Jack's On Halsted

“Please won’t you be…my neighbor?”

In a creepy way, that’s the song that kept running through my head as I eagerly pulled my chair up to the bar last week. Honestly, how could Freddie’s immortal song not be running on repeat, if you consider the insanely close proximity the Fiend lives to the quaint Lakeview gastropub.

Having visited Jack’s a few times in the past, I couldn’t help my enthusiasm when I learned the bar’s renovation during the winter would also include a slight menu revamp…with (GASP) a full line of burgers!

And while the swanky atmosphere typically would immediately conjure images of high-end beef choices, such as Niman or Kobe, this bistro offers no-frills selections with an emphasis on unique options for toppings, a la the Kuma’s Corner of the world.

The Fiend opted for the Jack’s Burger, a hefty 9oz patty topped with barbeque pulled pork, sharp cheddar and shredded jalapeno. Ordered rare as per usual, the meat was cooked as desired inside while also keeping a well-seasoned crust on the exterior.

Two other burgers also caught my eye for further exploration: the Spicy Hot, which is brushed with a touch of Chipotle and features roasted Poblano peppers, pepper jack and bacon, as well as the Halsted Street Burger, topped with Maytag blue cheese and apple smoked bacon.

And though I did not have a chance to talk to the chef about the source and grade of the beef, the Fiend could definitely detect the quality in both the taste and texture.

This could get dangerous, as I fear rainy days and Mondays will definitely get me down…the street.

So the answer is, yes. Yes, I am proud to be your neighbor, Jack’s. And I promise not to be a crazy Marcy D’Arcy along the way either.

Jack’s On Halsted
(773) 244-9191
3201 North Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60657-3413
www.jacksonhalsted.com

The Standard NYC

Here’s to a quick and absolutely necessary post.

Your affable Fiend was in NYC last week, and of course the hankering came around after a long night of work and drinking. Yup…burger time.

Most trips to Nueva York end up being a foodie excursion above and beyond my standard burgering across the country, but that’s mostly thanks to the fact I get to enjoy some wonderful meals as part of the city’s culinary playground. However if the Fiend had it his way (he usually finds a way), a burger is typically not too far away from his grasp.

And on this occasion, the wonderful venue just happened to be in the late night grill at the base of his hotel – The Standard NYC in the savagely chic meatpacking district. 

And this burger at The Standard is damn good. Damn good, mis amigos.

Perfectly cooked (at 3:15am!) this burger was definitely a splendid surprise and not what was expected to be available at that lovely witching hour. The Fiend is actually going on record to say it’s probably the top gourmet burger one could possibly get at that time night…anywhere in the U.S.

The meat was soft and velvety, definitely a high grade of quality meat and hand packed. The bacon wasn’t too crispy either – as it is often mal-prepared – and the white cheddar offered a creamy touch to nicely bring together the flavors. The only item that could have amplified the taste slightly more would have been a nice dollop of a compound mayo or a slice or two of jalepeno for kick...but the Fiend can't really blame hotelier Balazs for bringing forth straight-up Americana at its best - probably the most standard bet in an otherwise geniusly unstandard property.

And I would be giving the entire plate injustice if I were remiss to not mention the absolutely divine fries; wonderfully battered and lightly deep-fried…the entire table couldn’t stop raving about them.

While New York is and will always be a changing landscape of culinary madness, with an unbelievable shop or restaurant popping up every other week, the Fiend is not messing around about this one – make it happen people. The city is simply too big to be wandering around on an empty stomach, especially when you know of a gem just around the corner.

The Standard NYC
http://www.standardhotels.com/
848 Washington Street (at W 13th St)
New York, NY 10014
(212) 645-4646