Someone give this Bill fella a pat on the back. From the gents who run Blue Water Grill comes a new burger joint resurrected in the spot where Hog Pit once stood. Barely open for 2 weeks, I’ve already ventured here four times for some beer and burger action. The initial rumblings and early reviews stated Bill’s burger rivaled Shake Shack’s “smash technique” of griddle burgers. I can attest that their burgers are fantastic, but Shake Shack still has that certain je ne sais quoi. Maybe it’s the special sauce.

Bill’s Classic with American Cheese is their standard burger. It has deliciously crispy edges to the 5oz. patty and is presented on a sesame seed bun that does an ample job containing the juices. The burger is moist, delicious and the meat certainly is one of the best I’ve had in this city.

One of the other burgers on the menu is their double decker, called The Fat Cat. This bad boy is served with caramelized onions on an English muffin and early reviews have said the small bread does little to support the monstrous amount of meat this burger contains leading to a soggy mess. I’ve had this guy twice and will agree with those sentiments the first time. For this review however, my muffin was toasted on the well done side and as a result didn’t transform into a wet paper towel. I think they should stick to serving it this way or offer an option on a regular sesame seed bun.

Disco fries as I recall them are typically served smothered in brown gravy and mozzarella cheese. Bill’s flips this formula and serves it coated with Cheez Whiz instead. I do not object to this and enjoyed their substitution immensely. I mean, look at that cheesy goodness.

Going the distance, I tried their fresh key lime pie as a finisher. Not expecting great dessert from a burger bar, I was pleasantly surprised by the sweet key lime and fresh graham cracker crust. I was really really good.

Overall, you’d be a fool not to tackle Bill’s Bar & Burger. The burger is on par with Shake Shack without the insanely long lines that merit a video feed on their site. I’ve also tried their other burger that is a take on the In-N-Out burger and while equally as good as the Classic, I’m not sold on their special sauce they put on it. Still, I applaud Bill’s Bar & Burger’s wait-and-see approach. They’ve studied what makes these classics so darn good and have refined the technique and made it their own. Go eat at this place immediately.