Burger Twelve: Hilltop
The Hilltop Tavern has it figured out. They’ve created the perfect dive bar trifecta of pull tabs, grumpy regulars and ice cold Bud Lights. What the Hilltop isn’t necessarily known for is their food—least of all their burger. Today we change that.
Not a good photo. The Hilltop is not known for its lighting.
The Hilltop Tavern’s burger falls into this bizarre sub category all on its own. Not quite a pub burger and not quite a thin patty diner burger (previously mentioned as a class B burger). It comes one of two ways: with cheese or without. Ours was ordered with. Within minutes of placing our order a tray of condiments appeared and was placed on the bar in front of us. This is how the Hilltop diverges from the rest of the Jefferson County. On the tray there were three types of mustard, relish, pickles, mayo, ketchup and chopped onion. Brilliance! With one move the Hilltop effectively allows the customer to create their perfect dive bar burger. Like ‘em sweet? Load up on the ketchup and relish. Mustard fan? No prob. Picky plain Jane? Don’t touch that tray and eat away!
Queue the arrival of the hamburger.
You probably guessed it, but the burger itself is nothing too exciting. It came on a paper plate with crisp iceberg lettuce(a must) and surprisingly decent looking tomato slices on the side. No onion, no pickle. The bun was on the smaller side but held up remarkably well to the smorgasbord of toppings (we’re no picky plain Janes). As for the patty: it was larger than expected, overhanging the bottom bun but devoid of any juices. Perched on top of this dry patty was a single slice of American cheese that had just began to melt. That was it. No secret burger sauce. No nothing. Just a simple burger one would expect to get at any back yard Memorial Day picnic. But with the Hilltop condiment tray, it’s yours for the doctoring.
There were three things we loved about this burger:
1.) The straight up no frills honesty in which it was served.
2.) The ability to let you flavor it however you would like with the accompanying condiments.
3.) And last but not least, the jaw-dropping price of $4.95.
Now this isn’t the best burger we’ve had by any means but it will definitely be one that we enjoy again. Plus it adds yet another perk to the nearly flawless Hilltop Tavern.
Another dark photo. Cheeeese. Eat it.