Episode 14: The Burger Quest King

On a cloudless October Tuesday — the 14th of 2025 to be exact — one man set off from Ballard to Tacoma, deciding the only thing standing between him and a good burger was nearly forty miles of walking, two ferry rides, and an alarming amount of time alone with his thoughts.

Meet Reddit user friijoles, who embarked on what he calls Burger Quest — this year, his 4th annual pilgrimage, which starts at The Sloop Tavern in Ballard and ends all the way at Frisko Freeze in Tacoma. This year, he left Ballard on foot at six in the morning, hiked along the waterfront, crossed the Spokane Street Bridge, and caught the ferry from Fauntleroy over here to Vashon Island. He then walked 13.7 miles down the highway all the way from the north end, through town, and ending up at Tahlequah, where he caught the south end ferry to Tacoma. Once he got to Point Defiance, it was another 4.7 miles uphill to the promised land of burgers and fries.

He reached Frisko Freeze located just outside Tacoma's Stadium district around 10 p.m., after nearly 16 hours on the move, powered by what he listed as $7.45 for the ferry, three slices of Big Mario's pizza, three bottles of water, three pulparindos, a bubu lubu bar, and one lonely piece of mazapán.

He missed the 7 o'clock boat off the south end but made the 8 o'clock, and after filling up on what he remarked was a "great" burger and fries, made sure to grab a celebratory beer at The Parkway Tavern afterward. "Beer selection at The Parkway is always amazing," he added. He was even able to find himself a ride home after The Parkway closed at midnight. Normally, he says he catches a combination of bus and light rail to haul him back north.

Locals on Reddit chimed in with support and amazement — one noting "walking up Vashon is hardcore", another simply stating "This rules," and a third adding, "I think we can all agree that you've earned the XL fries and a shake."

Now, Voice of Vashon's Classic Rock and Beyond Weird News team is thrilled to bring you an exclusive interview with the legend himself, Reddit user friijoles, to learn more about his epic annual quest. Friijoles, welcome to the show.