Former AHT East Coast editor Matt Jacobs reviews three burger joints in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Nothing's perfect, but at least the veteran Bonnie's Grill gets 7/10 and newcomer Brooklyn Flipsters scores a 6/10, with the potential to get better. Other newcomer Corner Burger sadly only gets a 3/10.
Matty, if you're going to ever write for AHT again, we've gotta talk about Bonnie's! They use frozen patties and put too much char onto them and the buns. I can never taste the meat there, just the char from the grill. And don't even get me started on the fact that their default patties are spiced with cumin, etc.
Have to say I agree with you Adam. Bonnie's tastes too much of spice and char and not enough of the meat. I'm rather disappointed with the burger offerings in Park Slope and prefer to stay in my hood of Prospect Heights. Soda and Beast have quality burgers and I've heard the same of Tavern on the Dean and even the newcomer James. I do intend to try out Dram Shop and I know Five Guys is a favorite of yours, but I have had two merely okay experiences there unfortunately.
Dram Shop is also merely OK. I know George Motz is really into the Dram Shop burger, but I thought it was too salty and also just sort of boring. I'll have to try it a couple more times before really rendering a final verdict, tho.
Adam - Boring! You need some jalepenos on that burger! That's the only way I order one there now. Hey Matty - Love that shot in your review of the severely overcooked, dry patty at Corner Burger. Glad to see things have not changed since opening day. And Adam you are right about Bonnie's. They told me themselves that the patties come in frozen, and there's no place for cumin on a burger.
What the F? Bonnie's? I feel bad to slam a Park Slope staple, but it still amazes me to find it packed every time I walk by. The owner/flat top griller just KILLS those burgers with all his smashing and turning. I don't know why the servers even bother to ask anyone how they want their burger cooked. They're always done. Very well done.
Have any of you ever watched a burger being made at Bonnie's? Every patty is dipped in a spice mix before it gets cooked, which forms a slightly charred, spice crust. I ordered mine medium rare, and got it that way every time.
If you don't want the char, spice and crust, ask them to leave it off which they happily will. And check the specials menu, as they sometimes offer exotic burgers (veal, pork) usually with special toppings and w/o the spice crust.
I live in LA now, but when I lived on Garfield in the Slope, this was my go-to local spot for burgers.
This is why I'm glad I didn't ask for anyone else's opinion before I visited these spots. I think I got lucky and missed out on most of the spice rub. I did get one bite with it and it was...distracting. Should have mentioned that.
Still, it was cooked perfectly. The beef was loose and melted in your mouth. It also wasn't too charry. Maybe it's because they knew I was coming, but my burger was tasty.
I agree on the 3/10 for Corner Burger the cheese burger I had was not all that great and I also agree Brooklyn Flipsters 7/10... but as for Bonnie's grill I think they deserve a 9/10 the cheese burger with Canadian bacon is phenomenal!
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Former AHT East Coast editor Matt Jacobs reviews three burger joints in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Nothing's perfect, but at least the veteran Bonnie's Grill gets 7/10 and newcomer Brooklyn Flipsters scores a 6/10, with the potential to get better. Other newcomer Corner Burger sadly only gets a 3/10. 
10 Comments:
Matty, if you're going to ever write for AHT again, we've gotta talk about Bonnie's! They use frozen patties and put too much char onto them and the buns. I can never taste the meat there, just the char from the grill. And don't even get me started on the fact that their default patties are spiced with cumin, etc.
Adam Kuban at 4:24PM on 09/08/08
Have to say I agree with you Adam. Bonnie's tastes too much of spice and char and not enough of the meat. I'm rather disappointed with the burger offerings in Park Slope and prefer to stay in my hood of Prospect Heights. Soda and Beast have quality burgers and I've heard the same of Tavern on the Dean and even the newcomer James. I do intend to try out Dram Shop and I know Five Guys is a favorite of yours, but I have had two merely okay experiences there unfortunately.
ginsbera at 6:10PM on 09/08/08
Dram Shop is also merely OK. I know George Motz is really into the Dram Shop burger, but I thought it was too salty and also just sort of boring. I'll have to try it a couple more times before really rendering a final verdict, tho.
Adam Kuban at 6:19PM on 09/08/08
Adam - Boring! You need some jalepenos on that burger! That's the only way I order one there now. Hey Matty - Love that shot in your review of the severely overcooked, dry patty at Corner Burger. Glad to see things have not changed since opening day. And Adam you are right about Bonnie's. They told me themselves that the patties come in frozen, and there's no place for cumin on a burger.
Hamburger America at 8:33AM on 09/09/08
Really? Dram shop no good? *sigh* What's up with the slope man?
foodinmouth at 11:10AM on 09/09/08
How about Sheep Station and their Aussie burger? Anyone ever try that in the Slope? Or Alchemy?
ginsbera at 12:45PM on 09/09/08
What the F? Bonnie's? I feel bad to slam a Park Slope staple, but it still amazes me to find it packed every time I walk by. The owner/flat top griller just KILLS those burgers with all his smashing and turning. I don't know why the servers even bother to ask anyone how they want their burger cooked. They're always done. Very well done.
JustNancy at 12:54PM on 09/09/08
Have any of you ever watched a burger being made at Bonnie's? Every patty is dipped in a spice mix before it gets cooked, which forms a slightly charred, spice crust. I ordered mine medium rare, and got it that way every time.
If you don't want the char, spice and crust, ask them to leave it off which they happily will. And check the specials menu, as they sometimes offer exotic burgers (veal, pork) usually with special toppings and w/o the spice crust.
I live in LA now, but when I lived on Garfield in the Slope, this was my go-to local spot for burgers.
shred at 10:22PM on 09/09/08
This is why I'm glad I didn't ask for anyone else's opinion before I visited these spots. I think I got lucky and missed out on most of the spice rub. I did get one bite with it and it was...distracting. Should have mentioned that.
Still, it was cooked perfectly. The beef was loose and melted in your mouth. It also wasn't too charry. Maybe it's because they knew I was coming, but my burger was tasty.
capndesign at 12:03AM on 09/10/08
I agree on the 3/10 for Corner Burger the cheese burger I had was not all that great and I also agree Brooklyn Flipsters 7/10... but as for Bonnie's grill I think they deserve a 9/10 the cheese burger with Canadian bacon is phenomenal!
sebass at 6:50PM on 11/23/09