On the Lamb: Patch Readers Proved Right at Norman Rose Tavern

If the proverbial Man from Mars were to land in Napa looking for a bite -- say, of the best burger on Earth -- where would you recommend he eat?

Gott's is popular with aliens and locals alike. In-N-Out Burger is known throughout the galaxy. packs in the Napans at two locations. The Monday-night burger special at the bar offers more of a Wine Country vibe; at , our Martian visitor could have his spacecraft washed and detailed while he eats. always gets an A from the health department, and has a great reputation for its hamburger.

And then there's the , dishing out more than one kind of burger at its comfortable "West End" location on First Street. Here's what Patch reader , owner of nearby , about her favorite Norman Rose burger:

Lamb Burger @ NRT, hands down, best burger in town, dare I say, in all of Northern Cal. Period. The sauteed spinach and herbed goat cheese takes this burger to another stratosphere. I'm experimenting this month to see what life is like without gluten so I replaced the bun with caramelized onions and mushrooms......OMG, burger bliss! That baby holds its own! Add truffled fries and you're knockin' on heaven's door. No lie!!

Ferdinand Rios of also raved about the Norman Rose lamburger, calling it "outrageous" and advising "add disco fries to the mix."

Okay, Ferdinand, I said to mysel, and sallied forth to Norman Rose for a meal that more than satisfied -- it left me slightly winded, with a fair amount of food remaining on the table after I could cram no more into myself.

Turns out these "disco fries" are a Napafied version of poutine, that Quebecois melange of fried potatoes, cheese and -- at Norman Rose -- sausage gravy. Yes, they were mighty good, but so was the perfectly-cooked lamb patty and there was no way I could finish both.

My partner steered clear of the burgers entirely and ordered a fried-egg sandwich, which he awarded highest marks. Other lunch options at Norman Rose include a regular burger with Five Dot Ranch beef -- available with a host of additions, including fried egg -- a pan-roasted fish sandwich, a fried chicken sandwich, grilled cheese and even an all-beef hot dog.

Thank you, Thea and Ferdinand, for steering me there for a dandy lambwich. Now it's time to start planning next month's burger mission: At the moment, maybe because of 's recent Napa Patch , I'm leaning toward 's recommendation, the Kobe beef burger on the lunch menu at .

But I know there are even more burgers out there in Napa. Where would you take the for the best hamburger on Earth? Tell us here, or in the You never know ....