Burger wars: Bleu Peppercorn Burger

Bleu Peppercorn Burger
Eat It: Bleu Peppercorn Burger, $9.59,
Granite City, 12801 University Ave., Clive
Info: 224-1300, gcfb.net
This impressive stack of protein is not for the faint of heart. A half-pound of ground Angus is slathered with black, cracked peppercorns and, when ordered well-done, charred on the edges but still juicy beneath the surface. A glimmering mound of sweet onion strings decorates the patty and shares that sacred space between the meat and bun with gooey cheddar cheese and a creamy, homemade bleu cheese dressing. There’s a sensory strategy to indulging in a burger like this: Grip the grilled ciabatta bun and feel the bread flatten and crackle under your fingers. Then, just before your teeth invade, inhale the smokehouse bacon. The rest is history.