I visited the Tap Room at Dubsdread for lunch recently. I was meeting a friend who used to be the publisher of a major daily newspaper. We're thinking about starting a support group.

If you're the owner of a restaurant that has had a rough summer, you probably don't want to hear this next part: the place was packed and people were waiting for tables. I guess good food and service will always win out.

And it's not like the food is the cheapest around. My Tap Room classic cheeseburger was a hefty $9.95 -- not a lot but not exactly a bargain, either. Still, it was a darned fine burger. It featured a half-pound of beef topped with good Tillamook cheddar cheese, not the processed American cheese some places are using. Some lettuce, a thick slice of tomato and purple onions were included. And the bun was toasted and had a terrific buttery flavor. It was cooked to the requested medium-rare (or pretty close) and came with so-so fries.

The Tap Room retains its rustic golf clubhouse aura, but on the day I visited it had a distinct aroma -- some mustic to go with the rustic. But none of that seemed to bother the throng. And I forgot it as soon as I started plowing into the burger.
So Tap Room is the burger to beat, as far as I'm concerned. Anyone else have a better favorite?