In the Boston area, there aren't too many burger places that I would highly recommend. Five Guys is, hands down, the best right now. All of the other places are ok to mediocre, so when I'm craving a burger, I usually find myself going to a sports bar to get a decent burger. So, when a few of my friends told me that a new burger place had opened up, and oh boy, is it good, well, I had to take a trip to it.
Welcome to Boston Burger Company, a place that promotes itself as a "one of a kind culinary experience with 24 types of creative burgers." There are two locations - one in Davis Square in Somerville, and one in Boston on Boylston Street, it's newest location. My brother (another burger lover) and I went to the Boston location to get a taste of the menu, and I can say, it is a place that I would not recommend to fellow foodies. Creative burgers, I can concede. One of a kind culinary experience? That's a bit of a stretch.
My brother ordered the classic burger, while I got the Burger Bomb, which is like a steak bomb sub, but without the stredded steak. Like Five Guys, fries do not automatically come with the burgers. You have to order them separately. They do, however, come with potato chips and your choice of cole slaw or baked beans. I got the baked beans and my brother got the cole slaw, as well as a side of cajun fries because we both love cajun fries.
First, let's start with the cajun fries. I was expecting what I usually get when I order cajun fries - regular fries flavored with cajun spices. Anywhere I have ever been, that is usually what I get, good or bad. These, however, were probably the worst cajun fries I have ever had. They came as big steak fries, which is fine, but instead of the cajun spices, they were covered in what can only be described as cajun bbq sauce with grilled onions. I literally stared at them for about two minutes, wondering what they were. And then I took a bite, and forget it. I ate more than I wanted to because I didn't want to completely waste them, but really? How can you put a liquid sauce on fries? I don't want mushy fries. I want somewhat crunchy fries! Without bbq sauce. Please and thank you.
Secondly, the burgers were both underwhelming. The meat was not flavored well, if at all, and even the addition of the toppings did not do much to add any flavor. We needed a double side of ketchup to get a decent flavor. The baked beans were too watery - how can you mess up baked beans? - and the cole slaw was ok, at best. The best parts of the meal were the potato chips and the drinks. I was so disappointed.
It's safe to say that I will never return to Boston Burger Company, which makes me sad. There are some interesting burger combinations offered that I would have loved to try, as well as its different sandwiches and sides. However, this first experience was so bad that I have no desire to return to try it, again. Five Guys still remains my best option for delicious burger.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Dok Bua
Dok Bua Thai Kitchen
411 Harvard Street
Brookline, MA 02446
(617) 232-2955
The first time I ever went to Dok Bua was back in 2001 or 2002. One of my co-workers at the time said she wanted to introduce me to the best Thai restaurant in the city. I was immediately intrigued.
"It's in a grocery store," she added, smiling.
That only intrigued me more. How was the best Thai restaurant in Boston in a grocery store?
She was right, however. Dok Bua, now a full restaurant, started as mostly an Asian grocery store. The owners had sectioned off one little section with about 4 tables for customers who wanted to eat, but otherwise, it was a grocery store. After eating the food, I wondered why they didn't just open a restaurant. The food was the best Thai food I had ever eaten.
Most of their other customers must have agreed with me because within a few years, Dok Bua became a full-fledged restaurant, and to this day, it is, in my humble opinion, the best Thai restaurant in the city. Every plate comes out hot, and the portions are more than adequate, even the combination plates. Each dish I've tried, from the spring rolls to the pad thai to the pad-prik-khing is flavored almost perfectly, and I always leave satisfied. The service is fast, and the staff is generally friendly and attentive. One of my favorite plates is the Puck-Boong-Fire-Daeng, stir fried chinese watercress. It's seasoning is perfect with rice or noodles, and I can eat it all day long. It's one of the reasons I continue to go to Dok Bua.
I have since tried many other Thai restaurants, and Dok Bua still remains my favorite. Whenever friends/relatives are visiting, I either take them here, or recommend they go here. I can confidently guarantee that everyone will like it.
411 Harvard Street
Brookline, MA 02446
(617) 232-2955
The first time I ever went to Dok Bua was back in 2001 or 2002. One of my co-workers at the time said she wanted to introduce me to the best Thai restaurant in the city. I was immediately intrigued.
"It's in a grocery store," she added, smiling.
That only intrigued me more. How was the best Thai restaurant in Boston in a grocery store?
She was right, however. Dok Bua, now a full restaurant, started as mostly an Asian grocery store. The owners had sectioned off one little section with about 4 tables for customers who wanted to eat, but otherwise, it was a grocery store. After eating the food, I wondered why they didn't just open a restaurant. The food was the best Thai food I had ever eaten.
Most of their other customers must have agreed with me because within a few years, Dok Bua became a full-fledged restaurant, and to this day, it is, in my humble opinion, the best Thai restaurant in the city. Every plate comes out hot, and the portions are more than adequate, even the combination plates. Each dish I've tried, from the spring rolls to the pad thai to the pad-prik-khing is flavored almost perfectly, and I always leave satisfied. The service is fast, and the staff is generally friendly and attentive. One of my favorite plates is the Puck-Boong-Fire-Daeng, stir fried chinese watercress. It's seasoning is perfect with rice or noodles, and I can eat it all day long. It's one of the reasons I continue to go to Dok Bua.
I have since tried many other Thai restaurants, and Dok Bua still remains my favorite. Whenever friends/relatives are visiting, I either take them here, or recommend they go here. I can confidently guarantee that everyone will like it.
Monday, January 30, 2012
McBites Bite
McDonald's has come out with their version of the popcorn chicken called the McBites. As a foodie, I couldn't help but try them.
Now, McDonald's Chicken McNuggets are pretty good, for fast food nuggets. Though I prefer Wendy's and Burger King's nuggets, I do crave the McNugget taste once in a while, and they never fail. They are not too greasy, there is ample meat, and plenty of sauces to dip them in.
When the McBites were introduced, I thought they would be mini versions of the McNugget, which I think is a great idea. You can fool yourself into thinking you're eating less as you gobble down half a pound of little pieces of fried chicken. Who wouldn't want that? I certainly wouldn't mind it. However, and sadly, it is not. The McBites are more like the KFC popcorn chicken, except not as good. There isn't enough meat, and the taste is something between grease and fat. Or greasy fat. After eating several pieces, my tongue literally felt like fat was sticking on the surface. Not a great feeling, and not a good indication of the taste of the food. If I didn't feel so bad about the money I spent on it, I would have thrown away the remainder. Safe to say I was pretty disappointed, and I will not buy these, again. Try again, McDonald's.
Now, McDonald's Chicken McNuggets are pretty good, for fast food nuggets. Though I prefer Wendy's and Burger King's nuggets, I do crave the McNugget taste once in a while, and they never fail. They are not too greasy, there is ample meat, and plenty of sauces to dip them in.
When the McBites were introduced, I thought they would be mini versions of the McNugget, which I think is a great idea. You can fool yourself into thinking you're eating less as you gobble down half a pound of little pieces of fried chicken. Who wouldn't want that? I certainly wouldn't mind it. However, and sadly, it is not. The McBites are more like the KFC popcorn chicken, except not as good. There isn't enough meat, and the taste is something between grease and fat. Or greasy fat. After eating several pieces, my tongue literally felt like fat was sticking on the surface. Not a great feeling, and not a good indication of the taste of the food. If I didn't feel so bad about the money I spent on it, I would have thrown away the remainder. Safe to say I was pretty disappointed, and I will not buy these, again. Try again, McDonald's.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)