SHADOWS FALL ALASKAN BURGER CONQUEST!
Thursday, July 2nd, 2009 at 11:30am by MetalSucks
[Reverend David J. Ciancio, owner of Yeah! Management (Shadows Fall, Cancer Bats, Poison the Well, many more), likes his meat as much as he likes his metal; the man has two meat-themed websites, Steak Club 7 and Burger Conquest, the latter of which is devoted to seeking out and reviewing the burgers of the world, an ambitious and worthy mission if ever there was one. Anytime I'm in a random city I'll text The Rev to ask him where the best burger is, and he inevitably comes through (aside: if you're ever in San Diego hit up Neighborhood). The Rev was recently on tour with Shadows Fall in Alaska and took them on a Burger Conquest, the writeup of which is below, exclusive to MetalSucks. Enjoy!]
Arctic Roadrunner Local Burgerman
http://www.lastfrontier.org/morsel_apr_2008.htm
5300 Old Seward Hwy
Anchorage, AK 99518
THE STORY
Before I go anywhere, I Google “best hamburger (insert city name)” and results for Anchorage seemed unanimous, Arctic Roadrunner Local Burgerman is reported to have the #1 burger in town. Located just South of the city center next to Campbell Creek, the Arctic Roadrunner has been slingin’ up burgers since 1964. It’s short-order counter service and cash only but it’s an award winning institution. Sparing no details in decorating the log cabin, you’ll find a tusk of a woolly mammoth, antlers, a fire place, pictures of famous patrons and all sorts of local oddities.
I was up here on tour with Shadows Fall who played 2 shows while in town with Family Tree Presents. We played a 21+ gig at the world famous Chilkoot Charlie’s and an all-ages show at Club Millenium. Both shows were fantastic and the fans were insane. Metal is alive and well in Alaska!
THE BURGER
The Arctic Roadrunner offers some interesting choices like halibut and salmon burgers as well as toppings like fried bologna and green peppers. Me, I keep classic, burger with American cheese, lettuce and onions, however I did opt for the whole wheat bun. I also ordered the onion pieces, the Roadrunner’s hand made version of onion rings. Surprisingly for a short order style burger, it was not greasy at all and had a good flavor. The whole wheat bun was the call and although I ordered it without mayo, I didn’t hate on the small dollop that was placed on it. The onion pieces were pretty good although I wish they had a little more breading. Sitting outside by the river on a beautiful afternoon, I enjoyed everything about the local burgerman.
“Kodiak burger… bologna, ham, and salami all stacked on some sweet beef…. How can you go wrong!?!”
-Matt Bachand, Shadows Fall
“All I had was an uneventful grilled cheese and some greasy fries. Not much to say. ”
-Brian Fair, Shadows Fall
“Great bacon burger, great shakes!”
-Jason Bittner, Shadows Fall
7 out of 10 ounces
-Rev
THE GLACIER
After our tasty burgers, our fantastic hosts, Sarah and Eric drove us an hour South-West to take a cruise to see the Portage Glacier. A part of the Churgach National Forest, the glacier sits just about one end of Portage Lake. After snapping a few photos from the visitors center, we hopped aboard the Ptarmigan cruise ship and headed out across the lake. It was a bright, sunny warm afternoon and as our tour guide Jesse proclaimed, “it doesn’t get any nicer.” We cruised around the fresh waters of Portage Lake, which actually supports no life, making it a dead lake, for about an hour. We got within 900 feet (approx 3 football fields) of Portage Glacier and snapped off tons of photos. Amazing to think that through playing heavy metal, we were seeing a such a special part of the Earth. Feeling blessed, we took it all in with smiles on our faces, excited to be doing something so cool.
10 out 10 experience!
-Rev
MAJOR thank you’s to Sarah and Rick from Family Tree Presents for organizing, promoting and hauling our obnoxious asses all over Southern Alaska. Big ups to Sal, Chris, Pat, Duran, Robinson, Brock, Clay, Mercy Should Hurt, Necrotic Opus, Decepticide, all the local bands, bartenders, Jesse the tour guide and everyone else who made this trip so much fun!
Sounds tasty. The best burgers in Chicago are at a place called Kuma’s Corner. Heres the kicker- they are METAL Burgers. There is a constantly revolving door of metal burgers of the month, as well as the menu staples- The Slayer, Iron Maiden, Mastadon, Mayhem,Darkthrone,Lair of the Minotaur,Black Sabbath, Judas Priest. All the burgers are about $10, but they are HUGE and well worth it. Plus they play metal tunes in the resteraunt.
They are all excellent, so if your in Chicago, drop by, but be prepared for a wait as its a small place and quite popular. My favorite is the Slayer. It got no bun, instead its 1lb of beef patty on top of a monstrous bed of chilli fries with spicy sausage slices, cheese, grilled onions and shitloads of jalepeno peppers and a special ingredient called “Anger” accourding to the menu. It is fan fucking tastic, and you’ll never find a more delicious way to clog your heart !!!
Look it up….just google “Kuma’s Corner” and check out the full menu. Great food and good beer.
BTW, when is that Shadow’s Fall guy gonna cut that nasty ass hair?
I’m so there.
That Slayer burger sounds worth a trip to Chicago (from London)!
Kuma’s Corner is greatness, pure and simple. So glad I live in Chicago some times, when they aren’t trying to kill us with taxes
Yeah, no shit. The taxes here are outrageous…..not to mention the new Third Reich parking meter system. But seriously, if any of you are living in Chicago and don’t know about this place, you’d better check it out. Its on Belmont Ave just west of Elston Ave. Look up the menu online, tasty tasty!
Baroness is playing there for free July 11th
How the fuck are they playing there?? The place is so smalllll. The Patio maybe?
I’d go check it out, but the mighty Archgoat from Finland is playing their first Chicago show that day.
Check out how their website describes their servers ” Each staff member here is hand picked from around the world because of specific traits in their genetic make-up, and performance in battle. Learn more about these select few members of the new resistance” .
None more metal.
It’s for the Block Party, I’m pretty sure it’s outdoors
Yeah, just checked. Damn can’t believe they’ve been in business 4 years
Me being a chef I love checking out posts like this…METAL AND BURGERS….we need more posts from this Rev guy about burgers and metal from all over the world…
it’s my life
Depending on how you feel about Psychostick (I personally have no opinion), you might find this interesting: http://headbangersblog.mtv.com/2009/03/24/guest-blog-does-psychostick-guitarist-josh-key-value-fine-dining-over-fine-chicks/ .
I haven’t heard any of their music, but I respect the Hell out of this guy’s stated intent.
I love stuff like this. Horns up to the Rev.
Makes me want a burger.
Biff Tannen: TOTALLY AGREE. Check it out;
http://burgerconquest.blogspot.com/2009/03/kumas-corner-where-burgers-go-to-die.html
Brian Fair you vegetarian you.
Haha, I was wondering if this was the case. Why the hell else would you order a grilled cheese I suppose. Dude’s a Buddhist, right?
yup yup yup… shadows fall owned in 907!!! and of course sarah p. ROCKS!!! thanks to all that put that show on!!!!
A very good concert guys, I loved it. It was nice to meet all of you. Hope you come up to Alaska to play again. Cathy (Sarah’s Mom)
Shit, I was just in Alaska. I shouldv’e checked this place out.