Dunn-Gaherin's

Dubliner - Ham, Cheese, Egg Salad with home made slaw

On the road...Newton, MA
Nestled in the Boston suburb of Newton, MA is Dunn-Gaherin's, an Irish Pub that has one of the best burgers I've had all year. While I was trying to figure out how Dunn-Gaherin's, which is located not far from where I once lived, has eluded me for the past decade-plus, I got excited at the prospects of finding a new burger spot in a very familiar neighborhood.

I browsed the menu and found the perfect burger for me, the Dubliner. Going full throttle in showing off my Irish Pride, the Dubliner was calling me like a stalker at 3am. Smokehouse ham, cheddar cheese, and egg salad?!? I've never seen a pairing like this before and I cannot tell you just how good this burger is and it's all because of the house-made egg salad.

It's important to point out that the sirloin was fresh, not frozen and it was cooked to perfection. Rare and pink and delicious. The size of the bun is on point. It's the perfect amount of dough to hold this burger up but not be overwhelming. And the egg salad. Wow! Who knew? I'd also like to point out that the home made slaw was really, really good. I was somewhat forced into the slaw because everything I read told me that I had to try the eggplant fries and sho' 'nuff I was there on an afternoon where they were all out of eggplant fries. It worked out for the best, I think, because this slaw was on point and I'd order a bowl of that on any future visit.

Rare. Perfect!

I'd also point out that the staff was amazing and they deserve a thumbs up as well! To get great food and amazing service is unfortunately not as common as it should be. I'd also love to point out this little anecdote. When the manager saw my burger, she actually intercepted it to confirm that I wanted such a rare burger. I told her it was perfect for me and I was so happy that they got it right. You'd be amazed at how many of the "best" burger joints cannot seem to cook a rare burger, rare.

Rating - 5/5 - Just on the Dubliner alone it's a perfect score. Add the staff to the mix and it might be a 10!

Their site - http://www.dunngaherins.com/index.html and their facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dunn-Gaherins/55743493327?ref=search

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Bourbon Street

Bourbon Street's exterior looks as if the restaurant was plucked right out of the French Quarter and dropped right into midtown Manhattan. I really appreciated the rustic look of the building, complete with the gas lamps on the exterior. Last week I tweeted that we were hitting the road for Bourbon Street, located at 346 West 46^th Street in the heart of NYC. I reviewed the menu before my visit and had a plan as to what I was going to eat. For those that do not know, I am a big fan of the Big Easy so I was equal parts intrigued and skeptic. I was ready to grab a burger and a po' boy, needing both because I simply could not decide which I wanted so I figured why not have the best of both worlds?

Bourbon Street's Double Gator Burger

Shortly after my tweet, they tweeted back and suggested that I order the special "Double Gator Burger" and I was quickly convinced that this was the way to go! I cannot express how happy I was that they suggested I go this way. The gator was so juicy and had great flavor and spice. I'm not sure how often this is a special but I can tell you that if you are there and you see it on the special menu, get it and you will not be let down! Loyal readers will also know that I am not much into french fries but these fries are really, really good. They're thick, crunchy, and generously seasoned and provide a perfect compliment to this awesome burger. To steal a tag line from a popular 80's cartoon, this burger is "truly outrageous!"

Creole Red Beans And Rice

But Bourbon Street is not just about the burger. There's a wide variety of po' boys, appetizers, and drinks. I was fortunate enough to sample both the Creole Red Beans and Rice and the Chicken and Andouille Gumbo and both of these really hit the spot! Generous portions that exploded with flavor and I was impressed with the generous amounts of andouille and chunks of chicken in the gumbo.

Rating - 4.5/5 - this place is on point. Why not a 5? Well, I think the dessert menu was missing a couple of NoLA staples - No beignets? No bananas foster? Beyond that, this place is on point!

Their site - http://www.bourbonny.com/index.aspx - as referenced earlier, they are also very active on the different social networking sites so be sure to hit them up today to find out about what's coming out the kitchen! They're also very active on Twitter so be sure to follow them @BourbonNY

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And for more on that tagline, click here for the full intro video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSLhrIuAZak 


UPDATE! We received a tweet over the weekend stating that Beignets are back in town at Bourbon Street. Thanks to @BourbonNY for keeping us in the loop. We'll be there soon to try 'em!

G&A Restaurant

G&A Menu

On The Road....Baltimore, MD

With the holiday season wrapping up, no pun intended (or was it?), it's important to include the food exploits that have been a part of my 10 pound increase and adoption of a second chin (it's a seasonal accessory, I swear). Rolling down I-95 and hitting up Baltimore, MD for a hot dog joint that is about to celebrate it's 75th anniversary on Eastern Ave. Any small business that can last for 75 years gets a big thumbs up in my book. Any restaurant that can still serve up great food to large crowds on a daily basis is even more impressive. So here we are with the Charm City Edition of 5BFG.

I have family members that grew up within ten minutes of G&A and they all swear that nothing has changed for as long as they can remember and that is not just the food but also the interior. Walking into G&A is equivalent to walking into the old fashioned luncheonettes that I barely got to know as they mostly faded away from the Brooklyn landscape during my youth.

Let's get back to business, shall we? It's said that the dogs are just as good as they always were, the chili just as delicious. For me, I can only judge recent visits and I can tell you that this place is simply amazing. Now I know many of my NY readers will make the occasional run down to Baltimore and I implore you to find your way to G&A for some chili dogs and chili burgers.

Burger and two dogs with LOTS of chili!

The dogs are a good size. They're not huge but they're definitely worth the price, especially with the chili and onions. I know, I know. I keep harping on this chili but it is just so good you have to try it to understand. It's also important to add that the chili really serves to enhance the flavor of the dogs rather than overpowering them.

Rating - 4.5/5 - It's not just a slice of Americana and a healthy dose of nostalgia served up at G&A. It's great food at very reasonable prices. The chili is worth the price of admission and I'd suggest putting some in your pocket for your ride home! The owner is a really nice guy and I think he just might oblige.

Their site - http://www.gandarestaurant.com/
*With the above menu photo, you have the address, phone number, and hours of operation. Let it never be said that I don't take care of you.

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