Historical February 1992 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
“Oh, no!” we heard expressed when somebody close noticed the departure of the House of Jamaica at Delmar and Eastgate. Naturally, we City folk took it personally that a business had forsaken the City portion of the Loop. “All right!” was the more upbeat comment when we noticed recently that the space did not stay empty long.
The newest restaurant in the Loop is “Classic Burgers and More”, owned by Brent Schafer, pictured here with his beautiful baby grand, on which he plays the classics in music as well.
The burgers start with 8 ounces of fresh beef, charbroiled as you like. Ordering “well-done” brings forth an evenly-cooked, moist burger— not the distasteful blackened lump of rawmeat-lover chefs.
The large variety of toppings allows for everyone at the table to try something a bit different.
On a recent family outing, we tried burgers of two types: “The Roundup’ (KC BBQ sauce and grilled onions) and the “Burger Au Poivre” (Dijon mustard and cracked pepper).
Each was $3.95 Both were presented nicely and had distinctive tastes, though the poivre was a bit more finely ground than expected from the lovely term “cracked”. “The Roundup’, ordered without the grilled onions, was definitely the highlight of the meal, with all four of us vying for pieces of this fine burger with an exceptional BBQ sauce.
Also sampled by our crowd were two appetizers, the “Munchrooms” at 2.95 and the “Charbroiled Shrimp,” at 5.25 the most expensive appetizer on the menu.
The shrimp were large, not jumbo, but adequate, and the sauce for dipping was tasty but very (spicy) hot. Beware-type hot.
The “Munchrooms” were tasty breaded mushrooms, deep-fried at just the right temperature so they were full of flavor, but not dripping with grease.
There were lots of them, and they’re served with a cool ranch sauce.
When a restaurant is called “Classic Burgers”, why would anyone order a chicken sandwich? Do inquiring minds really want to know? At any rate, this critic did.
On an earlier visit, we tried a “Grilled Chicken du Paris”—not as winey as hoped for, but fine on the flaky croissant. At our family outing, a “Chicken Salad Sandwich” on sourdough bread was big and fresh, but too heavy on celery and very sweet-tasting. That KC BBQ sauce on the adjacent burger proved too tempting for the would-be chicken eater. Fries were ordered in the interest of thoroughness and are available curled and regular, seasoned and plain.
We ordered plain, regular, and they were fine as a crisp complement to the nice big burgers. Desserts look and sound outstanding, including Amaretto and turtle cheesecakes, a cake called, invitingly, “chocolate suicide”, Chocolate Pecan Turtle Pie, and a “Pie du Jour”.
We saved these—as well as the salads and soups—for another time. A-B beers and white Zinfandel and burgundy wines are available, as are a good variety of non-alcoholic beverages, including hot chocolate. Brent Schafer, owner of Classic Burgers, also occasionally plays a wonderful baby grand piano, which is the visual centerpiece of the restaurant.
With happy hours Friday and Saturday evenings from 5-7, the new place promises to be a welcome addition to the Loop.
If you’re looking for Caribbean, you can find the House of Jamaica near their old home. now at Olive.
But if you’re looking for a good burger close to home, give our new neighbor, Classic Burgers and More, a try. •
Original photograph caption
Classic Burgers and More owner Brent Schafer at his baby grand piano. Photographer not credited.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, February 1992.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1992_02.pdf, printed page(s) 3; PDF page(s) 3.
