F4tF: The Best Burger in America
When I knew that I would be heading down to Miami & South Beach for a three day vacation and some well deserved R&R, I reached out to two people I know down there for tips on places to eat. One of them is a well known chef who has spent most of his adult life in Florida, the other is the brother of one of my best friends who happens to be in law enforcement.
On the second of my three days down there I met up with my cop friend and his wife for a beer. He said to me, we have to go this place in Hollywood Beach right on A1A that was voted The Best Burger in America by none other than Alan Richman of GQ Magazine. If you don’t know anything about who he is, here is all you need to know:
Alan Richman is the most decorated food writer in history. He has won 14 James Beard Journalism Awards, a National Magazine Award (and was a finalist five more times), and a Bronze Star for service in Vietnam. You won’t find food writers like him at the food magazines. When he received his National Magazine Award, the presenter described him as “the Indiana Jones of food writers.” He has reviewed restaurants in nearly every Communist country (China, Vietnam, Cuba, East Germany), proof that he will go anywhere for a meal. He once reviewed the Chicago restaurant owned and operated by Louis Farrakhan, not known to be a fan of Jewish journalists. In Cuba, he defied government regulations by interviewing starving political dissidents, then rewarded himself with a lobster lunch at the most expensive restaurant in Havana. In 1998, Richman was inducted into The James Beard Foundation Who’s Who of Food and Beverage in America, which recognizes culinary industry professionals for their achievements. He is the Dean of Food Journalism at The French Culinary Institute in New York, where he teaches a class in food writing. Richman’s 14 Beard awards have been presented in restaurant reviewing, feature writing, and wine writing. He has also taken the top prize, the M.F.K. Fisher Distinguished Writing Award, twice. He continues to indulge his passion for eight-course dinners (plus cheese).
The name of the place that we went to was Le Tub.
READ ON to read all about the best burger Jon ever ate…
In his article The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die, Alan Richman said the following about Le Tub…
This is a dream of a dump, located on the site of a former Sunoco gas station. Outside there’s assorted porcelain—toilets, sinks, tubs. Most have plants in them, and a lot of the plants look dead. Inside is a pool table, a jukebox, and tables reminiscent of the ones at highway rest stops. The view is magnificent, the Intracoastal Waterway at its broadest and most dramatic. Le Tub doesn’t take credit cards, and it has signs everywhere reinforcing that rule. I’m surprised anybody who eats here qualifies for a credit card.
The menu is big, and the food isn’t bad, except for the Sirloin Burger, which is magnificent. It’s slowly seared on an indoor grill, crusty on the outside, juicy inside, always perfectly cooked. At eight to ten ounces, it’s ideal big-burger size, and it’s shaped like a pincushion, with sloping sides, which means you get a nice gradient of doneness. The bun has a few poppy seeds and looks like a kaiser roll, but it’s smaller and softer. It’s just right for enveloping the meat, which is judiciously seasoned and spiced, mostly with salt and pepper, I suspect. That’s all it needs. No cheese or condiments required.
I don’t understand how this spot came to have the best burger in America, but it does. Regardless of where I am in South Florida, I always make my way here for lunch. I sit at the bar and watch yachts that cost millions drift by, draped with women who cost more, and I think to myself how lucky I am to be at Le Tub.
We arrived around 5 PM and settled in outside to take in the scenery
We all started watching the sun go down and enjoying some frosty cold Miller Lites in the can as time (and the sun) began to fade away below the horizon.
After a few beers it was hunger (and burger) time so we asked to see their menu
We decided to order one of their 13oz burgers and split it amongst us. When we ordered the burger, the woman behind the bar said “The kitchen is a little behind and it will take about an hour”. Can’t say exactly how long it actually took time-wise but it was around 3 or 4 beers consumed waiting. I have to say, it was well worth the wait and absolutely one of the best burgers I have ever had.
Once we finished the burgers we sat, relaxed and enjoyed the scenery for a while longer.
Le Tub was easily one of the most fun & relaxing dining and drinking experiences I have had in a long long time. If you are in the Miami area, go check it out. Be prepared to wait a while (and pay cash) but it is well worth it for the overall experience. Alan Richman was right.
Le Tub
1100 North Ocean Drive
Hollywood, FL 33019-3309
(954) 921-9425
http://www.theletub.com/
I was just in South Beach for a few days, via FLL airport in Hollywood and wish I had this tip. There is always next time… Thanks!
Jon,
On our way down to Miami this past week we made a point to stop by Le Tub for lunch and it was excellent as promised.
Thanks very much for the timely review.
Jeremy