Jake Melnick's

Myth has it that Lincoln Hawk walked into Jake’s two weeks ago, slithered inconspicuously into a stool at the bar, turned his trucker cap from front to back in his traditional fashion and muttered: “awl hav tha Badass burrgah, pleeze.”

And the two gentlemen sitting just an earshot away quickly gathered their belongings, paid their bill, tipped the waitress and walked away silently with their heads down.

If you don’t know Lincoln Hawk, then perhaps you should.

Inspired by the above events, The Burger Fiend twisted a few arms and brought along four of his faithful brethren to Melnick’s in honor of its “Over the Top” burger series and a chance to tackle May’s beast: The Badass BBQ Burger.

Unlike “Bull” Hurley, Lincoln proved this burger to be a worthy adversary.

The burger is an impressive 9oz. mass of beef, cheese and batter – slathered in BBQ sauce, topped with a house signature 17-hour-slow-cooked beef brisket, applewood smoked bacon, cheddar cheese and a large beer-battered onion ring.

As mentioned in my previous post…the bonus is all the above comes with fries and a Great Lakes Edmond Fitzgerald Porter – for only $9.95.

Anticipation couldn’t have been higher.

Needless to say, the burg was fully embraced by the crew once it arrived in its picnic-style basin. Sounds of mirth and joy rounded the table, some devouring (read: me), some taking their time to savor the complex flavors.

Unanimously, the group agreed it was a very, very good burger. Cooked to a medium-rare perfection, the taste was as rich as its layers, but by far the brisket was the proverbial icing. And why not? Of course if you add a layer of braised brisket on top of anything else known to man it’s going to be amazing.

The genius is its simplicity…errr something.

One friend squealed in delight (male) and the other (male) couldn’t have hit it more on the head: “the only thing missing with this deal is a cot.”

Point taken. The other two could only nod in agreement (also males).

While the Badass Burger wasn’t the greatest opponent the Fiend has ever arm-wrestled, it still comes highly recommended to anyone with a bull-sized hunger. And the setting couldn’t be more conducive with its bench seating, plethora of HD flat-screens and convenient downtown locale – perfect for a summer lunch excursion, NCAA viewing party, weekend neighborhood escape or wedding reception (?!).

Unfortunately, the Fiend found himself across the street from Melnick’s not even a week later on a Thursday night, famished around 10:30pm and eager for another match, however the kitchen was only serving “real menu” items until 10:00pm. Keep that in mind if you’re in the hood and looking for a tussle.

We’ll meet again, my badass friend.

Because when it comes to the mastication of a worthy adversary, in the words of my bro Lincoln, “when the switch goes on…I feel like a machine.”

Jake Melnick’s Corner Tap
41 E. Superior (corner of Wabash & Superior)
312.266.0400

http://www.jakemelnicks.com/