Good Taste: Where SW FL readers steered us to their favorite cheeseburgers in paradise
Every few weeks, we'll ask readers to share their favorite place for a food item in Southwest Florida. Last week, we asked for favorite restaurants for cheeseburgers and here's what they said in our new feature, Good Taste.
When it comes to cheeseburgers, there's more than one way to create one. Some nowadays come with more than just lettuce, tomato, ketchup, mustard, mayo, onion ― even a fried egg.
What it boils down to, though, is one that just tastes good. That's why Karen Tunney emailed her favorite in Southwest Florida.
"My pick is the cheeseburger at First Round Draft, 1217 Del Prado, Cape Coral," she wrote.
"It’s simply delicious. The meat is just perfect and you can get it rare which means good quality meat. It’s high and delicious. Everything there is so good and a wonderful atmosphere overlooking a canal. Got to try it! Wish I had a photo but it doesn’t last long on your plate. The best!"
We'll forgive the lack of a photo because I know firsthand how it can be when I'm photographing food as my patient and hungry dinner companions wait.
Celebrate National Cheeseburger Day
The day was designated as Sept. 18 for the truly American foodie delight.
With cattle ranching becoming prominent in the late 1880s on the Great Plains, beef become more widely available and hamburger is one of the cheaper forms of beef in the U.S.
Many so-called burger experts point to Pasadena, California, as the home of where the cheeseburger was born. Lionel Sternberger was 16 when he was flipping burgers in his dad's sandwich shop and was credited with creating the first cheeseburger in the 1920s. Another story goes that a customer was watching Sternberger make the burger and asked for a slice of cheese to add to it.
Some restaurants also will offer deals Monday:
Get a free Coke when you order any burger at Ford's Garage (dine-in only, Sept. 18)
All three Brooks Burgers will offer its Classic Cheeseburgers with fries for $10 for the rest of the month, starting Sept. 18
State of food: Hooters to Home of the Whopper: A look at popular restaurant chains that began in Florida
'Hands down' the best cheeseburger and Buffett tribute
Chris Mobley knew the assignment when he emailed: "Hands down, Jimmy P’s, on 41 or at Immokalee and Airport. Waygu. Cooked to perfection."
He even went a step further, paying homage to Jimmy Buffett ― who died Sept. 1 ― with lyrics from the sailor-pirate's song "Far Side of the World": "I will still be there when I get through attending this soiree..."
"Yes, he will be, because we’ll sing his songs as long as we are able," Mobley added.
More from readers
"Not many people know this, but Shell Point Retirement Community at Punta Rassa has four restaurants open to the public," wrote Teresa Hiatt, a Shell Point resident.
"And the Crystal Restaurant does an excellent Cheeseburger! Along with the beautiful Tropical Resort feel of the place, it truly is a Cheeseburger in Paradise."
C.B. Rebsamen says his favorite is found due east of Shell Point, at a place along Daniels Parkway.
"In response to your 9/13 feature article on the best place for a cheeseburger in SWFL, I would like to nominate Artisan Eatery restaurant," Rebsamen says.
"Their Artisan Burger has Wagyu beef, Gruyère cheese, applewood bacon, caramalized onions, and tomato on a Brioche bun. I have enjoyed this very tasty cheeseburger many times and it is my favorite in SWFL. Sorry — I don’t have a picture."
Thanks C.B.! You don't but we do.
And Frank Aiello says they're fans of a popular Florida-based restaurant chain.
My wife Vivian is a big hamburger fan," he wrote in an email.
"When we moved to Naples we were on a search for the best burger in town. We hit everywhere we could. Finally we came upon what we think is Naples best hamburger. It’s Beef O’ Brady’s on Radio Road. Everything about it is great, meat, bun and the extras. Plus on Monday’s it’s their special.
Dave Osborn is the regional features editor of the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can email him at [email protected] and follow his social media on Instagram and Threads @lacrossewriter.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Where are best cheeseburgers in paradise? SW FL readers tell us
