Sometimes simpler isn't better, especially if it means sacrificing variety or quality. With three bun types and nine burger toppings (not including specials), Schmidty's Burgers takes the Rube Goldberg approach — "accomplishing by complex means what seemingly could be done simply."
Sure, you could go with the usual burger: plain soft bun, maybe a little melted American cheese, a choice of lettuce, tomato, etc., and dress it yourself with ketchup or mustard. Schmidty's goes a step further. Their six-ounce patties of certified Angus beef burgers on your choice of bun — roasted red onion, Kaiser or ciabatta-style — sport such outlandish accompaniments as pineapple and banana peppers (Mrs. Schmidty, $10.69) or baby portabella mushrooms and Swiss ($10.59). The Hangover Burger features a hashbrown patty, American cheese, fried egg and Canadian bacon ($10.89) while the California burger goes both ways — chicken or beef — with guacamole, bacon and Swiss ($10.89).
Of course, you can always pre-empt the morning-after ailments with something good and gooey to soak up the alcohol the night before. Try the loaded cheese fries with bacon, green onion and sour cream or ranch ($5.99) or the bone-in drumsticks in four levels of heat ($7.49).
If it's the hair of the dog you're needing, Schmidty's just added beer to its menu, which is also kid-friendly with junior-sized portions of burgers, fish or chicken strips and grilled cheese ($4.89-$5.89). You get your choice of fries or onion rings with any sandwich, served hot and crisp in little baskets.
As if the regular menu wasn't enough, Schmidty's continues to experiment with different burger combos. On the day we visited, a barbecue "Rodeo" burger with onions and barbecue sauce was featured. On St. Patrick's Day, the Grumpy Irishman with corned beef and cabbage included Schmidty's trademark "Grumpy" sauce, honoring the original Grumpy burger served by the parents of Denise (Hodges) Schmidt, who owns Schmidty's with her husband Nate. ♦
Schmidty's Burgers, 206 N. Fourth, Coeur d'Alene • Open Tue-Sat, 11 am–9 pm; Sun, 11 am-3 pm • (208) 292-4545
