The Blue Door Pub

Rumors of the greatest-hamburger-ever brought us to Blue Door Pub in a quiet Saint Paul neighborhood. The cozy pub was packed with folks in search of a burger the pub calls The Blucy. It's Blue Door's take on Minnesota's favorite burger genre, the Juicy Lucy: meat enveloping melted cheese -- a meat Ding Dong, if you will. The Blue Door's version is a char-grilled Angus beef patty stuffed with cheese and dressed up for a party in 10 different ways. The signature Blucy ($6.50) is a half-pound of beef stuffed with garlic and blue cheese; The Frenchy ($7) has caramelized onions and Swiss cheese in a bear hug of meat, topped with Swiss, served au jus; and the Burger of the Moment, such as the Lumberjack ($9.00), a burger filled with smoked Gouda, bacon with a dash of cayenne, and topped with, yes, maple syrup -- sublime. Each was uniquely delicious, so much so that we argued over who had the better burger. All burgers are served hot and happening on a soft, well-proportioned bun. The meat is juicy and tangos with the cheese and fresh fixings in your mouth, creating a mind-altering taste experience. Sides in shareable portions cost extra: deep fried pickle chips served with aioli ($6.50), perfect fries ($4), groupie-making spam bites ($6.50): spam deep fried, encased in chopped pickles, cream cheese and dipping sauce. Expect a wait; the Blue Door Pub don't take reservations and it's packed most nights. However, you can kill time sipping from their selection of great beers and trying the free samples of their appetizers. A Juicy Lucy will never be just a meat Ding Dong again.