Me & Applebee's

Rating: 4.5/5 Patties

Sparkling Water Anyone?

Do not ask me how I ended up at Applebee's. It is often in life's lowest moments that we seek the most common of things for comfort. No offense, but I am just not the American restaurant chain type of gal. Nonetheless, this changed when I had not only the treat of eating at Applebee's, but also having quite easily the best waiter I have ever met in my entire life.

Our waiter, a Middle Eastern man with a lisp and fabulous pep in his step promptly greeted us, and asked if we would like sparkling water or flat. Yes, you read that correctly. I was offered sparkling water at Applebee's. I guess in these tough economic times, there is no limit to what businesses are trying to do.

There was obviously only one option for me, a burger. But which one? Ahh yes, the A.1burger, which is topped with cracked peppercorn, Applebee's special seasonings, A.1 Steak Sauce, crispy fried onion strings, melted Jack cheese and mayo on a toasted bun.

Let me be clear: I will never again look down on a chain burger. Applebee's, you have proven a woman who is more often than not right-- totally totally wrong. Maybe I lucked out with the chef, maybe I was famished, but this burger was perfection. It was sloppy in all its artery clogging glory, unapologetic in its mountainous load of crispy onions, and unassuming in its simple presentation. This burger easily beat out many of the burgers that I've spent nearly 20 dollar on because it felt right and trendy. This was a glorious burger. Next time, I just may wash it down with sparkling water. Why not?

Delicatessen Restaurant

Say it with me now: Mmmmmm. Burger.

Rating: 4/5 Patties

Sobriety Level At Time of Consumption: Questionable

I have been to this trendy Soho restaurant numerous times, specifically for the ambiance, amazing martinis and well, fried chicken in a bucket (yes, keep it classy). But with the recent addition of a burger to their menu, a deep guttural moan released itself from my lips, and I had no choice but to succumb to the inevitable.

I like to twiddle my fingers before picking up a burger. The sort of call and response my eyes play with the patty that lays before me is a game I will never lose.

La Frieda provides beef to some of New York City's best restaurants, and Delicatessen is no different. For my non-beef lovers, there is a turkey burger on the menu that also looked good. But back to the beef...

The short rib blend of the burger had a nice char around the edges, adding to the sharpness of the cheddar cheese. And oh, that cheese. It ranneth over the bun, onto my plate, and into my welcoming mouth. This is the kind of burger that a nice cold bottle of Heineken goes well with. So naturally, I had two. A tin bucket of garlic fries accompanies the burger, which is also delicious.

What makes this burger worth a try is its simplicity. There is no over-gourging of condiments or blandness that often pervades even the grandest of burgers. It's a simple little number, on a nice soft bun. And I have always loved a simple approach.

Delicatessen
54 Prince St. at Lafayette
Price: $12.00

Thank You Sam Jackson

Because it never gets old...

What Is A Burger?

They say the way to a woman's heart is with a diamond. For me, it is a cheeseburger. When I turned 8 years old, I had a birthday cake made in the shape of a double cheeseburger. When my first boyfriend and I broke up at the tender age of 12, it was a burger he used to win me back, not a real apology.

Oh burger, it is you every time.

A burger is so many things to me. A great American classic? A given. But let's be real. Is there anything better after a long night of dancing and drinking than a burger? Blurry-eyed at a late night diner, you sink your teeth into a soft bun with a hunk of meat betwinxt it. The patty releases a burst of flavor, which is coupled with the sharpness of cheddar, pepperjack or even blue cheese. And you coo out loud, like a wide-eyed baby. Or maybe that's just me....

For years I have said that I would review burgers around the greatest city in the world, New York. Along the way, a few of the people I love will also share their experiences with different burgers we try, from turkey to cajun, double to single pattied.

I cannot guarantee that it will all make sense, or that those involved will even be sober while all this happens. But what I can guarantee is that if you love a good burger, this blog is for you.

I hope you enjoy.