexpected places … and in our journey, we went into establishments were wouldn’t normally go. Hooray to another burger lover!
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Way cool!
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RoSy,
A fun and tasty journey. 🙂
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Mmmmm… I bet!
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What a fun story, Frank! I can imagine this was very entertaining for the three of you and it sounds like you had a nice long run! Do you still have the podcasts? Those would be fun to hear. 🙂
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Debra,
Even without the publicity, it was a fun time, The podcast company seems to be still in business, but the interview is not in their archives. I’m guessing the company is bigger now than then.
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Hello Freddie, thanks for contacting us on our Blog, I use to follow you guys all the time, and took my Family to try out every single place you guy had rated highly back then, it was fun for us to do, our favorite was always your number 1 place, Mingles, until it closed down. now I’ve started my own blog thanks to you guys. and your welcome to join us anytime, we live now in Augusta, Ky. and when we visit my family in Cincinnati is when we do our reviews.
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Rob,
Thanks for the kind words and loud cheers to your efforts. Mingles was awesome. I lived closed to there, so I asked them about the flavor, and the cook showed me a box of spice they would likely sprinkle on each burger … so that was perfect for my “flavor the meat” mantra.
I will make email contact with you so we can keep in touch about your trips back to the city.
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Frank, I am pleased you brought me over here! What an interesting story, and all that because a couple of friends wanted to go out for a burger.
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Lenora,
As I was reading your post, this one immediately came to mind … well, as soon as you mentioned the good burger. Yes – it all started with two friends going out for a burger, then another and comparing. Thanks for coming over!
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