Certifiably Delicious
By Lexi Synder, senior at Glynn Academy; Photos by Benjamin Galland, h2o creative group
Benjamin Galland, h2o creative group
Certified Burgers burger and tots plated
It’s clear that St. Simons Island locals and visitors agree on at least one thing: Certified Burgers and Beverage is certifiably delicious! They were chosen by Elegant Island Living readers as the spot for Best Hamburger in the Best of 2017 and Best of 2018 Readers’ Choice Awards. Diners will leave this locally owned establishment with their bellies and hearts full after the experience offered at Certified Burgers and Beverage. As you walk into the restaurant, you immediately get the sense that you are in for a treat. Chef David Carrier’s infectious personality sets the tone for the quality driven environment on which the Certified team prides itself. Chef David commands the attention of everyone in the room. He loves greeting each guest with a smile, a bear hug and stories of his past adventures. His bigger than life personality echoes thru the place, especially when his beloved New York Rangers are on the television. While David was born in Queens, New York, he and his wife Ryanne have called St. Simons home for the past nine years.
Whether it is your first visit or you are here every week, you immediately feel like family. So, put down your phones, ask your server for one of the community board games and cherish the escape from the run of the mill burger joints. The goal at Certified is to provide a warm family environment with excellent service, delicious food and memorable drinks. If you ask the locals about Certified, they’ll tell you that the specials are where it’s at. Whether it’s Taco Tuesdays, Donut Sundays, or Daily Specials, the locals know they can find the information they want on the grand chalkboard complete with entertaining art provided by local artist, Daniel “Ox” Hocutt. Ox’s chalk art is always changing, sometimes even showcasing some of the Certified family members.
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Benjamin Galland, h2o creative group
Certified Burgers Chef Dave Carrier at work
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Benjamin Galland, h2o creative group
Certified Burgers grinder
The menu serves hamburgers inspired by the flavors of the great cities that have influenced Chef David during his career. Recipes from New York City (an in-house NY style hot dog) to Greece (a savory Greektown lamb burger), they have a burger and a side to satisfy your hunger and please your taste buds. When Chef David is asked what makes his burgers different from all others, he quickly answers, “It’s just simple. Simply sourced, simply raised, simply butchered in-house and simple ingredients like what you had growing up as a kid.” The responsibly sourced meat that is used to make your favorite burger comes from Hunter Cattle in Brooklet, Georgia. The cattle is 100% grass-fed and is completely free of additives and hormones. The meat is butchered in the refrigerated butcher room in the restaurant, and the fries, chips, and poutine are also made fresh in house. Poutine is a combination of French fries, cheese curds, and in-house made brown gravy. This dish originated in Canada, where Chef David spent many summers and holidays during his youth.
Benjamin Galland, h2o creative group
Certified Burgers wines
Knowing that Chef Dave is married to a certified sommelier, it is no surprise that the wine list exceeds the expectations of a typical burger restaurant. When you review their bar menu, it is apparent that their commitment to quality is not only in the kitchen. In addition to serving outstanding burgers and sides, their full bar selection is complete with all of your favorites and a few new things to try. Anyone can say they have a full bar, but the selection at Certified cannot be beat. Some locals believe they have the best bourbon collection on the island.
Benjamin Galland, h2o creative group
Certified Burgers bar pour
The Certified team also believes in giving back to the community and does this by participating in local benefits and events. The Certified team’s latest contribution is joining the St. Simons Land Trust’s 1% campaign. Certified Burgers and Beverage proudly provides delicious food to The RSM Classic, Sea Island’s Southern Grown Festival and other local events annually. The team also shows off their culinary skills at food festivals all over the Southeast.
Certified partners Chef David, Jessica “Mama Jess” Snyder, and Bo Chambliss are more than satisfied with their tiny but mighty team of servers, hosts, cooks, and dishwashers. The trio knows that the success of Certified would never be possible without the help of their incredible team. The restaurant is located at 44 Midway Square, at the corner of Frederica and Sea Island roads, and opens at 11:00 a.m. seven days a week. They stay open until 11:00 p.m. daily too, so you can stop by for a late bite after most kitchens on the island are closed or have a drink with the locals during late night happy hour from 9:00 p.m. to close. To see daily specials and featured items, follow them on Instagram.
