laikom wrote:Holy crap. Was that on the menu??

Was on the late side, I sat at the bar, bartender asked me what I wanted on my burger, I told him. Short while later burger pictured above was set in front of me. Was delicious, rare beef. runny yolk egg, one of the best burgers I've had in quite a while.

I had the porchetta sandwich, it was quite good.

Yes indeed, a very, very good burger.
We were in the neighborhood for a show at the Old Town School of Folk Music, and rather than our usual Spoon outing when in that neighborhood, we decided to try the other end of Lincoln Square and cross another GNR off our list.

We started with a Montepulciano for SueF and a Barritt's Ginger Beer for me (I'll comment on the Barritts in the Drink board, short answer, good but not my fave) -- the Montepulciano continued to cement my opinion that Italian wines are best suited to my palate.

This was followed with the goat cheese fondue -- a very generous portion of cheese with toasty rosemary focaccia, lots of onions or shallots in the cheese. Very tasty.

But we were there for the burgers. We split a Chupacabra and an Edmund Fig-Gerald. Both were ordered and received nicely medium rare.

The Chupacabra is listed as having goat chili, but it's more of a finely shredded braise than the saucy stuff I associate with chili -- and that's a good thing, as it sticks to the burger. Very tasty, rich and meaty, this is a winner. A little more spice and sour would be to my tastes (some citrus or vinegar in a salsa, perhaps), but this is an awesome sandwich.

The Fig-Gerald is also delicious -- the figgy bacon jam is a no-fail topping (reminds me of the sandwich at Floriole)... but I think I preferred the Chup.

I'm divided on the fries: I like the dark cook, but I'd have preferred a little more crispiness. Not fond of the house-made ketchup (I'm imprinted on Heinz), but the truffle fries were very good.


The verdict: Owen & Engine is beefier, and a more straightforward, juicy burger: if you want the pure essence of burger, go there. I definitely prefer BA to Kuma's at this point: more flavorful, not packed to the gills, and quieter.

had the hangover burger ,ham ,bacon.
loved it & the goat burger was very good also. i will be back

Hadn't been in a while and was happy to see some new items on the menu. I had quite possibly the best burger I've ever had there:
BLT & BC Burger……$10
St Agur double crème blue cheese, bacon, arugula, oven dried tomato confit on herbed focaccia bun

sloppy, salty, beefy, arugula-y...just fantastic.

My wife, from easternmost PA, was giddy as a schoolgirl with her:
Jersey Turnpike……$11
topped with Taylor pork roll, over easy egg, white cheddar, ketchup

Shasson wrote:
My wife, from easternmost PA, was giddy as a schoolgirl with her:
Jersey Turnpike……$11
topped with Taylor pork roll, over easy egg, white cheddar, ketchup

Now if they'd just add a "Scrapple Burger" - imagine that great burger topped with Habbersett Scrapple, done up nice and crispy, then finished with some carmelized onions, a fried egg, and the chiles from the "Slow Burn". Maybe I just need to bring my own scrapple.

Kman wrote:
Now if they'd just add a "Scrapple Burger"

brilliant!

A surprising highlight from our recent visit to Bad Apple: the watermelon salad. From the menu: "arugula, toasted sunflower seeds, pickled watermelon rind, vanilla vinaigrette." It was a great salad. I enjoyed my burger (El Chupacabra……topped with braised goat chili, roasted garlic purée, goat’s milk cheddar, avocado) but really loved the salad.

The GP wrote:A surprising highlight from our recent visit to Bad Apple: the watermelon salad. From the menu: "arugula, toasted sunflower seeds, pickled watermelon rind, vanilla vinaigrette." It was a great salad. I enjoyed my burger (El Chupacabra……topped with braised goat chili, roasted garlic purée, goat’s milk cheddar, avocado) but really loved the salad.

Thanks for sharing this. On my first visit there, not long after they opened, I had a salad that was frankly awful and have avoided the salads since. I'll have to give them another shot.

I have been silent for a while on bad apple, but take that as a good sign. The burgers have been ridiculously consistent, same high quality, same care of preparation. One thing which is changing is the sandwich menu, most of those I've tried have been great. If for some strange reason you're not in the mood for a burger, you should not hesitate to explore the sandwich menu.

Most impressive though, is one of the new burgers on the menu. "The Lengua Burger, $10 - topped with house smoked calf tongue, pickled onion, salsa verde, queso fresco". Maybe I was just in the mood for a burger that night, or maybe this is the best burger I've tried at Bad Apple to date, I won't mind a repeat visit. It was topped with a thick slice of calf tongue, the texture of which was not lost at all to the burger, but created a nice compliment. It was just a touch smokey, tender enough but with enough chew for texture. The individual flavors of the pickled onion, queso fresco, and salsa verde each standing out, yet not overpowering the beef flavor at all. It was a perfect balance, and a new favorite burger.

To repeat previous statements, the beef here is leaner, which is great, but very flavorful. It is a great blend, but order your burgers medium rare to rare or you'll be sorry you didn't.

Check Please filming at Bad Apple tonight.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

I really enjoy The Bad Apple, and I would hate to see what check please could do to the place.

Though obviously very happy for the chef/owner

Bspar wrote:NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

I really enjoy The Bad Apple, and I would hate to see what check please could do to the place.

Though obviously very happy for the chef/owner

I couldn't agree more.

Stupid name but a great burger. I'm extremely enjoying the corned tongue.

laikom wrote:Stupid name but a great burger. I'm extremely enjoying the corned tongue.

IMAG1594.jpg

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I've been wanting to try that since they added it. Thanks for the report and the picture - it just moved even higher on my must try list.

We paid our first visit to the Bad Apple last night and enjoyed it. For some reason I had imagined it to be the kind of place at which you'd have to stand around in a crowd for an hour before getting a table, and I guess this has been what put me off; but when we arrived at 7:15-7:30 they seated us right away. (Maybe the Bears game kept some people at home? I don't know.)

Just as pleasant a surprise, our waitress was at our table almost instantly, and service was down to a science the whole way.

I had a couple of Prangsters and the burger with goat chili and goat cheese, medium rare, and was a happy camper. My wife had the veggie burger and liked it a lot. She said we'll be back, which was music to my ears.

riddlemay wrote:We paid our first visit to the Bad Apple last night and enjoyed it. For some reason I had imagined it to be the kind of place at which you'd have to stand around in a crowd for an hour before getting a table, and I guess this has been what put me off; but when we arrived at 7:15-7:30 they seated us right away. (Maybe the Bears game kept some people at home? I don't know.)

Just as pleasant a surprise, our waitress was at our table almost instantly, and service was down to a science the whole way.

I had a couple of Prangsters and the burger with goat chili and goat cheese, medium rare, and was a happy camper. My wife had the veggie burger and liked it a lot. She said we'll be back, which was music to my ears.

As popular as the place is I never have to wait on a weekday and seldom on a weekend. I believe it is due to the fact that the place is so big. Though it feels intimate and cozy, including the bar area they have 3 dining rooms.

Went to BA this past Sunday evening (GF's recommendation, not mine). I had the BLT burger, and she had a regular with caramelized onions and sauteed mushrooms. While I always enjoy a visit there, I thought the burgers were better than normal this time, even though the wait was longer.

All in all, BA retained its standing status as a personal Top 5 favorite burger in Chicago, along with Owen and Engine and Au Cheval. Too many other good choices in the city, so I rotate the final two spots.

Usually I can't resist the burgers here, but the sandwiches shouldn't be ignored. The "schnitz" sandwich is damn well composed, and one of my favorites on Bapple's current menu. The schnitzel is made with capon, and is juicy and flavorful, unlike how breast meat tends to be. It is served on a pretzel bun with sauerkraut and mustard and topped with an egg. At first I thought the egg would be too much, but it helps blend the flavors together and its moisture balances the crispy schnitzel breading very well. I really dig this sandwich.

It has been a while since I've been to the Bad Apple and I have no idea why. Great atmosphere, great beer list, and burgers cooked to a true medium rare. The tapenade topping on my burger went well with the foccacia bun which I was worried was going to be too oily, but was not at all. I will be back soon.

I went to the Bad Apple Friday for lunch and Saturday for dinner. I had concerts at the Riv so it was a good place to kick off the evening(s).

I'd only been there once before and had the Elvis burger that first time. I couldn't resist getting it again on my visit on Friday. The salty and sweet with the crunch of the bacon just works so well. Fries were as good as I remembered them being. I got truffle oil on mine. I also had a southwestern salad that was very good too.

On Saturday I couldn't resist trying the jerk brisket sandwich. This was very tasty and had just the right amount of heat on it. The beef was done well with no gristle or fat to speak of. It was topped with a slaw but I had to skip the jalapeno cheddar sauce. Really good sandwich and really good beer on tap.

Along with the theme that Bad Apple is more than just great burgers and beer. They are now starting to buy and process whole animals in house. If this first effort is any indication of the future, we have a lot of awesomeness to look forward to. Currently they have a pork "snout to tail" special. Pictured below is the $25 "small" platter which is bigger than it even looks. The whole hog platter was $45, and I think the only thing different is that it doesn't include the smoked ribs, and perhaps smaller portions(?). There were 5 of us, and was easily enough of an appetizer for all of us to share. I was really surprised by the quality of the cured meats that were made in house. I had no idea the talents of the kitchen were that vast!

I was told, that if this goes well, they plan to do other animals, I was sold on the idea the minute I heard goat mentioned.

laikom wrote:I was told, that if this goes well, they plan to do other animals, I was sold on the idea the minute I heard goat mentioned.

yes, Bring it on !

A very odd thing happened to me last night (Friday). I showed up at Bad Apple with friends at about 7:45 . . . and we were seated immediately. I realize the outdoor patio was open, but I'm so used to waiting from 30 minutes to an hour or more.

More good news: another terrific burger, the Slow Burn, medium rare as requested (okay, maybe 25% above medium rare, but still below medium and terrific) and lightly packed. Fries, on the other hand, will never be Bad Apple's strong point.

. . . better than my last experience there a month ago when we were advised on the way to being seated that they were out of burgers.

"Which ones?"

"All of them."

Stop, turn around, walk out door.

This place still good?

Honestman-

knitgirl recently had the following to say on in the Best Thing You've Eaten [Lately] thread:

knitgirl wrote:The Royale with Cheese at Bad Apple on Saturday- trumpet royale mushroom, roasted shallot and truffle butter, arugula and gruyere. The burger was a perfect rare/medium rare and the fries (plain) were THE best fries I've ever had. A dark golden brown that stayed crispy. I am a salt junky so I added a little to the burger. The fries were perfect.

Sounds good to me!

Yep, still turning out very good burgers. The rotating Notorious D.O.G. sausage is usually a best bet as well. My only quibble is the water glasses they use smell like a hot, hot dishwasher.

I also had the Chicago Caprese about 6 weeks ago which included giardiniera, oven dried tomato, basil pecan pesto and fresh mozzarella. Took that one to go in a rainstorm and it was still delicious by the time I got home.

KevinM wrote:Yep, still turning out very good burgers. The rotating Notorious D.O.G. sausage is usually a best bet as well. My only quibble is the water glasses they use smell like a hot, hot dishwasher.

Next time opt for the $7.50 Clean Water Glass Service.

It's well worth it.