The first time that I went to Star Provision’s Abattoir for lunch, I was pleasantly surprised to find that their lunch and dinner menus are one and the same. Though I was disappointed that I wouldn’t have the opportunity to sample some new menu items I hadn’t seen during dinner service, I was delighted when I realized it meant I could have the Tripe Stew at any hour of the day.
After battling a flu/cold bug all week that severely limited both my appetite and realistic dining options, I opted to swing through this afternoon to treat myself for lunch. Not wanting to gorge myself and subsequently get fired for passing out in a food coma at my desk, I restrained myself to only two dishes, starting with the beef jerky.
These ain't no Slim Jims
First off, if you are terrified of undercooked burgers, fear not – the consistent pink coloring is a product of the patty being a beef/cured pork blend (specifically, it is 80% beef/20% cured pork). This is the burger cooked to medium, and the flesh was firm and at the perfect temperature.
The flavor was great, but I was surprised at how strong the pork flavoring was. Fortunately, I love pork, so this was a good surprise. You could definitely taste the beef, but the use of cured pork, as opposed to regular ground pork, intensifies the pork flavor significantly. I personally thought that the pork was by far the dominant flavor, and I thought the dish was that much stronger because of it. But if you are craving that beefy backyard burger taste, this probably won’t satisfy you as much as you would like. If you are looking for a burger that you won’t really get anywhere else in town, this is a great choice.
As always, Abattoir was a great call. And considering that I left with a belly full of salty pork burger and a baggie of homemade jerky for only $18, my wallet was ok with that decision as well.
2 Comments
I thought the burger was really weird. Part of me found it intriguing, but I also was slightly grossed out at times. It was very salty, and definitely sausage-like. I think it’s worth a try, but if I am hankering for a greasy burger, this one doesn’t fit the bill (for me).
I totally know what you mean….I would have still ordered it, knowing what I know now, but if I had been dying for a serious greasy burger, I probably would have been a little turned off. But I’m a sucker for salted pork.