Ah, the end draws
nigh to this most epic of challenges. We've laid waste to burgers large and small.
Brioche buns shiny with their egg wash. Beers, too many to count. Barely a
french fry left to tell the story. It has been an epic
adventure - our fellowship never broken.
Over the course of a year and a half we've sampled the best of what
Philly's burger world has to offer. Our feet may not be as hairy as a Hobbit's,
but we've certainly eaten like them. And now, our final round to declare a
winner. One burger to rule them all! Ok enough nerdy Lord of the Rings
references.
Butcher & Singer
is a birthday dinner kind of place. Perfectly cooked steaks, dry aged the old
school way. Manhattans and martinis expertly mixed and served without any fuss.
A throwback to a lost era, Don Draper could walk into this place and feel right
at home. They also serve what is rumored to be one of the best burgers in the
city. But only at lunch. And only on weekdays. This was certainly the most
difficult burger on the challenge, but absolutely worth the effort.
 |
| Butcher Burger...with all the fixins |
The Butcher Burger
is a steal for $10.95. We had burgers for twice the price on the challenge that
weren't near as good. It is also a mammothly substantial entry. This thing
would tip over Fred Flintstone's car. The beef blend is a Pat Lafreida mixture custom blended for the
restaurant. According to the chef - who came out to talk to us personally upon
hearing of the challenge (I was giddy like a 12 year old) - they mix in belly
meat from the cow that has a higher fat content and gives the patty an
incredible lusciousness. They all were cooked exactly per our order. This may
seem like a simple and expected task, but we've had to send numerous burgers
back along the way. Execution is matter of pride here.
The only complaint
would be the burgers cooked rare tended to fall apart after a few bites. This
might be the result of the specific beef blend and extra fat content, or just the club hands of a fellow challenger. Mine was
cooked medium rare and held up superbly, thanks in part to the absolutely perfect
brioche bun, toasted ever so lovingly. On a side note - this was the only bun to get a perfect
"5" on the scoreboard from all four judges, and it is well
deserved. Every burger made henceforth
should be served on this roll.
 |
| this thing looks like it could eat you |
Delicious beef patty
- seared crispy yet still juicy inside?
Check.
Bun - toasty &
buttery? Check.
French fries -
blanched and fried to golden splendor?
Check.
Toppings, ahhhh the
toppings. They can make or break the burger. The Butcher Burger comes with
fried onions smothered in English cheddar that is melting over the side like a Salvador Dali clock on a tree limb. The onions were just on that edge of caramelized and translucent,
some of the best I've seen on a burger anywhere. For some odd reason though,
they serve it with limp iceberg lettuce and tomatoes that were just north of
mealy. I know I'm being picky here, but after all the love that is put into the
bun, meat, onions, and cheese, why would they just phone it in with the lame
veggies?
Part of the rules we
laid down at the beginning of the challenge was that we would eat the standard
house burger with whatever toppings were offered. We put our trust and taste
buds in the hands of the chef to deliver the perfect mix of ingredients. Don't get me wrong - this is a very tasty burger and sure to induce said food baby. The patty, onions, cheese and bun together are more magically
delicious than a bowl of Lucky Charms that is all marshmallows. But do yourself a favor and leave the veggies
on the plate. The Butcher Burger was right at that precipice of
greatness, but fell just short like an unimpressed gymnast. A silver medal will
have to do.
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| baked alaska. on the house. thank you very much. |
Any time I mention
to someone that I write a food blog, I inevitably get the question "What's
your favorite restaurant?" My answer is always definitive and it's always Butcher & Singer. What puts it onto that pedestal for me is partly the food, but even more so is the
service. From the moment you walk in they make you feel special. Attentive
hostesses that don't scowl at you and are happy to take your coat. Bartenders
that are quick to ask what you're having and know how to make a proper
cocktail. Servers that are always there when you want them and can anticipate your
needs.
On our visit we had four different employees ask us about our burger challenge and were eager to know where they ranked. For a restaurant that is established and clearly confident in what they do, it is heartening to know that they still pay close attention to details and care about diners without an expense account. They may not have the absolute best burger in town but there is no where else that I'd rather be eating.
On our visit we had four different employees ask us about our burger challenge and were eager to know where they ranked. For a restaurant that is established and clearly confident in what they do, it is heartening to know that they still pay close attention to details and care about diners without an expense account. They may not have the absolute best burger in town but there is no where else that I'd rather be eating.
Food Baby Rating:
Triplets!
Butcher & Singer
1500 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA
19102
215-732-4444
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