Foodie Friday #1: Charm City Burger Company
My favorite burger joint of all time!
DISCLAIMER: Unfortunately, I’ve realized I don’t have many pictures saved from my experiences there so I’ll be borrowing some from the web to illustrate what I’m talking about. These photos are owned by their respective entities and persons and in no way do I take credit for them as my own. I do however have some photos that are mine and will make it clear when that is the case.
Today is Valentine’s day, which is a day to show love and affection towards that special someone in our lives. For me, it isn’t a person but rather, a place. Much like how people can hold a special place in our hearts, in my case, it’s a restaurant by the name of Charm City Burger Company. Effortlessly, they delivered premium quality food and service—time and again—without ever missing a beat in their step. As one of my favorite restaurants in South Florida, I first encountered them nearly a decade ago in 2016, and while time certainly flies, their quality hasn’t. Truly, they are a must visit destination for any and all foodies in the South Florida area.
Located in Deerfield Beach, the local award winning restaurant is a wonderful hidden gem that is a true representation of the “Hole in the wall” aesthetic that has become a staple of the American food and restaurant culture, wedged in an easy to miss venue sitting right on the main street of Hillsboro Blvd. Tiny and snug from the moment you step foot inside, the joint wears its personality on its sleeve with a unique interior design that clashes unusual colors with one another while decorated in memorabilia and knick-knacks that reflect their identity and environment as a little beachside food shack; there’s even a snazzy disco ball suspended overhead!
But the real pleasure is in the food. Oh my goodness, the food! I’ve been blessed during my countless visits to have tried nearly every single item on the menu from their signature burgers to their milkshakes, and I’m confident to say that among what I’ve had in my many years of dining from both the finest high end restaurants to the food trucks on the side of the road, Charm City ranks up there in nearly every category it is eligible for.
Now, how did I come across this irreplaceable burger haven?
The year was 2016 and there was so much going on in my life at that moment, and even now when I reflect, the days both went by in a flash yet had many unforgettable memories that get unlocked as I type this out, but one constant that remained throughout that murky clouds of forgetfulness was the presence of Charm City. A true staple for myself and my family, I first found out about them through my mother’s co-worker who was a huge foodie and loved dining at many restaurants—target being the family owned restaurants most of the time, and had a love for burgers much like myself. When he told her about Charm City, she in turn told me, and I dragged her and my pops to investigate.
Now, I’ll be honest: I initially had skepticism.
After all, it was tricky to find the place at first since his directions weren’t so helpful and the only landmark we really had was that the restaurant was before the drawbridge towards the beach and inside the Publix plaza, but was actually sharing its space with several other businesses and very much hidden in plain sight. Then there was the parking, which was two sets of areas to park where one was tricky to access on short notice and the other being a small lot right next to a dumpster with the main entrance actually being the rear entrance while the front entrance was only accessible through the sidewalk right next to the busy main road.
When I walked in, however, that preconception I formed about the restaurant shattered the moment I got a whiff of that delicious aroma that kissed my senses and caressed me with every step I took to the counter to order.
The Good Ole
I had no clue what to try.
From the stacked options displayed on the menus to the indistinct chatter that filled the room like water in a pond, I felt overwhelmed. My ears couldn’t attune, my nose was on skates battling the enticing scent of the burgers on the grill, and my eyes were darting from item to item to decide, when finally, I decided on the Good Ole as my first ever burger.
The classic burger with all the traditional ingredients, I wanted to keep it simple since I knew that most craft burger joints tend to be highly overpriced and often gimmicky; the Good Ole keeps it simple and at the time was a great bargain as a burger that only cost about $5 dollars and then $6 with the drink and fries combo attached. After waiting a for a bit since it was super packed at the time, we got our food and when I held that soft bun in my hands and saw the little trickle of juice trickling out from the burger with a gentle squeeze, I knew my salivating glands were about to be awarded.
My first bite felt like a crackle of fireworks traveling from my mouth to my brain, the processing of what I just ate voided by the primal urge to immediately take another bite. I couldn’t believe what I was eating! Every chew of that sizzled third-pound of beef, crunchy fresh vegetables, and savory yet sweet flavor of the “Charm sauce”—a family recipe and secret ingredient—combined to create the symphony of umami, an introduction to a new world I never would’ve explored if not for the whims of another.
I could only shake my head with each appreciative bite I took, lamenting that my journey of the first venture was approaching its end. An affordable meal that returned on its investment tenfold with a filling product that left my stomach as satisfied as my taste buds, I knew that a rematch would be apparent. This couldn’t be the first and last time I ate at such a place.
And so, I returned to slay the Good Ole once again!
I wanted another battle now that I had experience and a strategy of how to tackle the powerful flavors that punched me around prior, and I must say, I still found myself in awe. The first battle felt like a battle with the burger, but the second felt like a clash with the chef. It was that good! I can safely say that so far after all these years, the Good Ole still remains the most complete burger I’ve ever had in terms of affordability, portion, and overall flavor. It’s the burger you can introduce anyone to and they’ll love it. But while the Good Ole is a solid craft burger, I always found myself craving more, and while ordering to burgers to eat is well within my range of action, it didn’t feel practical.
And thus, entered the Big Sloppy.
The Big Sloppy
Majestic. Surreal. Incredible.
When I challenged the mightiest burger on the menu, these were all the thoughts that crossed my mind. It’s towering appearance was matched by its alluring aroma and the steam that emitted from the juicy patties fresh off the grill. When I took my first bite, I felt an ascension to another plane. It. Was. Delectable. It felt like I’d finally had as close to a perfect burger as can possibly be, from the juicy third-pound patties double decked and dressed in cheese, double the peppered bacon, veggies, the ever delightful charm sauce, finished off with a kiss from a fried egg and hash brown patty. Yes, take a deep breath—it’s a lot.
It was an instant crush. Not only am I a total sucker for a good breakfast burger since it gives me the illusion that I’m having two meals in one, I just love the juxtaposition in flavor between the chewy bite of the beef and the crunch of the hash browns, how the flavor is bolstered with every bite thanks to the salty taste of the bacon dancing with the charm sauce, mellowed out by the appearance of the veggies that make the burger all the more digestible. Once I went down for a bite, I couldn’t lift my head up until I knew I was done—it’s that daunting of a burger! I would tear it up every time I ordered it, sometimes in record time of less than 5 minutes. The absurd size of the burger that truly provided a novelty. It’s a solid burger, but the sheer size of was what made it such a dumbfounding experience; and conquering it made the purchase all the more enjoyable. It’s like a “I can’t believe I finished that” type of feeling while letting your stomach digest that monster. In fact, one time I remember ordering the burger with an upgraded American wagyu and seeing the towering titan await me once served and looking out the corner of my eye and seeing an older gentleman who was waiting on his food and seeing the surprise on his face when he saw how big the burger was. I proceeded to devour it like nothing, and after trouncing the burger, I remember looking up and just seeing a look of disbelief on his face with his jaw agape, shaking his head slowly unable to process what he just witnessed. Many times my dad and I would get burger together and I could recall him just shake his head watching me wolf that thing down without effort.
Below are some photos of my many battles over the years.
What made me love the Big Sloppy so much was also just the reputation it created for me and circle whenever I showed them the pictures. Everyone wanted to try it, many to see if the hype was real, and seldom did I ever hear a negative review of the place. While these pictures don’t necessarily capture the behemoth of a burger it is, I’m satisfied to see how pretty and appetizing it appears on a screen; it really does look like something that should be split between two people!
If the Big Sloppy seems too daunting of an approach however, Charm City does offer a substitute known as the Lil Sloppy. It’s the same burger, minus a whole patty. You still get the eggs and hash brown along with everything else, but it is far more manageable than the gargantuan Big Sloppy—though still a challenging eat in its own right.
Unfortunately, the price has gone up since the time I regularly frequented as its popularity truly became apparent as well as the market prices being raised.
Where memories were made
It was a regular spot I’d go to grab a bite—be it on the family drives or when I went with friends on the way to the beach or going fishing. I had my first date with my girlfriend at the time there and she’s gone on to be an irreplaceable person in my life, and then there are the dozens of memories made from seeing people in my life marvel at the sheer volume of the food placed before them when they ordered, the mystique of Charm City morphing into a type of rite of passage for those who took their maiden voyage of flavor, seeing so many family and friends tap out after a few bites and have to get a carry-out bag.
But the most important memory is the one I never had.
The Emperor
At the time, it was the most expensive burger on the menu but also its biggest. A half-pound American Kobe patty melt dressed in Truffle Aioli, Aged Gruyere Cheese, and Sautéed Mushrooms on some soft toast bread, it was a burger that was the priciest yet flavorful. But what I must advise is that much like the Big Sloppy, this isn’t a burger to take lightly, as it is very filling.
For me, this burger is personal and has some history attached to it. As mentioned before, Charm City has been a home for many of my memories when I lived in Florida but the most important memory is the one I never had. My grandfather and I had a deep bond and food really helped to strengthen that. We both loved food and it was often I’d see him eating his meals at home at this little table he set up for himself that he called an “Island” and look over at the lakeside, eating peacefully. I’d join him regularly to keep him company and eventually, I’d start to eat alongside him. He always munched on something or cooking, earning the nickname from me of “Mr. Eaty” and “Captain Licorice” whenever he came to visit from the West Indies. After my first few visits to Charm City, I showed him the burgers I had and told him that when he came up, we’d have their biggest and best burger together—“The Emperor”. It was a promise that we swore to fulfill since he loved a good burger and I loved watching him eat.
Unfortunately, I never got to have that meal with him.
When my grandfather passed, I was in a deep depression. I kept away from Charm City for a while since I couldn’t bring myself to go back there and remember that lost promise, and while time manages to heal all wounds, that one still cuts fresh every single time I remember it. But eventually, I returned and ate everything on the menu but the Emperor, until on the anniversary of his passing, my father and I had one to celebrate him. It was the best burger I ever ate, and ever will.
Menu Recommendations
There are many items to choose from when visiting Charm City, some so good you’ll have to return—better with company—and experiment with everything on the menu.
Charm City offers three ways to have your burger cooked: Right on, Under, and Hammered. These are similar to how you would order a steak, with “Right on” being a little bit of pink in the center, “Under” being very pink and warm in the center, and “Hammered” being no pink at all. I personally order my steaks Medium Rare and I do the same with my burgers, usually going between Medium rare to medium when it comes to Steak burgers such as Charm City.
But they offer more than just burgers, also dealing in Chicken, Salads, Shakes, and more, with gluten-free and vegan options available as well. For me however, I’m big on the premise that if I’m going to a burger joint, I’m getting a burger—if a steakhouse, then a steak—and so on. You can also “pick your patty” which gives you a choice of three options with some upcharge. The first option being the Charm Blend patty which is their standard mix done in house every morning fresh with a family recipe, next up is the Grass Fed for a dollar and change upcharge which as the name suggests—uses Grass Fed beef which is much leaner than the other options, and last is the American Wagyu patty for a nearly five dollar upcharge which uses American Wagyu as its beef patty and is more on the fattier side. Personally, I’d say that if you’re not too adventurous or care about the patty to stick to the Charm Blend as its a fine taste on its own. If you have a preference for a more leaner kind of beef to opt for the Grass Fed, and if you’re more info flavorful punch without regard for the fattier or chewier content, then go for the American Wagyu; I usually switched between the Charm Blend and the American Wagyu depending on the burger and how I wanted it cooked: Charm Blend was more for “Right On” while American Wagyu was for the “Under” option, the latter almost always used for the bigger burgers like the Big Sloppy and Emperor.
Burgers
Earlier I highlighted my personal favorite choices among burgers: The Good Ole, Big Sloppy, and The Emperor. All three are fantastic choices and what I would recommend for anyone that likes a burger. But they aren’t all that is to offer for burgers. There’s also the Cowboy, the Volcano, the Southern Belle, and the Forager to complete the stacked lineup.
Starting with the Cowboy, it’s similar to the classic Good Ole but has the twist to being stylized for that of an old westerner, decked with bacon, cheddar cheese, onions, and mushrooms. It’s another solid choice for a first choice burger in case you’re not up for the simple Good Ole but aren’t too daring to take a leap of faith to the heartier burgers such as the Big Sloppy or Emperor. Then there’s the Volcano, which is premised on being the “spiciest” of the family with its half-pounded patty topped with Pepper Jack cheese, Charm City’s blended Volcano sauce, and Pickled Jalapeño to create a hot bite. Next up, the Southern Belle, which is again a third-pounder burger decked in Muenster Cheese, Spicy BBQ sauce, Haystack Onions, Creamy Bacon Cole Slaw, Tomato, and Garlic Aioli. Lastly, is the Forager, which is different from the aforementioned burgers above as it is the only burger than is in default done with a Grass Fed patty instead of the Charm Blend that is seen in the Good Ole, Cowboy, Volcano, Southern Belle, and Big Sloppy. The Forager features in addition to its third-pounder Grass Fed patty, White Cheddar cheese, Grilled Mushrooms, Pickled Tomato, Arugula, and Garlic Aioli to create a really filling and satisfactory burger.
It’s been a while since I’ve last returned there so their menu has expanded greatly since then, and it’d be dishonest to give any recommendations on something I haven’t had but in case you visit and have a taste, let me know what you think! The newer burgers added were the Spicy Chili Burger featuring Jalapeños, Grilled Onions, Cheese, and most importantly, Chili! Then there’s the Lumberjack, which consists of a Wagyu Beef patty with Jalapeños, Cheddar Sausage Pinwheel, Grilled Onions, Crispy “Frito” Cheddar Cheese Crust, and “Hick-Fil-A” Sauce on a Toasted Sesame Bun. Last of these burgers is the Big Baller 2.0 which in addition to the third-pound charm blend patty is paired with 4 ounces of shredded NY Strip streak, Melted Bleu Cheese, Peppercorn Taragon Aioli, Charm City Steak Sauce, Arugula, and Onion Straws.
But if burgers aren’t what you’re in the mood for, they have an extensive menu of other options available.
Sandwiches and Dogs
If you’re more in the mood for a sandwich, you can’t ever go wrong with the Philly, a choice of a classic or spicy classic that features Shaved Ribeye, Grilled Onions, Garlic Aioli, and a homemade White Cheese they call the “Wiz” on a toasted Hoagie Roll. Want something a little more than just the classic Philly? There’s the Sunshine Steak Sandwich at your service, which consists of Grilled Angus Skirt Steak, Grilled Onions, Provolone Cheese, Garlic Aioli, Crispy Onion Straws, all on a Hoagie Roll. Lastly of the beef family is the Hot Diggity Dog, an all beef quarter-pound Kosher Hot Dog served either grilled or deep fried, topped with American Cheese, Bacon, and Grilled Onions.
Going from the beef to the birds, The Gobbler is a house made Turkey burger decked with Swiss Cheese, Cranberry Mustard, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, and Pickles, all on a whole Wheat Oat Bun. For the Chicken Sandwiches, all can be had either grilled or crispy, and the first up to bat is the Plain Jane, a Chicken sandwich that you can have either grilled or crispy, topped with Garlic Aioli, Lettuce, Tomato, and Onion; a Simple yet solid sandwich! But if you’re craving a Chicken Sammy with a little more punch or expression, Charm City still has you covered with the El Diablo, topped with Charm City’s Volcano Sauce, Pepper Jack Cheese, Pickled Jalapeños, and Garlic Sauce. The Cheffy offers a switch from the spiciness and opts for a sweeter approach with Candied Bacon Strips, Grilled Onions, House Bleu Cheese Spread, Sweet Chili Sauce, Lettuces, and Tomatoes. The Redneck offers another perspective of the Chicken Sammy with Sweet BBQ Sauce, Bacon, Honey Mustard, Pickles, Lettuce, and Tomato, topped off with an Onion Ring. The last of the birds is The Foodie, which consists of Sautéed Mushrooms, Aged Swiss Cheese, Grilled Tomato, and Garlic Aioli.
In case you’re not feeling a Turkey or Chicken Sandwich, there’s the Hippie, a house made Veggie burger with a blend of Beets, Mushrooms, Quinoa, Beans, Oats, and Spices, all on a Whole Wheat Bun. There’s also the Sushi Tuna, which is house made ground Sushi Grade Ahi-Tuna spiced with Sesame-Chili, Kimchi Slaw—chef’s recommendation to be cooked Under, Wasabi Aioli, and Sweet Soy-Lime Glaze. Lastly, the Greek, a house made Spiced Lamb Burger with Greek Salad Slaw, Garlic Tziki, Tomato, and Feta Cheese is great choice if you’re looking to go an alternative route but still want that taste that isn’t beef or chicken.
Others & Sides
You’re also able to get between 8 or 16 chicken wings, or a Big Salad. For sides, there’s choices between Hand Cut Fries, Sweet Potato Fries, Beer Battered Onion Rings, Tater Tots, Sweet Tots, and Mac n Cheese Bites; I personally recommend the fries or tots for a combo with the burgers.
Dessert & Shakes
Got sweet tooth? Sweet! The Oreo Fritters is there to satiate that with 3 Fried Oreos, Powdered Sugar, Chocolate Drizzle, and a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream. If you’re not looking for Oreos but still want that fried sweetness, the Carnie can cover you, consisting of a Fried Twinkie cut into 3 pieces decked with Powdered Sugar, Chocolate Drizzle, and a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream. For Milkshakes, there’s many choices to choose from such as: Butterfinger, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Cinnamon, Coconut, Coffee, Key Lime pie, Peanut Butter and Jelly, Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry, Cookies and cream, Apple Pie, 420, Orange Dreamsicle, and the Binge. I will say, these are fairly sweet so there will be a sensory overload.
The Last Word
A must visit spot for anyone who calls South Florida home and a definite spot to hit up if ever visiting South Florida and are nearby the Deerfield Beach/Ft.Lauderdale/Boca Raton area, Charm City is a place that can easily become home to a tradition where visiting and having a bite is as routine as the obligatory trip to Florida. You’ll meet great people, see great scenes, and most importantly, have even greater food.
So, if you’re looking for a burger, I recommend the aforementioned Good Ole, Big Sloppy, or the Emperor depending on pocket or preference. If you’re looking for a simple and fulfilling meal, the Good Ole, Plain Jane, or Hot Diggity Dog will get it done. Want something a little more heavy to last you all day for sure? Maybe even a challenge to test the pit of your gut? then a Big Sloppy is the way, though a little more pricier than the Good Ole but worth it in my opinion; if not up to such a heavy undertaking, try the Lil Sloppy! Same burger, less volume. But whatever the choice you decide upon, you’re assured a great experience with wonderful people behind the counter and in the kitchen. Take the leap of faith!