Category: Casual Eats

Whether you’re looking to enjoy a quick bite to eat at the bar or sitting down to relax without the fanfare associated with white linen and fancy wine menus, Casual Eats takes a look at all of the food that can be enjoyed when you’re able to sit back and unwind.

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JJ’s Mushroom Swiss Burger

Mushroom Swiss Burger from JJ's Sports Bar and Grill on Route 20 in Northborough, MA

Mushroom Swiss Burger from JJ's Sports Bar and Grill on Route 20 in Northborough, MA

It had been a long week at work. The normal adult stresses had crept in and made my brain the equivalent of cold oatmeal. Looking for a way to relax, unwind and enjoy some live music, I meandered down to JJ’s Sports Bar and Grill. I was looking for a familiar burger needed listen to some classic 80’s tunes, courtesy of local institution “The Flock of Assholes” to help soothe the ravages of the work week.

After a frosty beverage, I was in a better place to make my tough decision on which burger I would enjoy this evening. After perusing the menu, and passing on the “Heart Attack Burger” (2-10 ounce patties served between 2 grilled cheese sandwiches and all the fixings – maybe next time), I decided that the best option for me was the mushroom Swiss burger. This burger was topped with sauteed mushrooms, onions and like the name indicated, Swiss cheese.

Feeling as though I could eat a couple of burgers tonight, I was pleasantly surprised with the size of the patty when it came out. It was quite generous, and there was slight overhang from the hearty bun that they rest their burgers on. I had asked for the burger to be cooked medium. Unfortunately, when it came out it favored on the side of medium-well. Surprisingly, the over cooked nature of the burger hardly took away from its flavor and juiciness. The mushrooms and onions were a nice touch. The sweetness from the onion that was rendered down paired nicely with the earthiness of the mushrooms that I love so much. Now, when it comes to the cheese, I will admit that I am also not a huge Swiss fan (I’m beginning to see a trend for this blog – trying items out of my comfort zone). On its own, I find Swiss too tangy and bitter for my liking. In this application, I find it works well. It’s a hearty cheese so it hold up well and melts evenly when heated. One of the best parts about this meal though…the fries! They were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside…I don’t believe that even one was spared from the depths of my stomach.

As the band began to play, and I continued to enjoy a fall lager, I had a chance to reflect on my meal and my surroundings. JJ’s is a rather run of the mill sports bar, affixed with numerous Boston sport memorabilia, neon signs and rather cliché décor. However, it’s ability to host full bands, offer a dining area and two separate bars and have space for pool tables and dart boards takes it up a notch. I have been here several times and the food has always been consistent, never a complaint to be had about a restaurant with this attribute. As I listen to a stirring rendition of Rick Springfield’s “Jessie’s Girl,” I sit back and let five days of stress melt off my shoulders. Another burger in the books, another restaurant down.

Have suggestions for burgers in the Central MA area? Tweet me at @edioufuc5. Where will my burger quest take me next? I guess you will have to wait to find out. Until next time…

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Visiting White City for the “Jimmy” Burger

Jimmy Burger from Jimmy's in White City located in Shrewsbury, MA

Jimmy Burger from Jimmy's in White City located in Shrewsbury, MA

After my maiden foray into burgers, I wanted to expand my expedition to the area surrounding Worcester, and I ended up…in Shrewsbury. I know what you’re thinking; that I didn’t quite wander off the beaten path too far. However, with Worcester Foodies, we have been metaphorically handcuffed to having to choose restaurants in Worcester proper. So being able to stretch my culinary legs and expand to the surrounding areas in Worcester County, is slightly liberating.

With that being said, we are all guilty of having favorite meals, or favorite restaurants, or favorite drinks at certain places. I am as guilty as anyone else when it comes to this. One of my personal favorite places is Jimmy’s Tavern and Grill. Located where the old Bugaboo Creek used to be in the White City Plaza, this restaurant has always provided me with a comforting meal, while being a great value and always having consistent service and products…all things that make a restaurant great! If you haven’t been to Jimmy’s, you will find yourself in a comfy, warm environment that still has a similar feel as Bugaboo Creek, with a lodge-like feel with a massive stone fireplace in the dining area and other décor that is somewhere between log cabin and local pub.

With being one of my favorite go-to places, I am quite familiar with Jimmy’s menu and what is good. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. Some personal favorites include the fried pickles from the appetizer menu, the Thunderbird chicken sandwich and their decadently rich, buffalo chicken mac and cheese (out of this world!). However, when I’m craving a burger, it’s tough to choose a better burger on the menu than the “Jimmy” Burger ($10.99). This burger is served with bacon strips, cheddar cheese and to top it off, a fried egg! All burgers are served with their house made seasoned fries.

The burger is a nice, thick, juicy patty which is cooked slightly past medium (a little bit more than I prefer). However, the patty was still juicy and contained plenty of flavor and texture. Bacon on anything is great, but when it’s on a burger, it provides a great smoky, pork taste to the dish. The cheddar cheese is neutral enough that it doesn’t take center stage over any other ingredients, while still knowing that you have a slice of cheese on your burger. The best feature of the burger in my personal opinion is the fried egg. With a slightly runny yoke that breaks upon your first bite, provides a smooth and unctuous nature to the burger. When it’s combined with the bacon, you have a cross between a breakfast sandwich and a delicious burger…the best of both worlds!

With only 6 full-fledged burgers on the menu, there’s not a ton of choices. However, from experience, I know that you can’t go wrong with any of them. Once again, the perfect burger can change your life, however so small it may be. It might simply bring a smile to your face, or raise your spirits from a funk that your work has caused, to having a fully life altering experience where you found the one meal you could eat every day for the rest of your life. Food in general makes us happy, but a burger can be comforting, memorable, and delicious. Where will my burger quest take me next? I guess you will have to wait to find out. Until next time…