Bobby Vans - Make No miSTEAK

Bobby Vans Steakhouse
http://www.bobbyvans.com
25 Broad Street
New York, NY 10004

Bobby Vans has been serving up delicious steak since 1969 in one of their 7 locations. I've only been to the one across from the New York Stock Exchange and for a good reason, I've never been let down! In an unending quest to find the best burgers, I decided to try one out at BV's as an appetizer (yeah you read that right. I had a steak as well!)

As it arrived on the table, my taste buds started to prepare. It looked great and seemed to be pretty stacked. I cut it open and discovered it was cooked just right. Always a good sign. In the end, it was just better than OK. The bun left me hanging, the cheese was really good but the burger just didn't live up to the expectation.

Sorry Bobby Van's, you know I love you but stick to the steak, you do it so well (or medium rare in my case.)


6 out 10 ounces
- Rev

WING-OFF 7!

From the same people that bring you BurgerConqest, we now proudly present the results of WING-OFF7! I know, I know, this is a burger site but chances are if you like burgers like we do, you probably like wings too!!

Wing-Off 7!

As reigning champ Scruff Duffy's and their legacy Lansdowne remain undefeated, we have decided to retire them for the time being to make room for new challengers.

TOWN TAVERN vs. WOGIE'S

Town Tavern
http://www.towntavernnyc.com/
134 West 3rd St
New York, NY 10012

Wogie's
http://www.wogies.com/
39 Greenwich Ave
New York, NY 10014

NOTE: Wing-Off judges solely on medium and hot wings. Service, ambiance, beverage selection, price and other menus have no factor but they sure do count for a good time!



TOWN TAVERN
Kudos to Town Tavern for giving us not only a private table but also in a private room and with the Giants / Eagles game on the TV! Which was good because the Town Tavern is an Eagles bar the Wing-Off crew is made of primary non-Eagles fans!! After a Jameson shot with our waitress Kat and a round of beers, it was time to start em up; 40 medium and 40 hot!

The medium were fantastic and in what might be the first time ever, better than the hot! They had a nice buttery taste with the right amount of hot sauce. You could actually get a good taste of the chicken. Although not a factor in our decision, the blue cheese was thick and creamy...just the way we like it! A couple of beers and some very, very friendly service from Tabitha and Kat and we were on our way.



WOGIE'S
This place is new on the scene but making a quick buzz. Although their claim is "NYC's Best Philly Cheesesteak" we heard the wings were top notch. They held us a table in the back corner and within seconds, the excitement was at top level. Check out the menu; pictures of owner Aaron's dad, cheesesteaks, garbage bread, fried a mozzarella bread and of course "Krazy Kate's Wings!"

We place a gut buster bomb of an order with our fantastic server, Kristin: 20 medium, 20 hot, 3 cheesesteaks, waffle fries with ranch, gravy and cheese and enough $3 Yuneglings to drown a small village.

The wings were delicious. Hot, tasty, breaded just right and cooked perfectly. It was not going to be an easy decision. The cheesesteaks were pretty decent and the fries were good too. But the real winner were the special salt and pepper wings that Aaron had prepared especially for us. WOW. Talk about amazing! Doug and Dan went in for a 2nd order. But, not a factor on the decision.


WING-OFF 7 OFFICIAL WINNER - WOGIES!

Congratulations, you advance in the standings. To be fair, both places were fantastic and you couldn't lose slopping up wings at either Town Tavern or Wogie's.

Dumont - Du Try Harder

Dumont
http://www.dumontrestaurant.com
432 Union Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11206

Named after a now defunct television network, Dumont has been serving up their DuMont burger for 7 years. I am told the Dumac & Cheese can be described as "sex in your mouth" but that is another blog, possibly 2 other blogs! It's a no frills restaurant with 2 inside dining areas and a covered garden patio in the back.

I ordered my DuMont Burger medium rare with white cheddar and pickled onion but sans pickles (which I am told theirs are amazing) and tomatoes. Side of crispy fries accompanied the fabled DuMont and although I asked for ranch dressing, I never got it. The burger showed up only a few short minutes after we ordered. Admittedly I was shocked and impressed.

The burger was cooked perfectly! Dark sear on the outside and red on the inside. A little mustard and I was ready to bite in. The bun was delicious and held up well throughout the burger. There wasn't enough cheese to really have an effect and the burger itself was really good, just not really great. It was missing something and honestly, I couldn't figure out just what it was. My friend Marc, had bacon and blue cheese on his and said it was amazing. Maybe I just dressed my wrong. The complimentary homemade donuts were a nice touch though!

It was like a trip to an amusement park filled with great rides, good food, short lines on a warm sunny day with your friends but realizing they have no whack-a-mole game. Just that one little thing would make the difference.


7 out of 10 ounces
-Rev

Sassy's Sliders

Sassy's Sliders
http://www.sassyssliders.com
1530 3rd Avenue
New York, NY 10028

A vegetarian friend told me about this place although that isn't what made me curious, it was the fact that they served veggie sliders. That's dedication to an art if you're asking me. I've never seen a slider that wasn't beef, although that's the way I like 'em! So when I happened to be in the neighborhood, I made the stop.

I almost didn't make it through the door. Why? Look what is next door...Burger Heaven! Wow. Tasty beef bites or a juicy man sized burger amongst the angels. How can one decide? Being a committing type personality, I stuck with Sassy's.

They have 5 different kinds of sliders including beef, turkey, veggie and chicken parmesan and bbq chicken. They also have 4 kinds of fries; regular, sweet, garlic and cajun. Got love a wide variety of an already limited choice!

$8.09 later I was equipped with 2 beef, 1 turkey and 1 chicken parmesan along with garlic fries and a soda. Really can't beat the price. The staff was friendly, the food was quick and the place was clean. Sassy's was set for a home run.

I'm sorry to say though, the burgers we're somewhat dry and bland, the buns we're too dry, powdered garlic mix was too salty and overall, novelty at best. But if that's why you eat em, this s your spot.

Sassy's tried to steal a base and slid right into getting tagged out.


4 out of 10 ounces
-Rev

5 Napkin Burger - A 1 Napkin Victory

5 Napkin Burger
http://www.fivenapkinburger.com/
630 9th Ave
New York, NY 10036

When this Hell's Kitchen eatery opened, my interest was instantly piqued. A name like "5 Napkin Burger" automatically sets the bar pretty high for expectations. A great burger really should be greasy and should provide some level of difficulty in maintaining clean hands while consuming. With curiosity killing the cat, we made a reservation (yes I just said a reservation at a burger joint!) and prepared for the mess.

The restaurant has a vibe that is hard to place but came across more like a French Bistro than your standard short-order diner burger joint. The staff, although very, very friendly, weren't all that attentive. Our server, who was very pleasant, passed our table no less than a dozen times while we had empty glasses or plates. But onto the meal!!

Onion rings - Great breading and interesting presentation but the onion inside was flavorless hot yet it tasted uncooked.
French Fries - crispy and well cooked but nothing special.
5 Napkin Brew "Nut Brown Ale" - DELICIOUS!! I suggest heavily
'Smores Shake - rich and creamy

and for the star of the evening ...
Original 5 Napkin Burger 10oz. fresh ground chuck, comte cheese, caramelized onions, rosemary aioli, soft white roll.
I have to say, it lived up to it's name. It was greasy, full-flavored, cooked perfectly and was damn tasty. The bun held up well against the onslaught of grease, cheese and oils.

The burger is served with a steak knife and out defiance, I refused to cut the burger and it's the same obstinate attitude that kept me from using more than 1 napkin. Although honestly, both items are recommended.


8 out 10 ounces
-Rev

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy thanksgiving everyone! Its mini-burgers for all as the BCHQ this year! Just like the Pilgrims used to make.

-Rev

Henri - order your burger by the oooonce - oooonce - oooonce

Henri
Jorge Luis Borges 2095
Palermo
Buenos Aires, Argentina
http://www.buenosaires-argentina.com/restaurants/Henri.html

On the first night of my honeymoon in Buenos Aires, Argentina, you can imagine my excitement when I found a burger restaurant only 2 blocks from our apartment. Burger Conquest is a calling and this only further proves it! Henri "Lomitos - Hamburgesas" which means "steak sandwiches and hamburgers" in trendy Palermo Soho is a corner cafe that specializes in lunch and late night sandwiches.

My wife, our friend Jeremy and his friend stopped by for an outdoor, sidewalk Sunday brunch. Admittedly, I was unable to dedicate to just a burger. I had to split one and a steak sandwich. The burger was covered in eggs, ham and cheese. It was pretty good and realizing these people have never had the experience that we at BC have had, it was still a pretty good burger. The steak sandwich on the other hand, sooo good. Go with the 4 cheese and grilled onions. Fries had great taste but needed to be cooked a little longer.

My only complaint, the bad 80s dance club mix. I kept reaching for ketchup and mustard expecting to find a glow stick in the condiments.

6 out of 10 ounces
I would still recommend if your here.
-Rev