The former Niko's location is now home to Rex's Burgers and Brews.

Chef Jason Rex is leading the culinary team for a menu that features a build-your-own burger menu along with handmade onion rings, sweet potato fries, wings, sandwiches, pasta, steak and more. It just opened this week.

Diners can choose their meat (or beans) for a basic price, and then add cheese and other grilled toppings for a bit more. When your burger arrives, you take it for a trip through the toppings bar for other fresh lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and whatnot.

I stopped in with a group for friends for lunch and ordered the bean burger topped with Boursin cheese, grilled mushrooms and onions. It was one hot, delicious mess. Thank goodness for the sturdy handmade buns to hold the precarious pile of grub together. It was $7.95. The cheese sauteed mushrooms and grilled onions added $1.75 to the ticket.

My dining companions liked the char on their thick beef burgers. One topped his with Gouda and fried egg. The other steered clear of cheese, but added grilled mushrooms.

There are just a handful taps, but plenty of bottled beers. I'll go again. If only to solve the mystery of the Rex Balls appetizer.

Rex's Burgers and Brews, 14 N. Post St., is open Monday through Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

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