How to Throw an Easy Backyard Bash

The Couch Potato at The Abbey. Photography by Angel Tucker.

Burger Roll-Call

The state’s best patties for when you don’t feel like grilling.
By Malia Erickson

From the familiar to the creative, these restaurants push the boundaries of burger bliss. Bite into a classic cheeseburger or try an inventive patty stacked with over-the-top ingredients.

The Abbey
Care for a burger with a side of monastic history? This spot gets its name from the owner’s reverence to Belgian Trappist monks, who were some of the first brewers. While the abbeys of yore gained recognition for their ales, burgers and hand-cut fries steal the show at this Providence restaurant. Try the Roadhouse Burger, a decadent deal featuring melted Swiss cheese, sweet caramelized onions, crisp bacon, garlic mayo and onion strings piled high on an onion bun. Or go for the Couch Potato, stacked with stout-braised pork, blue cheese, carmelized onions, garlic aioli and housemade potato chips on a pretzel roll. And don’t forget to pay homage to the restaurant’s namesake with a pint of authentic Belgian beer or any of the ninety-two drafts available. 686 Admiral St., Providence, 351-4346, 92beers.com

Crazy Burger
True to its name, Crazy Burger offers some wild twists on the classic burger along with options for every dietary need. Choose from one of the “Mad Max” options such as the Wassuppy Burger, for which the beef patty is rubbed in fennel, sesame and wasabi, then topped with brie, onion rings and a wasabi-chipotle mayo. Sample one of the vegan options, like the Birdie Mae burger, which blends soy-based tempeh with purple sticky rice, sweet potato and rosemary-pumpkin pesto grilled into a tortilla. Another favorite is the Luna Sea burger, a salmon burger topped with pistachio pesto, wrapped in phyllo dough and served with a side of orange-chipotle mayo. 144 Boon St., Narragansett, 783-1810, crazyburger.com

Chomp Kitchen and Drinks
Less certainly is not more when you order the Stack Burger, made with two patties stacked between barbecue honey fried chicken, bacon, two kinds of cheese, special house sauce and finally, lettuce and tomato. Chomp also offers an array of fried chicken sandwiches, equally as decadent as the burger menu, as well as a veggie burger made with sweet potatoes and goat cheese. Burger Boxes are available for your backyard bash, which include five Chomp custom blended burger patties, seeded brioche burger buns, smoked gouda cheese, bacon, housemade dill pickles and a jar of Chomp sauce. The sauce can also be found at retail markets such as Dave’s Marketplace. 117 Ives St., Providence, 537-7556; 440 Child St., Warren, 289-2324, chompri.com

Stanley’s Famous Hamburgers
Return to the classic burger at Stanley’s historic Central Falls eatery. This restaurant has been bringing Rhode Islanders comfort in burger form since 1932. Stanley’s offers all the tried-and-true favorites such as a bacon cheeseburger or a simple burger with lettuce and tomato, all for less than $7. It’s truly a timeless classic. 535 Dexter St., Central Falls, 726-9689, stanleyshamburgers.com

Mission
Serving up mouthwatering burgers in the City by the Sea, Mission is open for takeout and dine-in. Sample one of the house-ground beef burgers, like the Micky D Burger, an upscale version of the guilty pleasure fast-food hamburger, topped with diced onions, sweet pickles and ketchup. The bacon cheeseburger has all the classic burger fixings and features the homemade Mission sauce. Add a fried egg to any burger for $1. Pick up one of the hot dogs, too, like the Sauer Dog with yellow mustard and sauerkraut. Pair burgers and dogs with the crispy, hand-cut fries. 58 Aquidneck Ave., Middletown, 324-5811, missionnpt.com

Back 40
At this rustic-chic barn co-owned by former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo, the burger wears the crown. Dig into the Back 40 Burger for a taste of all the classic fixings atop a buttery brioche bun. Or perhaps you’d prefer the Other Burger with bacon, cheddar cheese, jalapeño and caramelized onions. Vegetarians and pescatarians delight in the sweet potato and black bean burger, which comes with guacamole and a spicy chipotle aioli, and the salmon burger served with lettuce, tomato, banana pepper and shallot relish and slathered in lemon dill aioli. Comfort foods, like mac and cheese and jambalaya, dot the menu and the drink list also impresses. Sit on the spacious patio and sip a colorful cocktail while soaking in the country calm. 20 South County Trl., North Kingstown, 667-4869, back40ri.com

Harry’s Bar and Burger
With two locations in Providence, Harry’s delicious, award-winning sliders are never too far out of reach in the city. Each order comes with two small burgers plus the option to “make it a threesome.” Try the Mother of All Burgers, which tops the Hereford beef patty with hickory-smoked bacon, hearty Portobello mushroom and onion rings for an additional crunch. The Sloppy Harry Chili Burger combines a few American classics: hamburger, chili and sloppy joe all in one. Grab extra napkins with this one, and wash it all down with one of the adults-only milkshakes. Harry’s on Main, 121 North Main St., Providence, 228-7437; Harry’s on the Hill, 301 Atwells Ave., Providence, 228-3336, harrysbarburger.com