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…
