burgers

Excited about Eating by Ernie & Dora Hiers

/ Dora Hiers / 11 Comments

This edition of Excited about Eating takes us to The Cardinal, a place serving “classic American road food” in Boone. This neighborhood meeting spot boasts burgers made from different meats combined with fresh ingredients to excite the flavor buds in your mouth.

The Cardinal Excited about Eating Ernie & Dora Hiers

So excited this place is just up the road from our home-away-from-home!

Dora here. Aren’t you amazed that we actually went out for dinner? lol. What can I say? We prefer to dine out for lunch and stay in for dinner. The crowded restaurants might be one reason why. 

I chose the 50/50 burger, half Emu (an Australian bird) and half chorizo. It was slathered with housemade queso and packed with jalapeños (not after I got a hold of it), and onions, and served with fries.

The Cardinal Excited about Eating Ernie & Dora Hiers

50/50 Burger, full of flavor and packed with heat!

Now this burger was full of flavor, very juicy, and packed with heat! Spicy enough that they had to keep refilling my diet coke. The bun was very soft and worked perfectly with the burger and the fries, which were thin and crispy just like I prefer. This is definitely a place we will have to go back again.

Dora again. Sometimes you’re just in the mood for a great burger, right? At least, I am, and the Gringo Burger satisfied my craving. Bison topped with an avocado spread and wonderfully strong cheddar, sandwiched between two of the most amazingly soft buns I’ve ever tasted. While it was a bit heavy on the avocado, I would’ve liked more cheese. And I know Ernie adores those potato sticks, but I prefer thicker fries.

The Cardinal Excited about Eating by Ernie & Dora Hiers

The Gringo Burger satisfied my burger craving

Still Dora. I tend to be noise-adverse, and since we visited for dinner, it was a tad loud for my liking. Could be because we sat in a more confined section of the restaurant, where the ceiling was lower. Overall, we’re thrilled to find a great hamburger joint just up the road from our home-away-from-home and we’ll definitely be repeat customers. Although probably for lunch rather than dinner. lol.

What’s your go-to hamburger spot? What’s the most unusual burger you’ve tried?

We rate the restaurant 4 forks out of 5 for a family restaurant serving great food.

Excited about Eating by Ernie & Dora Hiers

/ Dora Hiers / 4 Comments

This edition of Excited about Eating takes us back to one of our favorite neighborhoods in Charlotte, Plaza Midwood, and to Moo and Brew. This burger spot offers “Tried and True” burgers, salads, and a variety of different types of fries.

Moo and Brew Excited about Eating Ernie Hiers

Parking on the side, as well as a slider entry. Especially good for rainy days!

For our appetizer, we selected the Midwest Cheese Curds, beer battered and served with a tomato infused ranch dip. These curds were great, crispy on the outside, hot and gooey cheese on the inside. The only negative was the grease left in the bottom of the tray. Dora here. Grease? What grease? lol. I wish they’d have come out before our meal. Then we could’ve enjoyed them more before filling up on our burgers. 🙂

Brew and Moo Excited about Eating Ernie Hiers

Cheese Curds…crispy, hot and gooey, great!

I chose the Moo & Brew Burger, braised onions, chili, cheese, and mustard served on a potato bun and upgraded the side to Parmesan, Garlic & Olive Oil fries. This thick and juicy burger was outstanding, with hints of a smoky flavor in the chili. However, what stood out about this meal were those fries. A giant size portion and crisp, with just the right amount of oil so that the parmesan stuck to each fry.  I think I could have made my whole meal out of these fries. Worth the upgrade over the typical fries.

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Moo & Brew Burger, outstanding!

Moo and Brew Excited about Eating Ernie Hiers

Side of Parmesan, Garlic & Olive Oil fries. Super huge portion!

Dora here. You know how sometimes you’re just craving a juicy burger? Today was one of those days. We both just wanted a burger, and we’d been eyeing Moo and Brew for a few months now. I like that they offer a “Build Your Own Burger” option. They loaded mine with beef, lettuce, relish, bacon, bleu cheese crumbles and aoili. Messy but YUM! Soft bun, fresh ingredients, just YUM.

Moo and Brew Excited about Eating Ernie Hiers

Build Your Own Burger, just the way I like it!

How do you like your fries?

We rate this restaurant 4 forks out of 5 for a family friendly restaurant serving great food.

Moo & Brew Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Excited about Eating by Ernie Hiers

/ Dora Hiers / 4 Comments

This edition of Excited about Eating takes us to our favorite area of Charlotte, Plaza Midwood and to Kickstand Burger Bar.

Excited about Eating Kickstand Burger Bar

Parking is in the back, so this is actually the back entrance

Excited about Eating Kickstand Burger Bar

Large outdoor seating area

This bar type restaurant with TVs at most booths really capitalized on their namesake by hanging bikes all over the restaurant. They are giving away this particular bike.

Excited about Eating Kickstand Burger Bar

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We chose the Onion Tanglers appetizer, lightly breaded thin onion circles fried crispy that melted in your mouth.  The dipping sauce possessed a little kick.

Excited about EAting Kickstand Burger Bar

Onion Tanglers, just enough heat in the sauce to jazz up your mouth without burning

Dora here. haha, just a little. Enough heat to ramp up your tongue without burning. 🙂 But a tad greasy for my liking.

I ordered the “Build a Dog” with cole slaw and chili. Our server told us that these were Nathan hot dogs so I was confident in their quality. The large dogs, loaded with slaw and chili, were great. The only negative was the standard bun, over toasted and dry.

Excited about Eating Kickstand Burger Bar

Build the Dog

Dora here. Bummer. I went with the Trek burger topped with caramelized onions, Gorgonzola, steak sauce, and chipotle mayo. The burger was good, but a bit overloaded with steak sauce. I devoured most of the sweet tater tots, but ditched the syrup. I would’ve preferred a sprinkling of brown sugar rather than syrup. Yeah, go ahead and tell me I’m spoiled. I’ll admit it. 🙂

Excited about Eating Kickstand Burger Bar

Trek Burger

Still Dora here. Our grandson really enjoyed his grilled cheese sandwich and was enthralled with the decor. He would definitely  vote for a return visit. 🙂 The inside was clean and the service quick and friendly. In Charlotte, the private parking lot is always a bonus.

Do you frequent restaurants because your kids or grandkiddos like them?

Overall, we rate this restaurant 3 forks out of 5 for a family friendly restaurant serving good food. 
Kickstand Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato