Ike's - A Modern Retro Burger Blast

Unlike some of my recent posts on real retro places - Matt's, Keys, Burger House - Ike's is a newer establishment (opened just a few years ago) with a retro feel.  But it is a great spot.  A simulacrum of a 1930s-40s club-type restaurant, Ike's has unique feel, solid service and never miss food.  One of my favorite spots downtown.  And they even serve breakfast (I recommend the Breakfast Quesadilla).  Do get there early for a seat at lunch.  The restaurant is a long box, almost like a wide railroad car, with primary seating out the outside perimeter, with bar/seating/prep area in middle.  You can see real roast beef and turkey being sliced right in front of you.

The menu recently expanded, and I was lucky to get to try one of their new burgers - Andy's Kitchen Burger - with my friend Lee Zukor (follow him at www.twitter.com/leezukor).  The burger (depicted) was about 4 inches tall, toasted bun (key), juicy fat Angus patty, with melted blue cheese, crispy thin onion rings, applewood-smoked bacon and "hot pink mayo."  One word: awesome.  Cooked to medium (my usual) and completely tasty.  Despite the elevation of sandwich, I was not stuffed (did I care?).  Unique burger, but not gimmicky.  Just delicious.  Other enticing burger variations on the menu as well. One of the places that knows: if you can't do burgers right, get out of the biz.  Fries are always good here (the brownish/crispy kind).   And - every meal finishes with a free warm choc chip cookie and DumDum's.  Why not?!  Go to Ike's.

Ike's - get a website!

A Visit to Keys (Minneapolis)

I like this place (dark diner).  I like the portion size (large).  And the mini-burgers were pretty good too.  Set in the awesome Foshay Building in the old Un Deux Trois spot (that place was great), Keys is an old-line, respected diner with a few spots around town (original in St. Paul on Raymond).  I use the downtown Minneapolis branch for breakfast meetings and occasional lunches.  The day to go for lunch is Monday - when they have a $6 lunch special (which includes an entree and a drink).  I bought lunch for a fellow colleague and the bill with tip and tax was about $15.  Heckuva deal.  

Now on to the burger.  I tried the $6 two-mini-burger special - with fries and diet Coke.  The lunch was definitely worth the price.  Just the right amout of food.  Burgers were leanly dressed but tasty.  Not the tastiest I've had (there was little seasoning) but pretty good.  Fries were good - the thin and crisp variety.  Correctly fried and properly salted.   Pickle on the side gets a bonus point.

Overall, I give it a solid B for value, decor and overall experience.  The service was fast, good and friendly.  Thumbs up for a quick work lunch.