BurgerClub

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70 University Pl, Btwn 10th & 11th St. nYc 212-598-0055


the regular cheddar burger (left) - and the RoethlisBurger (right)



What a great bar.

Owned by a Steelers fan, this place is a Sunday home to New Yorkers who want more to life than the Jets or Giants. Unless you have Direct TV and subscribe to the NFL package at home, you're gonna have to go out to a bar for out of state football coverage. And LeRoyalWithCheese and Dr. Sannwich have been doing just that this past season. So it was on their burger recommendation, combined with some great playoff games, that I made it out to this NYU/Steelers den.

This ain't no it's your typical bar with many TVs and a pool table (covered up for sitting room during game time). But typical, when done right, is a great thing. Great company, decent prices, and yummy food. I went to Reservoir twice the past two weeks... the first time I went with the regular burger, and the second time I had to try the RoethlisBurger (I was in Steelers country after-all).



My first visit was for the wild card game against the conference rival Bengals. While wings were on the minds of the fans who have been before, I was all about trying the 8-oz "freshly ground prime meat" burger... The waitress said it's Sirloin, but I would think there was some Chuck in there too. I ordered a Cheddar burger cooked rare, and opted for the shoestring fries. The burger came with bib lettuce, tomato, red onion, and pickle chips... I love pickle chips on a burger. The cheese was perfectly melted and completely covered the meat, it even got on some of the fries. The meat was cooked as I requested, and had a nice loose quality to it that would crumble with each bite. The bun was a nicely toasted sesame, that was big enough to contain the insides, but didn't overwhelm. I loved this burger, and felt great after eating it.



When we returned the following week for the Superbowl-esque game against the dominating Colts, I was set on trying the quarterback inspired Roethlisburger. Typically I would stick with the basics, but I had already tried the basic, and this game needed all the Steelers love it could get. Now, it's up for argument if this "patty-melt" as the Dr. called it could be considered a burger. It consisted of the same great meat patty, had sautéed onions, sauerkraut, melted swiss, and was on toasted sliced rye bread. The sliced bread I think was what brought the burger vs. patty melt discussion in to play. I feel that since (who claims to be the original hamburger) uses toasted sliced white bread, and was also in that sliced bread still makes it a burger... as long as the meat is true, and doesn't have ingredients that would make it This burger/patty-melt was also delicious. Use of mustard instead of ketchup was key, and this time I opted for the wonderfully crisp waffle fries (the shoestrings I had last week were good, but these are better). My bottom slice of rye got a bit too soggy, and required me to eat my Roethlisburger upside-down, but the flavor, juice, and overall quality was still in play... maybe if I get this guy again, I'll ask for the basic bun instead of the rye. Maybe.

If we return again this week for the Broncos game, I might have to see if I can complete the trifecta and order their Buffalo burger.

GO STEELERS!


gummy burger for desert

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lets eat!

Here we go Steelers, here we go... CLAP CLAP!



This time we tried the Buffalo Swiss burger... cooked rare split into four to taste. Can definitly say that the beef is better, and juicier, and tastier, and fresher. But Reservoir still manages to have all the other elements in order... like superb cheese melt, and a great selection of burger accesories to build your burger with... but what happened to the nice sessame bun from before? I supose all the Steelers fans coming to this bar and ordering has depleted their supply a bit.



Buffalo meat is too lean for my tastes, and as the Dr. put it, there aren't too many buffalo farms around these parts... so the meat is either frozen or not nearly as fresh as the beef... but we had to try. I'm not even going to bother with a grade for this one, as the beef burger is what's for dinner.

_________________
lets eat!

The Resovior to me is more than a place to eat a burger, it's a great place to drink beer, watch sports and when hunger strikes, eat some above average bar food at very resonable prices. But this isn't a beer, bar or sports forum, were here to talk burger.

To me, this place is simply a great stand by burger. There's no secret ingredients here, just 100% fresh ground meat on a sesame seed bun, your choice of cheese, with the red onion, romaine, tomato thing on the side. The one thing have perfected here is the cheese melt. Having tried all the cheeses offered here (Chedder, Blue, Swiss etc..) they all come out perfectly melted over the patty. They tend to overcook burgers here so make sure you order it Rare if you like the middle pink. No flips are performed after eating one of these bad boys, but you will Not be disapointed. Its a solid burger all the way around, and for 8.95 you get a cheeseburger with fries. Thats pretty hard to beat in the Manhattan burger scene. This burger gets a B+.

And make sure you order the Waffle instead of the shoestring fries. The waffles are crisp on the outside, soft on the inside, and have just the right amount of seasoning. They don't event need ketchup.