WSMV Channel 4 Bulger's Beat: Murfreesboro burger joint impresses

Sometimes in life, all you need is a good cheeseburger. For years in Murfreesboro, the belief has always been when that is the case, go to Buster's.

For the uninitiated, if you go to Buster's looking for Buster, you won't find him. Seemingly everyone in Rutherford County knows the man who runs the place is named Steve.

And if your dining experience requires gourmet chefs and linen napkins, stay away from here.

The only sizzle promised at Buster's Place comes from the grill.

"It is, it's awesome. Please don't ever clean it, or do anything to it, because it's got that magic touch to it," one customer said.

Customers swear it's the grill and friendly service that keeps them coming back.

"Don't have too much of a friendly cook sometimes, but other than that," owner Steve Crockarell said.

Crockarell's modest country charm as owner and chief burger flipper is what keeps his place going.

Burgers are smooshed, pickles stabbed and customers pleased every day.

And unlike at McDonald's, he won't serve billions. About 300 a day come to Buster's for their happy meal.

"They get a good product, at a good price. They get their money's worth is what it amounts to," Crockarell said.

They're certainly not coming for the variety.

"Burgers, ham and cheese, hot dogs and that's about it," Crockarell said.

Customers don't expect fast service either. Everyone waits 20 minutes for their burger. That's Crockarell's rule. And please don't start talking technology.

"We don't take credit cards. I'll have people come in and that's all they've got. I'll just tell them, 'Look, go ahead and eat, but bring the money back next time you come.' They can't believe that, but it's the way I was brought up," Crockarell said.

The system is old-fashioned, for sure, but it is forever in fashion at Buster's.

The restaurant has been on the Murfreesboro menu of places to be since 1973.

The original owner's name was Buster, who later sold the place to Crockarell. His customers are happy that he just keeps on cooking.

Buster's Place is located at 1615 Northwest Broad St.

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