Now Serving: Boardwalk Fresh Burgers and Fries

At some point last week, I found myself near Arbutus. Or was it Halethorpe. Maybe it was Catonsville. I don't understand the area down there. I've even heard it referred to as Catonsbutisthorpe, and many other mashed up names. Hunger struck me, as it usually does, so I ask Siri to find me a burger joint. "She" points me to "Boardwalk Fresh Burgers and Fries". 

When I started this voyage into grilled beefdom, I said I would focus on independently owned, local restaurants and carry outs. And though "Boradwalk Fries" is a nationally recognized brand, BFBF has less than 20 locations, sporadically dropped across the country, including 2 in the Baltimore Metro area (the other you can find in Hunt Valley), as well as their corporate offices in Columbia. I suppose that's local enough for me. (Although, many of the same points could have been made about Five Guys burgers 10 years ago). It does feel like the company wants to brand it differently.

They really try to play up the beach theme, with fun but tacky stuff on the wall. The interior is large, and feels like a lot of unused space. It could just be not a lot of people in Halebutustville aren't eating at 3pm. But the restaurant is very clean, and it's reassuring to have full view of the grill and prep area. I spent some time in the food service industry, and have had hours of classes about food borne illnesses, and I know I wont get it here. I glance over the pretty basic menu (Build a burger, a few signature items) and I go for their BBQ Bacon double, because I'm a big fan of both bacon and BBQ.

Now, BFBF is clearly trying to establish themselves as a quick service restaurant. And the idea that the picture on the menu won't match the actual poduct you get is a tired premise, but for comparison sake. 

As advertised on their website

As presented on my tray

Not that this will wreck my day, they burger still looked good, but didn't have 2 layers of bacon or a seaseme bun. It was done in a little under 5 minutes, benefit of thin patties probably pressed on the grill. It does have a respectable amount of BBQ sauce, so I dab a bit on my finger before I dig in. It's very VERY sweet, just taste very thick. Not in a good way. Burger itself is a little greasy and a little dry. Bacon is the best part of the burger, no fat, crunchy but not burnt. I still can't get over the sauce though. I get to a bite that doesn't have any beef, and it finally hits me when my bite is more lettuce and tomato: The BBQ sauce tastes like French salad dressing. Like

Catalina style french dressing.

Now, I've read that some places actually serve bacon burgers with this dressing, but I was not particularly ready for this. Nor did I really care for the burger itself as a whole. On this blog, I may review a lot of restaurant and pub gourmet burgers, but this doesn't make me a burger snob, as I'll take a Dollar menu cheesebrger and enjoy it will still satisfy me. This particular burger didn't.

Please, not on my burger