EATS

That's a question we've spent considerable time researching and pondering for ourselves the last few weeks, and we're sure you'll have plenty to say about who we've included in our critics' picks and who we haven't.

So let's discuss. Post a comment in the area below, or email us at dining@dallasnews.com. We'll publish some of these comments in a print version, which will appear in a future issue of Guide.

For us, the criteria for an outstanding burger were simple: Did the essential taste of the burger patty impress us, and did the ingredients around it reveal quality and balance? Know that, in trying the slew of sacred cows in the local burger business, we started by sampling a basic burger, but we also didn't consider ourselves purists. Bacon, cheese beyond the standard processed American variety and, occasionally, even controversial toppings like guacamole were not only acceptable but also sometimes preferred.

Also (and I know we don't really need to make this disclaimer in Texas), this is about beef burgers. Turkey and veggie burgers occupy other realms altogether.

Here are our favorites:

Nancy Nichols spilled the beans, but, after 11 years, Mark Stuertz is giving up his post as the restaurant critic at the Observer. I am genuinely going to miss his carefully considered prose, his thorough reporting and his evident love of food. I hope the folks at Village Voice Media give some serious contemplation to how he will be replaced.

Just talked to Mark briefly on the phone: He'll publish three more reviews at the Observer before his time is up, and he would like to add to Nancy's question about his favorite chefs: He says he kicked himself the moment he got off the phone for not, of course, mentioning Sharon Hage.

Now you can get wine by the glass at the Highland Park location at Lemmon and Lomo Alto. Whole Foods will pouring its top 10 selling wines to sip in the cafe. If you'd just like to taste, WFM will offer free samples of all the wines with cheese accompaniment next Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m.

Metro's Eric Aasen has just posted a fun story about Ralph and Rosemary Brinegar, a Dallas couple who have collected 2,001 family recipes over the past 54 years.

Read all about it, and be sure to check out the video, too.

Yes, sad to say, it's true. (And on a personal note, let me say that I am not happy about that. Not. At. All.)

Word leaked out earlier via T.G. et al. that Snider Plaza stalwart Balls Hamburgers will be closing soon, to be replaced by another outpost of Dunkin Donuts.

We just talked with owner Barry Holbrecht, who today was at the other Balls location at 4343 W. Northwest Hwy. (at Midway). "The bottom line is that we'll be closing that [Snider Plaza] location by the end of the month and moving our operations to this location," he told us.

"We were not given the opportunity to renew our Snider Plaza lease -- and for 22 years, we've always paid the rent on time."

Barry's not spending too much time brooding, however. He assures Balls' faithful Snider Plaza customers that just a few minutes away, they'll be able to find "the exact same food and the same friendly, happy people."

In fact, he expects they'll probably find their experience to be even more pleasant. On Northwest Highway they'll find the restaurant is much larger, with patio dining as an attraction -- and the shopping center on that northeast corner features plenty of free parking. Barry told us that he also expects to be serving beer and wine there soon. The restaurant is well-established in that neighborhood, having been there for 20 years.

To contact the Northwest Highway location of Balls Hamburgers in Dallas, call 214-352-2525.

Here's an opp to stock up on a refreshing summer red. Paul DiCarlo's newsletter explains that Ruinte is charging the label on its Vivante because another Italian winery claims the name. The dry, crisp, lightly fizzy lambrusco normally sells for $10.99.

Jimmy's Food Store will have it on sale Saturday for $5.99 a bottle, or six for $30. Paul says he's got 103 six-packs coming, and no, he can't save any for you. Jimmy's is at 4901 Bryan at Fitzhugh.

Seems like it's changed every day this week. Karen Robinson-Jacobs has the list of North Texas stores slated to close. Click here.
The national list is posted here.
Mine's safe. How about yours?