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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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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Candlelight Inn

I'll preface this by saying this is not going to be a review, not a formal review anyway. For quite some time I've heard great things about the Candlelight Inn in Scarsdale, specifically their wings. I was in the area last week taking my mom to the doctor and I suggested that we try the Candlight for a late lunch/early dinner. It's not every day I'm in Scarsdale so this just had to happen.

Upon arrival, I checked in on Foursquare and my friend Nick hits me up and simply asks, "Chernobyl?" I answer in the affirmative and he replies "You could have just come over to my place and I would have stabbed you in the tongue." I laughed for a while and debated leaving to go get stabbed in the tongue, after all you need a baseline to determine which of these things feels worse.

Chernobyl

I knew what I wanted but for some reason, the waitress didn't believe. Or maybe it was she didn't want to serve me? Or most likely, she just didn't want to see this grown man cry. I asked for an order of 10 wings, Chernobyl. She said, "Are you sure?" Yes I'm sure. She asked again, "Why don't you just get hot wings? I can bring you some Chernobyl sauce on the side." I replied, "No thanks, I want Chernobyl." She said, "You really sure? They're so hot. 98% of the people who order them can't eat them." Yes, I'm sure.

All this talk made my mouth water. I LOVE hot food and was ready to take on these wings that share their name with a Russian nuclear disaster. Deep down, I never did question whether or not I can finish the ten wings. My own stupidity would not allow me to stop short of finishing the heat these wings could deliver. I must say these wings are HOT! They are possibly the 2nd hottest wings* I've ever eaten and my physiological reaction spoke volumes - uncontrollable tearing, sweating, red swollen lips. However, as strange as it may seem, my mouth did not feel hot. It sounds crazy and it's hard to explain but these things are so hot but it was not unbearable.  More important than the heat is the size. For under $7 I got 10 wings and look at the size of them. Big, meaty, juicy and NOT fried.

If you enjoy hot wings I'd suggest the Candlelight Inn to you. If you want to push how high you can go on the Scoville Scale, go for Chernobyl and let me know what you think.

*Note - The hottest wings I've ever eaten were at a spot just outside of Boston. I challenged that place to make them as hot as possible and when I bit into the first wing it felt like I was kicked in the teeth and my mouth went numb.

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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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Modern Pastry

Modern Pastry - Exterior

One large, one small. Both AMAZING.

On The Road...Boston, MA
I'm going to come right out and say it in three words. BEST. CANNOLI. EVER. To think, my research said this was a close 2nd in Boston but I've tried what that person called the best and it didn't even come close to the cannoli greatness served at Modern Pastry, a Boston staple since the 1930's.

Rating - 5/5 - PERFECTION. I've never had a cannoli this good, anywhere. Ever. My favorites in NYC and BK take a backseat to this gem.

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

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Pizzeria Regina

Pizzeria Regina - 11 1/2 Thacher

On The Road...Boston, MA
Look up "best pizza Boston" and you'll find Regina at or near the top of every list in beantown. I took my brother along for this trip, more like he took me along as he drove me to the North End to indulge my pizza cravings. I had a long list of places at which we should eat and Regina was definitely on the list. Before I get too deep into my review, I really could care less if the staff has a bit of an attitude and that's their little gimmick. I get it, that's fine. I've been to enough places like that and can handle it. Besides, I could care less how nasty the staff is if the food is good.

Pizzeria Regina - Pepperoni Slice

The food, the pizza. Pizzeria Regina's staple item for North Enders since 1926. Regina serves a big slice. A greasy slice. A relatively bland slice that lacks flavor, crunch, and that special something that makes me want to go back for more.

My brother had a very similar reaction. He was not impressed with the pizza and was kinda let down. We've shared a number of great slices together at my home in NY and his home in MA. Focusing on just the MA pizzerias we've hit up, Regina did not live up to top billing, not even top five and I've cleared a good chunk of the most recent top 20 from boston.com

But if we want to go into their attitude, if you've been there you'll know that at the end of the bar there's a tiny triangle of counter space that is barely bigger than the pepperoni slice pictured above. I was standing right there, out of the way and they were insistent that I "move by the red bucket" since our food was ordered to go. Over and over and over they demanded I move. I was confused to say the least and I moved to the red bucket, at which point they finally handed us our food, guaranteeing that we would not eat inside the pizzeria. 

Rating - 2.75/5 - the pizza was average. I did enjoy the taste of the slight char from the brick oven. However, it was really greasy, not just the pepperoni )which is inevitably greasy) but the plain slice was greasier than Elvis' hair.

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

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The Wienery

Breakfast ALL DAY. Get it?

Drive-In Dog w/Slaw

On The Road...MPLS
Nestled in the heart of the West Bank section of Minneapolis is the Wienery, a small eatery that packs a lot of flavor and flair. The setup is about 4-5 tables and chairs plus another 10-12 seats at a bar. Breakfast is served ALL day. I emphasize that because there were enough signs mentioning it and people still asked. Reading is not fundamental, it's overrated.

The food, yes, the food. The dogs were Vienna Beef and that's an automatic 4-stars because them doggies run the Midwest. I went dogs only on this trip because I was anticipating more eating (turned out to be Matt's and that delicious Jucy Lucy) and the doggies did not disappoint.

Decision time and it was not easy. Their menu runs deep, much like my appetite but not like my wallet so I had to make some tough choices. I opted for the Tasmanian Devil because I wanted the hottest of the hot chili on top of my doggy and then I went for more chili and some slaw on the Drive-In Dog, a nod to my days in Charleston.

Both hit the spot perfectly and someone please tell me why it's so hard to find a poppy seeded hot dog roll here in NYC? I mean, this is NYC! Let's get on the ball. It's for the children, just ask this guy.


Rating - 5/5. I had perfection at the Wienery. Them doggies were so good and the chili was amazing, nice and spicy and that slaw. WOW! I loved the slaw. I loved it so much I would have let them make a beard of slaw on my face to pick it while riding the light rail back to the airport. That would have been fun to explain to the TSA folks.

Their site - www.wienery.com

**If you want to make some slaw at home the way the Wienery does out in MPLS, have a look here for the recipe!

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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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Clinton Station Diner

Where It All Began...

The idea of doing a blog has been kicked around for too long but I’ll get into all of that later. Recently, in an effort to have a birthday that I would consider to be memorable, I was fortunate to have enough friends join me on a pilgrimage to Clinton, NJ. For all members of my posse, Clinton was a minimum of one hour and in some cases it was at least a 3 hour trek.

But why? Well, Clinton is home to the Clinton Station Diner which is home to the Mt. Olympus, which for some time was the World’s Biggest Burger. The mission was simple - go to Clinton Station and tame Mt. Olympus.

Ok, so our party was a bit smaller than anticipated so we needed to adjust – enter Zeus.

I have envisioned this day for quite some time but still was not fully prepared for what Zeus had to offer – 7lbs of beef, 12.5 total lbs of dinner.

If I had to rate the experience it was perfect. Great times, great crew, and a damn good burger. The bun, though handmade on premises, was a little too thick and dry for my taste.

That’s my plate….so I guess I can’t complain about the bread too much.

In closing – there’s all sorts of good reason to make the trip to Clinton, if for no other reason than to see this burger with your own two eyes. Also, there’s been a lot of hype lately about the world’s largest burger coming from some shop in Michigan. Don’t believe the hype, Clinton Station is serving up 212 lbs of beef (total weight of 269) that dwarfs the competition. 

Rating - 4/5. They get lots of style points. The burger is too big to serve anything but well done and that just aint my thing. Hit up western NJ with some friends and you've got photos and stories for a few years to come!