Thunder Burger & Bar

Thunder Burger has raised a ruckus in recent weeks thanks to a promotion that has head chef Ryan Fichter serving up such unusual game meats as ostrich and gator. But set that Wild Wednesday nonsense aside and you're left with a neighborhood bar with great beer and whiskey lists and lots of ambitious burgers.

Thunder Burger's aggressively rustic interior, with exposed beams, riveted leather chairs and lots of dark wood, manages to charm even while approaching Medieval Times territory. The menu is similarly over the top. Sure, the basic burger is a medium-rare-to-medium all-beef patty with lettuce and remoulade sauce on a buttery challah bun, but a few options down the list you'll find a kobe beef burger topped with foie gras and Morbier cheese or an organic beef patty covered with pulled pork and fried onions.

For the adventurous eater, Thunder Burger's regular menu features a lot of interesting proteins, including elk and boar. But if you're hankering for something really exotic, such as rattlesnake, just wait till Wednesday.

--Justin Rude (July 20, 2011)