previously published on Buffalo SoapBox

Today is a very important day, and one I hope everyone is not only aware of but celebrating appropriately.  Today happens to be National Cheeseburger Day and if there is any one holiday we in Buffalo should get behind, it’s one involving food.

And really, when it comes to food, what’s better than a cheeseburger?  Aside from deep-fried anything or Gramma’s homemade pie?  Nothing, nothing is better.

There are a lot of places in Western New York to get a great burger but why not stick with the best?  You may have noticed I specified Western New York and not Buffalo, if so, very good.  That’s because for pretty much as long as Artvoice has been doing the Best in Buffalo series Grover’s in East Amherst has taken the top prize.

If you’ve never been down there, you have to check it out.  This place has amazing food at great prices.  Is there anything on the menu over $10?  You need to go for the Groverburger, at least if it’s your first time, but don’t limit yourself.  It may be a good idea to starve yourself for the day so you can start off with some cheeseburger soup, pizza rolls or maybe their parmesan chicken wings.

The place itself is as great as the food, it’s that perfect rundown cozy low-lit joint anyone should fall in love with.  For the record, the reason it’s so cozy and awesome, is that it used to be Grover Cleveland’s hunting lodge.

So when Cleveland wasn’t drinking himself stupid down in the old Canal Street, hanging people as Sheriff of Buffalo or marrying his dead best friend’s daughter, he was getting drunk and gorging himself on hearty roasted meats.  Have you ever seen Cleveland?  The man loved his meats.

Right now that is exactly what you should be doing, loving some meats.  So go.  Beer.  Meats.  Now.  Oh, just bring some cash.  Much like another best known secret of Western New York, this place doesn’t take card.

Don’t let that stop you though, don’t let it even slow you down.  Go out right now and celebrate National Cheeseburger Day.  Of course, in case you do miss it, National Hamburger Day is coming around soon.  In fact, there’s some debate as to when it actually is, so it could be in December, May or July.  Maybe we should play it safe and celebrate them all?  I’m always up for a trip to Grover’s.