Tag: burger

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Head to Ralph’s for Music and a Burger

The Burger from Ralph's in Worcester, MA

There’s something that’s oddly charming about a dive bar. The history, the décor, the clientele and the variety that you find can sometimes have your head spinning for days. While some might avoid the quintessential “dive bar” with a reputation of being dirty and catering to questionable characters, I tend to gravitate towards them. It is only in this atmosphere that you can have a melting pot of so many different individuals who come together from different walks of life, co-mingling shoulder to shoulder, having a great time, conversing and sharing a cold one. Ralph’s Diner is no exception. According the Ralph’s website, the diner was built in 1930 by the Worcester Lunch Car Company, and is actually listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was moved to its current location on Grove Street and connected to a 19th century-two story brick building that was originally a fire station.

While one doesn’t typically associate food with dive bars, it is amazing to find that Ralph’s grills up one of the best no-frills burgers in Worcester. We headed to Ralph’s one evening to catch some live music and we figured  – Why not have a bite at the diner? Sitting at one of the counter top stools in the dining car is a throwback to simpler times in it’s own right. Touches of chrome trim, worn and carved wood and linoleum surfaces show the age and history of the dining car. While it is dimly lit, a counter spot gives you a front row seat to see your burger’s preparation. For $8, you get a massive hand-made, hand-formed burger cooked on a gas grill no bigger than a place mat. The burger is served with American cheese, lettuce, onion, tomato (but not for me), pickles and a bag of Lay’s potato chips. The chef/bartender/jack-of-all-trades will even plop down a condiment cart with everything from standard ketchup and mustard, to mayo, BBQ sauce, and Sriracha.

What amazed me was that the cook was able to prep the burger and place it on the grill and leave for 6-8 minutes while she was off pouring drinks and taking additional orders, only to come back to flip the burger and prep the plate with the veggies. Normally, I would’ve been skeptical of the cook time; thinking that the burger would be over done or just overall poor in quality. That was not the case as all. After a quick toast of the bun over an open flame, the burger sat before me, ready for my first bite. The burger was cooked perfectly medium on the interior. The meat was seasoned nicely and had great texture. When I say that this burger is no-frills, I truly mean it. This was one of the best “plain” burgers I have had since the beginning of my Mass Foodies journey. It is “plain” in the sense that it consists simply of a bun, a burger patty, lettuce, onion, pickles and some BBQ sauce. It was basic…and it was wonderful! Sometimes too many ingredients can get in the way of each other and essentially ruin a burger. You should be able to taste the flavor of the meat and to compliment basic ingredients, which this burger readily accomplished.

Maybe it was the ‘Gansett on tap or good company, but it seemed like this venture on the path-less-taken was just what the doctor ordered. The live music was quality and people-watching never gets old in places like this. The eclectic decorations and well travelled floors ooze character that you can’t find or replicate without seeming phony nowadays. A dive bar scene is alive and well in Worcester and Ralph’s is a testament to the city’s rich history, it’s staying power, and how something as simple as a great cheeseburger will continue to keep the crowd coming back for more. If you have a favorite burger spot that you want me to check out, tweet me at @EDioufUC5 and maybe your suggestion will become my next burger destination. Until next time…

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The Black Sheep Tavern’s Patty Melt Burger

The Black Sheep Tavern's Patty Melt Burger

When you step back and analyze your life for a split second, it can be funny how certain things have come full circle. For example, as a young boy, I grew up on with friends on the baseball diamond, basketball court, and soccer pitch. We learned the basics from our coaches and learned the games that would help mold who we were to become. Now, as a 31-year-old, I have returned to the diamond. And just as it was back then, after we’re done with our games, we usually find ourselves looking for a place to eat. This is how I first arrived at the Black Sheep Tavern in Sterling. In need of some nourishment after a hard-fought and seemingly elusive ‘W,’ I found a perfect opportunity to sample Black Sheep’s burger offerings to see how their patties stack up.

The Black Sheep Tavern is a small roadside pub and restaurant that you would find in any small American town. With a gravel parking lot, a deck patio and an inside space that is fifty percent bar, you can tell that this is a watering hole of the locals. No frills and minimum amenities mean a down home experience with other good, hard-working people. With a menu consisting of normal pub fare like apps, sandwiches, pizza, and wings, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the Black Sheep had eight burgers on the menu. I know I can always find a burger with BBQ sauce or bacon, and a variety of cheeses; however, my goal recently has been to go out of my comfort zone to try something a little different. I decided on the Patty Melt Burger ($9.75). The Patty Melt is a classic burger topped with Swiss cheese, grilled onions, and Thousand Island dressing served on marble rye.

As the burger came out, I felt apprehensive about my choice of burger. But, my worries were soon put to rest. The burger was cooked to a light pink medium on the interior. I did find it odd that the restaurant chose to cut the burger into quarters, but I guess there’s a first for everything. The Swiss cheese was tangy, yet mild enough as to not overpower the other ingredients. The grilled onions added a charred sweetness to the dish. I almost wished there were more of them, as the bites sans onions were invariably less satisfying. The Thousand Island dressing was rich and smooth and added a nice kick. Still, I found myself wanting more seasoning or spice. While the burger was a tasty one, I felt as though the overall product felt haphazardly thrown together, as though the chef wanted to combine the best parts of a Reuben sandwich and a delicious burger, but forgot about the destination along his or her journey. The fries were thin and crispy, almost like those you might order at your favorite fast food chain. I do wish that the fries had been seasoned more thoroughly with salt and pepper and maybe some fresh parsley garnished on top. The marble rye bread was toasted well and added a crispy texture to each bite. I hardly even noticed that I was eating rye bread with my burger, which I guess is a good thing for me.

The burger may not have been as polished as others, but it provided a hearty meal after a satisfying win with my teammates. The Black Sheep Tavern is an approachable local spot with a wide menu of pub selections to cater to whatever you are in the mood for. The large bar and patio section is a perfect way to spend a late Summer’s evening. Hopefully, our team can string together a few more victories to close out the season so we can celebrate some more at this local watering hole. If you have a favorite burger and would like to see it featured, don’t forget to tweet me @EDioufUC5 and you might see yours next month. Where will my burger quest take me next?