This Ain't No Bull

 Greetings, Readers!

While my first day or two back in Pennsylvania wasn't exactly chilly, considering the fact it was December, by the time of my second sandwich stop, it was downright frigid.

Heading into Croydon on a cold Monday evening, we stopped by a small pub called the Dog and Bull House.


Standing right next to the local train stop, The Dog and Bull just oozes atmosphere. The restaurant is small and cramped, a little dim with low ceilings, but really on a cold night when you want good food and a high ABV beer, you couldn't ask for a better place.

After settling in with some fantastic beer from The Bruery, I ordered the Black and Blue Burger. Granted the suggestion is to drink a nice IPA with this sandwich, but on this cold night, nothing but a 9% or higher beer will do.

The burger, a thick beef patty, comes topped with blackened seasoning, blue cheese crumbles, all topped with sauteed mushrooms and onions between two sides of a toasted bun.

The sandwich was flavorful, the beef patty incredibly juicy and savory. The blue cheese brought a little funk, smoke and contrast to the overall savory flavor of the burger. The mushrooms and onions were cooked to perfection providing mild flavors of their own while also bringing a textural pop and bite to the sandwich.

Overall, The Dog and Bull provides excellent food complemented with fantastic beers. If you're in the Croydon area, you should definitely stop by. It might be an even better visit for you if one of their musical acts is playing that night too.

That's all for this week's review. Next week I have a really dangerous sandwich to write about, so I hope you'll join me back here next Wednesday for that.

Until then...


Black and Blue Burger
**** Stars
Dog and Bull Brew & Music
810 Bristol Pike
Croydon, PA 19021
www.dogandbullhouse.com

The Burgers of Burbank (Part 9)

You have read the title of this entry correctly, Readers.

Here we are, on the 9th entry of the Burgers of Burbank Tour, and we are still far from over.

A few entries ago, I mentioned that Bryan and I had one day where we attempted to eat five different burgers in an afternoon. In today's blog, I'd like to discuss the burger we had at Granville Cafe.

I am intentionally skipping over the burger we had at a nearby location right before Granville. I'd rather not bore you with the details. Then again, if I were going to this location, I probably wouldn't be there for the food anyway.

Granville Cafe is a great little restaurant tucked away on San Fernando Blvd. Despite being full from tasting burgers all afternoon, our palates were still attracted to the idea of the server-recommended Bacon and Blue Burger, along with two beers from their delicious beer menu.

This thick, 100% all natural Angus beef patty, applewood smoked bacon, caramelized onions, arugula, blue cheese, sauteed mushrooms, and topped with Granville's homemade Port Sauce and Chipotle Aioli makes this an incredible sight to see.

This is not a burger you would want to try after four previous ones, but despite being weighed down, The Granville Bacon and Blue burger was still noted as a clear standout of the day.

The Angus beef patty was delicious, full of beef flavor, and noticeable in this sandwich, especially compared to the previous burgers we tasted with overpowering, salty condiments. Compared to those other lesser burgers, the condiments and extras on this sandwich work together and compliment each other and the meat. Their combined flavors add a more mild, smoky and less acidic flavors than other burgers crowded with condiments.

Blue cheese is an excellent choice to complement the delicious applewood smoked bacon and the smooth flavor of the Angus beef.

This burger is a clear winner so far and would rank in the top three of the Burgers of Burbank so far. Not only was the sandwich well crafted, but the favors served as perfect compliments, and even through the haze of four previous burgers, we were still able to make room for this one.

Let's just not ever do that again, okay?

Until next week, Readers...


The Granville Bacon and Blue Burger
**** 1/2 Stars
121 N. San Fernando Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91502
http://www.granvillecafe.com/

A Visit With Jersey Mike

Welcome back, dear Readers!

This week I took a little trip to Jersey.

Well, maybe just a place called Jersey Mike's whose cheesesteaks the locals have recommended to me numerous times before.

I figured, maybe I should try it and see if these Angelenos have any idea what they're talking about in the realm of cheesesteak science.

Heading out to Burbank, I arrived at Jersey Mike's and was greeted by something odd insider: A sign that said 'Parking For Dodgers Fans Only'.

Excuse me, but I'm fairly certain a sign like that in New Jersey would like end with your body being disposed of in the Pine Barrens (No idea what that is? Click here).

Despite the sight of this sign, I decided to give this authentic cheesesteak a try, and ordered the Big Kahuna, which has grilled onions and peppers, plus mushrooms, jalapenos and extra cheese.

Now as you Readers know by now, I've had some good experiences with cheesesteaks on the left coast, and I was hoping that this one would deliver, but I was sadly disappointed. While it was good, it wasn't great, and didn't stand out from the pack of contenders. The steak, jalapenos and mushrooms were tasty, for sure, but the problem was the cheese. There was just too much of it that it overpowered most of the flavor.

I did like that they heated the sandwich up and then wrapped it in foil before serving it. It sealed the bread up nicely and kept the insides nice and hot.

Overall though, this sandwich was somewhat of a disappointment. The locals here may like it because it's their only exposure to a true Philadelphia sandwich, but I would highly recommend a number of other places that would better serve your tastebuds.

Until next week Readers...

P.s. - What's on your favorite cheesesteak, and where do you get it from?

The Big Kahuna Cheesesteak

*** Stars

Jersey Mike's (various locations)

http://www.jerseymikes.com/