Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Swensons, Here We Come!

Thanksgiving is drawing near, gentle McBoners, and of course this is the time of year when we are taught to reflect on everything we have to be thankful for.  This year, I choose Swensons.  Swensons!  Positively the greatest burger joint in the known McBoniverse.

2009 marks the 75th year that Swensons Drive-ins have been feeding hungry motorists in the greater Akron area.  I can only imagine what an empty, desolate, horrible place the world must have been before 1934, when Pop Swenson started selling his slightly sweet, buttery burgers on the western edge of town.  Thankfully, I didn't have to live through that.  Hopefully, no one will ever have to again.

It may seem odd to gush about hamburgers when a Thanksgiving feast is on the horizon, but any Akronite living in exile will surely sympathize--once you've had Swensons, life without it hardly seems worth living.  So this Wednesday at lunch, I will simultaneously be giving thanks for and devouring:

A cheeseburger with everything
A second cheeseburger with everything
A side of rings
A small mocha milkshake

Have a happy thanksgiving everyone, and don't forget to stop at your favorite burger joint* soon.

nwb

*McDonald's doesn't count

12 comments:

Steven Lincoln said...

Happy Thanksgiving, Nate and Alex, no matter how you choose to celebrate. My fave burger joint is my house, followed by Lafayette Brewing Co. I think I can comply with your request on both counts . . .

Kid Shay said...

Out in Oregon, we've got Burgerville. Their shakes feature seasonal flavors that don't include green food coloring. And their sweet potato fries are amazing.

Anonymous said...

Bastard

MPF

Anonymous said...

bastard...I am jealous

Hope to see you guys over Christmas!

JSF

Darin said...

I was craving an In N Out burger last weekend. I just may have to treat myself to one this weekend - McBone style!

Anonymous said...

2 double cheese burgers with mayo & ketchup
onion rings
large california

can't beat it

MPF

BillBow Baggins said...

Putting mayo on a Swensons double cheeseburger is like urinating on a Georgia O'Keeffe painting

Can't argue with the rest of that order.

nwb

BillBow Baggins said...

Darin,

Long have I desired to try an In N Out burger.

Someday.

Steven,

Good call. Many of the best burgers come from home. Still have to try a LBC burger. I've had plenty of their beer, which I find delightful.

Falling Rock,

Burgerville sounds like a place I would like to live.

Bastards,

Eat your hearts out.

nwb

Darin said...

I haven't been close enough to an In N Out burger this weekend, but I did go to Mo's Grill in North Beach (SF) Thursday afternoon. That place is great! 7 oz. patties grilled perfectly to temperature. And their Bailey's Mocha Milkshake is a favorite of Nancy's. It was the perfect lunch for Thanksgiving.

Darin said...

I forgot to mention that Mo's burgers are grilled atop volcanic rock. Great fries. Great shakes. They had a turkey special yesterday. The place was almost nearly full at the 1 PM hour and everyone was ordering those great burgers.

Anonymous said...

Good god, Nate! You've never had an In 'n' Out Burger?

Better make that your first destination when you reach California.

And the next time you guys come east, I'll bring you to Local Burgers & Fries where everything including the beef, bacon, & fries is local. My refuge when I've had enough of plant food.

-kb

BillBow Baggins said...

kb,

Local Burgers and Fries is officially on my shortlist of top burger destinations.

In N Out Burger has been on my radar screen for years. It's become this mythic thing, so much that I suppose going there will be a religious experience.

nwb