Tip Top Burger Shop (Portland OR)

Date: February 26, 2025

Location: 2175 NW Raleigh Street, Portland OR

Website: ttburgershop.com

When I saw Tip Top Burger Shop described online as a “casual eatery serving classic burgers in northwest slabtown,” I knew I’d found my next meal.

The Oxtail Burger is a 1/4 LB Oregon beef patty (seasoned with salt and pepper and griddled to a juicy medium) with melted Havarti cheese, twice braised oxtail, griddled onions, roasted cremini mushrooms, arugula, pickled red onions, and garlic herb aioli on a toasted Grand Central Bakery bun. Doesn’t that sound amazing?

1 Aesthetics — Gorgeous! Just look at that beauty! 9

2 Flavor — Mouthwateringly delicious! Very juicy high quality beef, cooked to steakhouse perfection, smothered in mushrooms and onions. The garlic herb aioli and braised oxtail add a uniquely smoky umami quality. So good! 9

3 Mouthfeel — Such a satisfying bite: the juicy meat; the stretchy, melty, spicy cheese; the crunchy pickled red onions. Yes, yes, yes! 9

4 Quality/Freshness — These folks are definitely using the highest quality, freshest ingredients, right down to, and including, the freshly baked bun. 9

5 Integrity — My only complaint, and it’s not much of one. The burgers in this place are so huge and juicy, it’s a wonder they can maintain their structure at all. Eventually my big pile of mushrooms began to abandon ship. I took a look around, and I wasn’t the only one eating his sandwich with a knife and fork. 6

6 Atmosphere — A clean, austere, modern, minimalist decor. 6.5

7 Service — Outstanding! 9

8 Satisfaction — Delightful. Flavorful and filling. 8

9 Creativity/Uniqueness — The epitome of a gourmet burger: a brilliant combination of flavors and textures. 9

10 Value — A little expensive at $16, but this burger is a complete meal, so I’d call it a very good value. 7.5

One of the finest burgers I’ve ever tasted. Highly recommended.

Total Score: 82