22 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106 (map); 215-701-4883; nationalmechanics.com Cooking Method: Grilled Short Order: The veggie burger is good, and both burgers are a great deal during Happy Hour. Want Fries with That? Thick, crispy steak fries come with the burger. They're not bad, but I prefer skinny. Prices: National Burger and National Veggie Burger, $9; during Happy Hour, $6
Alex, my best friend and main eating buddy in Philadelphia, is a vegetarian. He's a good sport when it comes to aiding my burger quest and potentially facing a lack of vegetarian options every time I visit him, but I can only drag him around for so long before I feel bad for relegating his meat-free needs below my carnivorous ones.
That's why I was happy to see phillygrub's recommendation for the veggie burger at National Mechanics (named after the beautiful 172-year-old building it occupies, originally known as Mechanics National Bank). And hey, they have a regular burger too. We'd both be happy. We were even happier when we found out that during Happy Hour—5 p.m. to 7 p.m.—both burgers are discounted from $9 to $6, making for a great early dinner deal. Autopsy shots and more after the jump.
Both burgers come with lettuce, sliced red onion, tomato, and your choice of cheese. The National Veggie Burger fulfills the menu's description of, "Not your average veggie patty." Thankfully, it's the opposite of an unappealing lump of indiscernible vegetable/soy-based product mash; instead, it's a patty of julienned vegetables—mostly carrot and zucchini—in which you can actually taste the vegetables, flavor and texture-wise. It's not trying to be meat—it's just a tasty, cheese-topped (in this case, American) veggie sandwich. Alex gave it the thumbs up, followed by moans of fullness after finishing the whole thing.
Unfortunately, my cheddar-topped National Burger didn't fare as well. It wasn't bad, but it would've been better if it hadn't been overcooked (I asked for medium rare as usual), besides that I thought the meat was too densely packed. On the upside, it was well seasoned and was notably fat-oozy—just not enough fat to counteract the occasional dry spots. Near the end of my burger's life I went the open-face sandwich route since I found the top bun just a bit too dense and chewy for the patty.
While I wouldn't think of eating the burgers again outside of Happy Hour, $6 for an eight-ounce burger or veggie burger with more fries than you'll be able to eat while hanging out in a unique space is a great deal (besides that there's also a bunch of beers, but I couldn't rate them since I don't drink). I think most people have figured that out though considering how much the place filled up through the 6 o'clock hour.
I went there once, the service was unbelievably horrible on a Saturday afternoon. Not that it was busy, the staff was just busy chatting people up and we sat down for 15 minutes trying desperately to get their attention. Nice place, good enough food, but don't think I'll go back.
@thefoodassassin: I agree...fries make everything better. I love me some taters!
@YvesPaul: Our service was slow at first too, but I thought it was because we were sitting as far away from the waiters as possible (right by the window and door; I need my natural sunlight). D'oh!
It's nice to see that they put some effort in their veggie burger. Most places just take a Gardenburger or Boca Burger out of their freezer and slap it on the grill.
mmm that veggie burger does look good. i guess it's bound together by egg? and robyn, thanks for the "no disparaging comments about vegetarians." that gave me a little laugh!
Robyn--thanks for the veggie policy. But now I'm longing to go to Philly--yum, that looks soooo goood--a true veggie meal you can sink your teeth into!
@browngravy - yes, this is the old Revival. They've restored a lot of it wonderfully, and the beer selection is excellent. Last time I went they had house-made bacon-infused vodka. It was delicious.
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11 Comments:
I love the way Steak Fries monopolize the dish. Even a mediocre burger can be made exceptional with good steak fries. Go Potato!
thefoodassassin at 11:23AM on 08/20/09
Dang, that veggie burger looks good. Even seems to have a nice char going on underneath the cheese.
ratbuddy at 11:37AM on 08/20/09
I went there once, the service was unbelievably horrible on a Saturday afternoon. Not that it was busy, the staff was just busy chatting people up and we sat down for 15 minutes trying desperately to get their attention. Nice place, good enough food, but don't think I'll go back.
YvesPaul at 11:50AM on 08/20/09
@thefoodassassin: I agree...fries make everything better. I love me some taters!
@YvesPaul: Our service was slow at first too, but I thought it was because we were sitting as far away from the waiters as possible (right by the window and door; I need my natural sunlight). D'oh!
Robyn Lee at 11:55AM on 08/20/09
Is that Revival from days of yore? I used to...well, that was a long time ago.
browngravy at 1:07PM on 08/20/09
It's nice to see that they put some effort in their veggie burger. Most places just take a Gardenburger or Boca Burger out of their freezer and slap it on the grill.
Fatfudge at 2:46PM on 08/20/09
keep the philly reviews coming!!
i just changed my booze plans tonight to include this place--thanks robyn!
laurbelle2 at 4:42PM on 08/20/09
mmm that veggie burger does look good. i guess it's bound together by egg? and robyn, thanks for the "no disparaging comments about vegetarians." that gave me a little laugh!
nithya at hungrydesi at 5:35PM on 08/20/09
Robyn--thanks for the veggie policy. But now I'm longing to go to Philly--yum, that looks soooo goood--a true veggie meal you can sink your teeth into!
HeartofGlass at 8:10PM on 08/20/09
@browngravy - yes, this is the old Revival. They've restored a lot of it wonderfully, and the beer selection is excellent. Last time I went they had house-made bacon-infused vodka. It was delicious.
marianne215 at 1:30AM on 08/22/09
damn! if i had only read this before my trip to Philly! : ) how i need an excuse to visit again...
HerbyN at 1:17PM on 08/24/09