Bobby's Burger Palace is open. Newsday has the word. It debuted yesterday at lunchtime in Smith Haven Mall in Smithtown, New York. It's the first location of what celebrity chef Bobby Flay plans to turn into a nationwide chain of upscale burger joints.
According to Newsday, he's using an 80 percent lean mixture of Angus beef for the patties. Peep the video on the Newsday site and you'll see that Flay, known for his way with the grill, is cooking his burgers on a griddle, which is fine by me—I think griddled burgers are superior to grilled. Obviously, his love of burgers prevailed here and kept him away from the flames.
In the video, you'll see that the interior has a bit of styling to it, with undulating light fixtures to match the wavy counters that patrons sit at after placing their orders.
Clockwise from top left: The cheese drawer, Big Brother Bobby is watching your cheese handling, Flay with the Crunch Burger, burgers go under a dome for part of the cooking, I'm guessing to help melt the cheese completely. Screen caps from Newsday video on BBP
It's a place-an-order, take-a-number system. After you pay, you get a plastic tent that you place at your seat, and runners bring your food out after it's been cooked to order. Chowhounders are reporting that burgers are cooked to medium only.
There are ten burgers on the menu, and the one that's caught my eye is the Crunch Burger, "a classic American cheeseburger topped with potato chips," according to Newsday. So obvious an addition that you never would have thought of it—at least I wouldn't have. Sounds downright brilliant.
Hm. "Bobby's Burger Palace"? I don't know about the name. It sounds kind of cheesy (melted completely, to Bobby's standards). It's also the kind of name that makes me think he has big plans. The kind of name that pops up in every city, on every block. Move over, Burger King, Bobby has taken over your residence.
I echo greenbean's sentiment...and therefore Nick's, too.
I steer clear of chips - no one can eat just one, Lay's or otherwise - but I have tried putting a couple of chips on various sandwiches in the past and it added an interesting taste and texture element. I think it would be a nice addition to a burger every once in a while.
The Bobby's Burger Palace website is so...understated? LOL I guess they'll be working on that.
Hopefully a review will be in the works? I eat vicariously through this website. Sometimes that stinks but think of all the calories it saves me.
Im surprised not many people add chips on their sandwiches/burgers nowadays. It really adds another level of depth to anything and the crunch is so satisfying. Even plain chips with some ketchup (yes, ketchup) is a tasty treat.
I love chips on sandwiches (especially if it's tuna or egg salad -something that really needs crunch), and I bet on a burger they'd be great, as long as they don't overwhelm the flavor of the beef.
I like adding french fries to my fast food burgers, but never thought of adding chips to the better ones. I add them to sandwiches so I don't know why it didn't occur to me before. Looks like it's going to be burgers with chips tonight for dinner!
I haven't done it recently but an elementary school favorite was a Bologna & Frito sandwich. The recipe is ... Fritos and 2 slices of Oscar Meyer Bologna sandwiched between 2 slices of white bread. Smush the sandwich a bit to break up the Fritos a bit and have at it!
Man, this would be 100% appealing if Smithhaven was as epic a mall as it used to be years ago. I know, I know, the outdoor promenade is impressive and all, but there was just more charm to it ages ago when most of the stores carried different stock.
Oh well, listen to me blather. Still, this is a magnificent impetus to drive out to Smithtown, if only gas prices were not so high. Maybe in the winter when things cool down slightly. Looks fantastic, though!
Forget burger chains. In Seattle go to Red Mill Burgers in Phinney Ridge area. www.redmillburgers.com.
"The best burgers in Seattle!" according to Seattle Weekly 10 years in a row.
Some faves are:
Double Bacon Deluxe w/Cheese
Two 1/4 lb. Patties, Pepper Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, Pickle, Red Onion, American
Cheese, Mill Sauce
Verde Burger
Fire Roasted Anaheim Peppers, Jack
Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, Red Onion,
Mill Sauce
Red Onion Jam Burger
Heap O' Caramelized Red Onion, Lettuce, Tomato, Mill Sauce on a Kaiser Bun
Bleu Cheese N' Bacon Burger
Crumbled Bleu Cheese, Pepper Bacon,
Lettuce, Tomato, Mill Sauce on a Kaiser
Bun
BBQ Burger
BBQ Sauce, Jack Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato,
Mill Sauce on a Kaiser Bun
Great fries too and onion rings
Lots of great shakes and malts: Boysenberry, Strawberry, Banana,
Pineapple, Peach, Mocha, Coffee,
Truffle Mint, Mandarin Chocolate,
Chocolate, Vanilla, Butterscotch,
Root Beer, Creamsicle, Peanut
Butter, & Chocolate Chip Mint
Of course, as a diabetic, I get a diet cola. *sigh*
The best "chip added" sandwich is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on pepperidge farm white - with a layer of lays potato chips. The extra crunch and salt with the sweet of the jelly - Ohhhhh.
I am wondering where he sources his beef? Is it clean (e.g. raised without the use of preventative antibiotics/growth hormones, etc.)? If so, I'd definitely give his place a try.
ps As per lo82070, potato chips on sandwiches, yum, esp. tuna.
Chips on Bologna W/ cheese and a slather of French's mustard. Now that's what I grew up on!
I also like it on Tuna, but never thought of a burger, but its got to be good. My only trepidation is the cooking to medium only. Could make for a dried out salty combination.
So I live in the next town over, and was curiously watching for when BBP would open - I had no idea that it was BOBBY FLAY until newsday reported it. So yesterday my friends and I decided that we had to go and try it out. As luck would have with, Mr. Flay himself was in the kitchen, overseeing and even delivering some of the orders himself. While we were waiting on line, the staff was talking about the line from the night before - around the mall to the JCPenny's, which is pretty nuts. I have to say our burgers were fantastic. Nice and juicy, and the toppings were perfectly paired. We all had different sides, and they all (onion rings, french fries and hot potato chips with bleu cheese sauce [also on the menu at bar americain]) were fantastic. The milkshakes were excellent, with fresh whipped cream on top. I even got to meet Bobby, and he was one of the nicest chef's I've met so far. The menu prices are affordable (7.50 a burger, 2.50 - 3 for sides). This is definitely a place I will visit again. Th
had my first experience with bbp last week. i got a large order for takeout - 8 burgers and 6 sides and had to wait about 20 minutes. it was very busy. there were 2 kids at the registers taking orders and even bussing tables to keep everything moving. it is not a big place and i thought the set up was sort of odd - half booths, half counter. i think they definitly need bit more organization at the front, especially when busy..people were stacking up on line and at the takeout area. not that the wait was bad, but its difernt when you are alreaday sitting and hav to wait for your food than if you have to wait just to order while standing in line. (one dirtbag refilled his soda while his friend blocked anyones view and walked out with the glass)
foodwise - its a burger joint. don't think of it as mesa grill...the prices are very reasonable and the food is basic and good. i personally don't like rare meat of any kind, so just the wee bit of pink in the middle of the burgers was fine. the onion rings were good...fries were the weak part - very dull - they need spice or crunch - something to perk them up....the 'hot chips' i thought would be spicy, hence the blue cheese dip, but i think they just mean hot tempature-wise, so by the time i got home, they were just chips. the blue cheese dip was good though - nice and chunky. the burgers were a decent size. we tried the crunchburger, l.a. burger, napa burger (all good), blue burger (very good) and buffalo burger (my favorite!)
the bottom line is i will definitly go back for the couple of burgers we really enjoyed, when i am in the area. the best burgers i have found yet are in a hole in the wall called 'american burger' in rockville centre - check them out!
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24 Comments:
Sounds like a road trip might be in order....
Nick Solares at 9:41AM on 07/16/08
Go Bobby Go. THIS is where he belongs.......on the road watching over his restaurant empire.
Boscompb at 10:12AM on 07/16/08
this site makes me wish i lived in NY
_greenbean at 10:18AM on 07/16/08
Hm. "Bobby's Burger Palace"? I don't know about the name. It sounds kind of cheesy (melted completely, to Bobby's standards). It's also the kind of name that makes me think he has big plans. The kind of name that pops up in every city, on every block. Move over, Burger King, Bobby has taken over your residence.
Laryssa at 10:31AM on 07/16/08
I echo greenbean's sentiment...and therefore Nick's, too.
I steer clear of chips - no one can eat just one, Lay's or otherwise - but I have tried putting a couple of chips on various sandwiches in the past and it added an interesting taste and texture element. I think it would be a nice addition to a burger every once in a while.
The Bobby's Burger Palace website is so...understated? LOL I guess they'll be working on that.
Hopefully a review will be in the works? I eat vicariously through this website. Sometimes that stinks but think of all the calories it saves me.
holdthemayo at 10:51AM on 07/16/08
Im surprised not many people add chips on their sandwiches/burgers nowadays. It really adds another level of depth to anything and the crunch is so satisfying. Even plain chips with some ketchup (yes, ketchup) is a tasty treat.
StarvingArtist at 11:11AM on 07/16/08
I love chips on sandwiches (especially if it's tuna or egg salad -something that really needs crunch), and I bet on a burger they'd be great, as long as they don't overwhelm the flavor of the beef.
lo82070 at 11:26AM on 07/16/08
i can't wait! this weekend sounds good to hop on the LIRR :)
in dubious batter at 11:37AM on 07/16/08
Original Lays was my chip of choice for sandwiches when I was grade school. I think a crunchy blue corn tortilla chip sounds great for a burger.
@Laryssa - I agree with you on the name, too fast-foodish, makes me think of Burger King...
SugarNSpice at 11:48AM on 07/16/08
I actually like the name. At first I thought it was a bit over the top, but it I think it works.
Adam Kuban at 12:05PM on 07/16/08
Bring this chain to Austin, Bobby!
ronzoni at 12:24PM on 07/16/08
I like adding french fries to my fast food burgers, but never thought of adding chips to the better ones. I add them to sandwiches so I don't know why it didn't occur to me before. Looks like it's going to be burgers with chips tonight for dinner!
KingBoo at 12:40PM on 07/16/08
I haven't done it recently but an elementary school favorite was a Bologna & Frito sandwich. The recipe is ... Fritos and 2 slices of Oscar Meyer Bologna sandwiched between 2 slices of white bread. Smush the sandwich a bit to break up the Fritos a bit and have at it!
RocketScientist at 12:57PM on 07/16/08
Man, this would be 100% appealing if Smithhaven was as epic a mall as it used to be years ago. I know, I know, the outdoor promenade is impressive and all, but there was just more charm to it ages ago when most of the stores carried different stock.
Oh well, listen to me blather. Still, this is a magnificent impetus to drive out to Smithtown, if only gas prices were not so high. Maybe in the winter when things cool down slightly. Looks fantastic, though!
First Chair at 1:47PM on 07/16/08
Forget burger chains. In Seattle go to Red Mill Burgers in Phinney Ridge area. www.redmillburgers.com.
"The best burgers in Seattle!" according to Seattle Weekly 10 years in a row.
Some faves are:
Double Bacon Deluxe w/Cheese
Two 1/4 lb. Patties, Pepper Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, Pickle, Red Onion, American
Cheese, Mill Sauce
Verde Burger
Fire Roasted Anaheim Peppers, Jack
Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, Red Onion,
Mill Sauce
Red Onion Jam Burger
Heap O' Caramelized Red Onion, Lettuce, Tomato, Mill Sauce on a Kaiser Bun
Bleu Cheese N' Bacon Burger
Crumbled Bleu Cheese, Pepper Bacon,
Lettuce, Tomato, Mill Sauce on a Kaiser
Bun
BBQ Burger
BBQ Sauce, Jack Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato,
Mill Sauce on a Kaiser Bun
Great fries too and onion rings
Lots of great shakes and malts: Boysenberry, Strawberry, Banana,
Pineapple, Peach, Mocha, Coffee,
Truffle Mint, Mandarin Chocolate,
Chocolate, Vanilla, Butterscotch,
Root Beer, Creamsicle, Peanut
Butter, & Chocolate Chip Mint
Of course, as a diabetic, I get a diet cola. *sigh*
Stushi at 2:29PM on 07/16/08
Red Mill is Located at N 67th and
Phinney, 10 blocks north
of the Woodland Park Zoo, next to Starbucks. 312 N 67 St
Stushi at 2:31PM on 07/16/08
The best "chip added" sandwich is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on pepperidge farm white - with a layer of lays potato chips. The extra crunch and salt with the sweet of the jelly - Ohhhhh.
Too bad it's not low-cal!
ohiogal at 2:58PM on 07/16/08
I am wondering where he sources his beef? Is it clean (e.g. raised without the use of preventative antibiotics/growth hormones, etc.)? If so, I'd definitely give his place a try.
ps As per lo82070, potato chips on sandwiches, yum, esp. tuna.
OliverRanch at 3:00PM on 07/16/08
PB&J with chips - that's sounds so good in such a devilish way!
@Adam - So Burger Palace doesn't conjure up visions of gooey ball pits and kiddies running around with plastic superhero toys? :D
SugarNSpice at 3:55PM on 07/16/08
Chips on Bologna W/ cheese and a slather of French's mustard. Now that's what I grew up on!
I also like it on Tuna, but never thought of a burger, but its got to be good. My only trepidation is the cooking to medium only. Could make for a dried out salty combination.
nhfoodie at 10:06AM on 07/17/08
@ohiogal - pbj and chips (I like Herr's) is my absolute favorite!
Rhiannon at 1:12PM on 07/17/08
So I live in the next town over, and was curiously watching for when BBP would open - I had no idea that it was BOBBY FLAY until newsday reported it. So yesterday my friends and I decided that we had to go and try it out. As luck would have with, Mr. Flay himself was in the kitchen, overseeing and even delivering some of the orders himself. While we were waiting on line, the staff was talking about the line from the night before - around the mall to the JCPenny's, which is pretty nuts. I have to say our burgers were fantastic. Nice and juicy, and the toppings were perfectly paired. We all had different sides, and they all (onion rings, french fries and hot potato chips with bleu cheese sauce [also on the menu at bar americain]) were fantastic. The milkshakes were excellent, with fresh whipped cream on top. I even got to meet Bobby, and he was one of the nicest chef's I've met so far. The menu prices are affordable (7.50 a burger, 2.50 - 3 for sides). This is definitely a place I will visit again. Th
kellogon at 5:14PM on 07/17/08
he is using pre-made burgers from Sysco. He is not preapring his own ground beef!
blitzjb at 2:22PM on 07/29/08
had my first experience with bbp last week. i got a large order for takeout - 8 burgers and 6 sides and had to wait about 20 minutes. it was very busy. there were 2 kids at the registers taking orders and even bussing tables to keep everything moving. it is not a big place and i thought the set up was sort of odd - half booths, half counter. i think they definitly need bit more organization at the front, especially when busy..people were stacking up on line and at the takeout area. not that the wait was bad, but its difernt when you are alreaday sitting and hav to wait for your food than if you have to wait just to order while standing in line. (one dirtbag refilled his soda while his friend blocked anyones view and walked out with the glass)
foodwise - its a burger joint. don't think of it as mesa grill...the prices are very reasonable and the food is basic and good. i personally don't like rare meat of any kind, so just the wee bit of pink in the middle of the burgers was fine. the onion rings were good...fries were the weak part - very dull - they need spice or crunch - something to perk them up....the 'hot chips' i thought would be spicy, hence the blue cheese dip, but i think they just mean hot tempature-wise, so by the time i got home, they were just chips. the blue cheese dip was good though - nice and chunky. the burgers were a decent size. we tried the crunchburger, l.a. burger, napa burger (all good), blue burger (very good) and buffalo burger (my favorite!)
the bottom line is i will definitly go back for the couple of burgers we really enjoyed, when i am in the area. the best burgers i have found yet are in a hole in the wall called 'american burger' in rockville centre - check them out!
sneem34 at 5:36PM on 08/10/08