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A Beer & a Burger in Davis Square
On a warm Saturday afternoon, what is better than enjoying a late lunch of a burger and a beer? Boston Burger Company offers about 22 flavorful burger concoctions along with chicken sandwiches, 11 kinds of fries with various toppings (think nacho cheese, sweet potato, or garlic), wings, and salads. The friendly service, air conditioning, and the zero wait for a table were welcomed as a large art fair was in mid-swing just outside the restaurant’s door in Davis Square. The beer list is fairly standard with a mix of bottled imports & domestic brands.
Two burgers were ordered. First up was the Black & Bleu with a Cajun spice rub and bleu cheese. I liked the simplicity of the beef, bun, spice, and cheese. No extra toppings, like lettuce and tomato, to get in the way. The potato chips made for excellent delivery vehicles for the extra cheese that dripped off the burger. Salty and tangy are two descriptors that I like.
The Waikiki Beach Burger has grilled pineapple, ham, bacon, and teriyaki sauce. The fried egg is an optional add-on. This one had a great combination of sweetness from the pineapple and saltiness from the ham and bacon. Both burgers came with a side of cole slaw that looked soup-y and tasted watery. Not exactly an accompaniment I would rave about.
A non-food note to point out is the steep stairs to the restrooms – step carefully!
Boston Burger Company is worth checking especially for an easy going meal.
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Details:
Boston Burger Company
37 Davis Square
Somerville, MA
http://bostonburgerco.com/
Walking distance from the Davis T (Red Line)
Good Stuff Eatery in DC
Another burger, another city. Yet this place, Good Stuff Eatery, was different. Maybe it was because of the diverse menu of burger creations or that the owner is Spike Mendelsohn, a favorite from the Chicago season of Top Chef. Or that the restaurant practices smart sustainable actions and gives back to the community through a variety of charitable organizations. But, I really think that it comes down to the good food: burgers, fries, and shakes. Plus, the condiment bar with a variety of flavored mayos and mustards.
Hoping to capture the moment in this picture, I chose the blazin’ barn burger (pickled daikon radish, cilantro, mint, carrots, Thai basil, lettuce, and spicy mayo) and a small order of the village fries (fresh thyme, rosemary, and black pepper). The burger packed a mountain of flavor that was spicy yet clean at the same time; the beef was fresh and crumbly, not packed. The fries were hot, hand cut, and herb-a-licious. I actually wonder how long it takes a prep cook to chop the herbs each day; I got a peek at the container holding the herbs on the line, and the container was overflowing. The rest of the menu has traditional and not so traditional burgers (chicken can be substituted), wedge salads, and shakes. Go get in line now!
Details:
303 Pennsylvania Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20003
Tucked into the residential neighborhood of South End, a cafe and coffee shop called South End Buttery serves breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. I visited the cafe on two separate occasions: once for an afternoon snack and another morning for breakfast. South End Buttery uses organic and locally produced ingredients as well as implementing environmentally focused processes (i.e. recycling, Dyson hand dryers, biodegradable packaging/paper products).
For my afternoon visit, I ordered a latte and cranberry orange scone. While a pretty standard order, I was impressed with the freshness of the scone and the creamy-ness of the latte. I sat at the marble counter which faces the large windows and got to people watch while enjoying these treats.
Wanting to return to try breakfast, I pondered all the choices: oatmeal, breakfast burrito, frittata, baked goods, bagels … but I decided on the country biscuit with scrambled eggs and aged cheddar cheese. I picked tomatoes instead of bacon (another option). As you can see in the picture, the biscuit was huge, but it was buttery and delicious. I would have liked the tomato slices to have been a little thinner, too. A little awkward to eat like a typical sandwich, I needed a knife and fork. None of these details really mattered because I made the right decision to eat this to kick start my day.
On another trip to Boston, I hope to check out South End Buttery’s dinner menu.
Details:
314 Shawmut Avenue
Boston, MA 02118
617.482.1015
Post 390: Lunch in the Back Bay
When in Rome ..err…Boston, fish should be eaten. I knew that I had to satisfy my craving for a fried fish sandwich and had Post 390 marked on my list of restaurants to check out. Post 390 is modern bar serving upscale American classics for lunch, dinner, and brunch on Sunday. Opened in October of 2009, the restaurant can be found in the Back Bay area directly across the street from the Prudential Center and nearby hotels. There are two levels marked by a pretty staircase: the main floor with the bar and seating area with floor to ceiling windows and a second floor for private events.
I arrived at Post 390 between lunch and dinner to find a limited bar menu. Having reviewed the menu online prior to my visit, I knew that my hope of a fish sandwich would be fulfilled. A fried haddock on brioche with Rhode Island tartar sauce and crispy fries was an effortless decision — I really liked the spear of peppers, black olive, and pickle. The haddock was fresh, crispy, and flaky on a toasted brioche bun. The fries were fairly standard, so I perked them put a bit with a squeeze of lemon that accompanied the fish.
I would definitely return to Post 390 for another meal to experience more of the menu.
Details:
Post 390
Boston, MA, 02116
Twitter: @Post390
New Epic Burger Opening
As mentioned in a previous post, A Tale of Two Burgers, Epic Burger opens a second location Monday, June 7th at North Avenue & Sheffield. Look for it near West Elm & Pottery Barn in the shopping center formerly occupied by Whole Foods.
The Lincoln Park location promises free parking and a BYOB option not available in the S. State Street outlet.
Details:
1000 W. North Avenue
Chicago, IL 60645
Big Star: Tacos, Whiskey, and Cash-Only
The former Pontiac Cafe got a new owner, a new look, and a new cuisine when Big Star moved into the Wicker Park/Bucktown ‘hood. Big Star joins the family of Paul Kahan’s powerhouse restaurants Avec, Blackbird, Publican, and Violet Hour. Known for serving tacos, whiskey shots, and accepting only cash, Big Star has a line of hungry diners from lunch time till the wee hours of the morning.
Sitting outside on a Friday in the summer is an easy way to enjoy the casual ambience of the restaurant — the music is a familiar yet a random mix of favorites, the staffers are friendly, and the food comes out fast (or at least it did for lunch).
The guacamole is seriously good: fresh, tangy, and served with crispy chips. In his early years, Kahan worked for Rick Bayless so his guac-making skills are dead on.
The list of tacos is short, but packed with flavors. I ordered the grilled chicken tostado with black beans, lettuce, and crema; the pastor taco with marinated pork, cilantro, and pineapple; and the fish tostado with grilled tilapia, cabbage, radishes, and avocado. Other menu items include a queso fundido, a pork belly taco, a roasted poblano taco, pinto beans, and a dulce de leche milkshake. There is a whiskey shot of the day for $3 in addition to margaritas, cocktails, and beers.
Go now before the patio is packed!
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Big Star
1531 N Damen near the North Avenue, Milwaukee, Damen intersection
open seven days a week from 1130 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Cupcakes on Wheels: Flirty Cupcakes
Need a sugar fix mid-afternoon? Have to take desserts to a party after work? Want to support Chicago’s food truck growth? Look no further than Flirty Cupcakes, a brand new business that sells cupcakes from a van and discloses its locations via Twitter & Facebook. Much like the food trucks in LA, New York, and Portland, Flirty Cupcakes sends update after update of street locations, tallies of cupcake flavors, and parking blunders.
I stumbled upon the van exactly one day prior to the official opening day; it was parked on Michigan Avenue between Lake & Randolph. The friendy ladies operating the van have a display of the day’s flavors as well as the menu painted on the side of the vehicle. Flavors “out of stock” are usually denoted with a bright post-it note. Cupcakes are made at Kitchen Chicago, a local shared use kitchen in the West Town neighborhood.
I tried the Plain Jane, a vanilla cupcake with Italian vanilla buttercream frosting. It was so delicious that I immediately wished I had bought more than one. The frosting had a very natural vanilla flavor with a hint of sweetness; the cake was fresh as if it was just baked. Can’t wait to discover the truck again, but keep tabs on Twitter and Facebook to find Flirty Cupcakes’ next location!
Details:
Twitter: @flirtycupcakes
Now in Season: Farmer’s Markets
As a strong advocate for seasonal eating and cooking, I am very excited about the next 4-5 months of outdoor markets. Below is a partial list of local farmer’s markets and neighborhoods. For more markets (especially the independently operated ones), check out the City of Chicago’s web site.
Sundays
Beverly: 7 a.m. – 1 p.m.
City Parking Lot – Southeast Corner
9500 S. Longwood Dr.
Wicker Park/Bucktown: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
1500 N. Damen Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
Erie Street: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
500 W. Erie St.
Chicago, IL 60654
Tuesdays
Lincoln Square: 7 a.m. – 1 p.m.
parking lot next to Brown Line Station
4700 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
Streeterville/Museum of Contemporary Art: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
MCA Plaza
Chicago Ave. & Mies van der Rohe Way
Chicago, IL 60611
Wednesdays
Pullman: 7 a.m. – noon
Arcade Park
11100 S. Cottage Grove
Chicago, IL 60628
Green City Market: 7 a.m. – 1 p.m.
1799 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60614
Thursdays
Uptown: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Weiss Memorial Hospital
4646 N. Marine Drive
Chicago, IL 60640
Hyde Park: 7 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Harper Court
5200 S. Harper Ave.
Chicago, IL 60615
Saturdays
Green City Market: 7 a.m. – 1 p.m.
1799 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60614
Southport: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Blaine School
1420 W. Grace St.
Chicago, IL 60657
Division: 7 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Division btwn. State & Clark
50 W. Division St.
Chicago, IL 60610
Printer’s Row: 7 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Parking Lot
Dearborn & Polk
Chicago, IL 60605
Tale of Two Burgers: M Burger & Epic Burger
Burger joints seem to be popping up all over the place in Chicago. Who can resist a comforting meal of a juicy burger, hot fries, and a cold beverage or smooth shake. I recently visited two quick service businesses to see what all the fuss is about: M Burger and Epic Burger.
M Burger is one of the more recent burger businesses to open. Located in part of Tru’s kitchen, M Burger delivers on a tasty fast food experience using quality ingredients. With a short regular menu and a secret menu, there have been many comparisions to In & Out, a West Coast chain with a cult following .
In the brown bag, I ordered the M Burger that has cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and a spicy mayo-based sauce; said sauce could be slightly compared to another burger giant that has served billions & billions … the fries were pipping hot and seasoned well. To round out the lunch, I tried the peach iced tea that wasn’t too sweet or too peachy: it was just right. Other M Burger options are a chicken sandwich, a chopped chicken salad, and shakes. For the vegetarian eaters, there is a veggie “burger” of sorts that involves a thick slice of tomato, guacamole, mayo, and pickles.
M Burger’s popularity doesn’t seem to be losing any steam as the lunch-time lines are strong but the friendly crew keeps folks moving. Keep M Burger on your list of places to visit after power shopping along Michigan Avenue!
South Loop’s Epic Burger considers itself to sell a mindful burger and operates by a list of rules. Burgers are made with 100% all natural beef chuck and cooked only upon ordering. Buns are baked by local bakeries, and fries are fresh cut & cooked. Produce, organic eggs, Wisconsin cheeses, and nitrate-free bacon come from producers in the Chicagoland area. With all these rules, does the food actually taste good? Why, yes it does and has kept feeding my burger craving for well over a year.
On a sunny Friday, I stopped by the restaurant for lunch wanting to try something new, but stuck to my typical order. Epic Burger’s menu is slightly larger with combo meals, customized sandwiches, and smoothies. Burgers include the traditional beef or turkey along with a chicken sandwich, portobello mushroom sandwich, and a BLT. Toppings range from a fried egg to bacon to blue, Havarti, or aged cheddar cheeses. White & wheat bread buns are offered as are raw or grilled onions. Fries and soft drinks are add-ons plus create-your-own fruit smoothies.
There is plenty of seating, and with close proximity to the DePaul “super dorm” there is always a crowd of diners. Look for Epic Burger’s second location coming soon to the North Avenue & Sheffield neighborhood.
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M Burger: http://www.mburgerchicago.com/
161 East Huron, between Michigan Avenue & St. Clair
Epic Burger: http://www.epicburger.com/
517 South State Streetnnear Congress
Teaism: DuPont Circle
Fresh off an airplane and hungry with an impending afternoon of rain, I was determined to have a satisfying lunch at a familiar restaurant, Teaism. Previous experiences at the DuPont Circle location included breakfast (fluffy scrambled eggs with chives plus ginger scones) and chai tea, but this time around, I wanted to try a sandwich.
Two ladies opened the first Teaism in DuPont Circle in 1996 and have since launched two other locations: 800 Connecticut Avenue near Lafayette Park and 400 8th Street near Penn Quarter. Dozens of loose leaf teas compliment the Asian flavors in Teaism’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner offerings. The environment is quiet and provides an enjoyable atmosphere to work, read, or dine.
I decided to order the Vietnamese wrap with ground chicken, carrots, cucumber, lettuce, and cilantro in a whole wheat wrap with a spicy lime mayonnaise. It was difficult to resist the ginger scones, so I ordered those as a snack to have later in the afternoon.
The wrap was fresh, fresh, fresh and the mayo provided a subtle kick of spice with a refreshing lime perk. The torilla was larger than expected, and the ratio of chicken to vegetables was just right. It was exactly what I needed to power through the rest of the day. The gingers scones did not disappoint with the small pieces of candied ginger and crumbly texture. I could see why customers were enjoying a cup of hot tea and these scones while watching the rain pour outside. Regardless of the time of day, Teaism aims to please for any meal.
Teaism: http://www.teaism.com
