Hey guys! In this month’s AMP food review, we’re looking at places that put their own spin on the quintessential American food — the hamburger.
Del’s Charcoal Burgers
Del’s Charcoal Burgers is the epitome of the traditional American burger place. Established in 1957, the restaurant has been serving their signature charcoal burgers for almost seventy years. And Del’s takes pride in their history — the restaurant is the same modest diner as it was decades ago, adorned with myriad ’50s memorabilia such as old branded knick-knacks, a vintage rifle, and portraits of James Dean and Marilyn Monroe decorating the bathroom doors. It was as if I was suddenly teleported into the past, no DeLorean required.
My friend and I both ordered the Texas Cheeseburger Combo ($13.75), which came with a barbecue bacon cheeseburger, a side, and a drink. I got onion rings as a side, my friend got fries, and we both got mugs of their classic homemade draft root beer as our drinks. It should be no surprise that an establishment that has been around for over half a century would have good food, but the food far surpassed my expectations. The eponymous charcoal burger had a light smokiness that perfectly complemented the tang of the barbecue sauce, and the bacon definitely didn’t hurt. As for the sides. the onion rings had a perfect crisp that made the act of eating them fun, and the fries were a hybrid between traditional fast-food fries and potato wedges, giving them the crunch of a fry while allowing them to still taste like potato. And the root beer, which the 67-year-old diner still makes the old-fashioned way, has a smooth taste that pairs perfectly with the rest of the combo.
I would recommend Del’s to anyone interested in a solid burger at an old-fashioned diner. It’s definitely a unique experience, and one that you should give a shot.
Food: 9/10
Price: 6/10
Vibes: 10/10
Jimmy’s Restaurant
At Jimmy’s Restaurant — formerly Jimmy Burger and Grill — you can get both high-quality Pakistani-American fusion burgers and biryani, all to impressive ambiance. Speaking of ambiance, the restaurant goes to great lengths to maintain a nice atmosphere, complete with jazz and soft lighting to elevate the eating experience. The only issue with the ambiance is that when the restaurant gets busy, a lot of the atmosphere goes away. But we’re all here for the food. I got the Del Rio Jungle Burger Combo ($11.75) and my sister got the Chow Mein ($13) because it’s a free country. The burger was a pretty good bacon cheeseburger, no complaints there. The Chow Mein (a classic Pakistani dish???) was made out of spaghetti noodle and came with sweet chicken. I would complain, but it was actually pretty good. I guess some things changed when they came to Pakistan through the Himalayas. After I returned home, I went to sleep, satisfied with my meal. I awoke in a verdant dreamscape. A man approached me, carrying a beautiful green flag adorned with a crescent. He draped it over my shoulders, causing me to cry. Is this what all Pakistanis feel? Undying dedication to the land of the clean, through thick and thin? He bent down to my ear and whispered something that should have been said long ago.
“Khush amdeed.”
Food: 8/10
Price: 6/10
Vibes: 8/10
