The best part of this burger was discovering a part of Omaha I never knew existed. Vinton Street felt like traveling to another city. It was a Saturday afternoon when we went for our burger treat. I think it could be sketchy at night. Not just because of the drug addled string bean we saw staggering down the street wearing a shirt that read "$5 Foot Long" with a down arrow. I'm pretty sure I could have bought it off his back for the price on the shirt (or less).
As for the burgers -- I ordered the Blue Cheese Burger, medium rare, with all the toppings. The burger was ginormous (I'm not sure who needs a slab of meat that size, but whatever), but it was overcooked (a common complaint from what I could find online). The lettuce and tomato were completely tasteless -- unfortunate and unnecessary considering we were smack dab in the middle of tomato season. The burger made me feel sick the rest of the day. I guess I'd call that burger lust -- something that barely feels good for an instant and then makes you feel like dirt for far longer. I couldn't even finish half of it. I'm also not a big fan of burgers served in baskets -- it reminds me of Thursday Burger Night when I worked at Pitchers. Yuck. The fries were so-so -- also pretty tasteless.
On the bright side, the service was great and the atmosphere was old school and pretty nice. If you were up for a greasy spoon breakfast, I bet that'd be the place to go. I wouldn't go back for the burgers, though.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Sunday, September 5, 2010
The Twisted Cork: August 28 Pre-Septemburger continues
This may well have been the best burger I've ever tasted. Ever. Tasted. I feel especially horrible that Charlie didn't get a chance to sample The Twisted Cork's amazing burger -- she would have been ecstatic.
This burger (cooked medium rare, just like I requested) was a mouth's delight. Spices and a mix of beef and pork to add a subtle sausage-y flavor made condiments completely superfluous. The burger was juicy, flavorful, and simple -- topped only with a Tillamook aged white cheddar and a bit of pickled red onions. The bun -- toasted Le Quartier brioche -- took nothing from the burger. The side dishes consisted of kettle chips and a nice Apple-bleu slaw. The first time I had this burger, I remember being disappointed that I couldn't get fries to go with the burger -- a natural coupling -- however, I actually preferred the chips and slaw to fries this time around. I didn't leave the meal feeling heavy, even though I ate the whole burger (again, sorry Charlie!).
The atmosphere at The Twisted Cork only adds to its top notch Septemburger rating. It was a beautiful evening, so Mike and I ate on the patio. They almost seated a family (with child) near us -- sorry parents, but it's a black mark for a romantic evening out -- but the family moved inside almost immediately. We wished them well and enjoyed our meal fully. The tab was more than three times what it was at Five Guys, but we also got the fabulous Lavosh and we each got a drink: plain black tea for Mike, a plantation tea for me (pineapple and tea mixture -- little too sweet for my taste). $45 before tip. Worth every red cent.
The only down side? . . . the place makes me wish I drank alcohol and ate dessert -- they have tremendous selections of both.
Three huge thumbs and 4 paws up!
This burger (cooked medium rare, just like I requested) was a mouth's delight. Spices and a mix of beef and pork to add a subtle sausage-y flavor made condiments completely superfluous. The burger was juicy, flavorful, and simple -- topped only with a Tillamook aged white cheddar and a bit of pickled red onions. The bun -- toasted Le Quartier brioche -- took nothing from the burger. The side dishes consisted of kettle chips and a nice Apple-bleu slaw. The first time I had this burger, I remember being disappointed that I couldn't get fries to go with the burger -- a natural coupling -- however, I actually preferred the chips and slaw to fries this time around. I didn't leave the meal feeling heavy, even though I ate the whole burger (again, sorry Charlie!).
The atmosphere at The Twisted Cork only adds to its top notch Septemburger rating. It was a beautiful evening, so Mike and I ate on the patio. They almost seated a family (with child) near us -- sorry parents, but it's a black mark for a romantic evening out -- but the family moved inside almost immediately. We wished them well and enjoyed our meal fully. The tab was more than three times what it was at Five Guys, but we also got the fabulous Lavosh and we each got a drink: plain black tea for Mike, a plantation tea for me (pineapple and tea mixture -- little too sweet for my taste). $45 before tip. Worth every red cent.
The only down side? . . . the place makes me wish I drank alcohol and ate dessert -- they have tremendous selections of both.
Three huge thumbs and 4 paws up!
Five Guys Burgers and Fries: August 21, Septemburger Begins
Ok, so we began Septemburger a tad early, but how could we not? Once Septemburger is on the table, you can't let the idea sit there to rot for three more weeks, right?
We began with Five Guys Burgers and Fries -- the new location at 74th and Dodge in Omaha. I'm trying to determine still if my disappointment was a result of Bob Kokrdu's hyperbole regarding the joint or a legitimate squawk. I mean, it fit the lowest common denominator deciding factor: no preformed patties, but it was still pretty low level food -- a little too fast foody for my taste. That said, it was only something like $13 for both of us to have burgers and fries -- no drinks. The fixins were tasteless and the fries were thick, greasy, and not especially hot. The bun was just your average, non-memorable white bun. The burgers themselves were ok -- for fast food, especially. I like the fact that the place doesn't try to do anything else -- burgers and fries, just like the sign says (except for the bags of peanuts laid out to scoop from while you wait in line. Protein load before the protein load, I guess. God forbid the general public has to refrain from stuffing something in their faces for five minutes while they wait in line to stuff their faces.
We were still refining the terms of Septemburger, so Charlie wasn't included in the tasting as she was on our most recent venture (Archie, too, but he doesn't have the discerning burger palate Charlie has cultivated). I think she would have approved. If Charlie found a Five Guys burger in the Bread Oven parking lot, she wouldn't pass it up.
That's a side-ways thumb for me (considering the type of joint/price range) and one gnarly paw for Charlie. We'll see how Mike weighs in.
We began with Five Guys Burgers and Fries -- the new location at 74th and Dodge in Omaha. I'm trying to determine still if my disappointment was a result of Bob Kokrdu's hyperbole regarding the joint or a legitimate squawk. I mean, it fit the lowest common denominator deciding factor: no preformed patties, but it was still pretty low level food -- a little too fast foody for my taste. That said, it was only something like $13 for both of us to have burgers and fries -- no drinks. The fixins were tasteless and the fries were thick, greasy, and not especially hot. The bun was just your average, non-memorable white bun. The burgers themselves were ok -- for fast food, especially. I like the fact that the place doesn't try to do anything else -- burgers and fries, just like the sign says (except for the bags of peanuts laid out to scoop from while you wait in line. Protein load before the protein load, I guess. God forbid the general public has to refrain from stuffing something in their faces for five minutes while they wait in line to stuff their faces.
We were still refining the terms of Septemburger, so Charlie wasn't included in the tasting as she was on our most recent venture (Archie, too, but he doesn't have the discerning burger palate Charlie has cultivated). I think she would have approved. If Charlie found a Five Guys burger in the Bread Oven parking lot, she wouldn't pass it up.
That's a side-ways thumb for me (considering the type of joint/price range) and one gnarly paw for Charlie. We'll see how Mike weighs in.
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