Far out burgers
Messy’s Hula Burger. A half-pound patty topped with swiss cheese, sliced black forest ham, a grilled and marinated pineapple slice, maraschino cherry and drizzled with speciality hula sauce. (Photos by KEITH ERICKSON)
Penny’s Pit Gorgonzola Arugula Burger. Six ounces of fresh ground beef topped with gorgonzola cheese, bacon jam, caramelized onions, chopped bacon, arugula and garlic mayonnaise on a brioche bun.
Far Cry Café Cowboy Burger. A bacon cheese delight with barbecue sauce, two beer-battered onion rings, lettuce, onion, tomato and pickle.
Jesse Keller prepares a burger in his Messy’s kitchen.
Ian Trumpower enjoys a signature burger at Penny’s Pit in Rathdrum.
Far Cry Café owners Sunday and Chris Harshberger outside their restaurant.
Fast-food junkies, chew on this: When is a burger not just a burger?
Answer: When it’s prepared with signature ingredients you’d be hard-pressed to find at a traditional burger joint.
Coeur Voice recently ventured off the beaten path to discover one-of-a-kind “ma and pa” restaurants that dish out copious quantities of burger greatness using specialty recipes—much to the delight their hungry customers.
If burgers could blush, Whoppers and Big Macs might take a bow to these unique hamburgers with toppings ranging from crumbled blue cheese and roasted pineapple, to caramelized onion, sautéed Sriracha, grilled jalapeno and succulent bacon jam.
Buckle up and prepare to explore a new class of burgers guaranteed to satisfy the choosiest appetites. But before you dig in, make sure you’ve got plenty of napkins on hand. You’re going to need them.
Messy’s Burgers, Spirit Lake
Inconspicuously located on Spirit Lake’s historic Maine Street, Messy’s Burgers got its name from owner Jesse “Messy Jesse” Keller. Fessing up that he was “kind of a grubby kid,” Keller says his burgers reflect his nickname.
Take, for example, the Messy Jesse Burger.
It boasts one pound of pure Angus beef topped with six slices of thick bacon, caramelized onions and four slices of cheese. Keller adds “a touch of lettuce for the health-conscious eater,” and serves it up with a half-pound of crisp crinkle- cut fries.
“We dare you to eat it all,” the menu challenges.
Of course, Messy’s offers burgers with less beef, starting at a quarter pound, and each is unique. Messy’s tasty grub recently earned it “North Idaho’s Best Burger Award for 2017” from a 27-member judge panel representing North Idaho Foodies, a social group boasting more than 11,000 members.
Don’t let the diverse menu fool you, though. Keller says at Messy’s, what comes out of his kitchen all boils down to offering a traditional American favorite—heaped with originality.
“We’re just trying to put out good old-fashioned burgers like you had when you were a kid,” Keller said recently as he flipped fresh patties for hungry customers.
Keller’s entrepreneurial spirit is working. Recently celebrating eight months in business, he says each month has been busier than the month before—comforting statistics given the typically slower winter months, especially in off-the-beaten-path places like Spirit Lake.
With over 1,000 “likes” on its Facebook page, Messy’s gets rave reviews. Like this one from customer Dawn Hendrickson:
“Well. Now I know what all the fuss is about! Been hearing about this little place for months and never made it over. I only wish I would have listened and made it sooner. Don’t make MY mistake; get your hiney out there. Your taste buds will thank you.”
Visit Messy’s Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/messysburgers/
Penny’s Pit Gourmet Burgers, Rathdrum
Within seconds of walking into Penny’s Pit on Highway 53 in Rathdrum, two things become evident: The service is fast and friendly, and there is an aura of nostalgia, with posters of Elvis, Marilyn and The Rat Pack hanging alongside vintage LPs … all in a cozy restaurant that seats 33.
I was greeted by Zach, an eager young man with a quick smile and ready with answers to my flurry of questions, including the story behind the restaurant’s name. Turns out, owners Christina and Ryan Klundt named their thriving business after their pit bull mix, Penny.
Once seated, I had the difficult task of choosing between a wide range of signature burgers.
Eager for something extravagant, I went for the daily special: The Gorgonzola Arugula Burger. This mighty burger is made with six ounces of fresh ground beef topped with gorgonzola cheese, bacon jam, caramelized onions, chopped bacon, arugula and garlic mayonnaise on a brioche bun. Mouth wateringly delicious!
Keeping in tune with its nostalgic atmosphere, Penny’s offers several gourmet burgers named after legendary figures. Consider the James Dean (double patty, double American cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle and signature burger spread), or the Sinatra (topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, American cheese, blue cheese crumbles, bacon and burger spread) and then there’s the John Wayne, (a fresh beef patty served with pepper jack cheese and topped with three beer-battered onion rings, barbecue sauce and burger spread).
Like Messy’s, business at Penny’s is growing every year.
“It’s insane,” says Christina. The restaurant also has a huge Facebook following with more than 3,600 “likes.”
Visit Penny’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Pennyspitburgers/
Far Cry Café, Newman Lake
The hot-pink exterior paint might lure you into this eatery just minutes west of the Idaho-Washington border on Trent Avenue, but the specialty burgers are bound to bring you back.
A former post office, grocery store, donut shop, sub store and even coffee stand, the dwelling is now home to the Far Cry Café, and owners Sunday and Chris Harshberger say business is booming.
“In the 18 months since we opened, we’ve grown exponentially,” Sunday Harsherber says. And no wonder, with delicious one-third pound burgers served with hand-cut fries and an array of sauces, this place is a gold mine for burger lovers.
Customers can indulge in the perfectly seasoned mexi-flavored Taco Burger, topped with hot tortilla chips, melted cheddar cheese on a pub bun with spicy bacon cheddar ranch sauce, onions, tomatoes, olives, avocado and lettuce. Or the Cowboy Burger, a bacon cheese delight with barbecue sauce, two beer-battered onion rings, lettuce, onion, tomato and pickle. “You’ll need a fork” to devour this juicy burger, advises the menu.
Aside from signature burgers, Far Cry also offers deli sandwiches, thick and creamy milk shakes and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. For those who would rather stay at home to enjoy a Far Cry meal, the Harshbergers deliver. In fact, they say about 70 percent of their orders are delivered to the doorstep; and the restaurant also offers a no-frills drive-through.
With nearly 1,000 people following their Facebook page, Sunday Harshberger says their business keeps the couple busy full time.
Customer Tiena Nobles offered this rave Facebook review:
“My bacon cheese hamburger was so GOOD! The bacon was cooked to perfection. The burger was one of the best I’ve ever had! The service couldn’t have been better!”
Visit Far Cry Café’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/farcrycafestore/