Corey's Catsup and Mustard

I liked this glass. It held my water.

On The Road....Manchester, CT aka Burger Apathy, Part 2
I was driving through CT on my way back home and it was a sucky rainy day. I thought to myself, "Self, this sucks. What better than a cheeseburger or two to make things better?" I debated, do I go with the classic, tried and true Louis Lunch? Or do I try something new to give y'all a new review? I honestly wasn't feeling too adventurous to do both so I just opted for something new. My search for "Best Burger Hartford" quickly yielded some names that I've recognized and I settled on Corey's Catsup and Mustard in Manchester, CT.

Their burger list is pretty extensive and my decision was not going to be easy. After much deliberation my stomach and eyes were in agreement that Auntie Annie's Laurie's was the burger for me.This particular burger features: Auntie Laurie's House-Made Blue Moon Mustard, horseradish cheddar, pretzel bun, bacon, lettuce, tomato. How good does that sound?? I was literally salivating while I waited for this creation to arrive.

The burger, (at left) with bacon, cheddar, and all that other good stuff was presented nicely. The bun, was so inviting with it's golden brown glow. Seriously, look at it. Stare at it. How good does that bun look? Now gaze at that mountain of accoutrements on top of the burger, I vote yum yums.

Looks can be deceiving, don't judge a book by its cover, etc. etc. All those cliches exist because they are true. Now how can the masterpiece at left go awry? Well, let's start with flavor. The burger was ordered rare and served medium-well (honestly anything beyond the reddish-pink is well done in my brain) and as we've learned, I have two bugaboos when ordering a burger. Let's recap.

1. I'm not going to tell you how I want it cooked. You're going to ask me.
2. If you ask me how I want it cooked, deliver. It's not hard. If this is your first burger ever then maybe you get a hall pass but I am not coming to eat your first burger ever. Am I?

Just above my thumb is a scant amount of mustard...see it?

So the waitress asks me how I want it cooked and I say, "rare" with all the thickness of my BK accent. I'm assuming it was not lost in translation. Seriously though, allow me a moment to praise my waitress. Was it Corey or Kori (I didn't get the proper spelling but she was nice, friendly, attentive, and very helpful. She earned a very generous tip even though (SPOILER ALERT!!!) I was VERY disappointed with this burger.

There was nothing redeemable about this burger. The burger itself was so overdone and there was almost no mustard to speak of. I needed something to moisten this beast and debated dunking it into my water. I refrained and kept chewing and chewing until I hit mustard! EUEREKA! It was like 1849 all over again though the mustard rush was very short lived. It was gone in a flash and I was back to my dry, overdone burger. That bacon...oh bacon. I love you so much and I hate seeing you treated so cruelly. I apologize that you had to be torched to a wooden texture and I apologize that I had to eat you like that. I promise to never do it again.

My review - 1/5 - Overcooked. Dry burger, beyond crispy and flavorless bacon, enough lettuce for a side salad, and barely enough mustard to cover the tip of my finger.

Their Site - http://www.catsupandmustard.com/


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Burger Bros

On The Road....Towson, MD aka Burger Apathy, Part 1**
Just up the road from Towson University you can find Burger Bros, a burger joint that has been making a lot of noise in the local foodmunity (that's food community, I just invented it). I was recently in MD for the holidays and would like to report on a number of stops I made while there. First on the menu is Burger Bros., located at 14 Allegheny Avenue Towson, MD 21204

Their burger is described as, "6 whoppin’ oz. of hand-packed Fresh Ground Angus Beef charbroiled to perfection and served on a bun." Now, if perfection means charred to death, then this is Burger Heaven and I'm Saint Paul. I was a bit alarmed when I saw the flames from the grill shooting up about four feet high for a good twenty seconds. At that point I knew my burger was torched beyond belief and just not edible for someone like me who prefers his burger closer to it's living state.

The burger, (at left) with bacon, cheese, and sauteed mushrooms looks good enough. The bun, however, serves as a warning sign. Now I love me a lightly toasted bun and was happy to see them toasting the bun...until it turned black on the edges. I was already leery enough from the aforementioned flame show.

The Bros also serve up grilled chicken sandwiches (the thought kinda scares me) along with wings (we sampled the honey bourbon) and fries. The wings were ok. They were overcooked, which should come at no surprise, and that was unfortunate because I really enjoyed the sauce. The fries, well, as you know by now I'm not a guy that typically orders fries but if there are fries there I will try them. I really liked the fries here, natural cut and they were not overcooked (YAY!)

In all, I'm really not sure what the hype is surrounding this place. I know the area quite well and I know there are a lot of good (read better) burger options in the area.

My review - 1/5 - Way overcooked, not cooked to order. Dried out burger and overcooked wings. An overall experience that was barely salvaged by the fries

Their Site - http://burgerbrosburgers.com/ (coming soon at the time this is written) but you can click through to their menu from here.


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**Remember friends, if there's a part 1 there's sure to be a part 2! 

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!

Zinburger

THE Zinburger

A short drive from Giants MetLife Stadium on Route 3 West, is Zinburger, which came highly recommended from a friend. On my first visit to the Zin (that's what the cool kids call it, ok, just this cool kid) I was informed that the big Z is the first in NJ with the others being in Arizona; so keep that in mind if you are reading this from AZ and need your Zinburger fix on your next trip to the NYC area or if you're plotting a trip to AZ and want to sleep easily knowing you can get your Zin fix.

The menu is pretty simple for this burger and wine bar, it mainly consists of burgers and well, wine. Go figure. However, it's worth noting that you should not sleep on a few of the sides and more importantly, the shakes.

Before we stray to sides and shakes and anything that's not a burger, let's talk about beef. It's either Certified Angus or Kobe (not Bryant) served here so you know the meat is quality. It's also fresh, not frozen so that is a big + in my book. The size of the burgers is also worth noting, these guys are rather large and on my first visit I was pleasantly surprised by the size of this thing and the bun pairing was almost perfect*
*I say almost because I first ordered a rare burger and the bun did not hold up to the juicy mess that I held in my hands. Next go 'round I went medium rare and it was on point.

As for the burgers, if you start with the Zinburger (Manchego Cheese, Zinfandel Braised Onions, Mayo) you really can't go wrong. The braised onions really stand out and add a delicious sweetness to this massive burger. Another great option here is the Samburger (Applewood Smoked Bacon, American Cheese, Thousand Island Dressing), the sweetness of the thousand island and the smoky bacon just bring this burger to the next level.

You can't have a burger without sides and I have to say that the Zucchini Fries are out of this world! I also really enjoy the Cole Slaw, Asian inspired with ginger and toasted sesame seeds.

Behold, the Crème Brûlée

If wine is not your thing, there's beer. If wine and beer don't quite do it for you, there are shakes. The Crème Brûlée Shake is one of the best frozen treats I've ever had (it rivals my personal favorite Toasted Marshmallow Shake from Stand!) The Crème Brûlée Shake is truly one of a kind and it is so good and SO BIG! I've also had the Bananas Foster Shake and must admit that I was very disappointed with this one. It looks pretty but the flavor did not invoke the taste of Bananas Foster - however it did inspire me to work on creating this masterpiece in my kitchen!

Rating - 4.75/5 - There are some solid options on the menu though it is not very deep. It's also a bit pricy when the sides creep into the picture. Is it worth the trip out to Clifton? That's for you to decide but I cannot stress how much I enjoyed both burgers and the Crème Brûlée Shake.

Their site - http://www.zinburgernj.com/

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5 Napkin Burger

5 Napkin Burger - UWS Exterior

5 Borough Food Guys, meet 5 Napkin Burger. 5 Napkin Burger, ummmmm, meet me. A long while ago, I teased a visit to 5 Napkin on my other blog, GothamBurgers (or Got Hamburgers if you're so inclined) and I finally made my way to the 5NB on the Upper West Side. Side note, is it me or is the UWS starting to look a lot like the UES? The conversations were eerily similar and the conversations were similarly nauseating but I'm not judging, just being judgmental. Maybe I just need a friend? Or a hug? Or a friend to give me a hug?

I digress and forge ahead. We're here for burgers, not people watching.

The place has a nice interior, I'm into the whole, meat hooks hanging from the ceiling look and it worked for me. The music did not and the tv that was nestled in the corner showing afternoon football served as a good distraction since I had one small glass of water to satiate my thirst during my entire stay.

Original 5 Napkin Burger - Cooked Rare

The burger selection was rather slim compared to some of my favorite burger haunts (Island Burger jumps to mind) The menu featured a handful of options but the Original 5 Napkin Burger was where I started, though I'm not sure why because I'm not too fond of Gruyere, though I do love me some caramelized onions. Related note, I was a little upset to hear that I could have subbed out the Gruyere after I finished my burger and overheard someone at the next table ordering. Sure I could have asked that question but the waiter just offered that info to the other patron.

The important stuff - the burger was asked to be cooked rare and it was PERFECT! The bun, however, didn't really hold up too well. The burger is a little too large and there bun is a little too thin for a burger of this size. The juices just ripped through the bread like juice tends to do.

I've heard lots o' hype about the "fantastic!!!" 5 Napkin but I must say, I felt a little short changed here, like maybe 3 napkins. It was good and my grade is really just based on the food...ok, and partially on the meat hooks. I'd love for someone to explain the presence of sushi on the menu? And perhaps the random entrees? Funny because I was thinking of burgers at a burger joint but the proprietors thought otherwise.

The prices are also a bit high, the Original comes in at a modest $14.95. Yes, yes. It's Manhattan. Yo comprendo. But for serious, if someplace else can charge like 8 bucks for a similarly sized burger...well, you know what I'm saying. I was tempted to order the "Burger for 2" but I didn't wanna be that pig that eats the "Burger for 2" by himself. Especially since I don't drink Diet Coke so I can't properly wash down my gluttonous sins with some diet cola.

Rating 3.75/5 - I was satisfied with what I had but I wanted more. More what? I'm still not sure. I know I wanted more water but I only saw the waiter to order my food and deliver the check. Why'd he get a 25% tip? Oh yeah, I'm a shmuck.

Their site - http://5napkinburger.com/

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Blue Door Pub

BDP - All Gone

On The Road...St. Paul, MN

Lots O' Tots for $2

It's my second week back from my brief stint in the Twin Cities but let me tell you, they left a lasting impression. The people were awesome and the food was even better. Yes, I know. I don't do gourmet dining and go for the basic dogs, burgers, brats, pizza, etc. but that stuff is so good that I can't pass it up. Preliminary research led me to a number of places and I just had to figure out how to get to St. Paul to make a visit to the Blue Door Pub. A lot of independent sources all gave the BDP rave reviews and I needed to see it for myself.

El Guapo - The Good Looking One

We stroll up to the BDP, decked out in NY Yankee gear (this was our post game meal) and were told to eat outside. At least they'd be willing to serve us unlike some of the savagery that goes on in Boston. All kidding aside, we were ultimately allowed to eat inside to take advantage of happy hour beer specials ($2!!!!) and baskets of tots for only $2!! I mean, if you wanna give away your food, I'm all for it. We found out a little too late about the spicy tots but that was something special! Tots with a dusting of cayenne pepper really hit the spot. The people here were really cool, very friendly. It was not that small but there was a great crowd and it was just a really good time.

Medium Rare w/cheesy center

By now, you've become familiar with the Jucy Lucy and the BDP has their take, conveniently called the "Juicy Blucy" and there are a wide variety of Blucys to choose from. I chose the special B.O.M., "El Guapo" that featured home made pico de gallo and Monterrey Jack cheese. I also selected this specific Blucy in honor of my friend Ed who was not on this trip.

I am making this vow, if their "challenge" exists the next time I am in the Twin Cities, I will do it in 2 days (split 5 and 5). I sure do hope I am there for more than 2 days even though I'll be conveniently close to the Mayo Clinic. What's the challenge? Well, as defined on their site: THE CHALLENGE: Try one of each kind of Blucy (there are 10 of them on the regular menu). THE RULES: Always carry your punch card with you. And stay true to the items listed. The order in which you complete the Blucys is irrelevant. Remind your server to punch your card! THE TROPHY: The winner t-shirt. A custom made limited time winner t-shirt. THE GLORY: We will treat you to your 11th burger and then we hope you start the madness all over again!

Rating - 5/5 - This is so incredibly delicious I can't even describe it. Everything is fresh and amazing. The pico de gallo had some good heat and was perfect. The bun, outstanding. The burger, huge! Everything about the BDP is just head and shoulders above many of the burgers I've ever had.

Their site - http://thebdp.com/?page_id=16 (I go straight for the jugular to point out the delicious Blucys

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Grinders West

Large Marge - Look at those grill marks

On The Road...KCMO
To those who have followed me from the beginnings on gothamBURGERS and gothamPIZZA, thank you. Thank you for continuing on this journey, or should I say progression to 5BFG. That said, my most recent road trip took me to Kansas City, Missouri for some Yankees' baseball and good food. While I did get my Yankees baseball, good food became a bit more of a challenge than hitting Mariano Rivera's cutter.

My KC research started with a web search for "best burgers KC" and then "best pizza KC" just for the heck of it. Ironically, one place showed up on both and immediately, Grinders was vaulted to the top of my hit list. Killing two birds with one stone, especially in foreign territory is a blessing. As it was, Grinders was the first, and perhaps, best meal I'd have out there (more on that later).

The interior had flava. I really liked the decor and the hand crafted tables were really cool and fun to look at. **Note the tables are done by local artists and are for sale at the restaurant. Back to why you're here, the food! I knew I wanted a burger and since they had one called "Large Marge" that one my approval. As a Simpsons fan, a burger bearing the name of the matriarch of the cartoon clan was worth a try. Marge, of course, delivered! Thick, juicy, full of flavor, cooked to order.

Bengal Tiger

The other reason for Grinders was the pizza and I was encouraged by the waitress to try the Bengal Tiger - a slice with Tandoori Chicken. Ironically, this was the one slice I singled out as not wanting since I am not the biggest fan of Indian food and, well, I wish I would have stuck to my guns. I actually enjoyed the pizza, not much thicker than a tortilla and everything was fresh. I just wish I sampled a different slice.

Fortunately, I was steered in the direction of the Reuben sandwich, which was "to die for." And this is how I rounded out my meal and was glad to get the taste of tandoori out of my mouth.

Burger Rating - 4.5/5 - just about as good as a burger can get! Nice and fresh. Delicious. Perfectly sized bun. Not a deep burger menu.

Pizza Rating - 3.5/5 - Lots of options here. Not like your momma's pizza but a lot of interesting options that merit a look and probably a second look. If I was rating just the piece I had, considering I knew I would not like it, I'd still give it a 2.5 but I am bumping it up because there was definitely something good there just needed a different "flavor" to satisfy my pizza cravings.

Their site - http://grinderspizza.com/index.php?/grinderswest/

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Matt's Bar

Matt's Bar - Exterior Sign

On the road..Minneapolis, MN (aka MPLS)
Today we're on the road in MPLS - home of the Twins, Vikings, Atmosphere, Target, the T'Wolves, TARGET, the Mall of America, Fifth Element, and most importantly the Jucy Lucy. Ironically, while I did see the homes of the Twins, Vikings, and T'wolves plus the Mall of America during my recent jaunt to the Twin Cities, I did not see one Target. Disbelief aside, my mission was food and it was mission accomplished. Oh and there's an NHL team called the Wild that calls MPLS home too.

Traveling up and down the light rail brought me to a number of places I absolutely had to try but the one place I enjoyed the most was actually an accident. I knew of the "Jucy Lucy" prior to my arrival in the Twin Cities however, I did not know just where I wanted to get one. That, my friends, is where fate comes in. I was waiting for the 22 bus and I was just chattin' it up with the bus driver. Destination - unknown. Fortunately, his route took me to Matt's Bar and at his urging, and the urging of another passenger, Matt's was a can't miss. Can't miss means must do so I did it and WOW! For followers of my tumblr you have seen the pics posted from Matt's, featuring the Jucy Lucy I enjoyed there. What I have for those who do not know is video of my Jucy Lucy Experience, behold:

Legend has it that a customer didn't want a run in the mill burger or cheeseburger so he had them form two patties and stuff cheese in the middle. The Jucy Lucy was born and it's been a hit ever since. Having this still of burger is a must in the Midwest. Visiting Matt's, where the burger was born just takes the experience to another level. Mine was enjoyed with some chopped onion and a pickle and I wish I was there right now to have another, and another, and maybe one more for the road.

As I was eating this and the cheesy goodness burned my hand, I could not help but wonder if Slug of Atmosphere was referring to this Lucy on their hit F&%K You Lucy because I know it was on my mind...


Rating - 5/5 - concept, nostalgia, and freshly cooked deliciousness. 

Their site - http://www.mattsbar.com/

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Size Does Matter

It's fair to say that nobody uses a scale to actually measure the size of burgers, specifically the three shown here. After all, the only place where they will adamantly measure out your food and perhaps give you less than you are entitled to get is Subway, the WORST SANDWICH PLACE ANYWHERE, EVER! Ask for more meat and you may as well be asking to slaughter their first born.

A quick comparison for my local burger quests will show the 5, 6, and 7 oz burgers.

5oz - No.9 Burger - Jimmy's Burger Shack

And now for a 6oz burger from Lee's Burgers, located in Newton Centre, MA.

6oz Sirloin Burger - Lee's Burgers - Newton, MA

And here is that 7oz gem from the great Jackson Hole...

7oz Southwest Burger - Jackson Hole

Again, I didn't measure anything. I don't really care to measure anything. And for all I know, 1oz of beef may make that much of a difference but I have my doubts. Somewhere along the way I think Jackson Hole lost their scale or their just pulling our leg with that "Home of the 7oz Burger Talk." Don't worry though, I aint mad at ya, neither is this guy

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Jimmy's Burger Shack

Hard to believe there's more mini than 5oz

Love Potion #9. Or something

Home sweet home! Back in the city so nice they named it twice after a whirlwind trip that brought me all over the middle of this great country. After stepping off the MEGA BUS and before boarding the not-so-mega-train, I ventured to Jimmy's Burger Shack for some, wait for it....wait some more....you guessed it!! BURGERS! Desperate times call for desperate measures and I was putting my burger craving in the hand of Brother Jimmy in the hopes that he could satisfy my needs. Did Jimmy deliver? Did DJ get his burger craving satisfied on the corner of 8th and 32nd? Stay tuned to find out!

And we're back!! So I stroll into the Shack only to immediately be disappointed, why? Well, it appeared as if there was chaos all around in there and the cook just didn't look like he was feeling it that day. Maybe he wanted to see some preseason football? Maybe he had to catch up on his DVR episodes of Judge Judy? Maybe he just can't cook burgers? Well, I order the No 9 (5oz w/bacon and a fried egg) and I waited. And waited. And waited. Somewhere in that waiting was my realization that there was no way that my teeny tiny burger was going to show up rare. Or medium rare. Or medium. Or medium well. Or well done. It was just done. Hockey puck done which I guess is appropriate considering their proximity to MSG, the World's Most Famous Arena.

Hi. I'm #9

To the left is my lil' puck covered with a perfectly fried egg and perfectly cooked bacon (FOR ME PEOPLE! Maybe you want your bacon crunchy by for me this is perfect, k?) Anyway, this lil guy was like the most delicious bacon and egg sandwich (on a mini potato roll) marred by a ultra well done burger that lacked any flavor. Well, not any flavor. It had the flavor of overcooked, which I am certain is on the spectrum somewhere.

No9 - REALLY DONE

As your gracious host, I never stop at just one and I gave a mini a shot and well, the results were quite similar. Over done, no taste other than the lettuce and tomato, oh and bread. Can't forget that. Nor can I forget the Shack Sauce. All those little helpers tried to drown out the taste of overdone and all some type of flavor to the poor lil guy. I think the saying was help for the helpless as the end result was mediocre at best.

I was entertained by this couple engaged in a fight that was LONG overdue. And it was nice to be begged for money by NY hobos since I was tired of the beggars in KC or MPLS or Boston.

Rating - 1.5/5 - Concept is the only thing that scores points. Some cooking tips for anyone making a slider, it's small and takes a lot less time to cook. You do not need to cover it on the grill. Bad idea. Bad, bad idea.

Their site - http://www.jimmysburgershack.com/ (under construction as of 8/26, hopefully site design comes with burger making lessons)


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Jackson Hole

Jackson Hole - Columbus Ave

"Home of the 7oz. Burger." This must be some kind of joke because the burger at the Hole is massive. I'm not sure how many ounces it is in total (pre, nor post cooked weight) however it feels and eats a lot larger than lucky number seven - not to be confused with this classic film.

Jackson Hole is like a burger aficionado's dream come true in the sense that there's a wide variety of toppings and fun names for their burgers. I'm a burger aficionado! Must explain my affinity for this place. The burgers are fresh, never frozen, and served in giant hand-formed patties that are slightly larger for their undersized bun. More on that in a minute.

Jackson Hole - Southwest Burger

I've ventured to JH on several occasions and am always surprised at the size of the burger and I have to admit, I laugh because the big guy usually falls apart and I need to use my fork to finish it. Even at medium rare, this thing has a hard time staying together (at least you know the meat's fresh and not a frozen piece of junk).

Jackson Hole - Burger Breakage

The meat, however, lacks any discernible flavor. It just tastes like meat. The toppings, on the other hand, usually just add to the fun and make a nice party in your mouth. My most recent visit, for this review, features the Southwest Burger - topped with fresh guacamole and raw onion. Two words, simply delicioso - not to be confused with Miss Ingrid, but she can join me for burgers any day.

Look at the size of that thing! 7 oz?!?!? I think not but I LOVE IT! I've had a number of their mega-sized burgers and have always enjoyed them. Even when they break apart like the picture shows at right. Don't be fooled though, this will not disappoint! You may want to go with medium but that's against my religion.

Rating - 4/5 - Size and variety reign supreme. I'd love to see some different bun offering but this does the job.

Their site - www.jacksonholeburgers.com

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Croxley Ales - Redux

It's rare (no pun intended) that I'll go back to a burger joint and do another review but on occasion there's something that merits not just a revisit, but actually a whole new review. Heck, if I did a review for all my Stand visits you'd think I was stalking someone there. But, the newest review is actually a revisit to Croxley Ales, one week later.

What would warrant such a thing? Simple, the Mac Daddy offered by Croxley Ales. The menu describes the Mac Daddy as "our 1/2 lb burger topped with Mac n Cheese." Now Mac n Cheese can swing a number of different ways and as the review of the now dead WSBS proves that it needn't even have Mac to be Mac n Cheese. Such blatant false advertising should be illegal but in the end, the WSBS paid the piper and is not serving up burgers anymore.

Croxley Ales - Mac Daddy Burger

So, my burning question was, "will this thing even have macaroni?" Which was followed up with,"I wonder if it'll be boxed Mac n Cheese?" Well the moment of truth arrived and behold, in all its splendor, the Mac Daddy.

Let's start with the positives, semi toasted roll = YUM! Burger = cooked perfectly. Mac n Cheese = definitely homemade, definitely delicious, and kudos to whomever choose orecchiette as the Mac. WOW! Sweet potato fries on the side was a nice touch.

The negatives? Well, I'm not sure why there was lettuce, tomato, or onion on there. I ate them all separately and called it my salad - I needed something resembling healthy food since I wolfed down about 30 hot wings plus this monster.

The other negative, the burger and mac n cheese seemed disjointed. They just didn't seem to want to play with one another. I LOVED the mac n cheese. I can't stress that enough. I'd eat that any day of the week and put it up as a stand alone against anything S'mac serves and Croxley will be the winner. But this was not the right fit for the burger. I needed something more cheddar-y and less alfredo-y to deliver here. Would I do this again? I'm not sure. But I do suggest you try it because it's quite a delicious experience all for only $12.95.

Rating - 3.75/5 - the idea is flawless. The execution only slightly flawed. It's big and it's tasty and it's worth a look but there's still room for a true Mac N Cheese burger out there and I'm still on the hunt to see if anyone else can deliver.

Their site - www.croxley.com

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Croxley Ales

Croxley Ales Front

What started as a quest for a SICK wing special ended up being a quest for an even SICKER burger. For those not in the know, Croxley Ales on Ave. B (near 3rd) is the home of the 10 cent wings (Mon-Wed). I arrived as a skeptic for a couple of reasons - 1) that's too good to be true 2) the wings must be as tiny as popcorn chicken 3) there's gotta be a catch, there's ALWAYS a catch. Much to my surprise, this was not too good to be true, the chicken wings were big, not Dallas BBQ BIG but still a big wing, and there is no catch. Well, not really. If you consider buying a minimum of 15 wings a catch, well then they got you! Buy 15 and spend a buck fifty or ELSE! The wings alone are worth the voyage. Heck, the wings are worth more than they're charging but I am NEVER going to complain about wanting to pay more for something. Great wings at an even better price and the place is loaded with TVs to watch the game, TMZ, Golden Girls, whatevs.

But you're saying, what about this burger you speak of. Welllllll kids, lemme tell you about this burger known as "The What The S*?!" burger which is your typical 8oz burger with lettuce, tomato, and onion.

You say, "What's the big deal DJ?"
I say, "There's no bun!" 
You say, "Carb conscious all of the sudden?"
I say, "Nope, who needs a bun when you can put this burger between not 1, but 2 grilled cheese sandwiches?"
You say, "I wish I was your cardiologist b/c your heart's gotta blow sooner, not later."
I just laugh in your face.

Croxley Wings!

Now there are a number of other wild concoctions on the burger front and I promise to do more burgers and less wings next time so that I can maybe tame a pair of wild beasts (the Triple Threat - topped w/bacon, cheddar, pulled pork and the Mac Daddy - topped w/Mac N Cheese come to mind). The waitress was kinda rooting against me finishing my burger, said she's only seen 1 person do it and eat all the fries. I told her I don't eat fries and she rolled her eyes. My boy stands up and says "dude at 15 wings" she seemed apathetic. I'll show her. One day she'll be proud of me.

The What the Burger!

On the real though, the burger is kinda flavorless. Maybe it was flavor overload? Maybe I was in a state of delirium with all the chickens and grilled cheesy goodness running through my system. But if I use some ketchup, the burger definitely needed some help when there was no more lettuce, tomato, or onion to save it. Sorry Louis, I didn't mean to do it!

Rating - 4/5 - this is a big burger, needs some flavor. Meat was fresh, not frozen. Cooked to perfection so I can't complain. But with all the options, I feel like I'm rating one and Croxley deserves a better fate because the burgers are stand out and the wings are spectacular!

Their site - www.croxley.com

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Mel's Burger Bar

Mel's Burger Bar - Al Fresco

Oh the Upper West Side. Where do you really begin and end? I mean, by real standards and not real estate standards. I don't gauge the boundaries of this neighborhood by the insane costs of rent to live on top of people but more so on the rotten summer stank on the 1 train as you cruise up Broadway. I have a certain disdain for the waft of hot, dank air that blows into the air conditioned train cart at each passing stop and when you hit 96th, you know you're either ready to a) get off the train and just hoof it b) spray some type of deodorant to neutralize the funk in the air or c) put on a gas mask and enjoy the rest of the ride.

I had the recent pleasure of riding the 1 up to 110th to hit up Mel's, who offers a wide variety of burgers and shakes (Cookie Monster - ahem, Big Daddy's clone, PBJ, Smores, etc.), along with a handful of interesting starters (fried pickles, buffalo wings, brisket chili). The burger of choice for me was "The Original" because I kinda liked the nod on the menu that read "Thank You Louis." A nod to Louis Lunch over in New Haven that I thought warranted giving the burger a shot. For the record, I did not think it was going to replicate what LL has been doing for 115 years in any way other than slapping the burger sandwich on toast. A true LL fan like myself can also tell you that the obvious omission of the cheese spread left the sandwich lacking a little flavor (not just because they forgot my onion). Overall the burger was good. The girl was seemingly intent on giving me a medium burger, and I quote "is medium ok." To which I replied, nope. Gimme mine mooing and I'll take care of the rest.

Mel's Burger Bar - The Original

Overall the burger was good. The meat was really just meat. Black Angus? Who knows for sure. Could have been Angus MacGyver for all I know. It's a nice label but irrelevant in the scheme of things, especially if the meat lacks an overall flavor palate to make it stand out. My biggest complaint, if you can call it that, was the fact that the bread was a little too big for the burger. Not brutally big, but a little oversized. Did I enjoy this burger? Yes, I did. Was it a bit off? Yes it was.

Mel's Burger Bar Slogan - OK?

So what do we do? On the one hand, there's an extensive burger menu with some interesting and unique offering and on the other there's a lack of meat flavoring that makes the burger stand out assuming you were to eat it on a plate (but who really does that?) If you like well done fries, Mel's has exactly what you are looking for - twice fried, done nice and hard.

Rating - 3.5/5 - If ranking just my burger experience it would have been a little lower but I am giving a half point bump for the shakes (though I didn't try one they did intrigue me so I'll venture back, ideally in the Fall) and sides.

Their site - http://www.melsburgerbar.com/

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Big Daddy's

Big Daddy's Menu

Big Daddy's, located on Columbus and 91st, is a retro themed diner that in my opinion is on the map for the Sweet Potater Tots. The retro theme is complimented with Trivial Pursuit cards on each table and a funky wallpaper that spans no specific generation, featuring logos/icons from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and 2000s. Sure they offer a handful of extra large burgers and a number of homemade shakes as well but since Napoleon Dynamite made tots all the rage, they're a menu must. Making sweet potatoes into tots is just taking things up a few notches and that's something that needs to be recognized.

Big Mac Daddy

In eateries that serve sweet potato fries, I'm one to ask for maple syrup to dip them in. Sometimes that will result in some odd looks for the wait staff but I'm very used to odd looks. Big Daddy's, however, serves their Sweet Potater Tots with a homemade, over the top, spicy and not sweet at all BBQ sauce for dipping and it is NOT a good pairing for me. The sauce is strong and not complimentary to the sweetness of the sweet potatoes and that's just a mistake. For a look at their menu, click here.

Half Eaten Big Mac Daddy

The big burgers, are cooked to order from fresh meat and served with tots. Be warned!! Do not ask to sub in the Sweet Potater Tots for regular tots because Big Daddy will draw the line and you'll be put in your place. I've been told "We can't do that." In the food service business, focus on the word service, there's no such thing as can't. Want the sweet tots? Spend an extra $6. I was seething at this one because it's just absurd. The last thing I need is tots and more tots to go with my burger. I sorta worry about my waistline sometimes and I think I should pay some attention to my cholesterol so getting more fried treats, no matter if they're trans-fat free or not, seems like a not so hot idea. Add that to the fact that it's nice 'n' greasy for my complexion and we've got a winning combo.

Infamous Sweet Potater Tots

But you are saying, this is a burger site, where's the burger review? Here it is. I recently visited and ordered the Big Mac Daddy burger - their take on the Big Mac minus one patty and one slice of bread while adding caramelized onions. The burger holds up really well and has nice flavor, with or without all the added toppings. The bun is a good size to hold the large slab of beef piled on top of it while soaking up the burger's juices nicely.

Rating - 3.75/5 - No subbing sweet potater tots with a $15 burger and forcing the customer to spend an extra $8 on this signature item? Foolish. The burger is good and a bit on the high side. At $15 (not including a drink, sides, etc.) you are creeping in on Olde Homestead or Minetta Tavern territory and this is not on the level with those. It's a good burger, not the best burger but the no subbing really does rub me the wrong way.

Their site - http://www.bigdaddysnyc.com/

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Blue 9

I should have been scared.

Let's start by taking you back to a time when I was on one of my typical eatercising quests. This time was roughly 5 years ago and I was in the midst of trying out some "must have" food in NYC. I'm not going to put any other spots on blast here but I say this NY, it's not that you can't get a good cheesesteak in NYC but if you are telling me it's just like the Philly experience and you do not deliver, shame, shame, shame. It's not "let's call Arnold Diaz" type shame but it's not good and I'd rather make a run down to Philly. On a night like that, after a cheesesteak letdown, I needed a burger pick me up. Blue 9 was close and I had heard good things so it seemed like a good fit. Until I ate it.

Fast forward to the present day and I was doing some wandering up and down 9th avenue - one of the BEST places to wander if you are not in the village IMO - and there was another Blue 9. Sure this was not the same one that jaded my opinion of their small chain but at some point, a chain is a chain because they do it all the same. If not, what's the point. The only thing that varies, is the amount of love the cook has for the food. If the cook wants your burger experience to be the best burger experience, chain or not, they can and will wow you. Trust me on this, I had Taco Bell late last night and it wowed me. Sure I was famished but I was also shocked that the food presented nicely and was neatly packaged in the tortilla.

So Blue 9 2.0, here's to you. I walk in the Hell's Kitchen location, door wide open, place empty, two guys behind the counter seemingly confused as to why I am there. I ask, "you are still open correct?" The hesitant "yes" should have told me to go home and eat some Chobani but I was here so why not? I ask for a Blue 9 Burger  (double burger, cheese, lettuce, tomato, thousand island) As the pic shows you, raw onion got on there too, NBD since I like it but why the wilted lettuce? I say that is not necessary. The burger itself is actually not bad. The picture you see is a double and each bite does provide enough beef. It also has enough similar qualities to a number of other burger places that sell shakes in NYC however if you like you burger served with a side of apathy and heaping loads of indifference on top, then you might love Blue 9.

Blue 9 Menu with FLASHY flash!

Rating - 2/5 - This has been a middle the road burger for me for a long time. I took a 5 year hiatus and they're still there, mediocrity, minus half a point for wilted lettuce and indifference. It's nothing spectacular though I've noticed the burger menu has morphed a bit to feature some more exotic pairings - mango came to mind at the Hell's Kitchen spot. Similar experiences, different locations, years apart. Who really goes here? And why?

Their site - www.blue9burger.com

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Brennan and Carr

A Brooklyn Classic...
There are huge rivalries all around NYC, typically dealing with sports teams and there are very few that sit on the fence and root for both. It's one or the other. You like the Yankees and hate the Mets. You like the Giants and hate the Jets. You could care less about the Knicks but you still hate the Nets. Rivalries truly do make the things we enjoy that much more enjoyable because we want our favorite to be the best. There are two sandwich giants in BK, most famous for the roast beef offerings, and many people are loyal to either Brennan and Carr or Roll N Roaster (featured here)

As a kid I did what you call the Brooklyn shuffle, moving five times over a span of seven years while being fortunate enough to remain in the same general area. During my most formative years (read rapid growth) I had the luxury of living 4 blocks from Roll N Roaster yet had to take a bus that transferred right in front of Brennan and Carr**

Brothy Goodness

What's a boy to do? I mean, everyone had their favorite and I honestly could not choose. This was not some Mets-Yankees scenario unfolding, this was food. Great food. And great food is one thing I never deprive myself of, in case you hadn't noticed. Since I'm not comparing who has the better roast beef sandwich (I'll save that for another day) I have to go based on burgers. In the burger fight, however,  B&C doesn't quite play fair.

Hard to tell how soaked the bun is.

YES, you can buy their beef burger and be fairly satisfied at their offering OR you can play it smart and order the Gargiulo Burger, have the pour beef broth on it and know that they just did to burgers what should have been done a LONG time ago. The Gargiulo is listed there on the menu and if you don't know and don't ask what it is, you're missing out. But now, you're armed with knowledge that you need to get this burger (NOT cooked to order) topped with delicious, hot roast beef, cheese (optional) and then the bun is smothered in broth. Let it sit a while and have some fun poking the bun to watch broth seep out. This is a heavenly sandwich. It's pricy too but nobody said heaven would be cheap.

I'm a burger with roast beef on top

Rating - 4.5/5 - This is just such an impressive burger/sandwich. Yes it's kinda cheating to add it here but NYC is loaded w/specialty burgers and this is one of the best.

**Editor's Note - While I did take the B3 to the B36 when I knew a sandwich from B&C was in order, there was an "easier" way to get home via the B49 and I tell you this in an effort of full disclosure.

Their site - http://brennanandcarr.kpsearch.com/df/default.asp

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