Elliot’s

What do you call a burger restaurant where you can walk in, order a burger and have it handed to you in less than 10 seconds? If fast food is your answer, you’re not alone. That’s what I would have said too. Especially after visiting Elliot’s for lunch last week.

Elliot’s is located in downtown Memphis on 2nd Street next to Raiford’s Disco. Their sign hanging out front says they have Memphis’ Best Burgers. With that, I was expecting something pretty special here.

I received several massages via Twitter and the Suggestion Box telling me I needed to try Elliot’s burger. A couple of times I suggested to my buddy Tim that we head over to Elliot’s and repeatedly told me that I wouldn’t like it much. Finally I was able to rally up some twitter friends, Anna Ritz and Chip Chockley and make a plan for lunch at Elliot’s. Having lunch with the two of them was by far the best part of the whole experience.

The Burger
I got to the front of the line and ordered the cheeseburger and fries combo. Without missing a beat, the woman who took my order turned around and grabbed a wrapped burger and small paper tub of fries from behind her and put them on a tray for me. I paid and was on my way within a matter of seconds. There was a Danver’s-like salad bar loaded with fixin’s and toppings. Truth is, it could have been a Texas de Brazil salad bar and it wouldn’t helped this already overcooked and charbroiled patty.

When all was said and done, it wasn’t the worst burger I’d ever eaten. It reminded me of a Backyard Burger or an overcooked picnic burger that might have been sitting on a tray for 10 or 15 minutes. While it was very overcooked and dry, It did have some flavor to it. I did my best to dress it up with fixin’s and condiments, but it didn’t help the little burger’s cause. The fries where nothing impressive either. Just frozen fried steak fries. Same kind you’d get at Huey’s. No seasoning or crispiness to them.

I give Elliot’s cheeseburger 2 out of 5 stars. I absolutely don’t understand the hype. For those who recommended Elliot’s, I respectfully disagree that this burger is a contender for Best Memphis Burger.

Elliot’s
16 S 2nd St
Memphis, TN 38103
(901) 525-4895

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.

You might like: