Bill’s Bar & Burger

“It’s f***ing fantastic.”  Quote on restaurant website, citing Eater.com as the source.

Eatery:   Bill’s Bar & Burger, Rockefeller Center, New York

There was really no question that I had to visit a place called Bill’s Bar & Burger.  It was fait accompli, given that the name alone combined three of the things that I love most in life (my dad was called Bill), and that it has a snappy looking logo (you may recall that I am an admitted marketing victim).  Bill’s also offers up something that I wasn’t expecting – an array of cupcakes on offer for dessert, presented on a tiered serving tray.  As an avowed “savory” I’m not the biggest fan of desserts, but I do love a good cupcake and a whimsical presentation.  In fact – if ever Husband and I have a big wedding vow renewal do – I’m going to insist on a cake made up a little cupcakes.  Or maybe donuts.  Possibly Twizzlers.  All three, even.

Spicy Jalapeño Burger at Bill's Bar & Burger (photo by MJ Byers)

But I digress.  The purpose of this trip was to determine how good a burgery Bill’s is.   Short answer:  you can’t really go wrong at Bill’s, though you won’t find the very best burgers on the planet here.  I ordered the Spicy Jalapeno Burger with a side of onion rings (living it up on a Friday night!) while Husband got the Bacon and Cheddar Burger with steak fries.  I preferred my selection and this was down to the spicy flavor profile (the sandwich comes topped with jalapeno jack cheese, jalapenos, pico de gallo,  shredded lettuce and chipotle aioli).  So, although neither burger had a very strong beefy note, I quite enjoyed the feisty “green” taste of mine, which was offset just a bit by the creamy notes delivered by the cheese and the aioli.  The burger was quite juicy as well and, sadly, the classic sesame seed bun was not quite up to the task of keeping it together – which made eating it quite a messy affair.  Husband’s burger was perfectly fine; the bacon was crispy and the cheddar was, well, cheddary.  He had jalapenos added for an extra kick which was a great idea as, on its own, the burger wasn’t especially distinctive.

Bacon and Cheddar Burger at Bill's Bar & Burger (photo by Tony Byers)

A note about the side orders:  The onion rings are 100% what you would expect – beer battered, kind of greasy, not extremely onion-y.  I was not a big fan of the steak fries – I don’t love chunky fries plus they were covered in something that tasted like Lawry’s seasoned salt.  I’m always suspicious when restaurants do this to fries – I’m sure they’re hiding something.  Husband, on the other hand, was completely fine with the fries.  And he really likes “chips”, so you should believe him.

Onion Rings at Bill's Bar & Burger (photo by MJ Byers)

Price:  Spicy Jalapeno Burger,  $8.50; Bacon and Cheddar Burger, $9.50; Steak Fries, $3.95; Onion Rings, $5.50

Destination Burger:  Do pop in if you happen to be nearby (there are 2 Manhattan locations and one Atlantic City location).

Fat/Calorie Worthy:  Spicy Jalapeno Burger:  yes, because of the zesty toppings.  Bacon and Cheddar Burger:  not as much.

Optional French Fry Rating:  Not my style, but Husband enjoyed them due to their likeness to English Chips.  The onion rings were about average.

Today’s Weigh In:  Holdin’ steady…..better than gaining.