Burger Heaven #2: Captain Cafe

Captain Café

 

Let me preface by warning that the following images and words may cause a sudden urge for grease, meat and all things that may involve a side of french fries.

Working in the great city of New York, one is surrounded by endless amounts of places to grab a bite to eat. However, some days, there are urges that are far stronger than others and thus narrow down your list. This past Friday, a coworker had suggested this hole in the wall diner he came across that offered one of “the best burgers” he had ever eaten. You know what came next: a combination of my eyes lighting up and slight drizzle of drool coming down the side of my lip.

“Let’s do it.”

Nothing says “It’s Friday” more than a good dose of New York grease wrapped in the form of a delicious burger. We took the short stroll down from the office to the corner of East 32^nd Street (between Madison and South Park Ave) and walked into this tiny spot that was dubbed the “Captain Café”. We walked in to find an enthusiastic cook ready to bestow smiles across our faces the only way he could: serving up some BIG and traditional American burgers.

I tried opening the menu but once the cook knew that it was my first time there, he gave me no option when it came to my selection: The Burger Special. Anticlimactic? Perhaps, but don’t sell it short just yet. 8 minutes and $10 later, my perfectly cooked medium rare monster was hand delivered. Ok, here’s where it gets good. (I was serious about the warning at the top of the page, please find the nearest napkin to wipe the drool from your mouth).

Let’s start with the burger. Hold your hand out in front you, and stretch your fingers as far apart as you can, and that my friend was the size of this bad boy. Perfectly melted cheddar provided a solid base for what was about to come.

Bacon. Who doesn’t like bacon? But let me emphasize that this was no regular bacon. My friends, I can easily say that I have never experienced bacon in such a delicious way: perfectly thick, greasy and crispy. If you don’t stray from these requirements, your bacon too shall provide the happiness that I experienced on this Friday afternoon.

The Captain, (the chef) didn’t skimp out too, he laid 4 thick slices of bacon carefully yet perfectly that eventually sank into the melted cheddar at the bottom of the burger. Of course the usual suspects such as lettuce and tomato were there too (I opted to take out my tomato, so I can fully enjoy the other flavors).

Now you might be wondering, ok, well you got a bacon cheeseburger. Incorrect. Two words: Onion Rings. Now, I’m not the biggest advocate of onion rings but let me just make this clear. There a distinct taste that only comes out of the perfect combination of meat, bacon, cheese, onion rings and ketchup that can’t be put into words. Top it off a nice pickle and mayo (I highly recommend it) and you will be in burger heaven.

Oh yeah there’s more. This monstrosity comes with a side of fries that would make any proud Idaho native proud. Thickly cut and perfectly salted, these fries provided the final knock out punch.

And there you have it ladies and gents. There’s something about a big and greasy burger that reminds us all that we live in America. So grab the nearest stack of napkins, because this one is going to get messy. 

-Fabs

Burger Heaven #1: Christopher’s

5 out of 5 Olives

Ok ladies and gents, its time for one of my favorite dishes known to date. Upon starting on our New Jersey burger tour, Gabriella and myself decided to start with Christopher’s ½ lb. brioche short rib burger. Before we move on, I would like to hand you a napkin to wipe off the drool that just emanated from your mouth after just hearing the name of this tasty creation.

Since Gabriella lives down the street from the Heldrich Hotel in New Brunswick , we took the short walk over and sat down at the eating establishment that would forever change the way I looked at the classic meal that is a hamburger.
But I’m not here to tell you how nice and classy of an establishment Christopher’s is, I mean let’s be honest, if you’ve made it this far, you’re here to hear about the complex flavor warzone that went on in my mouth.

Let’s start with principles, the bun that is. The burger is nestled between two thick pieces of buttered Texas brioche toast that have a tremendous impact on the way in which you enjoy the burger. You might be saying, who cares, bread is bread. Wrong. Hear me out: when you have toppings that consist of perfectly caramelized onions, fried parsley, roasted tomato mayo, and oh yeah BRAISED SHORT RIB, bread MATTERS. The thick buttery outsides soak the flavors of the justly married toppings that sit on the ½  lb. organic beef burger and constantly remind you with every bite that you’ll never look at a burger the same way again.

For those of you who get into the nitty gritty when it comes down to beef, Christopher’s patty is 85% lean and 15% fat. I prefer my burger Medium Rare that leaves room for the toppings to immerse themselves with the beef and yield this unique and rich finish.

Upon first sight, you might tell yourself that there’s just too much going on for you to enjoy the burger itself. Wrong yet again. After your first bite of this thing of beauty, you will look forward to every subsequent bite with the same bit of excitement as the very first time. To be quite honest, just writing about my experience reminds me that it has been too long since I’ve experienced this exact feeling…

Tip: Don’t know what to pair it with? My drink of choice with any burger is always and will always be a cold and refreshing beer. Now with a world of possibilities you might be wondering which one to choose. My suggestion would either be some sort of pale ale or lager and for two different reasons. If you have separation anxiety and don’t want to let go of the combustion of flavors that went on in your mouth 30 second ago, any pale ale will pair the taste of ribs and onions with it’s hops perfectly and keep you smiling.Lagers on the other hand provide that clean finish that will cleanse your palette and get your ready to experience the next bit like it’s your first.

So my friends, today I provide you with the rare and first 5 olive rating for this dish, the standard when it comes for subsequent food ratings on this blog. Quite unanimously, Gabriella and myself knew it was a 5 olive worthy burger after coming to the realization that we didn’t speak during the first 15 minutes of our meal. Silence is always the best judge.