Love at First Bite at Vicki's Lunch Van

[ed. Note: 6/18/2014: Congratulations to Vickie's for winning best burger in Alabama this week.]

This post could go several ways.  We could make fun of the portable Biff Burger building, the handmade "Pardon the flies" sign, the TV that does not work, the paper towels on the tables or the lack of a sign visible from the road. We could research the health rating.  We could try to weave the latest government crisis into the story and blame the House Republicans.  We could be smart and sassy. Or we could--shocker--really write about the food.

The 8 oz. combo--drink included

As I sat in a booth pondering which direction to take, my number was called and soon there was before me, in all its steamy splendor, an 8 oz. double cheeseburger dressed all the way lying temptingly in a basket beside some real fresh French fries.  After the first bite, all was forgiven and my decision was made. As I enjoyed my combo for a out the door price of $8.89, the old building and wacky signs (or lack thereof) faded away.  Although not really a food truck and best described as a "dive," the straight poop is that Vicki's Lunch Van restaurant just off Coliseum Boulevard in the old Biff Burger building serves one of the best burgers in town at a very reasonable price.  I do not throw around such accolades lightly.  If you close your eyes as you take a bite, you will imagine you are at Hamburger King or Joe's Again without the claustrophobia.  You realize there is merit in keeping the overhead low and putting the money into the meat.  So, if you love a good cheeseburger, you will not be disappointed at Vicki's Lunch Van.  If you do not believe me, watch the WAKA-TV "taste of the town" segment or read the Montgomery Advertiser review. To their credit, they found Vicki's before most of the LITG gang.



Wide open spaces compared to the competition.

Now that recommendation is out of the way, there is some nostalgia and knowledge to impart.  No one reading this blog should leave this page dumber.

Inflation= Hamburgers go from 15 cents to $6 over 40 years.

Actually, calling itself a lunch van is more appropriate than maybe even the owners think. Those of you who grew up in the Gump remember the Biff Burger which opened on the Lee side of town in the 1960s.  Know what Biff stands for?  It stands for "Best In Fast Food." In fact, the Biff-Burger in Montgomery was one of 160 of the most successful franchises of that era.  The Biff-Burger had two innovations that set it apart.  First, the founder invented a dual grill machine that charbroiled the hamburgers on one metal conveyor while the buns traveled below and absorbed the flame-kissed drippings.  Second, the founder also invented a modular and portable building equipped with the unique broiler that could be installed in a week such that once the land could be cleared the store could be up and running in ten days.  The Biff-Burger in Montgomery--and now Vicki's Lunch Van--were housed in a portable building that has remained in use for over 40 years. 

The chain was founded in St. Petersburg, Florida, where one of the only two remaining Biff-Burgers still serve "Biff Burgers" to hundreds of bikers who flock to the throw-back buildings.  Perhaps one can even learn from the fall of this great chain that apparently gave Burger King its idea for a burger broiler.  After the founder sold out to a conglomerate, the purchaser decided to diversify into gambling operations that ruined the company.  Think of it, a casino operation that loses money.  You would almost have to try to lose money to fail at raking in chips from games tilted in your favor.  Regardless of the improbability of it, that is the reason we do not have Biff-Burgers all over the country.

The re-purposed portable BIFF

Their 20th century loss was our 21st century gain. When Vicki had to shut down her actual lunch van near Gunter, the portable Biff-Burger building--which had housed God only knows how many other businesses--was there for the taking.  Today, in that portable building without a sign to alert the passing public a restaurant is inside, Vicki and her cohorts are serving up burgers that put the Biff-Burgers--and just about any fast food hamburger--to shame.  For in the nondescript hovel, made to order hand-pattied mixtures of freshly ground steak are cooked on a griddle, smushed one at a time with a spatula, adorned with a bun to soak up the steamy grease rising from the heat and then served juicy and hot along with thick-cut real french-fries.  Even Harry Reid might agree to allow such a burger to pass mustard.

Darn. I am making myself hungry. What flies?

 

Squeak Peek: Eat At Joe's...Again

UPDATE as of June 7, 2012: Returned Again to Joe's Again. Was at first apprehensive that the place had changed hands. They have painted the structure red and yellow and today there were no signs of any kind indicating the name of the establishment.  However, once inside I quickly saw nothing really had changed. Same menu. Same Joe and same awesome "Joe's Burger."  I need a nap.....


July 21, 2011: Returned to Joe's...Again on Friday last week for the "Joe's Burger" and again today for the regular cheese burger. I was blown away, I mean, in a good way. Not injured but almost stuffed beyond capacity with what may, just might, perhaps, maybe, possibly be the best, I said BEST, double cheese burger in El Todo Del Gumpo! Maybe. Since I was alone I cannot confirm the rating. We will need other GGP's or LITG members to weigh in on the important matter of determining whether Joe's Again is a tremendous find and we crown them as having one of the best burgers in the city. And we haven't even tried the ribs and wings for which they are locally famous. Stay tuned.

It's hard to imagine the size of it without some frame of reference. The cup in the background is a LARGE drink cup.

For now feast your eyes above on the "Joe's Burger." Two hand-formed and what seemed like 1/2 pound patties with cheese cooked to perfection with grilled onions, pickles and peppers and crisp tomatoes and lettuce. Very difficult to eat with tiny paws. Did I mention it was messy? It was messy for sure. But was it ever good! I could not stop eating even when my tummy felt like it would pop. The burgery goodness forced me to keep gnawing my way through this burger monster. I left sated and stayed that way for about 2 days. Was it just me or was it one of the finest burgers I have had...EVER? You decide.

Check out Joe's...Again and let me know what you think. Send comments (if you do not want to post them) to squeakGGP@gmail.com

Now, here was the original post on Joes concerning their also fine cheese steaks:
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First, I want to thanks to the girls at MCOA for suggesting a Gump Guinea Pig foray down West Fairview to Joe's Again Buffalo Wings & Rib City. They provided some good intel on where to find a good Philly Cheese Steak sandwich in the Gump. Second, as someone who has visited Philadelphia several times for weddings and business, no one in Philly thinks any thing made outside of Philly should be called a cheese steak or can hold a candle to Pat's, Geno's or Jim's--although they really cannot explain why they prefer Pat's over Geno's or Jim's or visey versey because they all have a favorite. It's like Auburn v. Alabama v. Troy here in the Gump. There you have to pick Pat's or Geno's or Jim's (which is sort of like Troy).

For those of you unfamiliar with the fifth food group a/k/a the cheese steak, here is a quick primer: Its thinly sliced steak, onions ("Wit"), cheese (or cheese Wiz) and bell or Italian peppers on a split Kaiser roll. The main reason you cannot get good ones outside South Philly is because it's hard to find the right bread. They do not travel well and they will not ship them to you. You can try to make one at home. If you are inclined to try, here is a very good recipe from someone who has a cheese steak fetish (which I suppose is more healthy that toe or toad sucking).

Back to Joe's...The great thing about this place is the guy behind the counter in the pork-pie hat with the booming baritone voice. If you are an adult, he greets you when you come through the door with a Nat King Cole croon. However, if you are one of the local kids from Carver, he starts asking questions about what sports they play, what they want to do after high school etc. He also imparts wisdom like: "You got to do something after high school" or "You've got to make something of yourself." I guess because of the maximum street cred this place has in this area,
"Joe" (I assume it's Joe) gets away with poking his nose in their business in a way any other proprietor might not.

Bottom line: This place is a very short drive south on I-65 from the Gump (take the Fairview Ave exit and head East) and if the cheese steak is any indication of how good the other items on the menu might be, I will have to go back again and again. Due to limited seating I do recommend take-out and a call ahead would probably be a good idea.

Stay tuned for further reviews of what we hear is a very good double-cheeseburger: The Joe's Burger....until then, this is Squeak, over and out!