100 Favorite Dishes: Juicy Lucy at the Midwestern Saloon

No. 44: The Juicy Lucy at the Midwestern Saloon
With plenty of imported foods and international cuisines coming to Denver, you may wonder why someone would open a restaurant dedicated to Midwestern fare. But that's what's happening at the aptly named Midwestern Saloon in Berkeley, and if you need a reason to sample their offerings, we have two words for you: Juicy Lucy.

This indulgent burger is a staple in the Midwest and here consists of a mouthwatering Aspen Ridge beef patty stuffed with melting cheese. That's right, as soon as you take a bite, a gooey, umami-rich blend of American and cheddar cheeses pours out, making what we know as a classic cheeseburger seem like a boring alternative. Not only that, but the Saloon's version is topped with brown-butter garlic aioli and comes pressed between halves of a toasted brioche bun. The crowning touch comes in the form of a pickled jalapeño speared right on top. Get yours with a side of fries, or really get into the Midwestern spirit by ordering the golden-brown tater tots — the superior choice, for sure.
The Juicy Lucy isn't easy to find in Denver, but thanks to Andrea and Dan DeShano, who opened this laid-back joint in March, anyone can now try one. When the couple started their restaurant and bar, they wanted to bring a taste of home with them, from the food to the sports to the overall vibe. Dan hails from Michigan and Andrea comes from Minnesota, the home of the original Juicy Lucy burger. In fact, two Minneapolis joints have taken the credit for creating this dish: Matt's Bar and the 5-8 Club. While the latter doesn't have a story behind its burger, Matt's Bar claims it created the burger with the cheesy surprise in the 1950s and sells it under the oddly spelled Jucy Lucy name. The Midwestern Saloon gets the spelling right, along with the burger, which is just as good as any you'll find in Minnesota.

Hungry for more? All of the dishes in our 2016 countdown are linked below.

No. 100: Masala Beef at Biju's Little Curry Shop
No. 99: Bacon Shrimp and Grits at Bacon Social House
No. 98: Porchetta and Kimchi Sandwich at Brider
No. 97: Squab-and-Sunchoke Tortellini at Abejas
No. 96: Housemade Burrata at Viand
No. 95: Schweinshaxe at Rhein Haus
No. 94 Kimchi Jeon at Seoul BBQ
No. 93: Zuppa Pomodoro at Parisi Italian Market & Deli
No. 92: The Ocean Salad at Sushi-Rama
No. 91: The Signature Bowl from Churn & Burn
No. 90: Green Chorizo at Los Compadres
No. 89: The Diavola Calzone at Pino's Neighborhood Pizzeria
No. 88: Biscuits and Green Chile at the Noshery
No. 87: Chirashi at Izu Sushi
No. 86: Brisket and Ribs at GQue Championship BBQ
No. 85: The Tornado at the Chowder Room
No. 84: Korean Fried Chicken Wings at Yong Gung
No. 83: A Meatball Hero at Lil' Ricci's New York Pizzeria
No. 82: Shakshuka at Stowaway Coffee + Kitchen
No. 81: Late-Night Ramen at Brazen
No. 80: Potato Tacos at El Tejado
No. 79: Corned Beef Heart at theWay Back
No. 78: The Fried Bologna Sandwich at Snarfburger
No. 77: Sweet Corn Mezzaluna at Bar Dough
No. 76: Duck Confit at Table 6
No. 75: Croque Monsieur at Fire
No. 74: Tahini Cookies at the Preservery
No. 73: The Alferd Packer Salad at MAD Greens
No. 72: The Tuna Poke Bowl at Ohana Island Kitchen
No. 71: Mini Chile Rellenos at La Loma
No. 70: The Combination Banh Mi at Vinh Xuong Bakery
No. 69: The Falafel Waffle at Moxie Eatery
No. 68: Korean Fried Duck Wings at Chow Urban Grill
No. 67:  Spaghetti Alla Carbonara at Spatola
No. 66: The Classic Burger from Skirted Heifer
No. 65: The Chicken Salad Stuffed Avocado at Poppies
No. 64: Super Pass Key Special at Pass Key
No. 63: How the West Was Won at Dozens Restaurant
No. 62: Manzo With Polenta at Spuntino
No. 61: P & S Snack Mix at the Pig & the Sprout
No. 59-60: Sloppers at Gray's Coors Tavern and Diego's
No. 58: Potstickers at Zoe Ma Ma
No. 57: Griddle Cooked Bullfrog at Yum Yum Spice
No. 56: Macaroni and Cheese at Work & Class
No. 55: Lobster, Egg and Caviar Bruschetta at Bar Fausto
No. 54: Orecchiette at Coperta
No. 53: Cheese Steak at Steuben's Food Service
No. 52: PB&B Acai Bowl at ProsperOats
No. 51: Gold Miner's Breakfast at River and Woods
No. 50: Bison Pastrami at To The Wind Bistro
No. 49: Spicy Beef Hot Pot at Bronze Empire
No. 48: Brad's Neo Gyro at Avelina
No. 47: The Egg and Croissant Sandwich at La Fillette Bakery
No. 46: Smoked Brisket Stroganoff Pot Pie From Humble Pie and Kitchen Table
No. 45: Hisbiscus-Flower Tacos at Comal