I always enjoy a good episode of Guy Fieri on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. Unfortunately I have never visited any of the places featured on the show, but hidden away in Astor, Florida I found a place with a burger that rivals anything seen on the show’s burger lovers special. Located just west of the State Highway 40 St. John’s bridge is a place called Sparky’s. On our Labor Day camping trip to Salt Springs, I was able to convince my Lady CurbCrusher to take a Sunday drive. I’d heard about Sparky’s from a friend that lives in Astor, and had been plotting how to get there on the trip to Salt Springs.
Once at Sparky’s I found the nirvana of burgers, the Sparky Burger. Made with a half-pound of ground beef and an equivalent amount of cheddar, with a some peppers and onion mixed in for good measure, the ultimate burger is on the menu, with fries for only $7.50. The burger is cooked on a griddle, and then when turned, smothered in cheese and then steamed. This creates a tasty crusty skirt of cheese that hangs off the exceptional buttered bun, hiding the lower half when served. Heaped next to this beefy-cheesy goodness is a huge helping of hand-cut fries that are seasoned and so tasty that there is no doubt that your cardiologist will hate this place. Add a glass of sweet tea, and you’ve got a meal that matches anything Guy has ever shown on Food Network.

Astor on Dwellable