Bareburger — Restaurant in New York

Bareburger has an extremely compelling menu, and I love burgers, so it was a sure thing that I'd hit up this Greenwich village spot. They have elk, bison, and ostrich burgers on the menu. And anyone who's read my blog knows how much I love a good ostrich steak.

Unfortunately I was a touch disappointed by Bareburger. The atmosphere is a little weird - it's very bright and is a big open cafeteria like space. I actually don't mind that it was big, but it didn't feel very intimate. I guess this is more of a personal preference and something I've come to expect from other burger joints in NYC, but I guess I also am a little uncomfortable scarfing down an entire burger in harsh light. It's a guilty pleasure so I'd like to think I'm hiding it at least a little bit.

But, down to the brass tax - how was the burger? It was... okay. I ordered the classic - just wanted to taste the meat with a touch of toppings. I got it with bison meat, and asked for it medium well. I like a burger with a touch of pink, but like for almost all of the meat to have been a little cooked. The medium well bison burger came completely well done. And, it wasn't that flavorful. I've made bison burgers at home and the difference between bison meat and regular beef is profound. Not here, unfortunately. The bun was a brioche bun and was quite good. The toppings were adequate. The caramelized onions weren't so much caramelized as slightly sautéed... But, it was tasty.

The fries as well were okay but not great. They were a touch soggy, and not super flavorful. The most damning thing, in my opinion, was the lack of heinz ketchup, or an equally good tasting substitute. They utilize muir gardens brand, which is (generously speaking) watery and unflavorful. I realize that their focus is on being all organic and if you're going to go through the trouble of having walls made of cork you're going to make sure you utilize organic ketchup. I get that. But heinz makes organic ketchup too, and it doesn't taste terrible. So... that's just a suggestion.

Overall I really wanted to like this place. I really wanted to be able to find an awesome affordable burger joint with a wide range of beef that was just tremendous. Bareburger didn't quite meet the expectations. But, I may go back to try...

Please Kindly Commend and Promote Waiter Adam for his Outstanding work ethics which are tantamount to that of a Professional. His Unique welcoming style of meeting and greeting customers with CPR (Compassion, Professionalism and Respect) is very much appreciated. Being a Jack of ALL trades is a quality Not everyone can have nor successfully display EXCEPT Adam. He greeted customers, cleaned tables, took orders, made interesting food recommendations and kept customers entertained and valued with his Humor, Beautiful smile and a I Love my job and most of all I Love ALL people attitude. Hand claps of praises are okay; however, a Promotion would be a Honor, Privilege and most of all a Blessing. Please also promote Wellington who apologized for making the shake watery and resolving the matter with a thick damn it’s delicious shake. LOL Last but not least, there is An Awesome Manager Tony who leads with Positivity, Integrity and A Style of Authentic Teamwork. Tony needs to be a District Manager just because he Deserves it. Little did he know we observed him assisting his staff wherever he was needed: Stocking the refrigerator, stacking clean glasses/utensils, serving food and most of all instructing us on ways to contact you. Such an Amazing Leader he is for complimenting his staff on a job well done. Nowadays leaders forget to uphold such a heartfelt duty. Whoever is reading this Please keep the burgerbare and bare ALL of the three above- mentioned persons with Exemplary Recognition. Thanking You, Two Blessed Sisters who left full from the delicious food, clean and spacious atmosphere and...

Kitsch interior. Also, the host called me bubbie or something in that realm. Not appreciated as a 50 year old man. Chair at table had water in it. I used napkin to clean up. I noticed that the fork had some sort of white residue on both sides of it. I placed it and the napkin on the side of table for removal, which never happened. Twenty minutes for a medium burger and chicken Caesar salad to arrive in a barely half full restaurant. Charged $6 for a drink that was incorrectly delivered to our table then removed. Another server tried to give us the credit card and bill for another table (same server that delivered the drink above). To add insult to injury, I was charged a free to pay using the QR code at the table that you are prompted to use. If you are vegan I can see why you would be gaga over the place otherwise there are much much better places to spend $66. Sweet potato fries were excellent even if the ketchup was a bit weird tasting. Bison burger had no flavor but blue cheese and other toppings were tasty. Brioche bun that is so close to white bread you may not be able to tell the difference. I will not be going back, but if you must go then 1) check your utensils, 2) triple check your bill and 3) stay away from...