A Cheeseburger Worth Grabbing at City Billiards, Aiken, SC
If you’re ever in Aiken, South Carolina, and find yourself in the mood for a solid meal with a laid-back vibe, look no further than City Billiards. Known for its casual atmosphere, this local gem has earned a reputation with its slogan: “The best cheeseburger you will ever eat.” But how true is that claim? Recently, a group of hungry burger enthusiasts gathered at City Billiards for a Hamburger Club lunch to see if this cheeseburger could live up to the hype. Spoiler alert: It came pretty close.
The Burger Breakdown:
As we dug into our meals, we scored several aspects of the cheeseburger, each with its own distinct merits (and a few minor hiccups). Here’s how the burger scored across the board:
- Bun: 3.5/5
- The bun was fresh, soft, and just the right size to hold everything together—at least until the more toppings came into play. Some of the bigger stacks did experience a bit of bun collapse, but overall, it did the job.
- Patty: 3.9/5
- The burger patty itself was juicy, flavorful, and well-seasoned. While most of us enjoyed the perfect level of moisture, one diner found the patty a bit dry for their taste. Still, the flavor was there, and it stood out as one of the better components of the burger.
- Toppings: 3.9/5
- The toppings emphasized freshness. Crisp lettuce, good tomatoes, and sharp onions (to many for one club member) made the burger visually appetizing and delicious. However, one diner who ordered a burger with multiple toppings noticed that some ingredients didn’t stay in place—proof that a larger bun could have helped contain all those goodies.
- Structure: 3.4/5
- While the bun-to-patty ratio was generally well-balanced, the structure of the burger faltered when larger portions were piled on. For those who prefer a more loaded burger, you might experience a “landslide” with your first bite. I do not like to suggest this, but cutting the burger in half (a treasonous act in the burger world) is a solution.
Taste & Satisfaction: 4/5…