PHOTO: The 1/3 lb. Cheeseburger from The Dairyette in Mt. Ida, Arkansas

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Mt. Ida, AR: The Dairyette's Third-Pound Cheeseburger is a Country Classic

Posted by Kat Robinson, June 9, 2011 at 9:00 AM



You have to be meaning to get somewhere if you land in Mt. Ida. It's a classic southern Arkansas town with a reputation for being the crystal capital of the region, with dig-your-own operations and rock shops dotting Highway 270 all the way through town.

Nothing quite quenches the thirst and extinguishes a raging hunger after a crystal dig like a stop at the Dairyette. This family (and pet) friendly drive-in offers a moderately sized dining room and a couple of walk-up windows to order at, along with plenty of outdoor seating.

The Dairyette offers 1/3-pound burgers and 1/6-pound "junior" burgers. No choice of cheese; it's American. Chopped iceberg lettuce, wrinkly hamburger dills, and a slice of tomato are all the vegetation you're going to get with a standard order—and mayo is the default condiment.

That medium-packed, medium well burger patty comes with a slightly salty, buttery flavor, a light griddle-char, and just enough crust to feel it in your teeth. I was concerned about the apparent gray to the burger surface, which seemed to have almost no crust at all—but was fooled. The patty had the appropriate give and bite, a light crust, and a bit of moisture. The American cheese melted in just fine.

http://aht.seriouseats.com/archives/2011/06/the-dairyette-cheeseburger-review-mt-ida-ar.html

[Richardo]

1. Yuh-UM.

:9

[Angry Dragon]

2. Onions would be nice...............

[Pool Hall Ace]

3. Yikes -- meaning to get somewhere?

Like the cardiac care unit? :wow:

[Cant trust em]

7. It's just a hamburger.

It's not like it's got deep-fried bacon on it or anything.

[Kali]

4. oh hell

there's nothing to eat in this house

that looks DAMN good (except the lower bun is too big, oh well that is what dogs hovering around while you eat are for!)

[Brother Buzz]

5. That lower bun is a major breakhrough and makes sense

Think of it as a built in edible bib.

[Cant trust em]

6. What purpose does it serve?

Seems like a lot of extra bread.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

9. True, but the insides don't run down to your elbows while you're eating...

...I think Brother Buzz nailed it..."edible bib."

:toast:

[Cant trust em]

11. I guess I'm having a burger for lunch today.

You really twisted my arm on that one.

[Brother Buzz]

12. Might be a grand day to visit Bill's Place out on Clement

I wonder if they still have the Bernie Ward Burger, or the "Full Bernie" For The Brave & Hungry?

[Cant trust em]

13. I live in LA now. There's no shortage of good burger places around.

I never went to Bill's when I lived in SF. Joe's Cable Car in the Excelsior is probably the most iconic SF burger place I ever went to.

[Throd]

8. Can I order a double?

[freshwest]

10. Walked around in Mt. Ida in 1990. Saw the rock shops. It was a nice respite.

[struggle4progress]

14. I'd rather have less meat, swiss, a better bun, more veggies, and brown mustard