The Vitals: the spot: Kincaid's Hamburgers multiple locations in Fort Worth, tested at the Camp Bowie location the eats: Cheeseburger the bucks: $7 the full nelson: The most quintessential Texas Burger I have ever tried

It took me under a month of living in Texas to try Whataburger: what many Texans consider the quintessential Texan burger. Whataburger is also a fast food chain and carries with it the limitations of fast food, namely consistency and a quality benchmark that his hampered by a price point. I was completely underwhelmed. Some Texans would say thats because I'm from California and probably like In-N-Out. I do. But I also think In-N-Out is overrated and so is Whataburger. So where does one find the true quintessential Texan burger? Fort Worth TX comes to mind.

Kincaid's Hamburgers: The Quintessential Texas Burger

After a trip to Fort Worth earlier this year to cover the impressive burger scene, I walked away not only fat and happy but with a front runner for what I consider to the be the most quintessential burger in Texas: Kincaid's Hamburgers. Originally a grocery store with a full service butcher shop, Charles Kincaid began cooking up burgers made from steak trim. The burgers became a hit and by 1991, Kincaid's transformed into a full time burger restaurant. By 2008, Kincaid's Hamburgers made the pages of Hamburger America, Burger Scholar George Motz's book about the best burgers in the country.

The third generation of Kincaid's Hamburgers

When I visited Kincaid's Hamburgers, I met Jonathan Gentry, the grandson of founder Charles Kincaid, pictured above. Like any well run family business, Jonathan has been working at Kincaid's Hamburgers since college before taking over in 2021. He guided my burger order and encouraged me to keep it simple. I went with the eight ounce burger which like their four ounce, features a 73/27 Angus patty. Seasoned only with sea salt, not even black pepper makes an appearance.

Simple. Perfect. Quality burger.

The burger was tremendously beefy. Although my medium rare burger came closer to medium well, it was a juicy one, no doubt because of the meat to fat ratio. The lettuce, tomato and onion are all cut with a deli slicer, ensuring balanced topping texture, like a great East Coast deli sandwich. The only wet condiment was mustard and that was all I needed. In fact, going "mustard only" is a popular request amongst Texas burger purists. It doesn't hurt the pedigree that the pickles and bun, Best Maid and Mrs. Baird respectively, are not only Texas brands but Fort Worth brands as well. Texans may always love Whataburger but I know what makes a good burger: quality ingredients and care. Kincaid's Hamburgers checks the boxes while delivering the hallmarks of a good Texas burger: a burger you can wrap your hands around dressed with the basics. The best part is the burger only costs $7 - that's true Cheap Eats right there.

Best Bites in Austin February 2024

Damn I eat good. If you caught the Studio 512 segment you saw me rave about not one but two smashed burgers, Roman style pizza in Austin, a vegan tartare and the entire menu at Birdie's. Part of me thinks I should go on a diet right now but I've got even more coming from March. Now onto the best bites in Austin February 2024 edition.

#5 Best Bite in Austin: The Pork Smash Burger at Leroy and Lewis

The Vitals: the spot: LeRoy and Lewis 5621 Emerald Forest Dr, Austin, TX 78745 the eats: Pork Smash Burger the bucks: $10 the full nelson: The most unique smashed burger in Austin Pork Burgers are a seldom scene occurrence and for good reason: they are difficult to pull off. Years ago I raved about a great pork burger in Austin at the now closed Noble Pig Sandwich Company. The success of that burger was a well orchestrated balancing act of flavors that kept the pork burger from turning into a Jimmy Dean breakfast sausage fest. In 2024 I found another successful Pork Burger, this time at the new LeRoy and Lewis: a magnificent new brick and mortar barbecue restaurant in South Austin. The pork patty is made from a cross of Berkshire and Red Wattle pigs from Peaceful Pork farms. The garnish is classic Texas: yellow mustard and raw white onion. The thick slice of tomato is salted in advance, a chef's kiss from Chef Evan LeRoy whose resume includes fine dining in NYC along with many years of making barbecue. Today he is making fine dining barbecue that will make you rethink burgers as a beef only club.

#4 Best Bite in Austin: Roman Style Pizza at Baldinucci Pizza Romana

The Vitals: the spot: Baldinucci Pizza 3300 Bee Cave Rd #110, West Lake Hills, TX 78746 the eats: Roman pizza by the slice the bucks: $7 a slice the full nelson: Rome comes to Austin at this pizzeria in Westlake Two things will strike you when visit Baldinucci Pizza Romana. The first will no doubt be encountering Roman style pizza which is seldom scene outside of Rome let alone outside of Italy. If you're like me and just haven't been to Rome in a minute, I'll clue in to how they do their "'za".  Light and airy like Focaccia bread, this pizza employs a Zero Flour which is imported from Italy. You can get whole pies but the pizzas are available by the slice for a mere $7. The next you will notice it the outright value. Each slice feels like two and frankly constitutes a meal. There are a lot of great pizzas in Austin but few make a better case for value. Pro tip: get the mortadella.

#3 Best Bite in Austin: Beet Tartare Tostada at Nixta Taqueria

The Vitals: the spot: Nixta Taqueria 2512 E 12th St, Austin, TX 78702 the eats: Beet Tostada the bucks: $9 the full nelson: One of the best Mexican dishes in Austin is Vegan. Really.  Nixta Taqueria is an Austin treasure. Not only is the casual taqueria a draw for locals and foodie tourists alike but the restaurant is committed to community. That sense of community was no doubt a compelling factor when Chef Edgar Rico was a James Beard award in 2022 for Best Emerging Chef. Success like that plus being recognized as Time magazine's 100 most influential people often mean success has gone to one's head. Not Edgar. He is still the jovial laid back guy I met back in 2019 when he and his future wife Sara were starting out. Let's talk food though. If you know me, you know I love the meats. Well, the dish I'm raving out at Nixta is vegan. And this isn't a holdover from my January resolutions either. I've been a die hard fan of the beet tartare tostada for years which speaks to the consistency of the kitchen along with the brilliance of the dish. The chopped roasted and chilled beets are intense like raw minced beef, the avocado crema is a luscious layer of fat and the dish as a whole is satisfying without using a single animal ingredient. I order it everytime I go to Nixta and you should too. Who said Meatless Monday only had to happen once a week?

#2 Best Bite in Austin: The Smash Burger at Old Pal Bar

The Vitals:  the spot: Old Pal Bar 100 E Market St, Lockhart, TX 78644 the eats: Smash Burger the bucks: $8 the full nelson: One reason why the coolest Austin neighborhood is in Lockhart A chef friend of mine told me a few months ago over a burger that the best burger in the state was at Old Pal in Lockhart. He said this to the chef of the burger we were eating. That's pretty bold. He also has a point. The Burger at Old Pal is smashed burger bliss and I have had my share of those lately especially in Houston last year. The burger is simple and perfect. The right ratio of meat to cheese to bun. A juicy patty with crisp edges. It's not too far off from what you might find at Patty Palace or Silver Medal but neither are this cheap. The burger at Old Pal is $8 for a damn double. These are like pre covid prices. If I'm dreaming please don't wake me up.

#1 Best Bite in Austin: The rotating pasta at Birdie's

The Vitals:  the spot:Birdie's 2944 E 12th St Unit A, Austin, TX 78702 the eats: The rotating pasta special but really the whole menu the bucks: $24 the full nelson: One of Austin's most hyped up restaurants more than lives up to it For the sake of this list/round up I'm focusing in on the Campanelle pasta with pioppino mushrooms, calçots, and breadcrumbs. If you're like me the only word you might recognize is mushroom and breadcrumbs. That's because Chef Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel ain't playing games. But don't think the dish eats too high brow. It is the epitome of comfort food. I thought the sauce was cream but it turns out you don't need it when you have good butter, parmesan, mushroom stock and Sicilian olive oil. Speaking of olive oil, Chef Malechek-Ezekiel is really into the stuff. She has a blood orange olive oil she pours over her soft serve gelato ice cream for dessert. If that sounds weird, so did Ben and Jerry's concoctions when they first came out. What those Vermont hippies and Birdie's have in common is resounding accolades. I could go on about the steak tartare or the perfect seared bass or the outstanding wine list but there is something more unique happening here: a counter service format that allows this fine dining experience to happen. The staff gets two weeks paid time off each year. The prices aren't cheap but neither is the food you are getting. This was most likely the best meal I have ever had in Austin. The cooking here is on par with what I would expect at the big name restaurants in Chicago, New York, San Francisco, I could go on. Or maybe I need to slip in Birdie's in Austin as a restaurant those cities should be aspiring too.

Skip to bottom for video and recipe

The first time I had a taste of a proper Korean BBQ I became hooked. Floored by the simple combination of soy sauce and sugar, I discovered the magic that is Korean BBQ: a perfect balance of salty and sweet that makes beef into meat candy.

A good Korean BBQ Marinade recipe is essential

If you have gone out for Korean BBQ you technically are halfway there to making Korean BBQ at home. If you haven't I will fill you in: you cook the meat at grills built into your table. The only step your missing out on is marinating the meat. And while that might require you to gather a few ingredients, it is well worth the effort.

It’s not just good on beef either. This Korean BBQ Marinade recipe will work well on chicken, pork, heck I'd try it on lamb.

A healthy grilling habit

While Korean BBQ joints are known for all you can eat deals, making Korean BBQ at home can easily be part of a balanced plate. Making your own Korean BBQ marinade recipe means you can control the salt and sugar, along with balancing the plate with healthy sides. I chose a small serving of jasmine rice and snow peas. Lettuce wraps would work well if you're looking to cut the carbs. Enough of the sales pitch, it's time for you to get grilling:

Korean BBQ Marinade Recipe (Galbi)

  For the Galbi marinade:

• ½ a medium onion cut into 1-inch pieces
• ½ of an Asian pear peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces (see note)
• 3 garlic cloves 
• 1-inch piece  fresh ginger, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch pieces
• 1/2 cup ( soy sauce
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon mirin
• 1/2 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 scallions thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
• 1 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds, lightly crushed
• 1.5 pounds (1.4kg) flanken-style beef short ribs

Directions

1. For the marinade: Combine onion, Asian pear, garlic, and ginger in the bowl of a food processor and process to a coarse purée, scraping down sides of food processor bowl as needed, about 30 seconds. Stop processor and add soy sauce, water, brown sugar, mirin, and black pepper to food processor bowl. Continue processing until liquids and sugar are well-combined with vegetables, 15 to 30 seconds longer. Transfer mixture to a medium bowl, and stir in scallions, sesame oil, and sesame seeds.
2. Place beef in a gallon zipper-lock bag or large baking dish, and pour marinade over the short ribs. Toss to evenly distribute the marinade, then seal bag, removing as much air as possible (if using baking dish, wrap tightly with plastic wrap). Transfer short ribs to refrigerator, and marinate for at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours.
3. Light Hero Grill, oil grate with canola oil
4. Remove short ribs from marinade and wipe off excess. Grill ribs till a deep char appears. These taste fine, if not better, cooked through

  https://www.tiktok.com/@alikhaneats/video/7347335911106956590

Skip to bottom for video and recipe

After my recent trip to Fort Worth Texas, I encountered an amazing take on a Jalapeño Popper Burger. At Pearl Snap Kolaches, the approach is to deconstruct the key elements of a bacon wrapped jalapeño popper and layer them as toppings on a burger. But hey, seeing is believing so why don't I just show you:

Pearl Snap Kolache's Jalapeño Popper Burger

That bun is a looker isn't it? This burger is really smart about incorporating the flavor elements of the Jalapeño Popper. A cream cheese and shredded cheese blend mixed with chives serve as the cheese on this cheeseburger. Add a couple strips of crisp bacon and grilled jalapeños and you have all the elements of a Jalapeño Popper on a burger. Sure you could go the stuffed burger route or even make jalapeño poppers in an air fryer and put them on top of your burger but that not only makes for a potentially messier burger experience but adds a lot more work than is needed. "Easier" is the one seasoning every home cook can agree on. Speaking of easier, try this:

Boursin Cheese

This stuff is the hack you need when making a Jalapeño Popper Burger. Skip the step of mincing chives and blending it cream cheese and cut slab of Boursin off for your burger. I like to bring it to room temp so it comes off melty on the burger. This step helps too:

Put the lid on

Using a Hero Grill means you will need to be a little resourceful when it comes to finding a lid. I used my 10" Cast Iron skillet. Not only does it trap heat to speed up the melting process on a cheeseburger but it traps in some smoke to  really capture that backyard burger taste.

Keep some napkins handy

For an ooey gooey cheeseburger, the burger stays together well enough. But that Boursin Cheese does have a way of getting your mug messy. This is a simple, fun and flavorful recipe to try for you next burger cookout. Recipe and video follow.

Jalapeno Popper Burger

Ingredients:

• 5oz patty
• Potato bun
• Salt and pepper/burger rub of choice
• bacon
• Boursin - shallot and chive
• Grilled jalapenos - sliced
• 1 slice of white onion

Steps:

• Form 5 oz burger patty, 4” wide, 3/4 “ thick
• Brush with canola oil, season with salt & pepper or burger seasoning of choice(my burger rub)
• prepare grill with a medium hot fire
• Grill to desired doneness - Im a medium rare guy, also grill onion slice and toast bun
• Add slice of boursin onto the burger while on grill?
• Place grilled onion on bottom bun
• Place burger on top of onion, jalapenos

Ali’s Fajita Burger Rub

• Ingredients
• 1 tsp Kosher salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp ancho chile
• ¼ tsp cumin
• ¼ tsp smoked paprika

Combine all ingredients and mix well https://www.tiktok.com/@alikhaneats/video/7336243141026139438?lang=en  

The Vitals: the spot: Nene's Taqueria 660 Degraw St, Brooklyn, NY 11217 the eats: Tacos (duh) the bucks: $ the full nelson: Legit NYC Taqueria 

(skip to bottom of post for TikTok video)

Nene's Taqueria got a big time shoutout by now retired NBA star JJ Reddick back in 2021 on his podcast. Riddick went out of his way to find Nene's Taqueria which at the time was tucked inside a little market in the Bushwick area of Brooklyn in NYC. Since then, Nene's Taqueria has expanded into three locations including the Barclay Center where the Brooklyn Nets play.

Nene's Taqueria Trompo

I knew none of this when I walked into Nene's Taqueria last fall. To be honest, I was looking for some Cheap Eats in Brooklyn and set the dollar sign on Yelp to "$" which brought me to Nene's. Having lived in Los Angeles for 20 years and now Austin for 8 years, I tend to stick my nose in the air when it comes to appreciating Mexican food on the East Coast. But I do know that any taqueria with a trompo or vertical spit, is doing it right.

Birría, Steak, Adobada, Lengua tacos

Beef Birría, which is a braised beef dish from Tijuana MX, built up the legend of Nene's Taqueria. It's offered not only in taco form but in quesadillas, ramen, pizza, as a plate and in its traditional form: consommé or soup. I went with a birría taco along with the Pork Adobada which is a Tijuana style Al Pastor, Carne Asada and Lengua which is Spanish for tongue. I loved them all. Each taco was generously filled with the protein of choice and topped with abundance and care. At around $4 a pop I thought the tacos were fairly priced for there size and quality. On a future visit I probably should try the Birría consomme, maybe even the Birría pizza because it is New York after all. Still it will be hard not to repeat this taco order. And that's the sign of a good taqueria: a perfect flight of tacos you want to come back for again and again. And for the record: JJ Reddick has damn good taste in tacos.

Or just watch the damn video!!

https://www.tiktok.com/@alikhaneats/video/7338468390664785194  

The Vitals: the spot: Hamburger America 51 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012 the eats: burgers the bucks: $-$$ the full nelson: A modern day burger throwback in NYC

(skip to bottom of post for TikTok video)

2024 has been a big year for burgers in New York City, with the opening of Hamburger America and Gotham Burger Social Club, both of which I visited last month(Gotham post here). Based on the views of my Instagram post alone, Hamburger America looks like a bonafide hit. Oh, and the burger was one of my all time favorites too.

The man behind Hamburger America

The one and only George Motz. I've been a fan of George's work for well over a decade. Starting with his series exploring the burgers of America on Travel Channel, his books and his series on First We Feast with Chef and burger connoisseur Alvin Cailan, George Motz might love burgers even more than me. And that is saying something.

The Classic Smash Burger at Hamburger America

Before I could even order, George made me this double smashed burger. Available as a single or double with beef sourced from Schweid and Son's, the burger can come full dressed with pickles, diced onion and yellow mustard. George served me this without any toppings beyond the cheese. Meat, cheese, bun: that's it. I was blown away. As someone who grew up on Steak 'n Shake in it's heyday(1980s-1990s) this burger captured the magic that was the burger of my youth. Simple. Perfect. It takes a pair to serve a burger with just meat, cheese and bun. You are relying on great beef and great technique. Check both those boxes at Hamburger America.

The Fried Onion burger at Hamburger America

The edges are softer on the Fried Onion burger at Hamburger America, as the patty is smashed on top of a slice of onion. That is the signature of the Oklahoma Onion burger and the inspiration for the Fried Onion Burger at Hamburger America. Like the pictures of burger restaurants across the country and even the decor, this is an example of the years and years of research that went into opening the Hamburger America Restaurant. You could say I had burger burnout but I much preferred the Classic Smash. I'm an advocate for cooked onions on a burger but they are almost as common as smashed burgers themselves these days. You would be remiss not to try both. I just have a favorite.

Milk and Cookies anyone?

Hamburger America serves up legit bang for your burger buck. That is if you stick to the burgers and maybe a beer, which is limited to an affordable $6 Miller High Life. But I saw too many people ordering milk and cookies not to shell out an extra $8. The cookies are sourced from a local bakery and . . . they hit the spot like milk and cookies should after two burgers. It's not essential but it's a way to end nostalgia filled burger meal. Keep this in your regular NYC burger rotation.

Or just watch the damn video!!

https://www.tiktok.com/@alikhaneats/video/7337359219571592490  

Best Bites in Austin January 2024

I'm excited for this monthly recap series. If you saw the segment on Studio 512, then you know my Best Bites in Austin of January 2024 went heavy on the barbecue, danced around East Asia and squeezed some in sugar and carbs. Like any good countdown I'll be sharing in these order starting with my number 5 pick:

#5 Best Bite in Austin: Artipasta

The Vitals: the spot: Artipasta Two locations in Austin TX the eats: Penne in tomato sauce, Tagliatelle in meat sauce, Cannoli  the bucks: $12-1$15 the full nelson: Affordable and Authentic Italian in Austin TX

Artipasta has long been on my radar, even before the South Austin food truck expanded to a second brick and mortar location up north. During winter break I took my son to lunch there as he is a true pasta freak. He isn't always an easy sell but he gave Artipasta the thumbs up and so did I, especially after I got the bill. This is as affordable as the bolognese is authentic. The only hard part is choosing which pasta to get.

#4 Best Bite in Austin: La Santa Barbacha

The Vitals: the spot: La Santa Barbacha 2806 Manor Road Austin TX 78722 the eats: Breakfast Barbacoa tacos, barbacoa, quesobarbacoa, you can't go wrong, bring a group and try everything the bucks: $5 each, two is a meal, three is a feast.  the full nelson: Hidalgo style beef barbacoa made into fashionable Austin tacos. Also my fav breakfast taco in town. Last July I said that La Santa Barbacha was my favorite breakfast taco in Austin. Well if  I look back at my receipts in January, not much has changed. On my food tours, La Santa Barbacha is a favorite, it just hits every time. The consistency the Landaverde family puts into their tender barbacoa and perfect, PERFECT scrambled eggs, is a straight up treasure.

#3 Best Bite in Austin: Brotherton's Black Iron Barbecue

The Vitals: the spot: Brotherton's Black Iron Barbecue 15608 Spring Hill Lane #105 Pflugerville TX 78660 the eats: Brisket by the pound, Brisket Bahn Mi, Boudin the bucks: $13-$20 a person depending on whether you go sandwich or plate the full nelson: Central Texas Craft BBQ in the northern environs of greater Austin  Sadly, we lost John Brotherton last month. And it was far too soon. After a medical event left him in a coma, the barbecue community rallied to support the restaurant. It had been a few years since I had been to Brotherton's Black Iron Barbecue so I gladly jumped at the chance to dine and support the family. The brisket is up there with some of the very best in town and the sandwiches like the Brisket Bahn Mi are wholly unique. The family can still use the support so throw your business to this just north of Austin/Pflugerville staple. Oh and the boudin alone made this a Best Bite in Austin, for life.

#2 Best Bite in Austin: Julie's Noodles

The Vitals: the spot: Julie's Noodles 8557 Research Blvd #110 Austin TX 75758 the eats: Xiao Long Bao(crab and soup dumpling), Pork Chopped Noodle Soup the bucks: $15 a person will set you up nicely  the full nelson: a divey Chinese joint that satisfies the itch for affordable & authentic dough driven cravings I first wrote about Julie's Noodles back in 2019. Like most things food related, prices have risen dramatically but not Julie's. This authentic hole in the wall offers up some of the best value in Austin. Chinese food like this is meant to be served family style so be prepared to share or be prepared to bring home leftovers. My son loves this place and I'm almost always down to oblige his request for a the chopped pork noodle soup. Who new spareribs taste arguably better in broth?

#1 Best Bite in Austin: La Barbecue

The Vitals: the spot: La Barbecue 2401 E. Cesar Chavez Austin TX 78702 the eats:  brisket, Chipotle sausage, Potato Salad, turkey  the bucks: plan for about $30 a head the full nelson: the brisket that convince me to move to Austin is as good as ever La Barbecue is forever cemented as a GOAT in my world. It was the FIRST taste of Texas barbecue I ever had(in the state at least). It was featured in my episode of Best Thing I Ever Ate titled "Worth The Wait" and I have been there countless times. So when I found last year that Leann Mueller, co-owner of La Barbecue passed, it hit hard. The silver lining is that the barbecue, especially the brisket, is still as good as ever thanks to Leann's wife and pitmaster: Ali Clem. Like the theme of the episode of Best Thing I Ever Ate, it is worth the wait but here is a pro tip: go on a Wednesday or do a pre order.  

The Vitals: the spot: Gotham Burger Social Club two locations in NYC(Manhattan and Brooklyn) the eats: Double Smashed Burger, Frickles(fried pickles), Chopped Cheese Tater Tots, Egg Cream the bucks: $8-$14 for the burgers, $4-8 for sides, Chopped Cheese Tots are $14 the full nelson: Smashed Burger Pop Phenomenon delivers a dream come true Smashed Burger brick and mortar experience

(skip to bottom of post for TikTok video)

A man with a dream smashed between two buns

Mike Puma is the man. For years I have admired his burger pop up on Instagram. I've watched the phenomenon grow and he certainly knows burgers based on his burger posts. Turns out the man can cook, actually not cook, but SMASH.

My first Egg Cream

Mike treated me to a legendary beverage of the Lower East Side: an egg cream. This iconic New York City Drink(at least according to Food & Wine) is a staple of Jewish-American food culture, and a nod to the historic Jewish neighborhood Gotham Burger Social Club resides in: The Lower East Side. Imagine a chocolate milk soda, heavy on the fizz. It was a nice change of pace from scoring one of the beers on draft. Besides I was on Dry January anyways.

Meet the frickles

If you guessed that 'frickles" are fried pickles, you clearly must have been an English major in college. Even if you weren't you probably can figure out that fried pickles are a good idea.  In the foreground of this shot was a dynamic dill heavy house made ranch sauce. Good ranch is a great thing and this was a great ranch which makes it . . . you know, like really good. I'd love to try this on some chicken strips.

I can't believe this only costs $11

Take in this $11 smashed burger. Consider the two 3oz 70/30 blend smashed burger patties on that familiar Martin's Potato bun. Relish in the spicy sweet pickles that are specially made for Gotham Burger Social club. There's also pickled jalapeños, a house burger sauce, and a drizzle of ketchup and mustard to take into account. Did I mention this is just $11 bucks? The burger was sauced carefully. The heart of it was the house burger sauce but the drizzle of ketchup and mustard was a smart touch. The patties are smashed with mix of shaved onions a la Oklahoma style but this burger is an NYC thoroughbred. Buns are buttered and toasted on both sides.

Curse you, portrait mode

It's hanging in the background but the chopped cheese tater tots were literally a meal on it's own. Bring friends to share that one but keep your focus on that burger. It's easily among my top 10 smashed burgers, maybe a top five. Last time I was in NYC I tried 7th street burger and while people seem to go buck wild for that(it's also cheap), I think Gotham Burger Social Club is on a whole other level for not a whole lot more money. Yeah, I'm pretty down for Gotham Burger Social Club.

Or just watch the damn video!!

https://www.tiktok.com/@alikhaneats/video/7329133840071527726  

The Vitals: the spot: Ippudo San Francisco 18 Yerba Buena Ln, San Francisco 94103 the eats: Akamaru (Tonkotsu) Ramen, Assorted Buns the bucks: $20 for ramen, $17 for assorted buns(3) the full nelson: ramen redemption more than three years in the making

(skip to bottom of post for TikTok video)

An accidental chance at ramen redemption

I was in the city for work: shooting my first project featuring food tech(burger food tech no less -watch it here and here) when I stumbled upon yet another location of this global ramen chain. Ippudo San Francisco isn't too different from the NY location I tried back in 2019. The difference was really me. I went in with high hopes to the NYC location and wasn't impressed. When it came to visiting Ippudo San Francisco in 2024, I walked in not only wanting to give the place a second shot but with a wiser ordering approach.

Ippudo San Francisco Buns

My visit to Ippudo San Francisco started with what I remember worked well last time: the buns. In 2019 I raved about the Pork Belly Bun. In 2024, I doubled down and did a flight of the buns. There are chicken, shrimp, pork and veggie buns to choose from. I did two pork and shrimp and they were still as good as I remember. Worth every penny of the $17 I shelled out for them. Ippudo ain't cheap. But what is these days?

Ippudo San Francisco's Tonkotsu(Akamaru Modern Ramen)

I've learned a lot about myself and ramen since I came to Ippudo NY in 2019. The main thing I learned is that I love Tonkotsu broth and that's what I crave when I hear the word "ramen". So that has become my benchmark and my wiser ordering approach: try the Tonkotsu. Back in 2019 at Ippudo NYC, I let my adventurous side let the waiter steer me to something else. That was a mistake. And I have learned from it. Like Dave Portnoy who judges pizza in his famous "one bite reviews" by only sampling a cheese pizza, I judge ramen by Tonkotsu. And the verdict? The broth was just rich enough(I like it creamy) and more importantly the broth had a lingering complex finish. On top of that, the pork chashu was the best I have ever had, including my experiences in Japan.

Ramen Redemption and the best Chashu ever

Yes, Ippudo San Francisco delivered ramen redemption and I feel confident that had I ordered that ramen at the NYC location I would have been equally satisfied. At least I think. Both instances I tried the chashu and while chashu is always delicious, the quality of the pork belly in chashu at Ippudo San Francisco was without equal. I might do some more digging but it might be worth noting that California passed a law in 2018 that just now went into effect banning breeding pigs to be raised in confined spaces. The best pork I have had involves the best farming practices and I wonder if the law helped usher the sourcing of better farms? I can't say for sure. But I can say Ippudo San Francisco achieved ramen redemption. And serving the best pork chashu I've ever had didn't hurt either.

Or just watch the damn video!!

  https://www.tiktok.com/@alikhaneats/video/7330323882206940462    

The Vitals: the spot: Easterly Hunan Chinese multiple locations in Bay Area(Berkeley location linked) the eats: Smoked Beef, Cumin Beef, Stir Fried Fish Filet, Whole Carp, Braised Pork Belly, String Bean  the bucks: $15-$25 a person when ordered family style, entrees are large and enough for 2-4 depending on dish the full nelson: Hardcore Hunan style Chinese

 

(skip to bottom of post for TikTok video)

Top three Chinese restaurant experience

And every one of them had a person ordering in Mandarin. That was the case when I went to Easterly Hunan Chinese in Santa Clara, just south of San Francisco. A review in the SF Chronicle described the Easterly Hunan Chinese as "hardcore". And I fully agree. Now I'll let the dishes do the talking for me.

Order family style

If you really want to explore the unique dishes and dynamic flavors of Easterly Hunan Chinese, you need to bring a group and order family style. The dishes are sized for 2-4 people and priced fairly I might add. This was for four people and we probably ate 35% of what we ordered. But then again I'm not really good at math.

Stir fried fish filet

The right combo of salty, spicy and buttery transforms even the most mildest of white fishes into a memorable dish. I don't know what particular fish this was but it was mild and a good option for even the timid seafood eater. This dish was recommended by our waitress and she even tried to convince us to stick with this and not order the whole carp.FYI that carp would become the showstopper dish of the night at Easterly Hunan Chinese.

Stir fried smoked beef

Considering I live in Austin TX: the capital of smoked beef you would think I've tasted it all. Then came this dish. The beef was dried to a point where it was slightly like a beef jerky but somehow that doesn't do the dish justice because beef jerky is gas station fare. Maybe imagine Mexican machaca but brought to life in a wok Easterly Hunan Chinese style.

Braised Pork Belly

Similar to Chashu or Kakuni, this sweet, salty, tender and fatty pork dish is a winter day's best friend. If I wasn't inundated with food I would have ordered two of these dishes. I know it's family style but Easterly Hunan Chinese is pretty generous with the amount of food served.

Whole Carp(forgive me for the low quality screenshot)

This was the dish which our waitress tried to keep us from ordering. Growing up with parents from Bangladesh, I know how funky river fish tastes and it's not for everyone. But with some strong flavors and spice . . . it becomes an enjoyable albeit acquired taste. At one point when the waitress saw we were indeed going to town on the carp, she came by to make sure we at the best part: the meat from the head. She essentially carved out the cheek and head meat tableside for us to try. We felt special. Thanks, Easterly Hunan Chinese.

Not pictured

Tofu, string bean, cumin beef and a wood ear mushroom and chicken dish. It was all wonderful. Easterly Hunan Chinese was one of my most memorable restaurant experiences and a reminder that there is so much food out there I have yet to try. Don't waste a second and try something not just new but something seldom scene and hopefully you have a guide like I did to make the experience at Easterly Hunan Chinese as complete as can be.

Or just watch the damn video!!

https://www.tiktok.com/@alikhaneats/video/7327666515862408490