BED-STUY'S GOOD BURGER

Although I haven't posted an entry in a while that doesn't mean I have abandoned my quest. My latest visit was to Brooklyn's Burger and Brew.

Before I left for Miami in 2010, I noticed that the neighborhood I grew up in was changing. Streets that I would strongly advise against traveling through to get to your destination were becoming prime real estate for quaint little "sip and chats."

By the time I returned from what I would like to call my mid life crisis, the "sip and chat" seed that was planted two years prior was now in full bloom. Corner boy pharmacies were now replaced by sidewalk cafes. Bed-Stuy Brooklyn was now the new SOHO.

I'm sorry, this blog is supposed to be about turkey burgers. Sometimes the love affair I have with "My Bed-Stuy" causes me to loose focus.

So, where was I? That's right, I was supposed to be talking about Brooklyn's Burger and Brew. My friend Henry Butler told me about a burger joint that he was opening with two of his partners on Ralph Avenue in Bed-Stuy.

“RALPH AVENUE?!” I thought to myself. “ARE YOU CRAZY?!"

You have to understand the nature of Ralph Avenue, as I knew it growing up. I wouldn't say it was bad but it damn sure wasn't a place I wanted to get caught standing still for longer than two minutes. Anyhow, Henry bragged about his new spot and how their turkey burgers would be the best in Brooklyn. If I had a nickel for every time I heard this, I'd be rich.

So after weeks of him inviting me to try his spot, I decided to take him up on his offer. I ordered a turkey burger and took my first bite. I must say I was pleasantly surprised. The burger was well made, perfectly seasoned and extremely moist, which is no easy task.

Although the price was not reasonable at $8.50, (with out fries, $9.10 with tax) the waitress was pleasant, prompt and the atmosphere even made me forget that I was on Ralph Avenue.

Good job Henry! You might just have the most expensive best tasting turkey burger in Brooklyn after all.

Best Little Waffle House In Oak Bluffs

If you ever have the pleasure of vacationing on Martha's Vineyard in the Summertime there are a few things you must do; visit the Inkwell, eat some chocolate from Chilmark Chocolates, have some pastry from the Black Dog Bakery and wait over an hour for a table at Linda Jean’s for breakfast.

Every time I visit the island I make it my business to have breakfast at Linda Jeans on Circuit Ave in Oak Bluffs. I hate to admit it but I think I found a place that makes a better waffle than Mike's.

Recently I spent some time on Martha's Vineyard. I was fortunate to have my film “Saving Malcolm” screened at the 2012 Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival. So I decided meet a few friends for breakfast. Although I haven't been to Linda Jean’s in over 3 year, I vaguely recalled they made a very good waffle, so I had to see if my memory served me correctly.

I ordered my regular; Two eggs soft scrambled with cheese, turkey sausage and that's right a waffle.

Although they make a great waffle, turkey seemed to be off limits in this part of the world. Everything was either beef or pork, so I had to do without my turkey.

The first bite into the waffle brought back shades of happy days on Martha’s Vineyard. Immediately every waffle I ever ate ran through my taste buds. I started to feel guilty for liking this waffle as much as much as I did. I tried to compare it to Mike’s in Brooklyn and The Bookstore In The Grove but I couldn't. The truth is they are all the best.

When I'm in Miami on Sundays The Bookstore in the grove is the place to be, when I'm in Brooklyn then I have to have Mike's and when I'm in Oak Bluffs Linda Jean’s is where I get it in.

I can’t wait to get back on that ferry to Oak Bluffs because I know I’ll be at Linda Jean’s the next morning.

The LOKAL's Got Turkey Burgers

As you all know by now I kinda like to eat turkey burgers and waffles. About 6 months ago a new burger joint opened in Coconut Grove, Miami called Lokal.  Before the opening the owner Matthew Kuscher boasted to me everyday about all of the exotic burgers that his restaurant will be making.  I was not impressed because I didn’t hear a peep about turkey burgers.

I informed him that the only way he could get me to come into his spot was to add turkey burgers to the menu. And the only way to get me to come back is if those burgers are good.

A few weeks after the opening the Matthew came back to me to let me know that he was adding turkey burgers to the menu. From that moment on, everyday he saw me he would tell me how good his turkey burgers are. Finally after about 5 months I decided to give his place a shot.

When I stepped inside I was slightly offended by the décor. It felt like it was designed by a wanna be kid trying to give off a New York hip-hop vibe. Although the walls were full of graffiti and the bar was covered with old cassette tapes neither the staff nor the patrons were interested in having any hip hoppers or its follower hanging around.

I placed my order and waited for my burger. I was very uncomfortable during my 15-minute wait. Maybe it was because the wait staff was dressed like neo-Nazi skinheads, clad in their red Doc Martens combat boots, blue jeans, red suspenders and black t-shirts. Or maybe it was the unfriendliness of everyone in the restaurant.

I took my burger home so I could enjoy it in peace. Surprisingly enough the burger was pretty good. It wasn’t as great as Matthew promised it would be but it was arguably the sixth best burger that I’ve had so far and the third best in Miami to date.

 

I must say although I’m not to crazy about the atmosphere and I will never sit down in Lokal to have a burger, I will however order one to go if I’m not in the mood for Johnny Rockets. 

The last time I was in Lokal the owner told me that they would be adding chicken and waffles to the menu. Maybe next they should consider adding a personality and hospitality as well.

The Case Of The Red Velvet Waffle

On one of my many trips to the big Apple (NYC) my good friend Lamont introduced me to a new restaurant in Brooklyn called SoCo. He insisted that I give this place a try. He went on and on about its atmosphere and the kind of people that it attracts… blah, blah, blah. “It’s your kind of place,” he said. But then he mentioned the magic word… “Waffle!”

He told me about their Red Velvet Chicken and Waffle meal. I was suddenly interested. So with out delay I made my way over to SoCo to further investigate this so called Red Velvet Waffle.

The thought of this never before seen Red Velvet Waffle rented so much space in my brain that I almost did not notice the well-dressed doorman holding the door for me as I entered the restaurant. There was a slight 20-minute wait before I would be face to face with this so-called Red Velvet Waffle. I didn’t mind too much I was in good company and was catching up with a very good friend.

As I waited to be seated I took the time to case the joint. All that I was told was true. The atmosphere was great and there was an eclectic group of people ranging from the young to the old and players to Politian’s. Yup! My kind of spot.

All was well until it was time to be seated. It took over 5 minutes before the waiter would come over and do me a favor by taking my order and allowing me to ask for a glass of water.

Naturally I ordered the waffle.

When my meal arrived I was quite impressed. It really was a Red Velvet Waffle. Once again I hunted down my waiter that I was clearly disturbing from his conversation at the bar, to ask him for some butter.

After getting my waffle all dressed up for the dance, I took my first bite. Immediately there was a taste that exploded in my mouth, but it wasn’t the waffle.  It was the shot of brandy mix with the syrup that added a delightful kick to the meal.

The chicken was small, dry and rather bland. For a Southern eatery it could have used more seasoning. I could have done without it. The waffle itself was better than what I expected. I was just a tad dry but never the less very good. Surely it is not something that I will run to every morning like the waffles over Mike's Coffee Shop but I still rank it in my top 5 so far.

As I was leaving the waiter had the audacity to question why I didn’t tip him. Half way through my laundry list of complaints he got the picture and “slunked” away.

All and all it was a fair to good experience. I found $18 to be a bit pricy for chicken and waffles but what do I know, I’m just a cat that likes turkey burgers and waffles.

SoCo is located at 509 Myrtle Ave, Brooklyn, NY  11201 (718) 783-1936

Best Waffle House In Brooklyn

Okay, so I cheated.

  Chicken and waffles from Mike's 

Recently, I took a trip to New York City to shoot a video for my friend, Johnny Famous. While I was in New York me and another friend (Andrew) stopped in on my favorite watering hole, “Mike's Coffee Shop,” for a bite to eat.

You know Mike’s… the place that I always claim to make the best waffle on the East Cost. Half of me was just looking for a good waffle, but the other half was trying to figure out if that great tasting waffle at Mike’s was just memories of the way I wanted things to be or was it true.

Wrong!

Mike’s, hands down has the best tasting waffles I've ever eaten in my life to this point. Point blank period!

From the moment I put that waffle in my mouth I felt like I was in heaven. I am totally convinced that Mike's has the recipe for the best waffle I ever had. People watched in admiration as I enjoyed my two eggs soft scrambled with cheese, turkey sausage and the ever-popular waffle. I savored every bite not knowing when I would be able to bask in culinary its delight again.

My entire meal only cost $12 including a satisfying glass of orange juice. You can’t beat that, A great meal at a great price.

People waiting out side of Mike's Coffee Shop in Brooklyn

People would line up in the biter cold or extreme heat for hours just to have a seat and enjoy a 30-minute meal at Mike's Coffee Shop in Brooklyn.

I recently found out that there are two Mike's in Brooklyn. One is Mike's Dinner on Utica Av and the other is Mike's Coffee Shop on DeKalb. Let me be clear... I'm talking about the Mike's Coffee Shop.

Turkey Burgers and Cookies?

You all know that I have been on my hunt for the best turkey burger and waffle in Miami for quite some time. I thought I found the best turkey burger at Johnny Rockets... Yeah, yeah I know Johnny Rockets is a fast food chain but they make a damn good turkey burger.

Every Thursday evening I would go to The Cookie Lady located on the corner of Grand Av and Douglass Road in Coconut Grove, Miami to get the best tasting chicken sandwich ever.

You hear me, EVER!

The owner, Miss Keri Jo personally prepares every meal. I don't know if it's all of the love that Miss Keri Jo puts into her meals, if her recipes are just that good or a combination of the two, but she serves up some of the best meals I've had since I've been in Miami.

On this particular day she was all out of chicken sandwiches and offered me a turkey burger instead. I really had my heart set on that chicken sandwich.  Slightly disappointed I ordered the turkey burger with cheese that came with a side order of French fries. 

WOW!

For just $8.50 I had the biggest, most satisfying turkey burger since I started looking over a year ago. I thought to myself with just a little more seasoning this could be the best turkey burger I’ve ever had. This burger was so large that I was only capable of eating 3/4 of it and half the fries. My taste buds wanted to continue but my belly was at its limit.

Reluctantly I had to end my meal only to dream of the next time I can order one of the best turkey burgers in Miami... Curtsy of the Cookie Lady.

Waffles Made by The Book

O.K. So it has been a minute since I checked in. Along with hunting down a decent turkey burger or waffle in Miami, I still have to make a living so I can pay for them once I find them.

This leads me to the nature of this entry. I am proud to announce that I have finally found a spot where I can get a real waffle just the way I like it. Two real eggs soft scrambled with cheese… makes my mouth drip just thinking about it.

I had to travel all the way to Coconut Grove. The funny part is I found it at the most unsuspecting place in the Grove. No it wasn’t at The Ritz Carlton where they boast about their fancy $45 brunch. I said to myself for $45 they have to know how to make a great waffle.

WRONG!

I tell you they put everything in the waffle except the waffle. I must say, although the waffle sucked the service and the atmosphere was on the money.

No it wasn’t at any of the so-called 5 star restaurants in Coconut Grove (Remind me to tell you about these restaurants later).

The best waffle I had in Miami so far came from a bookstore. That’s right, you heard me… a bookstore. Every Sunday, The Bookstore In The Grove fires up the waffle maker and serves up the goods.

So far so good, I found a spot to enjoy my waffles. Only one problem it’s only once a week. Oh well at least it’s a start.