Not long ago I updated my Twitter profile to include I’m currently searching for the best burger in Memphis. About a day later, I got a tweet from Memphis’ own restaurant blogger, @kensfoodfind. He tweeted that if I’m searching for the best burger in Memphis, I should try Sweden Kream on the corner of Bayliss and National. I’d never even heard of Sweden Kream, not to mention I had no clue where Bayliss and National were, and after a quick Google search, I found they had no website or Facebook Fan page. I was however able to find two great blog reviews from Dining with Monkeys and I Love Memphis. After reading them, I knew I had to give Sweden Kream a try.
Sweden Kream is a walk-up and order at the window food stand. There are three or four tables inside, but I wouldn’t call it much of a dining room. The menu can be found taped to and outside window next to another window, which you order from. The staff takes your order and your initials and calls them when your food is ready. They’re not extremely quick. I went with my boss on a Friday during lunch hour. We were the only one’s there at the time, and our burgers, fries and shakes still took about 20 minutes. It’s good to know you can call your order in ahead of time. The prices are extremely reasonable and they menu is quite extensive: all the fried and snack bar goodies.
Sweden Kream has a huge variety of milkshakes. Do yourself a favor and GET ONE! Hands down, they make the best milkshake I’ve ever had. It’s thick and creamy. There’s no whipped cream or cherry on top – just the shake served in a Styrofoam cup with a straw. It’s heaven and worth every calorie.
The Burger
Sweden Kream makes a burger that you won’t forget. It’s salt and pepper seasoned and griddle fried. They serve it on a Wonder Bread bun and fix it perfectly with the toppings of your choice. It’s tender, and juicy with the perfect balance of greasiness and natural juices. It melts in your mouth and gets better with every bite. For the price, I’m not sure you’re going to find anything else in the Memphis area that can compete. My only complaint was the fries. They were the traditional crinkle cut french fries. They weren’t as crisp or as hot as would have liked them. Crinkle fries just don’t do much for me anyway, and unfortunately Sweden Kream’s didn’t change my opinion.
Ask around Memphis. You’ll find that people who’ve lived here a long time know all about Sweden Kream. Many of them can recount memories from their childhood family trips or bike rides with friends to get a burger and shake from Sweden Kream – a timeless Memphis treasure.
I give Sweden Kream 4 out of 5 stars. This is a good greasy burger that will be hard to beat. And don’t forget to order a shake.
Sweden Kream
1472 National St
Memphis, TN 38122
(901) 454-5882
If you have a favorite burger that you think is Memphis’ best or that I need to try and review, please drop a note in my suggestion box.
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