11 Mile House - Meeting #29

December 30th, 2012

10332 Manchester Road

St. Louis, MO 63122

(314) 821-6033

11 Mile House's Website 

In Attendance:

NB, 3 Dees, Fitz, "9", MK, KP, MareBear, Gipper, Beaner, Seven, Spinderella, & kt

Don't let the strip mall location deceive you - the burgers are excellent!

The Kirkwood Burger - yum.

Funny wall decor - good to know if you like drinkin'

Delicious homemade Ranch - in honor of new mom, Strawberri

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11 MILE HOUSE NOTES:

What did you order?

NB:  Tuna salad plate  (*she’s new, we’re letting this one slide!)

3 Dees:  Kwood Burger

Fitz:  My usual… cheddar, bacon, 1,000 island.

9:  1,000 burger, added cheddar and Swiss
MK:  Kirkwood Burger

KP:  Kirkwood Burger

MareBear:  Tuna Salad Plate – tasted KP’s Kirkwood

Beaner:  Blue Cheese Burger, Fries, Rarebit sauce

Seven:  American Burger

Spinderella:  Cheeseburger (American) medium with steak fries

kt:  Kirkwood Burger with steak fries & diet Coke (plus a few t-ravs)

How would you describe your burger?

NB:  N/A 

3 Dees:  Rarebit

Fitz:  It was cooked perfectly, delicious.

9:  Good but overcooked
MK:  Good but the cheese did not have much taste

KP:  Rarebit & Bacon

MareBear:  Very tasty

Beaner:  Very Good!

Seven:  Traditional, Good bun, fresh sides, was overcooked

Spinderella:  Bun was dry, burger was well done

kt:  Fantastic!  Meat had a great flavor, but the Rarebit cheese was incredibly bland.  The bacon was crispy and delicious and the bun was perfect.  Also – the home made Ranch dressing was awesome!  Too bad Strawberri missed it - she is our resident "Ranch Connoisseur".

How delicious was it (1-10)?

NB:  2

3 Dees:  7

Fitz:  9

9: 7

MB:  8
KP:  10

MareBear:  8

Beaner:  9

Seven:  7

Spinderella:  6

kt:  9

Was there anything memorable about the food and/or place?

NB:  First time at BBBC!  Thank you for the invite!  Looking forward to the next place – veggie burger

3 Dees:  The newbie members

Fitz:  It was one of our largest meetings, and… the waitress could NOT remember to bring me a diet Coke!

9:  Day before New Years, last BBBC of 2012

MB:  Good burger!
KP:  Best burger so far!

MareBear:  Lots of newbies and the waitress

Beaner:  Blue cheese was delicious, great ranch dressing

Sevin:  Was my first meeting (loved it)

Spinderella:  The service – not very good

kt:  Lubster & Strawberri missed the meeting because baby H was born yesterday!  We also had 4 new guests!

Roughly how much was your order?

NB:  $10

3 Dees:  $15

Fitz:  $10 for the burger

9:  $10

MB:  $8
KP:  $10

MareBear:  N/A

Beaner:  N/A

Seven:  $8

Spinderella:  $10

kt:  $11

Average service score:  5

Merry Christmas!

Charlie Brown : Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?

Linus Van Pelt : Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.
[moves toward the center of the stage]

Linus Van Pelt : Lights, please.
[a spotlight shines on Linus]

Linus Van Pelt : "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'"
[Linus picks up his blanket and walks back towards Charlie Brown]

Linus Van Pelt : That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

Three Kings Public House - Meeting #28

Three Kings - just in time for Christmas!

 

December 23rd, 2012

6307 Delmar Blvd.

St. Louis, MO 63130

(314) 721-3355

Three King's Pub Website 

In Attendance:

3 Dees, MC (Master of Cow), Shaniqua & kt

The All American Burger.  God Bless America.

3 Dees channeling his inner Elf.

Glorious wall art.

                         

THREE KING’S NOTES:

What did you order?

3 Dees:  Southwest Chipotle Burger

MC (Master of Cow):  Wings; All American Burger w/ Cheddar, sweet potato fries

Shaniqua:  Flamethrower & Fries – wings as an app

kt:  American Burger with American cheese (cooked med), ketchup, mustard and pickles.  Sweet potato fries with a diet Coke and lime!

How would you describe your burger?

3 Dees:  Spicy!

MC (Master of Cow):  Traditional and a great smokey/grill taste.  A+!

Shaniqua:  The wings were outstanding!  The burger looked very pretty, fries were delish!  Burger was good, a little greasy, nicely cooked.  The fried jalapeños were awesome!

kt:  Thick & juicy.  Huge patty/party on my plate.  My sweet potato fries were delicious, not at all soggy.  I tried the pretzel bun and it was a little dry, so I would not order it again. 

How delicious was it (1-10)?

3 Dees:  7

MC (Master of Cow):  9

Shaniqua:  8

kt:  7

Was there anything memorable about the food and/or place?

3 Dees:  All the fun stories

MC (Master of Cow):  3 Dees’s hat

Shaniqua:  If you’re going to call it Flamethrower, it better make my mouth burn!

kt:  Shaniqua & MC’s triumphant return to the BBBC!  Funny stories & the freezing cold ladies’ room!

Roughly how much was your order?

3 Dees:  $15

MC (Master of Cow):  $10

Shaniqua:  $10

kt:  $12

Average service score:   9.5

Guy's American Kitchen & Bar in Times Square

Well, I did it!  On my visit to NYC last week I had one goal - eat at Guy Fieri's new restaurant in Times Square.  He's the dude from Diners, Drive Ins & Dives on the Food Network.  Anyway, I'm sure by now you have all read (or heard about) the terrible review of his restaurant (Guy's American Kitchen & Bar) written by Pete Wells in the New York Times.  If not, check it out here . 

I mean - the review was SOOO horrible that I just had to see if it could possibly be as bad as Mr. Wells made it out to be.  So, off I went to the most miserable part of Manhattan (especially during Christmastime). 

So majestic.  

"Did panic grip your soul as you stared into the whirling hypno wheel of the menu, where adjectives and nouns spin in a crazy vortex? When you saw the burger described as “Guy’s Pat LaFrieda custom blend, all-natural Creekstone Farm Black Angus beef patty, LTOP (lettuce, tomato, onion + pickle), SMC (super-melty-cheese) and a slathering of Donkey Sauce on garlic-buttered brioche,” did your mind touch the void for a minute?  "  -Pete Wells

I thought for sure Mr. Wells was exaggerating in his review... nope. 

"What accounts for the vast difference between the Donkey Sauce recipe you’ve published and the Donkey Sauce in your restaurant? Why has the hearty, rustic appeal of roasted-garlic mayonnaise been replaced by something that tastes like Miracle Whip with minced raw garlic?

And when we hear the words Donkey Sauce, which part of the donkey are we supposed to think about? "  -Pete Wells

My Big Bite Burger, complete with Donkey Sauce in all its glory.

 

 

What did you order?
kt:  I started with the Awesome Pretzel Chicken Tenders, and then my main course was the Big Bite Burger & Rojo Ring... An All natural Black Angus Beef, LTOP (lettuce, tomato, onion & pickle), SMC (super-melty-cheese) and a slathering of Donkey sauce on garlic-buttered brioche.  However, to make it kt friendly, I ordered it without the onions. 

How would you describe your burger?
kt:  Mr. Wells, I know you probably would not agree, but I was pleasantly surprised by how tasty my burger was!  The Donkey sauce was a bit too garlicy for me, but the meat was flavorful, the cheese was delicious, and the slaw on top was crisp and fresh!  It was cooked exactly to my preferred temperature, and the bun was lightly toasted.  I am still trying to decipher what is grilled on the top of the bun.  Guy's face?  Not sure.  

How delicious was it?
kt:  8.5

Was there anything memorable about the food and/or place?
kt:  It was pretty glorious.  Reminded me of every other restaurant in TS.  We told the waiter how we had been dying to visit after reading the miserable review, and it turns out they have actually been doing quite well because of the review.  Goes to show you - all press is good press these days!  There was a gigantic refrigerator of all American beers, lots of Americana stuff decorating the walls, and the waiter did not get offended when we ordered things verbatim from the menu (i.e.  "May we please start with an order of the AWESOME pretzel chicken tenders?  Can you please make sure they are extra awesome?")

How much was your order?
kt:  Burger was $17.50, I think my total was $30ish

How was the service?
kt:  6.5 

Barrister's - Meeting #27

I've been here several times, but never had a burger!

December 16th, 2012
15 North Meramec Avenue

St. Louis, MO 63105

(314) 726-5007

Barrister's Website 

In Attendance:

BonBon, Fitz, "9", MareBear (&Gipper), Spinderella, & kt

Fitz's Burger with LOTS of 1,000 Island dressing

Baby Gipper is super excited to eat her burger!

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BARRISTER’S NOTES:

 

What did you order?

BonBon:  Veggie Burger

Fitz:  Original with Cheddar (pub- YES!), bacon and 1,000 Island.

9:  Griddle Burger

MareBear:  Build your own – Mushroom and Swiss

Spinderella:  Plain burger with American cheese

kt:  Build your own Burger (Swiss, Mushrooms and ketchup) with fries and a diet Coke

How would you describe your burger?

BonBon:  Dry & tasteless

Fitz:  Delicious.  The bun was toasted to perfection, but yet soft.  The pub Cheddar rivals any in town!

9:  Steak-n-Shake like - tasty

MareBear:  Very good.  Cooked exactly how I like it!

Spinderella:  Delish.  Liked the bun too (soft and toasted).  Fries were a little soggy.

kt:  Classic.  Meat was very flavorful and the bun was light, airy and toasted!

How delicious was it (1-10)?

BonBon:  2

Fitz:  9

9:  8

MareBear:  8

Spinderella:  8

kt:  7.5

Was there anything memorable about the food and/or place?

BonBon:  The people are always fun.  kt found a quick substitute when Clayton Diner was closed.

Fitz:  9 (*her hubby) was the only “buddy” at this week’s BBBC

9:  Bloody Mary Bar… Yummmmm….

MareBear:  We exchanged stories from the night before.  People are crazy!

Spinderella  Meeting the Grahams!

kt:  We were supposed to be at Clayton’s Diner which was closed on Sunday, so we bumped up our Barrister’s meeting and it worked out very well.  I was also freaking out during lunch because I had a yoga “arm balance & inversion” workshop right after our meeting!

Roughly how much was your order?

BonBon:  $10

Fitz:  Burger approx. $8.95, Bloody Mary Bar = Priceless J

9:  $15

MareBear:  $12

Spinderella:  $9

kt:  $12

Average service score:   7

Bar Louie - Meeting #26

We went to the Kirkwood location

 

December 2nd, 2012

110 South Kirkwood

St. Louis, MO 63122

(314) 238-2300

 Bar Louie's Website

In Attendance:

Strawberri, Spinderella, & kt

The tater tots were delicious!

 

BAR LOUIE NOTES:

What did you order?

Strawberri:  Blue Louie, but with Provel

Spinderella:  Turkey burger with cheddar, fries, and ice tea.

kt:  Backyard BBQ burger (Cheddar, bacon, pickles, & ketchup since they forgot BBQ) and tater tots.

How would you describe your burger?

Strawberri:  Very good.  Cooked perfectly.  Bacon was crispy, and the bun did not fall apart.  Fries were great.

Spinderella:  Salty

kt:  Very good overall, but the meat was a bit dry.  The toppings were perfect, so that helped cancel out the dry burger.

How delicious was it (1-10)?

Strawberri:  9

Spinderella:  5

kt:  8

Was there anything memorable about the food and/or place?

Strawberri:  Kirkwood trains!

Spinderella:  Good friends

kt:  It was 70 degrees outside on December 2^nd!

Roughly how much was your order?

Strawberri:  $14

Spinderella:  $14

kt:  $20

Average service score:   8

Burgers in the Big Apple

My meal in Hipsterville.

Just arrived in NYC.  Room isn't ready yet?  Better head to the lobby bar and order a burger.  Representing the BBBC at the Ace Hotel.