Fiend on the Run

Wow, it's been more than a month since your affable Fiend has posted, not due to negligence because i've definitely been hitting some burger joints around town, but culinary school has definitely been impeding my progress to a certain degree. Exhausting.

Anyways, I have some new found inspiration in the following September cover story BurgerBonanaza issues of Saveur and Chicago Magazine.

The Chi Mag piece shares a very similiar list o' favorites to mine, give or take a few, but nonetheless has effectively kick-started Pavlov's reaction 10-fold.

The Saveur issue is simply an classic chronicling of burgers throughout the ages, including an extremely impressive disply of information surrounding the "fixin's" including bun varities, condiments, toppings and the such.

I was also impressed by the unrelated, but absolutely appropriate pepper profile article and its magnificent corresponding photo catalogue, though Saveur never ceases to amaze in the pictorial arena. Todd Coleman's sidebar was most definitely eyebrow raising too.

Back to the cutting board for the Fiend though. I have a break from school, so the current wishlist includes: Naha, Duchamp, Yoshi's, Moody's, Duke of Perth, Sixteen (turkey burger for the next efete.net piece) and probably something else cool that you don't even know about.

New site attributes still pending.

Cheers.

Park Grill

(Peppercorn Crusted American Kobe)

This month, Park Grill is devoting an entire week to America’s favorite concoction (take a guess) during its aptly named “Burger Fest” 2009.

Whether diners like their burger with cheese or without, on a pretzel roll or topped with an egg, beginning Monday, August 17 through Sunday, August 23, guests can choose from a variety of burgers featured on Chef Bernie Laskowski’s unique menu creations.

Pavlov, start your engine!

The menu at Burger Fest 2009 includes an assortment of burgers to suit anyone’s interests – even a finicky Fiend such as myself. And better yet, all burgers come with Park Grill’s hand-cut fries or chips and feature a suggested beverage pairing of either wine or beer.

(Grilled Turkey Burger)

Burger descriptions and prices include:

· The Classic Tradition – Park Grill burger, 8 oz. Black Angus Patty with Lettuce, Tomato, and Red Onion on a Seeded Brioche Bun ($9)

· Peppercorn Crusted American Kobe Burger with Gorgonzola, Balsamic Grilled Onions and Grain Mustard on a Pretzel Bun ($16)

· Dietzler Farms Burger with Roasted Tomato Fondant, Butter Kasse Cheese and Fresh Horseradish Cream on a Pumpernickel Bun ($12)

· Dry Aged Burger, Smoked Aged Gouda, Slow Cooked Onion Marmalade and “Orange” Ketchup on an Egg Bun ($12)

· Mia Cuppa Burger – Black Angus Patty with Neals Yard Cheddar, Truffle Aioli, Marinated Tomatoes, topped with a crisp Organic Egg on a Seeded Bun ($12)

· American Kobe Burger squared with Drunken Goat Cheese and Sweet and Sour Pickles on a Pretzel Bun ($16)

· Grilled Turkey Burger with Guava BBQ Sauce, Pickled Onions and Pepper Jack Cheese on a Brioche Bun ($12)

· Wild Alaskan Salmon Burger, served open faced and Teriyaki Glazed with Bok Choy Slaw and Wasabi Aioli ($12)

(Mia Culpa Black Angus)

The Fiend requested some pics of a few that really piqued the ol’ palate. Stay tuned for a review of one or two of the above selections. Or perhaps all three…

[demonic laugh ensues]

Park Grill and The Plaza at Park Grill
11 N. Michigan Ave. (Between Monroe & Randolph)
312.521.PARK
www.parkgrillchicago.com

Back to (Burger) Basics

After a brief hiatus, your affable Fiend is back!

The logo for the site is in its final stage of completion and I'm giddy to showcase it to the public. Very Nintendo "Zelda-ish" in design - I think you all will enjoy and crack a little smirk at the same time.

In other news...I've been doing some bi-weekly turkey burger reporting for www.efete.net, on a quest for the best Chi-town ground gobbler.

I've also made it out to Kuma's not once but twice throughout the month of July. My initial review still stands - no need to go on and on but i would definitely recommend the Led Zeppelin next time you make it out (see above).

August is definitely looking like it's going to be a burger-licious month - with many locales running some wonderful specials - so stay tuned for some tasty treats.

Yours Truly -

The Fiend

Have You Read The News Today...Oh JOY!

Greetings, fellow Fienders.

I've been a little MIA lately, but all for good reasons i'm not going to bore you with at this moment. New reviews coming soon though, as well as the debut of a new Burger Fiend logo and bun-scale icons, and boy are they all tasty.

I'm proud to annouce on The Burger Fiend that I will be doing a little side blogging venture with another great Chicago food blog - http://www.efete.net/ - here in the following weeks. My first task at hand is to find some of the top turkey burgers in the Chi-town city of broad stomachs, so if you have any thoughts please send my way.

My list right now - though very central - includes: Kuma's, Duke's, Hackney's, The Stretch, The Counter and a few other randoms along the way.

I'm also extremely psyched about the news that one of my favorite bands from childhood - CLUTCH - is playing at the one and only Kuma's Corner 4th Annivesary Block Party tomorrow night (Sat. July 11)!

I'm also extremely pissed i'm going to miss this event because i'm going to be out of town on what will be a fun trip, but i'm second guessing my priorities right now and making myself more angry as I think about the situation (don't ask).

Anyways...stay tuned and hungry for more burgerific action.

-The Fiend

Big Daddy Burger

I'm a little late with post...but never late than better a wise man once said. (I bet you read that sentence at least twice...eh?).

Anywho, Jake's is at is again, this time with a burger inspired by Father's Day - The Bigger Daddy Burger.

A 9 oz. hand-crafted hammer, stuffed with bleu cheese and basted with homemade steak sauce, then topped with black peppercorn bacon, horseradish havarti, crispy onion strings, aioli, lettuce and tomato on a pretzel bun (!) is paired with a Phin & Matt’s Extraordinary Ale and fries, all for $9.95.

Available through the end of the June (and then some, if you ask for it by request...so i'm told), this BigDaddy is part of Jake's "Over-the-Top" burger series. I'm a big fan, obviously, and will be trying this beast soon.

Jake Melnick's Corner Tap

41 E. Superior (corner of Wabash & Superior)

312.266.0400

www.jakemelnicks.com

Mother Hubbard's

Quick post here...but necessary. And apologies for no pics - the Fiend was caught sans camera this eve.

I haven't ventured into Mother H's in probably at least three years, but last Tuesday the Fiend and a group a old coworkers couldn't resist revisiting an old stomping ground.

And boy did I forget what a damn good burger they make.

The legendary burg is an 11oz hand packed puck of beef chock full of blended house seasonings, but the texture is so unique the meat has to include egg and perhaps bread crumbs to provide the soft, moist consistency. It's truly reminescent of a huge homemade Italian meatball; this time topped with cheddar and served with a blanket of fresh broiled fries.

Huge fan.

I highly recommend if you're looking for a decently priced burger and want to avoid the hub-bub of some other Hubbard Street establishments.

Mother Hubbard's

5 W. Hubbard St.
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 828-0007

http://www.motherhubbardschicago.com

Keen's Steakhouse

Apologies it's been awhile, but I've been having a few Internet issues the past week or so. But without further ado...welcome back.

So your fabulous Fiend was recently in the Big Apple over the Memorial Day weekend, and of course couldn’t help but let his irresistible crave take control.

Staying in midtown – actually the place that rhymes with schmimes schmare – I wanted to get the hell out of Dodge but also didn’t want to take a cab or deal with the subway to any of the other boroughs. It was a humid, overcast day that included threats of thunderstorms…and basically the Fiend was feeling a little lazy.

So I consulted the net and found a few leads thanks to some various messages boards, and set foot a few blocks southeast to a little steakhouse that had a few rave reviews.

And I couldn’t have stumbled upon much more of a treat.

Like most restaurants in NYC beyond what you typically find in Schmimes Schmare, every little joint has a bit of history and character that very few cities can compete against. And for mastication reasons alone, that’s what makes NYC so special.

So I stumbled into Keen’s Steakhouse, an inconspicuous dive two doors down from the corner of 6th and 31st, basically towards the southern end of midtown. From the outside you had a choice of awnings to enter underneath: Restaurant or Pub.

The Fiend, naturally, chose the pub.

Inside the pub was exactly what you would expect from a New Yawk steakhouse: dark, rectangular, wooden, baseball, loud patrons, spotty service, “how’s it going, boss?” barkeep greetings, oil paintings crusted with smoke from generations past, and a wonderfully loaded bar of splendid whisky selections. The Fiend couldn't feel any more at home.

The “Hamburger” selection, as stated on the menu, was a delectable little pub staple: a handcrafted patty served with a splash of fresh cut fries on a plate. As per usual, I requested medium rare and with cheddar as a topper. Save the shrubbery. Not necessary with this Fiend.

The burger itself had a great charring to the meat and had a rather tasty seasoning, however it was slightly overcooked per my order. Nothing to fret though, because the ambiance was outstanding, which always adds a little extra to the taste no matter which way you shake it.

And the rye-based whisky (Basil Hayden) and ginger concoction in hand probably helped a bit as well.

So the next time you’re in the Schmimes Schmare area, and the Fiend knows you unavoidably will be soon, take a break from the action and perhaps give ol’ Keen’s a whirl. Mama Keen couldn't approve more.





Keen’s Steakhouse
72 W. 36th Street
(5th and 6th)
New York, NY 10018
212.947.3636
www.keens.com