Homemade 2

 

Homemade Adventures 2

Today, the Perfect Press arrived, and I couldn’t wait to dive in! My burger-making skills? Well, let's just say they’re a bit of a mystery. The patties tend to come out all fidgety and round, like little meaty UFOs! Plus, I’m on a mission to level up my culinary arts. Right now, I seem to have a knack for turning everything into a charred masterpiece. But fear not! Every time I get a chance to whip one up, I’m seizing the moment. Let the burger fun begin!

**Appearance: 3/5**

This time around, the burger looked the part! It sat comfortably on its bun, and I’d say it earned a solid three stars for its charming presentation.

**Bun: 6/10**

Ah, the bun! We’re talking about a delightful Nature’s Own brioche bun here. After diving into some research on the best buns for homemade burgers, it seems Brioche is the crowd favorite, and honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever encountered one until now. It paired wonderfully with the burger, adding just the right touch of sweetness.

**Meat: 23/30**

Now, let’s talk about the meat. It was your classic 80/20 ground beef from Publix, and I kept it simple—no seasoning, not even a dash of salt and pepper! Despite that, the flavor was rich and lovely. I gotta tell you, if I hadn’t already filled up on my cheeseburger, I would have eagerly devoured a second!

**Cheese: 10/15**

While the cheese didn’t steal the show, it definitely held its own as a trusty supporting actor. Each bite brought a delicious taste, with gooey, melted cheese cascading down the sides of the burger. Yum!

**Veggies:**

Not a veggie in sight!

Dressing – 3
A cheeky drizzle of ketchup danced atop this burger like a confident artist signing their masterpiece. Nothing more was needed — simplicity at its most scrumptious!

Messiness – 2
This burger behaved itself admirably. A whisper of juiciness, just enough to remind you it’s alive, but not a single napkin was summoned to battle.

Burgerness – 6
Ah, now this was a triumphant turn in my burger journey! Juicy, flavorful, and crowned with cheese that melted like a golden sunset. The bun? A soft, flavorful cloud that brought everything together in perfect harmony. I daresay my burger wizardry has leveled up since my last creation! 🪄🍔✨

Patty points 53 

East Bay Deli Summerville

 

🌧️ East Bay Deli Review: The Tale of the Rainy Day Burger 🍔

It was one of those moody, rain-splattered afternoons when adventure felt like too much effort and comfort food was the only quest worth taking. My stomach whispered “burger…”, and before I knew it, a DoorDashed treasure from the local deli arrived at my doorstep — steaming, fragrant, and ready for judgment.

✨ Appearance — 3/5

What we have here, ladies and gentlemen, is a burger that knows exactly what it is. No disguises. No frills. Just meat, bun, and the quiet confidence of something your dad might grill in the backyard after watching one too many Food Network reruns. Everything was tucked neatly together, as if to say, “I tried my best.”

🍞 Bun — 5/10

A humble potato bun — sturdy, reliable, utterly unremarkable. It held the line. It didn’t crumble under pressure. But it also didn’t serenade me with flavor. The true middle child of burger buns.

🥩 Meat — 20/30

Two 4-ounce smash patties, cooked to the realm of “extra done.” Sadly, the dryness could’ve rivaled the Sahara, and the lack of char left my taste buds feeling betrayed. If you’re going to go dry, at least give me some crispy edge magic! Alas, no such spark today.

🧀 Cheese — 5/15

No cheese. None. Nada. Zip.
We award the standard mercy points — but this burger definitely missed its melty soulmate.

🥬 Veggies — 11/15

Here’s where things perked up a bit! A bold duo of thick red onion rings, a perfectly balanced tomato slice (not too thick, not too thin), and a single emerald lettuce leaf that draped itself gracefully over the patty. Fresh, crunchy, and maybe the hero of the meal.

💧 Dressing — 1/10

None. Nothing. Dry as a British comedy. I gave it a 1 simply because I didn’t add anything myself, but this burger could’ve used a saucy sidekick.

😐 Messiness — 1/5

Dry burger = zero mess. The tomato did its best to offer a hint of juice, but honestly, I could’ve eaten this thing while wearing white gloves and emerged spotless.

🍔 Burgerness — 2/10

There was no spark, no magic, no “wow.” Just a meal that filled the void but didn’t light any fires. A dutiful burger that clocked in, did its job, and went home early.

🏁 Wrap-Up: The Final Bite

I’m glad I tried it — sometimes you have to kiss a few burgers before finding your flavor soulmate. This wasn’t a total disaster, but it definitely earned a spot on the “never again” list.

Final Score: 48 Patty Points
A valiant effort on a rainy day, but next time… I’ll be chasing juicier dreams. 🍔🌧️

Alex’s Restaurant Goose Creek

 

🍔 Alex’s Whimsical Burger Breakdown 🍔

The best kind of prophecy is a full parking lot, and this little Charleston diner was no exception. As soon as I stepped inside, a vibrant chorus of clinking forks and cheerful chatter greeted me. It wasn't a restaurant with all the pomp and circumstance, but a diner—a glorious, neon-lit, Formica-countertop diner—a rare and welcome sight in these Southern parts. I pulled up a stool just after the Sunday service crowd had descended, and with a menu as long as my arm, my heart led me to the siren call of a bacon cheeseburger and a pile of crispy fries.

Appearance — 3/5

This bacon cheeseburger strutted out looking like it came straight off a diner poster from 1956 — shiny, proud, and ready for its close-up. I loved the open-face reveal — every ingredient proudly on display like contestants at a flavor pageant. Sadly, the fries looked like they needed a pep talk. Very “blah,” as if they missed the memo that they were supposed to be crispy co-stars.

Bun — 5/10

Ah, the bun — the unsung hero of any burger tale. This one had me worried for a minute, wobbling like it might tap out halfway through the meal. But no! It clung on until the very last bite. Sturdy little soldier. Still, apart from its valiant effort, it wasn’t particularly memorable — more background character than star.

Meat — 26/30

The patty had a lovely char — that perfect seared whisper that says, “Yes, I’ve been kissed by the grill.” Cooked to a medium-well without consultation (mystery chef’s choice!), it leaned slightly dry but still flavorful. The real hero, though? The bacon. Crispy, generous, and absolutely show-stealing. Without it, the burger’s soul would’ve been just meh.

Cheese — 10/15

Classic American cheese doing exactly what American cheese does best: melting into every nook and cranny like a warm hug. Full coverage, full flavor, full marks.

Veggies — 12/15

Oh, the veggie lineup — a fresh, crunchy dream! The tomato was thick, juicy, and bursting with confidence. The onions, equally bold and crisp. The lettuce? Just the right crunch. And those pickles? So good I accidentally ate them before they ever met the burger. A perfect garden symphony.

Dressing — 6/10

I spotted dry meat and went in for the ketchup assist. Surprise twist: mayo was already on the bun! Normally that’s a red flag for me, but somehow, this time, the mayo played nice. Against all odds, it worked.

Messiness — 4/5

Napkin count: high. Between the thick tomato, slippery mayo, and enthusiastic ketchup, I was in a constant battle to keep my hands clean. But honestly? Every messy bite made me want another.

Burgerness — 7/10

This burger took me back — like a time-travel ticket to those late-night diner stops after a long night out. No, it wasn’t perfect. But it had soul. That nostalgic, comforting kind of burger that reminds you why diners matter.

Patty Points — 76/100

This isn’t your “best-burger-in-the-city” contender, but it’s a dependable friend. It shows up, does the job, fills you up, and leaves you smiling — and sometimes, that’s exactly the burger you need.

Burger Bonanza: A Daring Dive into Home Cooking!

 

I wanted the inaugural review of our burger adventure to be a little extra magical! So, I thought, why not attempt to create a homemade burger and showcase my, let's say, unconventional cooking skills? This tour is going to be packed with all things burgers—think cooking techniques, fancy tools, delightful homemade buns, and of course, the glorious restaurant burgers that bring us all joy! Without further ado, I proudly present the very first review!

**Presentation: 2 out of 5**  

Oh dear! This burger could use a bit of a glow-up. It looked more like a timid attempt at home cooking than a culinary masterpiece. Let’s be real – the only reason you’d dive in is that you made it!

   Bun: 2 out of 10

Meet the plain-jane bun, straight from the supermarket shelves! It did what buns do, so I’ll give it some credit—especially since I gave it a little toasty TLC.

**Meat: 20 out of 30**  

This burger was on the petite side, and I found myself needing a partner-in-crime to feel fully satisfied. But oh, the meat! Juicy and flavorful, cooked to a perfect medium with a little char to add some flair. 

**Cheese: 0**  

Cheeseless wonder! Not a slice in sight.

**Vegetables: 0**  

No fresh fix-ins here – not a leaf of lettuce, a slice of tomato, or an onion ring anywhere to be found. 

**Sauces: 3**  

Ketchup was the star of the show, with plenty of it slathered on for good measure!

**Messiness: 3 out of 5**  

Surprise! This burger turned out to be a delightful little disaster. Between the slippery ketchup and the juicy goodness, I was dabbling with napkins like a pro.

**Burgerness: 5 out of 10**  

This little guy may not win any beauty contests, but it certainly brought the flavor! As a quick and easy meal, it did the trick without any overcooked drama. Consider this the jumping-off point of our burger adventure!

**Total Patty Points 35.** 🍔