Burger Review: Henry’s Tavern (Bellevue) is my favorite burger yet

I’m on a mission to find the best burger in the city of Seattle. I travel to various burger joints within city limits and rate the establishment’s most popular burger on a scale of 1-10. Of all the measures I use, taste is most important.

I was invited by Restaurants Unlimited, Inc. to dine at Henry’s Tavern in Bellevue as part of my burger review segment. I paid for the burger and everything, so there was no special treatment that would influence my rating.

I’m suspicious of the fact I was instructed to go to the location in Bellevue and not either of the two in Seattle. It makes me think there is a little more confidence in the chefs out east. But nonetheless, I traveled across Lake Washington to eat at the fine establishment; one of the most common critiques of my reviews is that I should try more places outside of Seattle.

I ordered the “BBQ Bacon Burger” and, prompted by the waiter, requested it be cooked medium. Despite being cooked to medium, it was an incredibly juicy burger. I couldn’t get it out of them why it was so juicy, the chef just insisted the importance of having fresh beef. What also stood out was the inside temperature. The heat is insulated extraordinarily well and is spread throughout the patty. You might consider cutting the burger in half to cool it down, but make sure you’re not losing any of the delicious crispy onion straws as they are truly of meal-making quality.

A BBQ Bacon Burger from Henry’s Tavern in Bellevue. (Tom Amato, KTTH)

Served on a brioche bun, it’s a thick slab of season ground chuck. Along with the onions, the BBQ Bacon Burger comes with Applewood smoked bacon, their house-made BBQ sauce, and Tillamook Cheddar cheese. I wouldn’t call the meat crispy, the crunch will come from the onion straws, so your teeth should cruise right through the quality beef. The bacon is good and the BBQ sauce is spread perfectly throughout, somehow avoiding significant mess.

The bun is unique in that “HENRY’S” is branded on top, but other than that, it won’t do much for you. It’s not necessarily toasted, but it is sturdy, and will hold everything together. The onions will get tangy after a while since there’s so much emphasis on them to create flavor, but I still believe they’re one of the better parts of the burger.

It’s a very filling burger which gives Henry’s Tavern credence to charge $14.95. However, even if it was a little smaller, I still believe it to be worth the price. The cost obviously includes the fries, which were good. I mixed in a few along the way simply because I was getting full. An average-size human will have some trouble finishing the whole thing, but must consider saving the rest.

Burger rankings

Biggest strength(s): Size, fresh beef, BBQ sauce, crispy onions

Biggest weakness(s): Bun, a strong onion presence may not be for everyone

I recommend you hit up Henry’s Tavern on Bellevue Way this weekend. Here’s some advice: Park in the underground lot, but take pictures of the color level you’re on, your parking spot number and note whether you’re north or south. You face a likelihood of getting lost if you don’t.

I’ll give the BBQ Bacon Burger from Henry’s Tavern in Bellevue a 9/10.

NOTE: I WAS IN BELLEVUE. I continue my search for the best burger in the city of Seattle. What do you think of Henry’s Tavern? Where should I go next? Tweet me @NewProducerTom on Twitter.

Past reviews: 8 OZ. Burger (7.5/10), Little Big Burger (8/10), Uneeda Burger (5/10), Li’l Woody’s (7/10), CaliBurger (6/10), ShakeShack (8/10), Red Robin (7/10), BurgerMaster (4/10), Sam’s Tavern (7.5/10), Great State Burger (6.5/10), Red Mill (7.5/10).