The M.Toast Hivemind - On the subject of burger replacement

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	Thursday, July 17th, 2008 01:04 pm

On the subject of burger replacement

Lately I’ve had some bad non-hamburger devices around town. Real burgers are pretty easy: fresh meat, a good sauce/condiments, and a bun. Finished. The veg-friendly non-burger, however, is much trickier. By this I mean veggie burgers, Garden burgers, and other such Burger Replacement Devices. It’s hard to find good ones.

For example, tried Blanc Burgers and Bottles in Westport awhile ago with burger maven Mandy’s Musings. Thought the high-end burgers might help in her top 10 burger quest, after hearing braggings about this place. Unfortunately, the regular hamburgers turned out to be just OK, according to MM (they were out of kobe beef), and the lentil burger was pretty bad. Dry and vaguely unpleasant-tasting. And I usually love any sort of lentil-thing. However, the onion rings were divine, and the sweet potato fries were alright.

I also had a fairly bad veggie burger at the Flying Saucer (13th and Walnut) on one of my few forays into the Power and White District. The thing looked as if it had started out as a veggie burger, then someone grilled the crap out of it. It was like a hockey puck. On a bun. They did try to fancy it up with avocado and other vegetation. But it didn’t really help the overall problem. I suspect the thing would have ranked high on the Mohs scale, if I had had a diamond handy with which to scratch it.

So, enough bitching. Where to get a good BRD? The general rule of thumb seems to be that if the bar food is good, the BRD will be too. My short list of places includes:

Current Music: Ratatat - Falcon Jab

kclunchspots.com
kclunchspots.com

	Thursday, July 17th, 2008 08:30 pm (UTC)

Room 39 is supposed to have a good BRD

http://www.pitch.com/bestof/2007/award/best-fake-burger-424964/

m_toast

	Thursday, July 17th, 2008 09:31 pm (UTC)

Thanks! I'll add that to my "to try" list. Although I don't think I'll ever go back to the Room 39 on Mission Road...

nuke718

	Friday, July 18th, 2008 02:12 pm (UTC)

Stumpy's is the only one of those places I have eaten. I have liked everything I have tried there so far.

While I understand your BRD search, being a devote of meat I have not looked thru the menus for these choices. I will try to keep an eye out in the future.

I did once have a vegetarian roommate, but I can't remember her beef substitute product. It was available in both patty and ground (hamburgerish) forms. But it wasn't bad, just not quite right for me.

(Anonymous)

	Friday, July 18th, 2008 03:01 pm (UTC)

You forgot Red Robin, Backyard Burger, and the black bean burger at Chili's (don't roll your eyes at this one before you try it). And of course, the best veggie burger in the world is at Eden Alley.

-Beck

(Anonymous)

	Friday, July 18th, 2008 04:32 pm (UTC)

I think Harry's in the City Market has a good veggie burger. Unless it was just the beer skewing my taste buds. But even so, during Happy Hour I think the veggie burgers are only $3 anyway, so even if it does suck...

Local Burger in Lawrence has outstanding veggie burgers.

faithsista
faithsista

	Friday, July 18th, 2008 07:35 pm (UTC)

The lentil burger was the first one I tried at Blanc, and although it was a bit messy, it was delicious. And fairly substantial as well...that thing filled me up, yo!

I don't often try veggie burgers when I'm out and about, because loads of them tend to be held together with cheese. And I'm non-dairy. So I can't help with your search for a better one!

I just wanted to give my feedback on Blanc. Both times we've been there, the food was delicious and well-worth the choice to go there. And the truffle fries are outta this world!

frommypencil.blogspot.com
frommypencil.blogspot.com

	Saturday, July 19th, 2008 02:18 am (UTC)

Local burger in Lawrence is good: www.localburger.com

If you're ever feeling like being in the neighborhood and try it, give me a ring.

mandysmusings

Mandy

	Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008 01:02 pm (UTC)

Really, Eden Alley? I love their egg salad, but as I recall, their veggie burger was a sloppy mess. Have they made recent improvements, or do non-meat eaters prefer their "burgers" in somewhat liquid form?

Can't go wrong with Boca Burgers, which I pick up at HyVee. Only a minute and a half in the microwave (or on the grill) and you're all set.