Monday, October 17, 2005

Cow town

I went down to Valencia Street on Saturday night to take in the Lit Crawl, San Francisco's own version of a Boston-style bar crawl, with cafes and bookstores replacing the bars and published writers replacing the guy in the corner playing a strummy version of "Take It Easy." Actually, some of the readings were held in bars, but no one was doing shots that I could see.

After the readings, I wanted to take Scott to Belden Place, which has a real "Roman Holiday" charm at night, with all the outdoor tables and the lights strung across the alley. We were hungry though, and Burger Joint was right across the street.

Like many San Francisco restaurants, Burger Joint trumpets its use of Niman Ranch beef and free-range chicken. And it's nice to start a burger meal feeling virtuous, because that's a feeling you'll want to remember once the french fries kick in.

As for the food, it was certainly better than your average diner burger. But our burgers were juicy to the point of sogginess, soaking the bun, our hands, and several napkins. Fries were very good -- puffed and steaming inside, crispy outside. But Joe's Cable Car is still tops in my book.


12 comments:

Philanthropist said...

Just returned home from SF. Was born and raised there. The best place ever to eat in SF is Lulu's, 816 Folsom St. www.restaurantlulu.com. It's a showcase for Provencial, unpretentious fare served family-style. Make reservations though. Bite your lips and suck in your stomach, and savor morsal piece of San Francisco.

RC said...

After reading your post and looking at those pictures I got kinda hungry, don't know why, so I just ate myself a Suzi-Q, and looking at those pictures again I'm gona eat another one, but maybe I'll share it with my hamster Duckie, because I think he wants some since he's smiling.

I hope you have a nice week, Amy, and eat more hamburgers, but be careful, it will make you fat as I know!

Joaquin Mattison said...

I've had a soggy burger today at Chili's. How do you like your burger cooked? Rare, medium rare, medium, medium well, or well done. I like medium, it's not to cooked and nice and juicy, with a bit of red. MMMMMMMMMM!!!! Please visit coffeeandstockblog.com and share aome coffee drinking experiences with my fellow bloggees and you will become one yourself!!! That's a good thing.

AGF said...

i love Burger Joint.... it found it was best to go there around 2p on a Sunday, in a hazy, post-drunken stupor and gossip with my girlfriends over the previous night's debauchery. Yum Yum! I guess in that state, I never quite noticed anything soggy....

Sorry about your soggy buns. No one likes a soggy bun nor soggy meat in between soggy buns. Yuck.

ex-gf

Mona said...

Burger joint, they have one of those in NY. I wonder if it's the same name, different people or same chain. Those fries look great, I've been better recently with my fry intake, I feel I might be hopping off the wagon soon now!

sara said...

good LORD that's a fine-looking burger...

Kirsty Stuart said...

you guys have such a big selection of nice junk food in the usa. here in the uk the selection is poor. mostly we have kfc and mcdonalds which is real junk, ie the sort of junk food which doesnt taste so good and has no benefit to the health.

imho there is a big market for 'healthy' junk food, ie burgers and fries etc made from real meat and real potatoes. smoothies made with real fruit.

Dragonetta said...

DAMN, that looks good! I don't think I'd better come over here anymore. :D

High Power Rocketry said...

Looks great man, my local bar has burgers that really made me get into them again. They are just so good. I recently had kobe beef, which is supposed to be among the best in the world, and it sure was priced like it...

And it wasnt as good as a good burger! Hows that!

Bathrooms

Anonymous said...

Mmmmmm.... delicious :-)

BullBunky said...

Oh I'm shocked that this didn't touch off a flurry of "best burger" comments. Its one of those areas where everybody has a personal favorite. But rather than tell you the BEST, I will tell you a burger that is certainly worth a trip: the cheeseburger at the new de Young Museum Cafe. May sound odd, but burger is great, the bread is perfect, and they keep it simple. It is MY current fav.

Anonymous said...

In case you were interested, there's a bigger site for Belden Place. Makes me hungry just looking at it. Shame you hit up just a burger...