Our first cheese-infused "juicy lucy". Happily, Dusek's got the right amount of infusion, and the preparation held together and/or leaked out just as it should. Five of our 6 reviewers gave good marks, finding it tasty, surprisingly handleable, balance flavors, and well cooked despite the physics challenges. The bacon jam and up-to-the-task bun helped as well. We also like the ample fries, good beer/cider list, cool vibe, and attentive service. And, they'll give you a side dish of cilantro to share with the finicky diner. Still, one of us wound up with "a dried out hollow hockey puck" with some cheese, and all reviews matter. So, as near as I can draw from the disparate experience, you have an 80% changes of having a Top 10% burger. Low of 72; high of 93; average of 87.
Love, love, love: The "hush puppy" appetizers with shrimp. There was some debate about whether a real hushpuppy can have any filling other than cornmeal, but we were too busy chewing to get to an answer. Hot and tasty, with a delightful splash of hot pepper honey on top.
Hate, hate, hate: Why no real ketchup? Word to our chefs: If you're going to come at the King condiment of burger town, you better kill it. Here, the homemade variety underwhelmed; both too meagre and gross. Indeed, it was so disappointing, it colored our view of the remainder of the meal.
The burger itself: A mixed bag, sorry to say. It's proponents found it a tasty Slagel smash, nice handling, cooked to order, albeit a touch on the bland side. Fries that were "deec" and friendly, attentive service during a lunch rush. Detractors said "meh", focusing on the blandness and the priciness.
I think we'd all come back, but would order something else. Low of 75; high of 85; average of 80.
