Allie’s Adventures in Eating: two 8 two Burger
It’s no secret that I love cheeseburgers, in every way, shape or form. Sometimes I wonder if my love of finding the “best of the best” of this iconic American sandwich has surpassed my obsession with fried chicken–my all time favorite food.
Last week, I happened upon a tweet from George Motz, whose movie, Hamburger America, is legendary amongst culinary adventurists like myself. He mentioned a Brooklyn burger joint, two 8 two Burger, which was serving a Hatch Chile Cheeseburger, but they were only offering this New Mexico favorite for three days. I knew what I had to do.
Given that it was a very humid ninety degrees outside, Chris suggested we order a pair of Boat Beers by Carton Brewing. Dubbed as “an IPA for everyday drinking,” this beer offers the citrus punch of an India Pale Ale with a low 4.2% alcohol content. This ended up being a very refreshing brew.
Although we only came for the Hatch Chile Cheeseburger, we sampled other goodies as well. First up was the Boardwalk-style Hot Dog (1/4 lb “Shickhaus”) with Bacon and Cheddar. There was a resounding giggle when they brought this to the table, because the dog was so big. The dog had a nice snap, but it was a little overkill with burgers en route–the bacon had a great crunch though. Next up was the Lamb Burger with Herbs, Spices and Housemade Tzatziki. The freshly ground lamb was topped with sauteed red onions. I’m enjoying the lamb burger trend in New York City very much–these offer so much depth in flavor compared to a typical beef burg, and this version did not disappoint.
Last, but certainly not least, the hatch chile cheeseburger. I can’t count the number of times I’ve wished for a time transporter to the state of New Mexico, just to eat one of these classics. I first learned of this regional favorite via Hamburger America, but had yet to try one. This establishment spruced theirs up slightly with “two8two” sauce–similar to a Russian dressing—so it wasn’t completely authentic. The burger was covered in hatch chiles. After the first bite, I understood fully why these are such a popular topping for those who love heat in their food–our plates were clean in no time.
With so many burger establishments out there these days, it’s hard to keep up with them all. two 8 two Burger offers a Poblano Chile Cheeseburger that I’ll try the next time Chris and I visit. Keep your eyes peeled for the next Hatch Chile Cheeseburger weekend, however, as this was a perfect reason to stop in.
