B Spot Long-Term Test Drive, Volume One

With the onset of yet another Arctic blast here in Central Ohio, it is a Herculean task to get Beth back out for dinner in the evening.  To paraphrase a line from Austin Powers...  Frigid temps, snow, and ice are just not her bag, baby...  If not for me, she would probably be living much further South and perhaps perilously close to the center of her universe... Mickey Mouse Land...  -chuckle-

Since I just got started, I thought I should find something in the archives of my brain to turn into a new post.  To keep the proverbial presses hot in my personal blogosphere until either the spring thaw arrives or cabin fever sets in and we visit yet another Columbus dining hot spot...  After some brief rumination on the matter, I opted for Chef Michael Symon's B Spot where the B stands for burgers, brats, bologna, beer, and bourbon.  It only seems fitting, since my weekly Chipotle lunch crew really started pushing hard for me to start on this blogging career after I sent them emails about my earliest visits there.  Those visits coincided with my decision to make my entry into the modern world and finally get a cell phone.  I practiced by taking pictures of the grub.  Sometimes I failed and didn't remember to take the picture until after I had devoured the offerings and I would just send them a picture of the empty plate and describe in vivid detail what was there before I had eaten it with the excitement of a child on Christmas morning.

Here is Volume 1...  Day 1...  I say that because I actually was there when they first opened to the public along with my good friend, Mike Reed.  We arrived early and engaged in some casual banter with a pack of young healthcare professionals (physical therapists was my bet, based on their attire and attitude) who were also milling about smartly near the door.  As Mike and I did our pre-game stretches, they inquired if we intended to run past them when the doors opened.  I responded not past them, but rather through them... They laughed and said they were fine with that, they would just ride in on our backs.  Thankfully, the crowd never got out of control and nobody got hurt.  We got a great spot on the covered patio (much quieter than inside the restaurant) and enjoyed the sunshine and gentle breeze.

You can't tell it from the photo, but the egg has a double yolk... That
more than makes up for the polite smack down I got earlier... -smile-

We took the opportunity to quiz the waiter on the full range of offerings and even dug into Mr. Symon's culinary history (waiter was a bit vague on that) and kept our eyes peeled for any sign of the celebrity chef.  I decided to knock down the first B and ordered up a Lola burger. There is absolutely nothing better on a burger than a fried egg, bacon, and american cheese...  The Lola is pretty close... Cheddar instead of American and some pickled red onion too.  I got some polite smack down from the waiter for suggesting a modification. Apparently high-maintenance doesn't fly with the preset specials at the B Spot.  I can respect that.  It was a home run straight up.  Start with a healthy size, expertly grilled patty, put it on a spectacular also expertly grilled bun and cover it with toppings all cooked (or pickled) to perfection.  I am sure in a pasture somewhere, cows are eagerly lining up to be a part of this winning combination.  I found my way to the pickle bar for some Tony Packo's Hot and Sweet Pickles too(or is it Sweet and Hot... either way....  mmmmmmm)...

The waiter featured the Porky Fries (house french fries covered with cheese, pickled jalapeno peppers, and pulled pork).  He didn't mention the price.  Good thing, because I might have skipped them if he did.  Aside from my ridiculous price sensitivity...  They were quite delicious and with a pleasant level of heat - in my book that is somewhere around medium.  If you like spicy/hot food, this would qualify as zesty, perhaps barely hot.  -smile-  We shared the fries and it was more than enough for two.  Mike played wheel man and he kindly charged my cell phone en route, so I gladly paid for them.  Gas prices being what they were, I may have ended up on the winning side of that trade.  Washed it all down with a tart, ice cold lemonade.. Which they refilled for free at least twice.

 Atmosphere is interesting.  A little more adult feel than Red Robin, but similar in other ways.  Tables are spaced out more, so you don't feel too close to the other patrons.  Food and bar offerings are far superior. And there is that amazing wall of beer cans.  I believe it is well worth the prices they charge, but not a price I can bear on a regular basis for a burger and fries.  So Smashburger remains my odds on favorite here in Central Ohio.  It may be a once a month stop rather than weekly.  Somebody please twist my arm... I'll go twice a month.
-smile-  

I will tell you a tale of the shakes, onion rings, and some guy named Fat Doug in Volume 2... About the shake straw that was as big as a vacuum cleaner hose and still the shake was thick enough to hold position in the straw for more than a minute.  Made me take back every bad thing I ever said about machine-made shakes.  Well, almost every bad thing.  I still don't order them anywhere else.  Look for Volume 2 over the next few days...  I am reliving that chocolate shake already... And wondering what a good friend of mine might call my signature burger?