Mercaz Hafalafel Hatemani (Jerusalem, ISR)

Ha-Nevi'im St 48, Jerusalem, Israel

 

Mercaz Hafalafel Hatemani is a very small hole-in-the-wall falafel place on a big street in downtown Jerusalem. I don’t even know whether they sell anything else. But even relatively early in the morning it is already quite busy – albeit mainly with men who seem to be there to talk to the owner.

 

I get a Pita Falafel, which might not look like much, but tastes delicious. I forgot how much I paid for it, but it wasn’t much, and the falafel was better than most I ate outside of Israel.

VERDICT: 86/100

Great place for an affordable and quick falafel-on-the-go.

Burger Saloon (Kadima Zoran, ISR)

Kadima Zoran, 6092000, Israel (at highway 4)

 

Burger Saloon is a US-style burger chain that has currently some ten locations in Israel. I visit a location next to a gas station on highway 4, close to Netanya. It serves a variety of burgers and topping as well as US sides.

I get the small Wild Burger (160gr) and add roasted peppers and pepper cream sauce. I also get a side of fries and a soda (altogether 75 ISS or $21). The burger comes in a big soft bun, the patty is perfectly prepared (medium), but the peppers make it a bit too sloppy. The pepper cream sauce is weak and not necessary, as they have all kind of sauces, seemingly imported from Belgium (like spicy Dallas sauce). The fries are prefab but crispy.

VERDICT: 87/100

Good chain for bit upscale burgers

Venchi (Fiumicino, I)

Aeroporto L. Da Vinci - Terminal 1, 00054 Fiumicino, Italy

 

Venchi is an “Italian gourmet chocolatier”, which also runs a shop in the fancy new E concourse of Rome’s Fiumicino airport. In addition to chocolates, they also sell crepes and ice cream - some 20 flavors, almost all chocolaty.

 

I get a Regular in a fancy cone, which is freshly prepared, and covered with caramel, chocolate, and some crusty sweetness (ca. $4). I pick two flavors, Malaga and some Nutella-type Noisette (Hazelnut). Both are really rich and absolutely delicious.

VERDICT: 94/100

As good as (chocolate) ice cream gets!

Blue Moon Brewhouse (Atlanta, GA)

6000 N Terminal Pkwy, B Concourse, Atlanta, GA 30320

The Blue Moon Brewhouse is linked to the Blue Moon Brewing Co., which serves pretty standard American fare: burgers, sandwiches, salads. I guess most people come here because of the beer, though.

 

I have the Coastal Fish Sandwich ($12), which is a good sized piece of tilapia, grilled, on a bun with lettuce, onion and tomato. Good, but would be really tasty with a Remoulade sauce. The fries are prefab and underwhelming.

 

VERDICT: 81/100

Pretty basic although fish itself was big and well prepared.

Chicken + Beer (C + B) (Atlanta, GA)

6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Gate D5, Atlanta, GA 30320

 

Chicken + Beer is the restaurant of Atlanta-based rapper Ludicrous, which now also has a location at the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson airport. It serves Southern style fast food in upscale form and setting, including fried chicken and fish, burgers, and other staples.

 

I get the fried chicken sandwich, Hotlanta style ($12.99). It’s a relatively small piece of fried chicken breast, drenched in spicy hot sauce, with pickles on a brioche bun. The chicken is very tender and tastes good. The French fries are kind of Burger King style, not for me.

 

VERDICT: 86/100

Good food but not really special

Frank Bar & Burgers (Sainte-Marie-Sur-Semois, Belgium)

14, rue de la gare, Sainte-Marie-Sur-Semois, 6740 Luxembourg, Belgium

 

Frank Bar & Burgers, formerly Frank Frites & Burgers, is a highly acclaimed  friterie and restaurant in a small town in Wallonie. It serves a whole number of original burgers and for the rest just fries - no usual Belgian snacks.

 

I get a bacon burger (€9.50), which comes with fries, sauce, and a small salad. The fries are very tasty but a bit too tough on the outside. The burger is prepared on the griddle and is real ground beef, on a very thick bun. It’s good, but the bread is too dominant.

 

VERDICT: 86/100

Good but too dependent upon the real burgers, which are no longer that special in Belgium.

Uulits Tänavargurmee (Tallinn, Estonia)

Soo tn 1B/6, Tallinn 10414, Estonia

 

Uulits Tänavargurmee is a hip and modern upscale burger place with two locations in Tallinn. Operated by real chefs, it has a wide variety of original, gourmet burgers - not classic US varieties - as well as salads and wraps. Its sides are mainly various versions of potato wedges. Unfortunately, the hipster inside, including swing-seats, comes with irritating hip-hop music in the background.

 

I get the Chicken Burger (€7.90), which is grilled. The brioche bun is a bit too dry, the grilled chicken thin but nice, but the sandwich is drenched in too much herbal mayo and pesto.

 

VERDICT: 82/100

Maybe the burgers are better, but they put far too many sauces on the pricey sandwich.