So as you can tell, it’s a quiet time in the world of Ohio Sports.
*The Crunch’s season is over (which we are all deeply sad about).
*The Indians are playing .500 ball with our sometimes on and mostly off hitters.
*The Cavs are trying to fill top business positions which really mean nothing to most of us.
*The Browns are well..trying to dig themselves out from a place lower than the basement by signing whoever will come our way.
*And the Buckeyes are practicing away for their season opener in Sept (and they even brought on a LeAkronite to help them out).
Yes, it’s quite a time folks. But something that never goes out of style in Ohio is the food. There is a reason Ohio is one of the fattest states in the nation.
My personal favorite is Swenson’s in LeAkron.
construction for the official museum is underway
For those of you who are unfamiliar with this place..first off I am sorry, but basically it’s a drive up burger joint in which the waiters run out to your car, take your order (only with the lights on), and have some other random waiter bring it out once that goodness is cooked. This joint was started in 1934 by Wesley T. "Pop" Swenson. What a great man..
Swenson’s has stayed local all this time while I am sure fielding plenty of offers to franchise. Everytime I go home, Swenson’s is seriously the first thing on my list.
Actually, a cool story just recently happened that pertains to good old Swensons..a friend was coming to dc for the weekend and decided to do the first ever hamburger drop. First, he purchased a Galley Boy (their signature sandwich with two patties, cheese and two sauces..soo good) at 11:30pm on Thurs. Brought it home, put it in the fridge. Woke up on Friday..put the burger in a cooler while wrapped in ice packs. Then carried it on the plane and headed over to my office once he landed. Then the drop off. At this point with the burger in hand, I debated on eating it cold but resorted to microwaving for 20 secs and bam..pure satisfaction. You could even taste the butter on the bun. My day was complete and I didn’t eat anything else for lunch (till Ben’s Chili Bowl later at night).
So yes folks I am talking about a hamburger here but these are seriously the best ever.
To food..
9 comments:
That's a great story. You should send that in to Mickey Porter and see if you can get it into Porter's People. That must be the furthest a Galley Boy has ever travelled. Now, if you could only come up with a way to get a Swenson's milkshake to D.C.
My roommate here in Columbus was back in Brecksville with his girlfriend and they made a Swenson's stop before they came back to Columbus. Knowing that I hadn't been back to Akron in a while, he decided to bring me one back. Imagine having someone walk through your front door with a Swenson's bag in hand not knowing that it was coming. I was in heaven. Unfortunately, we had just moved intoa new place and did not have a microwave yet. I made the mistake of using the toaster oven. Cold Burger + Burnt Bun = Worst Galley Boy ever. Still, the worst Galley Boy ever is still the fourth best burger I've ever had (runner-up only to a fresh/microwaved galley boy, Thurman Burger, Five-Guys Double Bacon BBQ Cheeseburger)
Just like Lou & Hy's, Swensons is an Akron tradition.
I must confess that Washington D.C. is not the farthest a Swenson's Galley Boy has traveled. Just before LeBlog's Galley Boy was transported by plane, a day earlier 8 Galley Boy's were purchased, double wrapped, put on ice, insulated in a cooler, then bubble wrapped in a box and shipped priority overnight to San Diego, CA. They found their destination succesfully and were all demolished by Akron Natives within Hours.
The Swenson's ability to be better than a double double fron In-N-Out Burger still amazes me to this day.
Swenson's is the BEST. The furthest I have ever had one sent for me was while in Massachusetts, not as far a San Diego unfortunitely!
I think I may have to head over there after work today!!
The Guru
We can visit Swensons as soon as you arrive!
Swenson's burgers can't possibly be better than Five Guys.
Thanks,
Jamie
www.MisterIrrelevant.com
FIVE GUYS vs. SWENSON'S: A COMPARISON
These are two great burger places, and either one will give you a tasty treat. But one must be better, so here we go:
1) Burger Flavor: Swenson's has a sweet taste, with brown sugar. Five Guys has a good all-american taste, but it lacks that special somthing you can taste in Swenson's. Advantage: Swenson's.
2) Bun: No contest. Swenson's buttery buns make the best burger bread.
3) Toppings: Swenson's has the usual fair, and does a nice job. But Five Guys has so many more- BBQ, A1, peppers, and so much more. I think that's the best part of a Five Guys burger- the way to make your own in so many different fashions. Advantage: Five Guys.
4) Sides: Five Guys does have the better French Fries, with great fresh made spicy fries. And you get alot. But at Swenson's, you get so much variety- fried mushrooms, onion rings, jalepeno poppers, fries, and many more. It's great to go to Swenson's with friends and share sides. Advantage: Swenson's.
5) Drinks- once again, no contest. Swenson's offers great shakes. You can even mix flavors (I like the Peanut Butter-Mint Combo). I can remember on many occassion the milk shake topping off a great Swenson's meal. Five Guys doesn't do milkshakes, and you are stuck with typical soda fair.
Winner: Swenson's. Five Guys makes a great burger your way, but if you are true burger afficianado wanting the complete experience, you have to head to LeAkron and get yourself some Swenson's.
paullev7,
Your knowledge on this topic is obviously unsurpassed, and I spank you for the Swenson's vs. Five Guys analysis. If in LeAk, I will gorge at Swenson's.
However, I think you're unecessarily belittling Five Guys sides. They begin and end with best gotdamn beach fries west of Gus & Gus in Rehoboth. I don't care how many poppers, rings, etc. you stack against these fries, nothing beats a greasy brown paper sack full of thick-cut Idaho potato fries covered in salt & vinegar and dipped in ketchup. I realize this has nothing to do with burgers, but I thought it was worth mentioning.
All the best,
Jamie
www.MisterIrrelevant.com
Jaime (aka Mr. Irrelevant)-
Thank you for your kind comments. I agree that Five Guy's has superior french fries. But to me, fries are so boring. There is nothing like a jalepeno popper at 1:00 am for you to rehash the next morning when you wake up.
I will say this: I would love to do a Five Guy's/Swenson's/Ben's Chili Bowl Experiment once. Get a burger from each place, get some chili, and do it up right. Alas, that gastronomic expereience may never occur.
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