Is the Quest for the Best Burger Over?

Bare Burger (33-21 31st Ave.)

The perpetual quest for the best burger alternates between invigorating and satisfying to downright draining and disappointing.  While the burger-lovers in my life could argue the subjective components comprising the best bite of beef until blue in the face, I truly think that I have stumbled across a gem that will satiate the cravings of even the unburger eaters in my life (yes, even the vegetarians).  Behold: BareBurger...

The entire menu at Bareburger is completely organic.

Above is the Bareburger Supreme... a patty of Piedmontese beef under a blanket of monterey jack cheese, applewood smoked bacon, shredded lettuce, tomato, a slathering of special sauce, all nestled between panko breaded onion rings and toasted brioche. No, I'm not kidding, and yes, it tasted every bit as divine as it looks.

But you don't like beef, you say?  All of the topping combinations (from Jalapeno Express to Avocado California) are offered with a choice of beef, turkey, grilled chicken, veggie burger, portobello mushroom, or (get ready for this!) bison, elk, ostrich, or lamb (the latter served exclusively with caramelized onions and cucumber mint yogurt.)

Watching your figure, and a soft and buttery brioche bun doesn't fit the carb count?  Each sandwich can be prepared on either brioche, seven grain bun, wrap, or crispy iceberg lettuce.  Better yet, share a basket of mini-delectables with the sliders...

Other menu options include avocado walnut salad, caesar salad, cranberry walnut bleu cheese salad, or the mandarin orange salad with goat cheese and toasted almonds.  And as far as side dishes go, you can't leave without a basket of fresh cut french fries (sprinkled with Mediterranean sea salt)...

We chose chipotle mayo, curry ketchup, ranch, and the house special sauce... Each basket comes with three sauces, but for 35 cents you can add peppercorn steak sauce, hot sauce, horseradish dill mayo, orange and ginger mayo, or honey mustard.

The burger was inarguable perfection.  From the warm and ridiculously fresh bun, to the lean and delicious patty covered in melted cheesey deliciousness... to the fries that were crisp on the outside, and soft and hearty once bitten...  I cannot more highly recommend a burger...

Of course, I washed mine down with an organic banana and chocolate shake.  It was served in a parfait glass, with the leftover shake in a mixing tin set to the side!  With a quaint dining room equally ideal for lunch or dinner, and one of the friendliest staffs around, they even offer a generous selection of organic brews and wines, as well as natural sodas (gluten, sodium, caffeine, and fructose free).

While I could gladly dine here once a week or more to try all of the combinations, I think my next visit will have to be for a weekend brunch.  Their Danish Bleu Cheese Applewood Smoked Bacon Omelette sounds like absolute perfection.

(BareBurger is located in Astoria on 31st Ave. between 33rd and 34th Streets, with a rumored Manhattan location opening soon...)