Monday Randomness

• Has anyone else read Reamde? I would love to discuss it with someone. It was the first time that I have finished one of Stephenson's books and not been plagued with questions about the larger meanings but just left enjoying a book.

• Peggy giving someone a handy at the movies must have been a shock to the Bartlett Administration. No wonder that guy Fred from Portlandia broke up with her.

• This weekend, I think we can all agree on this, we were all NY Yankees. Friday filled me with glee and Saturday with awe. The only sour note, the members of Red Sox Nation placing all the blame for the Sox being the Pittsburgh Pirates of the American League on Bobby V.'s head.

• This weather has been terrifying and not in the good way like zombies or thinking of the Santorum Administration but in the bad way like weather emergencies or the idea of a lot of you breeding.

• I do not understand why people who are generally good about food have hang ups about grocery stores. I mean, why aren't you going to farmers' markets, bakeries, and butchers. Maybe I am being an idiot about this but if you really care about your food, why would you go anywhere but someplace that you could have a personal connection with the owner/provider?

• Yesterday was my father's birthday. Happy Birthday, Dad!

• Overheard:
"I have the socks for you."

"The socks."

"The socks!"

"The socks you put on your feet!"

"Okay, I will see you tomorrow when I bathe."

• Once again, the Brown Bag in Troy has proven itself to have the best burger in the 518. Look at that! It was so very good. For those of you who did not know, the hours are now 6 to 6 am daily. Worth every bite, especially at $4.

Is this the worst burger in the 518?

Daniel B (of Fussy Little Blog) sang the praises of the Sausage Sandwich at Gus's last year. In the comments, there was much love and much discussion over the Greekburger. (I point you to this one post.) Now, I went into this with an open mind, and that was my downfall. (Yes, I have been trying to figure out what the best burger in the 518 was, and I am really partial to the Brown Bag's late night little piece of heaven.)

First of all, I really love Gus's hot dogs. They are exactly what you want them to be and they are a perfect piece of local cuisine. (I would argue that little hot dogs is what the region does really well.)

Look at them, aren't they precious?

They are lovely.

Plus, Gus's packs up things and ships them, and if they weren't great, there would not be a demand.

Had I known about this when I was in Seattle, I would have taken advantage of it. Seriously. I had rye bread shipped to me as there was no good rye bread in the PNW. (This may have changed.) I once was so craving disco fries and chicken wings, that I called Howler's in Schenectady and asked them it they would FedEx them to me (ask FAU if you need confirmation). These little hot dogs, which no place outside the area does well, and Gus's Hot Dogs are the BEST!

Now, I was going to have some of those dogs, but I needed to try the Greekburger, which for those of you not in the know is a regular burger with meat sauce and fried onions on a bun. Conceptually, it should be awesome. It is the difference between conception and execution that has doomed so many projects that should have be stellar. (Sidebar: Between Conception and Execution will be the title of my biography of Ted Bundy. Just sayin'.)

Just look at it

So, with my hope high, I embarked on a culinary challenge. I was going to try the Greek burger. I bit into it and immediately regretted my decision. The bun was not holding up to the sauce, which tasted great on dogs but was strangely medicinal on the devastatingly overcooked beef (one can hope) patty. I finished it because maybe the second, third and fourth bites would be better. Oh, they weren't... They really weren't. They may have been worse because I was prepared for what was coming.

So, here is what I want to know. Was my experience anomalous or is there a real difference between the palates of the partisans in this debate? By this, I mean the people who like the Greekburger have real issues.

Should I try it again, or should I move on, and save the calories from bad for you food for things that I may find more appealing?

Is this the best burger in the 518?

I think it may be.

This is a burger with everything and bacon from the Brown Bag in Troy (with a side of fries) and it is a fast food style burger done in a slow food way.

The hand cut and hand tossed fries are awesome as well.

As with most burgers, it is the condiments that make the meal and the fresh LTO, great pickles and generous and flavorful use of sauces helps make this close to perfect.

I am not ending my quest, but I have been made very happy.