Do the Du

Venue: DuMont

Location: 432 Union Avenue, Brooklyn, NY

Date of Visit: Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Burger: The DuMont Burger

Average Score:  7.7
Price Range: $$$$$

Mike:  DuMont is another establishment whose food has been rated among New York foodies as some of the best the city has to offer. Both, “The DuMont Burger” and “DuMac & Cheese” have found themselves in good company on numerous Top 10 lists in their respective categories. This being the case, one might look upon this trial with great anticipation. However, by reading previous reviews on this blog, one would discover that the other Top 10 members who have been reviewed have failed with great disappointment. So, I didn’t let the hype get my hopes up this time around. 
          The DuMont Burger comes on a toasted roll, garnished with Boston Bibb lettuce, tomato, red onion, and pickles with the choice of fries or a salad for accompaniment. As I normally do, I ordered mine medium rare and decided to go with the side of fries. When the plate came out, I was pleased to find that the toppings were thoughtfully placed on the side of the burger to allow me to construct it how I saw fit. The meat, though a bit disproportioned (too think in relation to the diameter), was cooked to perfection; and, was that a marinade I tasted? Regardless, the meat was juicy and savory, which harmonized well with the flavors carried by the rest of the ingredients. The combination of the Boston Bibb, tomato, pickles, and onion added a bitter and sweet flavor concoction that had my taste buds on end. The burger sat between a sliced roll that was toasted just enough to prevent excess condiment absorption but also retain the soft airiness of freshly baked bread. The toasted side of the roll, when coupled with the pickles, provided a satisfying crunch, further diversifying the textures this sandwich had to bear. 
          I’m glad I chose the side of fries, rather than the salad, to go with my burger in this scenario. DuMont’s fries were crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and dusted with fresh parsley; and the portion size was aptly proportionate, balancing out this mouthwatering meal quite admirably. The pickle spear on the side of the plate was a winner in my book, too! Finally, a burger that lives up to its reputation, well done!

Overall Rating: 7.3

Kenneth:  The flavor of the sweet marinade on the meat mixed spectacularly with the sour of the pickles; together, they made little sparks of magic in my mouth. The meat was juicy and with each bite you tasted how the meat and condiments were flawlessly paired. The size of the patty fit perfectly within the toasted bun and was topped with Boston Bibb, a tomato slice, red onions, and a pickle. After my small application of ketchup to the top half, the bun held its integrity throughout the course of the meal.

As for sides, is it going to be the fries or salad? You have the option of either, but of course I choose the fries, which were crispy, lightly dusted with parsley and an excellent match with the burger. Lastly, the deli pickle! It was a great end to a good burger. Overall, this was a great burger experience and you should experience it for yourself.

Overall Rating: 7.8

   

Jeff:  DuMont has been around for a while now and many claim that they do a good burger.  I have been here once before, roughly a year and a half ago, and although the burger I had was ok, I didn’t think it was that great for what people had told me.

My-oh-my, have things changed.  On first entering DuMont, I looked around, turned, and walked out to make sure I was in the right place.  Since I had last been here, they’ve re-modeled the bar area, extending it further out towards the front of the space. I went against my norm and ordered the burger rare.  I had no reason for this; it just hit me to do so.  The burger arrived and I was momentarily astonished at the mound of fries that accompanied my burger.  So much so, that the fries nearly eclipsed it.  More places should take a hint from DuMont and offer a proper portion of fries with their burger. For crying out loud people, potatoes aren’t expensive!  Some restaurants must think they’re an endangered crop with the few fries they serve.  Not DuMont, however; they get it.

Back on track... I say nearly eclipsed because the diameter of the burger is pretty narrow, but boy is this patty thick!  Too thick, I thought, as I then began to wonder just how this was going to taste seeing as I ordered it rare.  I was not disappointed.  Whatever seasoning or marinade they put into their patties is superb.  It wasn’t overpowering, it enhanced the beef, yet let the beef flavor come through.  I was also impressed with the texture of the beef.  Texture you say?  It’s raw, how much texture could there have been?  It had such a nice balance of firmness and a melt in your mouth quality that I’m not sure I can explain it.  Either way it tasted great.  I don’t know if burgers cooked rare usually share this characteristic, but tasting flesh like this was awesome.  The rawness of the beef combined with what I think were marinated or pickled red onions, tomato, and bibb lettuce (YES! something other than iceberg, finally!!!) was more than a welcome change; it was damn near perfection.  The bun too held up well and was one of the better tasting buns I’ve had on a burger in some time. Having a pickle spear along with the sliced pickles on the burger was a nice addition as well.

Yes DuMont, I can honestly say you’ve earned my respect.  This was a damn good burger.

 

Overall Rating: 8.0