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From A Hamburger Today

Manhattan: Spitzer's Corner

I agree, brioche buns are too sweet and the glazed top, not for me.
Shame about Spitzer's Corner but good to know.
Once again, beautiful photos. I appreciate the thorough and articulate assessment of burgers.

From A Hamburger Today

Manhattan: Joe Junior

Perfect burger logic.
The photo of the 3 patties grilling on the flat top is just plain beautiful.
My compliments to Nick Solares!

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Recent Comments | Response to Comments

From A Hamburger Today

Manhattan: Spitzer's Corner

I agree, brioche buns are too sweet and the glazed top, not for me.
Shame about Spitzer's Corner but good to know.
Once again, beautiful photos. I appreciate the thorough and articulate assessment of burgers.

From A Hamburger Today

Manhattan: Joe Junior

Perfect burger logic.
The photo of the 3 patties grilling on the flat top is just plain beautiful.
My compliments to Nick Solares!

From A Hamburger Today

Manhattan: Spitzer's Corner

I stiull cant get my head around the Spitzer name. Were there any high priced call girls around? (HA HA)

From A Hamburger Today

Manhattan: Spitzer's Corner

Had you been here before the menu got revamped? I live a few doors down and this place held so much promise, yet for food it has been pretty poor every time I've gone. We gave up, settling for just beers. I've had the burger a couple times and when I had it, it was a little overwhelmingly large. I'm tempted to go try it again.

The servers are pretty nice, but it seems a bit of a clusterf*1k. It is totally unclear what to do if you get there at like 4 or 5pm. Order from the bar? Wait for staff? Generally there are 3-4 servers just chatting at the bar.. I think you're supposed to order from the bar so that's what I do now (after waiting 10 minutes or so a few times), but not sure.

Here's hoping it gets good!

From A Hamburger Today

Manhattan: Spitzer's Corner

FYI

http://www.texasmonthly.com/2007-12-01/feature-7.php

"If Akaushi (“Ah-ka-oo-shee”) sounds like what’s called Wagyu, source of notably succulent Japanese beef, it’s because they’re kissing cousins. Actually, “Wagyu” is a general term meaning “Japanese beef.” The correct name for those famous fatties is Kuroushi—“kuro” meaning “black” and “ushi” meaning “cattle.” (In case you’re wondering, Kobe beef is Kuroushi raised near Kobe, Japan.) Akaushi means “red cattle,” though they’re really reddish-brown. In 1994 eleven lone Akaushi were imported by HeartBrand Beef to its South Texas ranch outside Yoakum. From that small pool, they’ve increased to five thousand and are the only breeding herd outside Japan."

From A Hamburger Today

Manhattan: Joe Junior

Thanks again for the support everyone.

@ Hillary you are right but if BK wants to fly me to London to try it out I promise to keep an open mind....

From A Hamburger Today

Manhattan: Spitzer's Corner

@bwallach Thanks for your input.

Without letting this devolve too much in to a semantic argument there are those (such as the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and the Japanese Wagyu Registration Association) who would argue that if is not grown in Japan it is not true Wagyu. I don't necessarily subscribe to this but do feel that it is the other factors beyond breed alone that go into developing the cattle for table that have always differentiated domestic and Japanese Kobe beef to my palate. The feeding of beer and whiskey mash and sake massages (although this is mostly for show) plus an immobile life contribute to the flavor. I am curious if you employ these techniques? Also you mention that it is the only Japanese Kobe "allowed" outside of Japan. Allowed by whom?

As for the nature of the fat I don't think the health implications are going to be as much concern as juiciness for most of the AHT readership but I do find it interesting that grass fed beef, which is also high in mono saturated fat, has never made for particularly tasty burgers in my opinion. Maybe burgers are just not supposed to be healthy.

I am interested in your company, do you have a website we can visit or could you refer us to some of your other clients?

From A Hamburger Today

Manhattan: Spitzer's Corner

Just a quick note as the man who sells this restaurant their Kobe. As opposed to American Wagyu, it is 100% Akaushi Kobe. Japanese origin back 40 generations. No cross breeding. Its is grown out in Texas but it is the only true Japanese Kobe allowed outside Japan. Its a 80/20 blend but the fat because of its pure breeding is mostly mono saturated fat which is much healthier that a good 80/20 chuck but the way it renders takes some getting used to on the chefs part which may explain why some come out fatty and some not. There is not a better Kobe available in the United States that approaches this quality and relatively manageable price.

From A Hamburger Today

Manhattan: Joe Junior

Nick...amen! I completely agree. When I want a burger, THAT is what I want...juicy straight up burger on a regular bun. Yum! Great first post! Looking forward to more.

Hillary
Chew on That

P.S. I bet you HATE the idea of the $170 burger in London from Burger King...

From A Hamburger Today

Manhattan: Joe Junior

Nick,
I am so happy to see someone reviewing that has so much knowledge in beef and burgers. 2 THUMBS UP! Gonna have to go to Joes real soon.

MayaMo

From A Hamburger Today

Manhattan: Joe Junior

Nick,

I am a retired restaurant owner, and your comments about burgers are right on the mark. Keep it simple stupid.........I made a fortune selling burgers in 8 restaurants making them the way you like them.......ground chuck (no more than 80% lean), toasted bun, and american cheese along with great crispy fries, and a setup (tomato, lettuce, and onion) on request only. All burgers were served medium rare unless requested otherwise.

Ed

From A Hamburger Today

Manhattan: Joe Junior

Well done, Nick. Like a previous poster mentioned, I share your opinions regarding simplicity in a burger, but you articulate it prefectly. I'm looking forward to more of your reviews.

From A Hamburger Today

Manhattan: Joe Junior

well written, sir along with some fine photos as stated above! welcome.

From A Hamburger Today

Manhattan: Joe Junior

Thanks for a very warm welcome everybody, I am glad to be here.

@ foodinmouth I think that the rankings would be quite different if one subtracted veggies from the equation. Personally I have been eschewing adornments lately to get closer to the burgers soul.

@thewnyc We would love to know your impressions if you do make it back there.

From A Hamburger Today

Manhattan: Joe Junior

Burger porn at its finest, and meant in the nicest possible way. Congrats on a great inaugural post. I'm so craving this burger right now!

From A Hamburger Today

Manhattan: Joe Junior

I went vegetarian for about 5 years and my first meal, post-veg? bacon-cheese deluxe. awesome.

From A Hamburger Today

Manhattan: Joe Junior

Jolly good article.
Harry would be proud, .... & drooling.

From A Hamburger Today

Manhattan: Joe Junior

this place is across the street from my high school

i got caught many a time cutting class having a burger or omelette here

it has to be 30 years since i ate here

now i have to go back

From A Hamburger Today

Manhattan: Joe Junior

Its easy to judge a burger if its defined by various factors such as ingredients such as meat blend, cheese, bun, toppings, sauces and then by cooking methods etc. However it is difficult to judge a very basic burger with three basic ingredients.

Great photos !

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