Howie K.
Yelp
I've been cutting back on beef big time recently, for two obvious reasons, my health and the health of the planet. But between you and me, I stopped eating burgers in Burque years ago. For all of our talk of the reign of the green chile cheeseburger, the fact of the matter is that there aren't many great burgers in this town -- straight up. Before I reveal the very best of show, I need to break down the two tiers of my burger expectations:
1. Gourmet burgers: These especially pricey, can't-fit-in-mah-jowls monstrosities should feature and focus on the highest quality beef. Toppings and extras shouldn't dwarf the flavor of whatever grass-fed cow you've been sold.
2. Greasebombs: These are cheaper, the beef's nothin' special, but once your teeth sink in, this should be memorable, glorious, even.
I've been a fan of Tikka Spice since they launched a food truck in the midst of The Snap, and The Blip is seeing this brand grow exponentially, with new locations across the city. Randomly, they opened a shop at Salt Yard East, which has been converted into an event center, and the other day I bought myself a Duke City Smash Burger. People, let me testify: best burger in town. Two charred, salt encrusted patties, sauteed onions, melty American cheese, fiery chopped green chile and yeah, a fat fried egg, smooshed betwixt a soft deflatable bun... I was in the corner of the room, all by myself, a pile o' napkins by my side, quietly moaning with each bite. It's not as cheap as it should be -- it ran about 15 bones -- but whatever, you won't forget this meal, and it comes with some crispity fries that you won't finish. GO.