Cheeseburgers galore! Here are the poll results for your favorite burgers in southwest IL
The latest BND restaurant poll for the area’s favorite burger has ended.
Of the polls I’ve done to date, this one was the longest running — our best Mexican restaurant poll was a distant second.
First, thank you for following the burger poll.
Second, thank you for participating in the burger poll.
And third, many thanks to those who provided feedback throughout the poll. The comments received will help us make future polls better for participants.
This is a good thing (because yes, there will be other polls). We like being able to engage with you, our readers.
Now, for the reason you’re really here: The Results.
And here they are, the top three picks in our Final Round for favorite burger in southwest Illinois:
First Place – Cutter’s Bar & Grill
This isn’t the first time Cutter’s ranked well in one of our polls. In January, it placed second in our favorite pizza poll.
Clearly, whether it’s burgers, pizza, wings or another of their many tasty menu items, there’s some good food to be had at Cutter’s.
A message was left for owner John Brisk, who was not immediately available for comment.
Cutter’s is located at 239 Carlyle Ave. in Belleville. Hours currently listed on the business’ Facebook page are 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday-Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday.
For additional info, give the folks at Cutter’s a ring at 618-235-7642.
Second Place – Wally’s Drive-In
Wally Knue opened Wally’s Drive-In in a former Breese gas station in 1951.
Since then, Wally’s has served up its burgers to a loyal, and growing, fan base.
Today, their double cheeseburger is the most popular burger on the menu, according to manager Dylan Knue.
In addition to burgers Wally’s also serves fish sandwiches, chicken sandwiches, grilled cheese, plenty of yummy sides, ice cream, shakes, malts, floats and, of course, Ski, which is made nearby at Excel Bottling Co.
(I have to admit, I’ve never tried Ski, which is practically unheard of for a kid raised in Clinton County).
Wally’s Drive-In was featured on the YouTube channel Midwest Day Trips in March 2021.
In 1990, previous owner Bob Knue told the News-Democrat that Wally’s is “the Cadillac of fast food because we use the best ingredients.”
Bob took over the business when brother Wally “retired” in 1971. Wally actually continued working for many years.
Bob passed away in 2014. His son, Rob Knue, owns the business today.
Wally Knue passed away in April at the age of 95.
Wally’s Drive-In is located at 711 N. Fourth St. in Breese. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily.
For more info, call 618-526-4040.
Third Place – The Bullpen Bar & Grill
“That’s cool! That’s exciting news,” said Jaime Hurst, owner of The Bullpen when I called with the news that they came in third for the poll.
(We didn’t get to chat long since I called at the beginning of their lunch rush — my bad!)
Hurst did say that their burger of choice, according to customers, is the Bullpen Burger, like a bacon cheeseburger, fully loaded.
The Bullpen Burger consists of a half-pound patty served on a toasted bun, topped with Swiss and American cheeses, bacon, lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion and “fancy sauce,” according to the menu description on The Bullpen’s Facebook page.
The menu also has a variety of other sandwiches – French dip, Philly, pulled pork, turkey club, grilled cheese – as well as salads, soups, plenty of sides and more.
The Bullpen Bar & Grill is located at 201 Kaskaskia St. in New Athens. Hours are 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday-Saturday. They are closed on Sundays.
For more info, call 618-475-8050 or check out the Facebook page.
Here were our other contenders in the Final Round:
Fletcher’s Kitchen & Tap: 6101 W. Main St., Belleville and 1524 Clinton Hills Parkway, Swansea; fletcherskitchen.com
Horseshoe Restaurant & Lounge: 950 Talon Drive, O’Fallon and 410 Saint Louis Road, Collinsville
Reifschneider’s Grill & Grape: 608 N. Main St., Columbia and 700 N. State St., Freeburg; https://grillandgrape.co/
Old Herald Brewery & Distillery: 115 E. Clay St., Collinsville; 618-855-8027 or oldheraldbrewing.com
NextUp Sports Bar & Grill: 301 Market Place, Freeburg; 618-710-0046
St. Clair Bowl: 5950 Old Collinsville Road, O’Fallon; 618-632-2400 or stclairbowl.com
Tim & Joe’s Tavern: 6500 W. Main St., Belleville; facebook.com/timandjoes
AJ’s Smashed & Smoked: 6980 W. Main St., Belleville
Walton’s Kitchen & Fish: 3535 S. Route 159 between Belleville and Smithton; 618-416-5284
Again, thanks for participating in this latest restaurant poll. Stay tuned because a new poll is coming soon. Until then, check out all of these great burger joints.
This story was originally published June 20, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
