Where’s The Beef? Great Twin Ports Burgers

by Robert Lillegard

The Norwegians have their lutefisk, and the French have their frog legs. Americans? We love our burgers. Put warm, chewy beef on a lightly-toasted bun, and magic begins to happen. Conjure up some American charm of your own at these three Northland burger hubs.

Anchor Bar
413 Tower Avenue, Superior
(715)394-9747

If foodies have a Shangri-La, it’s the fabulous-but-undiscovered hole-in-the-wall. The food should be incredible, the atmosphere authentic, and—most of all—no one should know about it. It’s “where the locals go,” a secret only the foodie knows about.

Well, Anchor Bar is no secret. But somehow, they’ve preserved that feeling. This Northland legend still seems undiscovered, years after media across the region began singing its praises.

Since this is a bar, the beer selection is extensive. South Shore Brewery’s Nut Brown Ale is there, as are the Lake Superior Brewing Company’s Oatmeal Stout and Special Ale. Cocktails and wine are also plentiful. Plus, the under-twenty-one crowd is still allowed (but only in the presence of a parent or guardian).

The place is known for its burgers, which were out of the oven and on our table minutes after we ordered. For such a limited menu, the Anchor is incredibly creative—Swiss cheese and cashews, cream cheese and green olives, or pineapple are all possible toppings.

In other words, this is food heaven. The atmosphere is low key, the food is fresh and fast, and the prices are truly reasonable—almost every burger is $3.75 or less.

Five Guys Burgers and Fries
1600 Miller Trunk Highway
(218) 729-9869

Local morning DJ Nate Hanninen described Five Guys as the kind of place high schoolers would hang out in a sitcom. There were plenty of teenagers there on a recent Saturday, laughing over fresh-cut French fries or texting each other around the small tables. With the clean, red-and-white tiled interior, bright lights, and happy, efficient workers, there’s something young and fresh about the place.

But the atmosphere isn’t the only thing that’s fresh. Sacks of potatoes near the door testify to the hearty, chewy fries, which are cut on-site. The menu is as simple as you can get —burgers, hot dogs, and fries. Dress up the basic burger with any number of free extras, including grilled mushrooms, green peppers, and A-1 Sauce.

While you wait for your order, there are free peanuts, and after your meal you may be lucky enough to get a piece of chocolate for dessert.

As in life, it’s the extras here that make it so fun. The free peanuts, fun atmosphere, and whatever-you-like toppings add zest to what’s already a pretty good burger, and it’s a good place to recharge.

Gronk’s Grill and Bar
4909 East 2nd Street, Superior
(715) 398-0333

If there’s one word to describe Gronk’s, it’s massive. There are the house made onion rings, which are thickly battered and piled high. There’s the décor, crammed with big beer signs, antlers, and other items. Finally, and hugely, there’s the Enger Tower Burger. With six patties and two pounds of fries, it’s an impressive stack of meat. Those who finish the burger in under two hours are awarded a special T-shirt.

No one goes to Gronk’s for a salad. But they don’t necessarily go for the burgers, either. The restaurant’s menu is varied, and includes seafood wontons, cheesecake on a stick, and the enigmatic “Ham and Cheese Balls.” Since this is Wisconsin, cheese plays a prominent role. Mozzarella, beer cheese, and deep fried provolone all appear on the burger menu, and purists can grab straight cheese curds.

These are big meals for big appetites. At Gronk’s the beer flows freely, smoking is allowed, and the burgers are rich and hearty.

PS. For another Duluth option, check out our web feature on Hellburgers!