This month, the Burger Guys and Gal (official name pending reader feedback) headed to new burger places near Downtown.
Our first stop was at P’cheen on Highland Avenue in the Old Fourth Ward. We were intrigued by the grilled angus hamburger with roasted portabello mushrooms, harrisa (a spicy chile paste) aioli and Wisconsin cheddar, for $11. And, all in all, it was a pretty good burger.
We all ordered our cheeseburgers medium, but got burgers that ranged from medium to well-done. We loathe overcooked burgers! (Remember George’s?)
The mushrooms were cooked into the angus beef, which was a better idea in theory than practice. We liked the taste, but it was good for about five bites, then the musty flavor of the mushrooms became overpowering. With the mushrooms cooked in, we couldn’t do anything to adjust the taste. We still love the idea, but with fewer mushrooms. As prepared, we give the burger a 5.5 but see potential as the cook gains more experience and fine-tunes the recipe.
On a side note, we also ordered what the menu calls the Big Ass basket of pommes frites and three dipping sauces for $4. The featured sauces are three-pepper, spicy mayonnaise and sweet Thai chili. We liked the spicy mayonnaise so much we asked for three containers of the stuff.
These fries are unapologetically full of animal fat and loads of salt. Once we added the mayonnaise to that cholesterol cocktail, we were left wondering if the Big Ass referred to the size of the basket or the size of us as we departed P’cheen – in which case, their bench seats need to be widened a bit; they tend to throw the diner forward onto the table. Either way, we would still go back for those fries. P’Cheen, 701 Highland Ave., (404) 529-8800.
Strip, in Atlantic Station, is massive – inside and out. Even though we were there for lunch, it seemed like a "see-and-be-seen" type of place. Of course, we only know burgers and don’t usually hang out in cool spots of that ilk. We mean, did you see that picture of us the other month? Did you say, "I want to party with these guys?" We think not. There are five burgers ranging from the basic cheeseburger for $10 to the mortgage-inducing lobster burger for $18. For consistency’s sake, we ordered the cheeseburgers. We did like the great charred flavor on the outside that tasted like the meat had been grilled over a flame. But our medium burgers were overcooked, which seems to be a consistent theme lately.
For a restaurant that claims a pedigree when it comes to steaks, we expected better. They were just not that memorable. We settled on rating of 5. Strip, 245 18th St., (404) 385-2005.
We’re eager to try out more reader suggestions, so keep ’em coming. It doesn’t take much to encourage us to try another burger!
was attacked by a flying cockroach) and Ted’s Montana Grill, I can safely say you’re missing the boat. Milltown Tavern on Carol Street [in Cabbagetown] has better burgers by far.
Chris Werley, Grant Park
My family is obsessed with the Burger Guys and their reviews. So far, we agree with their assessment of Six Feet Under as the best burger EVER. We take everyone we know there and turn them on to it. We aim to try their favorites on the list. My kids and I disagree on The Clubhouse burger’s low rating however.
Sherrelle Kirkland-Andrews, Morningside
In my humble opinion, no burger review is complete without a detailed commentary on the fries that come with it ... distinguishing between fresh cut and frozen. Any serious purveyor of burgers
