This is hands down the best burger, anywhere, period. Â Here is why... At Buds, they keep it simple - no wagu kobe beef with French bre and truffle oil bs. Â Just a colorado grown, 20% fat beef patties, moist buttery bun and optional melted american cheese. Â Ketchup and mustard, onion and pickles are on the table but that's it. Â You know why? Â This burger needs nothing else. Â It comes as a single or a double and with or without the cheese and of you don't like it, they don't care. Â If you think you know of a better burger, I challenge you to check this burger out and if you still think your burgers better, let me know b/c I want to try it. Â Bottom line, if your in the state of Colorado and you haven't been to Bud's - you owe it to yourself to go in and get one.
Review Source:You have 2 choices... Double or Single and with or without cheese. We stopped in for a beer and some really good hamburgers. My wife ordered the single and it was so good she ordered a second.
I don't think she's ever had 2 before anywhere. Very reasonable and super friendly people.
I'd give them a 5 star but Its a super short menu and there are no fries. Burgers and Chips...
Re: review in which author was disappointed with Bud's burgers. My question is-how can you judge a burger properly when it isn't eaten in-house. A good burger is not made for traveling. It must be consumed fresh, with the pickles, onions and mustard (screw the ketchup) placed on the sandwich just before consumption. Good God, man. what were you thinking? Ever hear of a bun? What does a bun do if it sits with a burger between it for a few minutes? Sorry, my friend, but your culinary methods are lacking-in the burger dept., anyway. Stick with The Cricket. Please.
Review Source:Let me lead off by saying I apologize if I offend anyone who is overly sympathetic to Buds, whether it's be because you grew up with the establishment or whatever but I'm writing this review as an impartial guy from Littleton who had never been there.
Anyhow my tale of disillusion started when  I decided to travel down to Sedalia the other day to experience this "sacred crow" of a burger since I had heard an exorbitant amount of praise in regards to it's tastiness ie: "you've never experienced a burger like this". Let me continue by denoting that I ordered TWO cheeseburgers to make sure I wouldn't get a "mulligan" burger. Now maybe I was just expecting too much, but the burger was nothing special and I mean NOTHING SPECIAL, I'm not even a guy who likes too many condiments and it left something to be desired. Don't get me wrong the cheese was gooey, the bun was steamed, and the meat was fresh and high quality, but my word was it flavorless, the cheese was a sad attempt at a saving grace and eventually became as noticeabe as a lost ball in high weeds. It may be due to fact that it seemes like the burger possibly isn't seasoned well (or at all for that matter). I will gladly go there again if the opportunity arises but I won't recommend it. Consider this place like "a kid as a king": all the right resources but no idea how to allocate 'em beyond haphazardly slapping something between two pieces of steamed bread.
First visit in 1998. Not the worst burger I have ever had. Hard to tell how nasty the meat is with all the cheap,low grade milk cheese melted on top of the obviously,over cooked meat patty. Of course no French fries available, they seem to be proud of that! The shack is a dump, should be torn down, but in this area they probably consider it a historical building! Avoid.
Review Source:After a day my parent's ranch, nothing tastes better than a cold beer and a great burger. Â Make this a Bud light and a double cheeseburger at Bud's, and you've booked yourself a ticket to the best meal you've ever eaten in your entire life.
I really disdain frills, which is why Bud's is my very favorite place to get a burger of anywhere EVER. Â A local's dive, the crowd is a mix of ranchers, bikers, and families (with well-behaved kids!). Â Â
So you have your pick of 4 things to order at Bud's: Burger, Double Burger, Cheeseburger, or Double Cheeseburger. Â All of these come with a small bag of Lay's potato chips. Â Your choice of toppings is ketchup, mustard, onion, or pickles.
If you need me to make that less complicated for you, just order a Double Cheeseburger. Â Don't feel ashamed if you find yourself ordering a second one, because we've all done it. Â The burgers are just that good. Â
A Bud's burger tastes like everything you dream a cheeseburger will taste like- two thick beef patties with a spongy white bread bun with gooey American cheese melting into the grease.
I recently picked up a book in a store that listed the top 100 burgers in the country. There was only one entry for the state of Colorado, and Bud's Cafe and Bar was it. So off I went!
I entered Bud's early in the evening during the week, and experienced very friendly service. I should also note that the place is quite a bit larger inside than it appears from outside. There's a bar, booths, and several tables for dining. I recall seeing at least one TV playing sports as well.
I ordered a few burgers to go. Not all for me, mind you, but for a few others who wanted to try them as well but didn't want to make the long drive with me.
The burgers were...just fine. I mean, there was really nothing wrong with them. But I honestly didn't get what all the fuss was about. To me personally, it was just a decent burger like the kind you'd whip up on your backyard grill. Not bad, but nothing special. Nothing like, say, the emotionally excellent burger experience I've consistently had at the Cherry Cricket. But I digress (I have a separate review on the Cricket if you want to learn more about that, my fave, burger place).
So I think the author of that book skipped a LOT of research if this was the ONLY burger place he could come up with in the entire state of Colorado.
I'd grab another one at Bud's if I was passing by, but would not make a special trip.
If you want a plain jane great burger this is the place. Â All the places you go these days are trying to put everything under the sun on a burger and dont get me wrong I'm a burger fanatic and I try them all but this place makes the perfect burger and you cant beat the price either. Â Dont pass this place up if you want a great all around burger.
Review Source:You have options. Â Cheeseburger or a plain hamburger. Â And they are delicious. Â After a great Sunday afternoon drive we ended up getting amazing burgers, juicy and cooked to perfection. Â They came to table steaming even. Â No fries... but a bag of Lays chips which was perfect. Â Our waitress was really nice. Â When she asked if she could turn up the jukebox so they could hear "their song" I realized while the bikers might enjoy the place too, they welcome everyone. Â The decor is old towne home. Â The bartender smiled the entire time we were there as well. Â A great "joint" with great people.
Review Source:I was really skeptical about this place. Â We're here in denver for the drupalcon conference and my coworker recommended this place so we ended up driving here.
This bar is very small and nested in the sedelia main street.
As you enter, you'll notice the random things on the wall and 70s wood panels that ridden the place. The first thing you see here is the cash only sign.
When we got here we sat down at the small round table and i was expecting a menu. And their menu is really simple just cheap hamburgers and no fries!
This is the perfect place for a burger and a beer.
I ordered a double cheese burger. It was everything a man could want. It was just oozing with delicious cheese.
The meat is well seasoned on the outside but a little overcooked. the inside is juicy and the outside has a nice crust. you can taste the sweet cheese melting.
The waitress here was pretty friendly. She told us a short story about the place. She mentioned that the place started as a garage.
Overall a must visit this place is the quintessential dive restaurant with great food and great value. It's tempting to have more than one hamburger.
I am a hairstylist in California and was heading to Denver on vacation. Â A client insisted that I come down and get a burger at Bud's. Â The experience was exactly what I expected and did not disappoint. Â This is a cute little small town bar. Â Modest, humble and real. Â I am glad I knew what to expect or I might have been a bit confused by it all. Â The one and only food item, their hamburger, is served simple and plain. Â A steamed bun containing a single or double set of patties, cheese accordingly and onions and pickles on the side. Â Don't expect fries here, you can get them at any fast food restaurant, chips are enough. Â Dress that burger your way with mustard, ketchup or mayo. Â Be sure to wash that bad boy down with a coke from the bar. Â Their fountain has one of those great mixes that will leave you wanting more! Â Nothing beats a real ice cold Coke.
The people were so awesome, one table heard that I was visiting from California and they picked up my tab! Â I was so touched that when I heard someone having troubles with their computer, I ended up helping them fix it. Â If these kind of experiences are what you seek, head down to this bar!
When I'm out in Denver, this the spot for lunch. Â Probably the most unpretentious, down-to-earth spot you can find. Â And they serve great burgers to boot! Â Service is quick, staff is amiable and the food delicious.
Don't expect a large selection to choose from (4 items on the menu). Â And don't ask for fries (rookie mistake - even says right on their menu). Â If you go with a group (larger than 4 people best to hit the end of lunch to avoid a crowd) expect a wait depending on the time of day; the seating area isn't that large.
If I had a horse.. I would ride it down to Buds for a Jack n coke and a burger.
I love the jukebox, which always has credits in it for free. Just go pick a song. Do you want Johnny cash or Merle Haggard, cause that is about it.
By far the best Burger for the $ anywhere. I always get 2 single cheeseburgers, chips and drink. Don't forget to load it up with onions and pickles. The burgers and bun come out Steaming hot!! So moist, So soft, Very basic. Salt and pepper, cheese, standard bun, perfect size.. They are so simple it makes them Original, timeless and delish.
Great service, Great prices..
IF there isn't any room, you should wait. Don't settle for some crap burger in the other restaurant near by. Wait it out by going for a walk or something.
Love you Buds. Don't change.
Jack
Totally a fan of Bud's, even with only 4 items on their entire food menu(Hamburger, Double Hamburger, Cheeseburger, Double Cheeseburger). Â It's fairly small, so I suggest you don't go with a group unless you'd like to wait for a while. Â If you wait indoors, you'll be in the way. Â If you're one or two people, chances are decent that you can find a place at the bar or share one of the 6-person round tables with others. Â Waitresses are friendly and service is quick. Â Prices are CHEAP. Â No free soda refills but the prices are so low, no biggie.
Your burger comes with a bag of chips and pickles and onions on the side. Â No choice of cheese, no bacon, mushrooms, avocado. Â Hell, there's not even lettuce or tomato. Â Ketchup and mustard are on the table. Â
The cheese is SO melty and the buns are like little clouds...they are served warm...steamed, I think.
I am crazy-picky about burgers and this is now my go-to place. Â I'd give it 5 stars if it wasn't in the middle of nowhere or such a wild card with waiting.
Bud's is a simple as its namesake, and for good measure. Nestled in the blink-and-you'll-miss-it main street of Sedalia, Bud's facade is basic and parking is street-wise. The bar and dining area are one in the same and are kitschy cool with sassy signs and simplistic tendencies. You're here for the burger, and that's all you can order. The owners found one thing they did very well and that's their sole offering.
Prices are unbeatable unless you are eating fast food. The difference: in quality, it's immense. I believe the double cheeseburger is a shade over $5. Fresh onions, pickles and jalapenos upon request. It's true, you can't get fries here...but do you really need with every sandwich meal you eat? Focus on the burger...it's perfectly made and the buns are heated on the griddle...forcing the cheesy goodness to ooze from the burger's top.
Order a Coors or any number of bottled beers at around $3 per and enjoy this destination eatery good for families, single folk or friends. The service is swift and friendly and like everything else at Bud's, no frills.
Super cool local joint in the sleepy town of Sedalia. Â It's definitely got that "local's bar" vibe going on, but I plopped down at the bar and had quick, friendly service.
The burger was great and the beers weren't very expensive. Â My only gripe would be the lack of choice (no fries dammit!, reads the menu), but all in all, it'll be my stop when cruising between Littleton and Castle Rock via SH-85.
We went back again last week and I swear... the burgers have somehow gotten even better! They seemed larger, too. Cool remodel, the walls have been repaneled and the the peeling vinyl booths replaced by new, wooden bench booths.
The waitresses were as friendly as ever. Â The place was busy with lunching groups, and the burgers still came out quickly and cooked / steamed to perfection.
Very cool, Bud's. I'm glad you're still my favorite burger... and I work nearby now, too!
If buds were a cartoon it would be Popeye and it would simply state "I yam what I yam".
Is it the best burger around...no
Is it the best burger for $5.50...maybe.
The moniker alone would suggest that it is just that. Â It's a bar with a flat top and they make burgers.
My buddy and I made the trip down on Sunday to Sedalia to try the Yelp famed burger. Â Not nearly as far as I was planning but a good little jaunt all the same. Â We found parking on the rail tracks and walked up to the small bar. Â We sat at a booth with with a pop up sporting drinks on one side and the menu on the other.
We both ordered two Buds and two double cheese burgers. Â The burgers were served piping hot with gooey cheese spilling over the sides. Â It looked simplistic and delicious. Â It tasted what I thought it taste like. Â I don't think it warrants much discussion. Â It was good. Â It was a good burger. Â It didn't change the way I see the world or anything but it was a good burger.
I see complaints about beer only being served in bottles and I say this...It's fucking beer. Â Get over it and enjoy it. Â It's a bar. Â They give you beer, you consume and pay for beer. Â It's a good system. Â It works.
I don't know that I would venture down there just to eat this burger again. Â It was good, I was not disappointed but I wasn't terribly impressed either.
I'm sorry, but I really don't get the hype. Â Was it a tasty burger? Â Sure. Â Did they have Fat Tire in bottles? Â Yep. Â Is this anything I couldn't have in my own backyard? Â Nope. Â Don't get me wrong, it was a simple, honest, tasty cheeseburger. Â But by no stretch of the imagination is it the best burger in Denver. Â Nor is it the big, scary biker bar Westword would have you believe. Â It's a small-town watering hole, with a grill in the back serving up cheap cheeseburgers...not much more than that.
Review Source:Wow! I think that really may have been the best burger in Denver.
This place is an experience. Only 5 of us ventured all the way down to Sedalia for the twelve drinking days of christmas, but we had an absolute blast! It's small but there's a bar and plenty of Budweiser in bottles. Cheers to John & Jonathan for cleaning the place out of Fat Tire! There is a random pew in the back (wtf?) and the teeny bathroom through the cattle gates is interesting. But, the service was good, the beer was cold and the burgers fantastic.
I had the double cheese burger and had a similar reaction to the size of it that some other reviewers have had. I was like, "that's it"? But, I threw on a big, fat slice of raw onion and went to town. It was FANTASTIC! I have always been a fan of the burgers at Hanson's, but now I think I will have to field trip down south to get my burger fix.
I wouldn't call this place a bar so much. There are tables and people bring their kids and stuff. So, its more like a small restaurant. Â But, still pretty awesome. After several rounds, we took off and decided to explore the rest of Sedalia.
I will most definitely be back!
This is BS that they state these are the best burgers in CO!! I can make a better one than this and I can't even cook. They use the cheapest buns and there is NOTHING on it! They dnt even have fries n give u Lays chips with it. Â Interesting place to see once though..and the pricesr way cheap. We sat in a booth with duct tape all over it:)
Review Source:It's because it's what burgers always were- american simple, cooked on a griddle, so hot you can't pick it up. Makes your coat shiny to eat one. Has that flavor that makes you think the grease on the griddle is from day one, it's never been cleaned. Â Served fast, hot, and simple. Get it, eat it, and move on. Small town bus stop Diner style.
The place is not for everyone. I like the big huge "garbage can" style burger with exotic add ons as much as anyone, and for those It better be great- meat cooked to perfection and the condiments will be fresh and well presented. Bud's is not that kind of place and does not want to be. It's not a biker bar. It's not a gourmet eatery. it's not fancy. those places are all a stones throw from there, but it's not them. It's a little bar, in a little town ,that makes a great basic hambuger. They are everywhere in the country and damn hard to find a good one. that's the same everytime you go. ( I'm thinking Brownies in Tulsa, but they also have pie) Â Now if only they had fries...
Maybe it's just me but I don't understand what the big deal is about Bud's. Â Westword gave it "best burger" in 2009. Â It was in the Hamburger America book. Â Tons of people rave about it... Â But why??
We've heard about it and had wanted to go. Â Today we were almost close (not really) so figured we'd head over. Â
First impression: heard it was a biker place and had surly waitresses. Â There were two bikes in front but they left as we were walking in. Â No bikers inside: a few families, a few older couples, nobody at all bikeresque. Â The waitresses weren't at all surly - as a matter of fact they were quite nice and - gasp! - polite! Â It wasn't really even a dive - more just a hole in the wall.
Got our burgers - a single and a double, both with cheese - and was immediately struck by how small they were. Â My better half mentioned that her single looked like a happy meal burger. Â The buns were steamed and squishy (not sure that's a good thing), and the cheese was nicely dispersed. Â Took a bite and they were hot as hell (hence the cheese dispersion) but was left vastly underwhelmed. Â The meat was just alright - not particularly flavorful. Â Moist yes, but not very tasty.
People below are right about the important stuff: single/double ham/cheeseburger. Â Onion/pickle/ketchup/mustard only condiments. Â Bottled beer. Â Cash only.
People say these are the "best burgers"... Â Maybe the "best in town" in Sedalia? Â Certainly not Denver. Â If you're driving past on 85 you might as well stop in and give it a go. Â But if you're in Denver or coming up 25 I wouldn't bother.
Here are some helpful tips about Bud's:
Their menu has 4 (maybe 5 items): Â hamburger, cheeseburger, double hamburger and double cheeseburger. No tomatoes, no lettuce, only pickles and onions.
They only have bottled beers. Â
They do not accept credit cards, so bring your cash.
I appreciate the quaintness of Bud's and the feeling that either you "take it or leave it". Â But is this the best burger I've ever had? Â Nope. Â I don't even think it's the best I've had in Colorado. Â Will I rush back to have another? Â Probably not, but definitely worth the stop if you are in that area.
Bud's has the best burgers, in a simple kind of way.
Don't go there if you are looking for gourmet toppings with fries and fruity cocktail drinks. This isn't in the same category as the Counter.
This is a small town bar that serves amazing burgers and that's about it. The beef is very fresh ground in house and the buns are steamed which makes them delicious! The only toppings you get are onion, pickles, mustard, and ketchup. Oh, and they come with a bag of Lay's potato chips...
But the burgers are great. This place has been featured in a book about burgers called Hamburger America.  <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hamburgeramerica.com%2F&s=bf24b2f409bfb0fab8b9aaf280508838067ffcac0e6f3a3c7f2a120b7e721f56" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.hamburgeramer…</a>
This is the perfect place to stop while out on the Harley on a Sunday afternoon.
They only take CASH.
Over hyped but still a great stop. I used to stop by here on my way to the factory outlet stores in Castle Rock but it has been a little while since going. Good burger and beers im not a beer fan but hey burger and coke are great. If there is a wait or anything like that just move along it isn't worth it and if they are closed or something you aren't missing anything but if you can get in its good times.
Review Source:So a few times over the past year I've had the simple pleasure of dining at Bud's Cafe and Bar in Sedalia. Finally, after several mentions of the no nonsense menu and awesome burgers to my wife, we finally made the trip to Sedalia together.
Prior to walking in my wife was prepped with ample information regarding the small dining area and bar as well as reminded that they, "Don't have fries damnit" and they only take cash. Keepin' it real.
Simple menu here. Hamburger ($3.25) , cheeseburger ($3.50) , double hamburger ($5.00) or double cheeseburger ($5.50). All burgers are served with pickles, onions and chips, and as the menu reads (See photo), "What more do you want at these prices?!".
The service is very typical of a locals favorite with very friendly waitstaff and bartenders. They've upgraded recently to what appears to be a 36" LCD flat screen in the back, but this is definitely not a sports bar.
If you ever find yourself on Highway 85 heading North from Castle Rock or South from, "The Ranch" be sure to give Bud's a try. Oh yeah...as Gregory mentions...don't be fooled by the larger pit stop on 85. Bud's is more like a house converted to a local town hot spot. You won't be mistaken of this place and will never forget it.
Overrated, burgers have little to no flavor, all beer is bottled ... Â Locals love it but I guess it's more of a habit than a choice.
If you want a great burger, drive north to the Park Meadows mall and have dinner @ "The Counter" -- that'll make you forget about this forgettable place.
I had a business meeting in Castle Rock yesterday and decided to make an extra trip out to Sedalia to check out this place I have heard nothing but incredible raves about from my biker buds. Â I once thought I was at the right place, only to find out later that I had been fooled by another place.
If you have never been to Bud's or Sedalia you may have be mislead by the numerous others that try to cash in on the lore. Signs adorn the roadway leading into Sedalia pointing towards inferior establishments reading "worlds best burgers" and, try our "famous burgers".
Many people who travel far to taste the true American original find themselves trapped in a miserable "preformed and frozen" meal. It is only when one ventures over the railroad tracks to the nondescript hole in the wall called Bud's that the true burger is found. "No Fries Dammit" just a bag of chips and a cold bottled beer is all you'll need to realize that the drive is more than worth it....... it is simply an experience that any true burger lover must have.
Cheers to Bud's burgers...... do not mistake them (as some of us have in the past) with those served at other, more visible establishments along the way. This is truly one of the best burgers I have ever tasted!
Can't say I will make the long drive frequently, but I can say that anytime I am going anywhere near that part of town I will get my burger!
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