Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Chops Steaks Seafood & Bar - Sacramento, CA


Ok… This morning I promised my Wife that I would NOT have a cheeseburger every day for lunch. I am diabetic, and also have cholesterol issues. But when my work-mates suggested the $10 Cheeseburger and Beer special at Chops for lunch how could I say No?

Chops, is a well-known hangout of politicians, capitol staffers, and lobbyists. In fact while we were there I saw a chief-of-staff to one of California’s legislative leaders having lunch with some “advocates” at the next table over. Back in the day, this location used to house Brannan’s Bar & Grill, a classy crowded in-spot that often vied with Frank Fats to be known as the state's "unofficial capitol".

Today I had the “Capitol Burger”: Half pound ground filet mignon and sirloin, lettuce, tomato, grilled red onions, Thousand Island dressing on a Kaiser roll with choice of aged cheddar, jack cheese or bleu cheese. Served with choice of mashed potatoes, French fries, garlic scented fries, beer battered onion rings or mixed greens. It is part of $10 lunch special that also includes a pint glass of Coors Light. Normally $10.95 for the CB and side, the special makes it $7 total and $3 for the beer (a bit expensive for pint of Coors Light, but that makes it a really good great price for this CB and side.)

I liked the cheeseburger, the meat had good flavor and was cooked to my order. I ordered the cheddar cheese, rather than my favorite the bleu… As cheddars go, it could have been much sharper since the grilled (yummy) red onions overpowered almost every thing on the burger… I did not tast the Thousand Island dressing, though you can clearly see it in the photo. The onions were that strong. I am knocking off a ¼ star for the shredded lettuce. I hate shredded lettuce (luckily, there was little of it, so only ¼ off.) The fries were fine, if a bit bland. I think the needed more seasoning. Next time I will try the garlic “scented” fries, if it’s not a date night with my wife!

Chops Steaks Seafood & Bar - Capitol Burger with Cheddar
Overall: 3-3/4 stars
Price: Regular Lunch price $10.95 for CB plus side (mashed potatoes, french fries, garlic scented fries, beer battered onion rings or mixed greens). Lunch Special $10 for CB, side and a pint of Coors Light.
Variety: Minimal, just the “Capitol Burger” on the menu with your choice of aged cheddar, jack cheese or bleu cheese.

Website/Menu: http://www.chopssacramento.com/menus.php?action=lunch
Address: 1117 11th Street, Sacramento CA 95814
Map: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=1117+11th+Street+95814

More Information:
Sacramento County Food Inspection Report: http://www.foodinspect.saccounty.net/ASP%20Pages/FacilityInfo.asp?FacID=FA0001023
Other Reviews:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/chops-sacramento
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/36/572104/restaurant/Downtown/Chops-Steak-Seafood-Bar-Sacramento
http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/content?oid=15170

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

State Capitol Basement Cafeteria (Tex-Mex @ The Capitol / Grisilda Ventures) -Sacramento, CA


CLOSED - OUT OF BUSINESS as of 2016


This is your basic cheeseburger and fries. Nothing special here… the meat was a frozen patty (likely Costco or a restaurant distribution company), buns were so-so, and the fires, while cooked perfectly, where the typical kind that you get in almost every cafeteria in America. Knowing what other great burgers await me in the coming days and months, I plan never to return here unless completely out of money and needing a cheeseburger fix.

State Capitol Basement Cafeteria - Cheeseburger
Overall: 2 stars
Price: $3.95 for the CB, $1.49 for the Fries
Variety: None

Website/Menu: http://www.griseldascatering.com/cafe/index.html (OLD)
Address: California State Capitol, Basement: 10th & L Street, Sacramento CA 95814
Map: http://maps.google.com/maps/place?cid=5830050756373166889&q=California+State+Capitol&hl=en&cd=1

More Information:
Sacramento County Food Inspection Report: http://www.foodinspect.saccounty.net/ASP%20Pages/FacilityInfo.asp?FacID=FA0002131
Other Reviews:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/tex-mex-at-the-capitol-sacramento
http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/content?oid=11740

The Quest Begins

Today I am starting my quest to try every cheeseburger in the Sacramento metro area. My goal is to eat a cheeseburger at every place that sells them, with out regard to the size or nature of the business. I work downtown near the Capitol… So I am going to start there, and then spiral out one block at a time until a hit all the restaurants, cafes, stands, drive-ins, stores, and shops that sell cheeseburgers. I figure if I keep it with a 15 mile radius of downtown Sacramento it will take me over 3-5 years to cover most of the places.