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Prime 112 – South Beach, Florida

By Burger Beast · Comments (5)
Saturday, December 11th, 2010

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My buddy (an actual friend not the 1980′s toy) called me up and tells me that I must eat at Prime One Twelve. What do I know about Prime One Twelve? It seems as if every celebrity that visits Miami ends up there. In other words, it’s a place that does not normally interest me. After looking over the menu I have a change of heart, comfort food heaven. The prices of course are higher than my usual hot spots. I figured let’s do this, if it’s worth it I’m always willing to pay.

We head out for lunch and decide to make the hard decisions, we order (our table is pictured above): Tomato Basil Soup w/ Mini Fontina Grilled Cheese, Five Cheese Truffle ‘MAC’, KOBE Beef Hot Dog, 1 lb. KOBE Cheeseburger, Sea Salt Baked Potato w/ Vermont Butter, Applewood Smoked Bacon Bits and Chive Sour Cream , Potato Pancakes and Crispy White Truffle French Fries.

Now you must be thinking, there’s no way they ate all that food and you would be correct. Everything was delicious, except for the potato pancakes which I found to be way too crispy and not potato-ey enough. And one last thing, it would be great if they removed the name KOBE from the burger and dog because we all know it’s not authentic KOBE from Japan. For your drooling pleasure, please check out all the pics below especially the one with the bacon chunks on top of the baked potato.

Tomato Basil Soup w/Mini Fontina Grilled Cheese

Five Cheese Truffle ‘MAC’

porn star gigantic KOBE Beef Hot Dog

1 lb. KOBE Cheeseburger

Baked Potato

Potato Pancakes

Truffle Fries

When Large is not Big enough:

Prime One Twelve
Facebook: Prime 112
112 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL
305-532-8112

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S’Mac aka Sarita’s Mac And Cheese In New York, New York

By Burger Beast · Comments (0)
Saturday, April 3rd, 2010

S'Mac

S’Mac aka Sarita’s Mac and Cheese was one of the first places I put on my New York must visit list. I love Mac n’ Cheese and who doesn’t? This joint has over 10 pre-set Macs to choose from or can create your own. And yes, there are Vegan options too.

S'Mac Diagram

S’Mac Diagram

It was a little overwhelming for me so I went the lazy man route, the Sampler. It includes:

  • Parisienne: Creamy  Brie, Roasted Figs, Roasted Shiitake Mushrooms & Fresh Rosemary
  • Napoletana: Fresh Mozzarella, Roasted Tomatoes, Roasted Garlic, and Fresh Basil.
  • All American: American & Cheddar Cheeses
  • CheeseBurger: Cheddar and American Cheeses with seasoned Ground Beef.
  • 4 Cheese: Cheddar, Muenster, Gruyere and a touch of Pecorino.
  • Cajun: Cheddar & Pepper Jack Cheeses, Andouille Sausage, Green Pepper, Onions, Celery, Garlic and Cajun Seasoning.
  • Alpine: Gruyere with Slab Bacon.
  • La Mancha: Manchego Cheese with Fresh Fennel and Onions.
S'Mac Sampler

S’Mac Sampler

They were all as good as they sound but 2 were just a little bit better than the rest. The Cajun with the Andouille Sausage and the Alpine with Gruyere (one of my Top 2 Cheeses) were standouts. The CheeseBurger could easily been called a Meatloaf Mac n’ Cheese and was a close third. I don’t think you could go wrong with any of them.

S’Mac
Facebook: S’Mac
345 E 12th St (between 2nd Ave & 1st Ave)
New York, NY 10003
Neighborhood: East Village
212-358-7912

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The Filling Station And Garage Bar In Downtown Miami, Florida

By Burger Beast · Comments (4)
Monday, October 26th, 2009

I don’t know my way around Downtown Miami very well which is where The Filling Station is located. I’m also bad at following the directions of the GPS, it seems to take too long to respond (I can just hear that voice in my head “calculating route”). Between my sense of direction and usage of a GPS, I was pretty happy that my friend and I were able to locate The Filling Station without much hassle the first time we visited.

The Filling Station Sign - You can't miss it

Originally the Filling Station was much smaller but over the course of the last couple of years they’ve expanded hence the addition of the name, Garage Bar. Luckily, its expansion has not hurt 2 of the many things I love about it, its character (Filling Station theme) and service.

Howard's Big Mack Truck

One of the first things I noticed here was the walls with pictures of customers who had ordered Howard’s Big Mack Truck. The burger is a really great Double Cheddar Burger topped with Onion Rings so it could be difficult for some of you light eaters. What’s weird is that it wasn’t only pics of people who had eaten it but also those who only ordered the burger. I guess that’s a different way to do things! Order that burger and I guess you’re guaranteed to get your picture on the wall (I’m not too sure if they’re still doing this but I am up on the wall).

As a matter of fact, if you do go, look for our picture. Even though my friend suggested against it, I ordered the tater tots covered in cheese, bacon and jalapenos (which were good) plus an order of buffalo flavored wings to start with. The wings, what can I say are on point. I awarded them with Best Wings for 2010 at my annual Burgie Awards.

Burgie Award Winning Buffalo Wings

There’s also a whole slew of Burgers & Sandwiches with catchy names to order from. Two of my favorites are Steve’s “Respect” Mobile (Burger topped with Pulled Pork, Cheddar, Jerk BBQ Sauce) and Bev’s Benz (Chicken Sandwich with Fried Mozzarella & Marinara served on Garlic Bread).

Steve's "Respect" Mobile

Bev's Benz

If those weren’t enough there’s Hot Dogs, Phillys and even dare I say the dreaded “S” word, Salads. You can’t go wrong hitting up the Filling Station, trust me I know. And now to get your hunger pangs a goin’, here are some more pictures:

Chili Mac - A Daily Special I had one time

Hog

Malibu Bleu

Is there any dessert? Well, you can get some fresh baked cookies. I guess that counts, doesn’t it?

Fresh Baked Cookies

They’re open every day for lunch and open for dinner Wednesday through Saturday but closed on Sunday. I only mention this because once upon a time there was no Dinner or Saturday service:

Mon – Thu: 11:30AM – 9:00PM
Fri – Sat: 11:30AM – 10:30PM

Go Downtown and Eat from:

The Filling Station
95 SE 2nd St, Miami, FL
786-425-1990

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Tom Jenkins’ BarBQ In Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

By Burger Beast · Comments (3)
Thursday, September 3rd, 2009

We met a crew of bloggers which included Beth aka The French Fry Fairy at Tom Jenkins’ Bar-B-Q. MY wife Marcela and I arrive late (our new thing). When we walk in a few folks are already sitting down with their food while everyone else is receiving theirs. After looking over the menu we decide to do the ol’ divide and conquer routine and order 2 different things. Marcela orders the Beef Brisket w/Mac n Cheese and Coleslaw (it also brings a cornbread).

Brisket Platter

I had the Rib & Chicken Combo with Mac n’ Cheese and Fries (cornbread also). We also got 4 hush puppies (their minimum hush puppie order). Marcela did not like her Beef Brisket and after trying it I agreed. It was way fatty. The Mac n’ Cheese was good, she liked the cole slaw and the fries were ok. The ribs were acceptable but the chicken was on the amazing side.

Chicken & Ribs

I regret not going with Baby Back Ribs though. The hush puppies were really good also. After talking to one of the guys, he told me that pork was the way to go at Tom Jenkins’. I wish this conversation had taken place before we got here. Doc Brown anywhere?

For a full fry review on this place check out : The French Fry Fairy.

Tom Jenkins’ Bar-B-Q
1236 South Federal Highway
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
954-522-5046

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IKEA Restaurant’s Bistro And Exit Cafe In Sunrise, Florida

By Burger Beast · Comments (0)
Thursday, August 6th, 2009

IKEA Menu

I need a shirt that says “I ate at IKEA, I’m glad I lived to tell the tale!” Just kidding. Marcela had been wanting to go to IKEA for a while now so I granted her one yearly wish and took her there. As we came up the escalators, just south of us was the IKEA restaurant. Everyone seems to mention their Swedish Meatballs. I decide, “Hey self, get the Swedish Meatballs”.

Swedish Meatballs

Swedish Meatballs

Marcela goes for the Chicken Fingers and Fries.

Chicken Tenders

Chicken Tenders

The Chef is very daring I must say as the special for the day is Chicken Wings and Fries. Where does this guy come up with this stuff? 2 Cookies for $1=Yes, 2 Garlic Breads for a $1=Yes. Food= well, it tastes like the big bagged items you might find at a Costo or Sam’s Club. The two sides, the Mac n Cheese and Mashed Potatoes were better than the Chicken Tenders or Swedish Meatballs. The Garlic Bread was Garlic Bread, nothing bad just the expected. Unfortunately I had to wash this down with a Pepsi, luckily no pictures were taken of this moment. Marcela liked the Cookie but then again she likes all sweets. And just when you think this post would be over, as I’m waiting to leave IKEA I see their Bistro/Exit Cafe. 1 thing catches my eye at the Exit Cafe, Hot Dogs. 1 thing catches Marcela’s eye, Frozen Yogurt. The deal for the Hot Dog is 2 Hot Dogs with Chips and a Drink for $2.

Soda, Chips & Hot Dogs

Soda, Chips & Hot Dogs

There’s also some Pizza deal. I’m thinking most employees must eat here for lunch with those prices (spoken like a former retail slave). The Hot Dogs are pretty good and I never even try the Chips although I do take them home. Even the fountain Pepsi wasn’t too bad or maybe that’s because I was thirsty after walking around their 293,000-square foot store. Plus Marcela liked her Yogurt, and we got 2 new bookshelves. All in a day’s work, now about that t-shirt….

IKEA Food
151 NW 136th Ave, Sunrise, FL
954-838-9292
Restaurant Hours: Mon-Sat 9:30AM-8:30PM, Sun 10:30AM-7:30PM

Ikea Restaurant & Cafe on Urbanspoon

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Almost Famous Mel’s In Marco Island, Florida

By Burger Beast · Comments (0)
Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009

Almost Famous Mel's Sign

Almost Famous Mel’s was probably one of the best places I ate at last year. I didn’t really take pictures because at the time, the birth of the Burger Beast site was a few months away. I spent all of last week at Marco Island so I decided to eat here again a couple of times with my family so I could: 1) Enjoy its greatness and 2) Take some pictures.

Outdoor Area

Outdoor Area

Who are we kidding? I just wanted to eat here again. Once my wife Marcela and I arrived in Marco Island the first thing we did was head out to Mel’s. I wanted to order one of their Hot Dogs but since it was after 4pm (no Wieners after 4) , that wasn’t going to be a possibility. We ordered the “Throw Down The Gauntlet” which I tried last year and loved (on the original post I couldn’t remember its name, it wasn’t even on the menu yet).

The Gauntlet

The Gauntlet

The Gauntlet is plate of fresh cut Fries with Nacho Cheese, Jalapeños, Pulled Pork and Chili. We also ordered the Wings but this time there were a variety of sauces available: Mel’s Way, Big Jon’s, Hot & Happy, Honey and Frank’s Red Hot. We were brought a sampling of all the Sauces and a few pieces of Cornbread with which to try them.

Cornbread

Cornbread

The Mel’s Way, Big Jon’s and Hot & Happy all tasted pretty similar but we went with Big Jon’s because it had a nice mix of BBQ and heat, the Cornbread was pretty good too. The Wings were good but nothing special. I decide to order the Michigan Burger (slab of Ham and Jack Cheese) and Marcela goes with the Burnt Ends (Burnt Brisket Ends and Ham).

Burnt Ends

I still think the Burnt Ends is the best thing on the menu (and I still think that Mac N Cheese is pretty lame) followed by a close second of Throw Down The Gauntlet. The Michigan was very good and contained no Burger at all which was weird, it was like a giant Ham and Cheese sandwich.

Michigan Burger

Michigan Burger

Two days later I was back with my sister Michelle, this time before 4pm. I was able to order the Chili & Cheese Dog and the Tex Mex Burger (Chipotle Sauce, Bacon and Cheddar). While we’re discussing with the waitress my previous time there, I mention the Michigan Burger. She tells me that it indeed should have had a Burger in it (well that makes sense). She mentions this to Mel, who comes to our table to apologize for the mistake, very nice guy by the way.

Chili Cheese Dog

Chili Cheese Dog

Tex Mex Burger

Tex Mex Burger

That Chili & Cheese Dog was so smothered in Chili we had to use a fork and knife to eat it. It was great but the taste of the Dog was way overpowered by the Chili. The Tex-Mex Burger was really moist and tasted way better than I remember last year. I notice the Menu mentions that it’s never frozen Angus beef which I think last year’s Menu did not claim.

Original Post 10/13/08:

Not far from where I was staying in Marco Island is Almost Famous Mel’s South Beach Smokehouse-BBQ. Not very original as far as decor goes but when I walked in I felt like I was on vacation and as if I should be hearing Bob Marley over the airwaves, instead I had to settle for some guy trying out his favorite tunes on his guitar with cheezy keyboard accompaniment. We ordered a new appetizer created by Mel(the owner) which name escapes me at this moment (Fries with with Chili, Pulled Pork, Nacho Cheese and Jalapeños).

Fries

Chili Cheese Pulled Pork Fries w/Jalapeños

And even though by looking at it you might think it looks disgusting it tastes pretty amazing, the Pulled Pork was outstanding. We also ordered Bo’s Chicken Wings (Wings drenched in Frank’s Red Hot) which were just average. I ordered the Big House (Burger with Bacon, Mushrooms and Cheddar Cheese) and thought it was ok considering this was a “Smokehouse” the Burger did not have a strong smoky flavor. The sides I had were Mom’s Mac & Cheese (If this is mom’s mac and cheese, I’ll take an order of my dad’s mistress’ mac and cheese) and Crispy Fried Onion Strings (pretty good and a large portion). The waitress also brought a piece of their Corn Bread drizzled in Honey Butter…..uh yeah, delicious. Marcela had the Burnt Ends (Crispy Burnt Brisket Ends & Ham), now these little fellas were stunning. The Burnt Ends were probably the best item on the menu and it’s a real shame because I really thought the Burger was going to be sensational.


Almost Famous Mel’s South Beach Smokehouse-BBQ is CLOSED
657 South Collier Boulevard, Marco Island, FL
239-394-7111
Hours: Everyday 11:00 AM-11:00PM (kitchen closes at 10:30)

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Clarke’s In Miami Beach, Florida

By Burger Beast · Comments (0)
Thursday, May 14th, 2009

Clarke's Sign

A few people had mentioned  that Clarke’s has the best Burger on the beach. A few weeks ago my friend John and I were going to go check it out but other plans came up. Now that we find a gap in our schedules, we decide “It’s Time”. Clarke’s is not very big but it does have a nice relaxing look inside. As we “peruse” (that’s right, a big boy word), as we peruse the menu, John can not control himself so we order some appetizers.

Let’s start with the Macaroni and Cheese (we’re told it’s a large portion, I prefer to be warned if it’s a small portion), the New York Pretzel, and the Buffalo Chicken Wings (served with Blue Cheese). And then John out of nowhere decides to throw in an order for the Black Angus Beef Chili.

Mac N Cheese

Mac N Cheese

New York Pretzel

New York Pretzel

Buffalo Chicken Wings

Buffalo Chicken Wings

Black Angus Beef Chili

Black Angus Beef Chili

Not that I was complaining. Where do I begin? The New York Pretzel , tasted just as you might expect it to but the Mustard was the real deal here, great stuff. The Wings are in the same boat, good but the Blue Cheese was the star in this dish. I’m not kidding, that was some really good Blue Cheese. The Black Angus Beef Chili was wow, awesome, as was the Macaroni and Cheese. When there was just one bite left of the pretzel I suggested to John he might want to dip it into the Mac N Cheese, which he did. He felt that although it did taste good, the Mustard was way better for it.

When it came to Burger time, there’s only one burger on the menu but you can add different toppings to it. John ordered his Clarke’s Burger with Cheddar & Bacon whereas I ordered mine with Swiss, Cheddar & Bacon.

Clarke's Burger with Cheddar & Bacon

Clarke’s Burger with Cheddar & Bacon

Swiss, Cheddar and Bacon

Clarke’s Burger with Swiss, Cheddar and Bacon

In hindsight I should have gone with Blue Cheese on my burger. Two thing that stuck out, the Bacon was nice and crispy and the fresh cut Fries were really good. It’s a good Burger but best on the beach? I guess that’s for you to decide.

P.S.: John couldn’t finish his burger, here is a picture of his last bite.

John's Last Bite

John’s Last Bite

Clarke’s
Facebook: Clarke’s
Twitter: @ClarkesIrishPub
840 First St, Miami Beach, FL
305-538-9885

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