Talking of which, for the first time ever I've experienced a micro-brewery managing to produce really good English(-style) Real Ale. Down in the French Alps, and clearly catering to a large British tourist and ex-pat population, but whatever the reason, it were bloody lovely.
Decent pint of what?
Oh, I will have a cheeseburger with a fried egg, and onion rings at Pickwicks in Luzern or Zug. Not exactly Californian, but it hits a different spot.
Any more details on that? Was it cask or keg? (Although the quality of some of the US micro-brewery kegs shows that it's the ale that counts rather than its container). The concept of a Swiss-brewed real ale is quite delightful.
To update this thread.
A very good burger place in Basel that no one has yet mentioned is Union. The best burger I have had in CH.
Handmade burger (not the pre-formed thin Mcdonalds-style patty found at Valentinos!), very good bun, and homemade fries.
Excellent atmosphere- you can go there with friends and just get a drink or get a full nice dinner. I've been around 5 times and the quality was always good.
I would call this an 'American' style burger (I am from CA).
Price is around 25 CHF for a burger.
So it's vegan and I'm supposed to wear my Birkenstocks when I order it?
Jokes aside, to what franchise burger does this come close to?
They do have a veggie burger.
I usually get the bacon cheeseburger though.
Not sure what it is comparable to. Not really similar to any chain that I know. If you want a good burger, give it a try. It's our go-to for drinks or a relaxed dinner.
The only place we have had a burger that was really good was in crans montana in a restaurant at the bottom of the cry d'er gondola. otherwise No other good burgers in Switzerland. Need to make them yourself or open a proper American burger restaurant!
Hate to break it to you, but as a fellow Californian, I can tell you the best burger you'll have in this country, is the one you make at home. We have found a few acceptable places, one is called "Andy's Place", but that is not in Basel. Andy's has a lot of American products there as well. Worth a visit actually. It is in Erlinsbach and if you go in the evenings, you must make sure to reserve a table ahead of time. It is packed in the evenings. Going for lunch on a Saturday afternoon though is not an issue.
The problem with a good burger in this country is a) the swiss like mixing pork with their ground beef *sigh* b) they don't know how to cook it so it gets that nice crust on the outside of the patty. c) Any cheese in an orange color, American, cheddar, etc, is not found easily here so their go-to cheese is usually the standard emmentaller, which is fine, but sometimes you want a burger done the way you know it. d) as I travel the world, one thing comes clear, California knows how to make a good burger, period.
Oh and I'm such an idiot for forgetting that McArthur's Pub in Lenzburg has an "American Burger Night" about once a month. In fact the next one is tonight. Have to say, their burgers aren't bad at all. But don't go in their expecting In n Out or a proper "American" burger. You won't find that any where really, not here. You have to make do with the best you can find.
PS If you think burgers are a travesty, wait till you see what they call Mexican food here. It will make you cry.
Yes, I understand that there are better burgers in California (and maybe Crans Montana and some small village in Aargau). But, hey, I live in Basel.
Yes, you can (and should) make burgers at home, but honestly, Union does an amazing bun which I can't get close to making (or purchasing) at home.
Another ex-Californian here, and for my first year here I longed for a Eureka burger. I can't say I've replaced Eureka, exactly, but honestly "Korner" is very close. Easily the best burger I've had in Switzerland, which in itself doesn't say much (like being the tallest man in a midget colony), but Korner would likely be the best burger place in many, many American cities. They also have 3 IPAs on hand - another rarity in Zurich.
As to the Mexican food - you're absolutely right. I've decided to look at it this way: there is no Mexican food in Zurich, only Mexican themed swiss food restaurants.
I second Union in Kleinbasel. Best burger I've had in Basel. Good staff too, very friendly.
The menu looks good; but this qualifier at the bottom immediately removes them from any consideration in the "good burger" stakes:
"100% beef, our burgers are cooked
medium or well done..."
Why on earth can't they cook it rare?
Also, check out http://theburgerclub.ch/ for a list of burgers in Zurich.
Because a proper 'rare' burger would not hold together? Unless you're using egg or some other binding agent, at least the outside few mm of a burger need to be fully cooked to produce a crust, otherwise it will just be like a heap of steak tartar in a bun. And that makes it 'medium' in my book, not rare. Nothing wrong with that, of course, but it's not a burger.
Of course, if that's how you like your burger then fine, but I can imagine it causing all sorts of problems for a kitchen.
Also, your meat-fascism is showing -it is actually OK to like your meat fully cooked, you know.
UNION. easily the best burger. place is superb, cant recommend it enough!!
Definitely Union Restaurant - great food, great atmosphere
Any updates to this? Union Diner is now open, same Swiss prices of course, but friends of mine rate it (I've not tried; although I've been to the restaurant and it was a pretty decent burger).
I've bumped this thread as the "best in Switzerland" thread has gone all Zurich-y and we all know everyone in Zurich prefers blingbling over actual substance.
Union is good. I also tried Valentinos place (close to union) as some friends recommended it. However i thought the union was better.
i saw on the internet there is a place called 'mels diner' in basel doing american style food... anyone ever been? http://mels-bar.ch/Wordpress/
zic zac i dont rate
BK's big King is probably the best burger in Basel unfortunately
why are you "sorry" BK does the best burger in Basel? Do you guys even remember what McD and BK taste like in the UK and the US? definitely a quantity over quality situation there! frankly I think the Swiss McD and BK are the best of those chains I have tried. Compared to the French ones - well, there is no comparison!
SO it may not exactly be a "go out for dinner" type restaurant but if you're dying for a burger I think theyre pretty good...
and honestly - I cant believe I read people complaining they cant find American cheese on burgers here.... I have some orange plastic you can melt and put on yer burgers if you want?! ;-)
Again... as put on another thread.
Try the Pub & Restaurant Löie in Attiswil (near Solothurn)
Yum Yum
and 'av a great day y'all
GREG