Burgers at Common Ground

After reading the review in the Globe a few weeks back (see link) I decided to try the burger at Common Ground. That is a seriously good burger! I confirmed it with a second visit yesterday (purely for qaulity control purposes of course). Very high quality meat cooked to specification yields a juicy, flavorful burger on a very good toasted bun with a huge variety of optional toppings. Good (not great) fries but since the huge burger is basically impossible to finish I didn't mind not being tempted to have more than a few fries. The place is pretty empty at lunchtime but the service is very good -- sometimes not the case when it's slow. He told me it's busier at night and they have an expanded menu then too. I rank this as one of the best burgers in Boston and would be interested to know what others think.

Link: http://www.boston.com/dining/globe_re...

[tamerlanenj]

BTW everyone...keep an eye out for UBurger, opening in Kenmore Sq. next to Thai Dish. Not sure when it opens, but I'll be first in line.

What I'm hoping for--a thin, fresh, fatty patty (NOT a thick pubburger) that you can double up, with fresh veggies. The kind where the juice dribbles down your chin and onto the paper wrapping with each bite.

[Bostonbob3]

Just double up? When I get In-N-Out, I always order a 4x4 animal style.

Looking forward to giving UBurger a try. Keep us up-to-date, please.

[hiddenboston]

You guys all threw me for a loop! (Or maybe I threw myself for a loop!) I was thinking that Common Ground in DORCHESTER was serving burgers. I don't think that will ever happen. :-)

Just a note that there are two Common Grounds in the area, and they are verrrrrry different.

[Bostonbob3]

Marc, what do you think of (the other) Common Ground's burgers?

[hiddenboston]

Haven't been yet. Too many places to go to in Allston/Brighton. I'll probably be 400 pounds by the time I get to Common Ground. I really want to get to that new Salvadorean place in Allston. Perhaps Common Ground will be after that.

[Northstar22]

Definitely hit Sabor Latino..2 thumbs up. I might be in the minority but the best Burger I have had other than what I make was the Corrib Burger at the Corrib in Brighton. I have had it 5 or more times and it is great each time. Been to RF's and Bartley's as well as Common ground but don't understand the hype. RF's lose points for the canned mushrooms. Gotta be fresh mushrooms or no dice.

[Wursthof]

That's funny. I did the same thing and was actually thinking of going over there this afternoon.(Until I clicked on the link to the globe review).

Yes, two very, very different places!

Maybe I'll just grill up the pork chops I got at Lambert's yesterday for lunch instead.

[Bostonbob3]

Ha! Yeah, I don't think the Common Ground in Dorchester would ever grind up a poor, defenseless cow. :)

[Bostonbob3]

I might add, though, I WILL give this place a chance. Just hoping against hope they don't "South End" it up too much, that's all.

[Bostonbob3]

Everyone see in the Herald yesterday that Common Ground has purchased Tim's Tavern? They plan on making it a "comfortable neighborhood spot." Hey, the burgers might be good (I HIGHLY doubt they're anywhere near what Tim's offered), but the last thing that area needs is yet another "comfortable neighborhood spot." Give me the grimy old Tim's anyday.

We're losing Boston, folks. Get ready for Space Mountain to replace Costello's soon.

[Dax]

I miss Tim's as much as anyone, maybe more so than others. BUT, if the grimy old Tim's had managed to pay its back taxes and keep the kitchen half-way clean, it might still be open.

[Bostonbob3]

Wow, you don't know the true story, do you?

Tim's DID completely renovate its kitchen. And proceeded to somehow "fail" dozens of inspections. Even though they made the necessary fixes each and every time. The reason they couldn't pay their taxes was because they couldn't serve food for over a year. They were effectively forced out.

[Dax]

I know they renovated the kitchen and noticed that they did fail at least two inspections thereafter. I wasn't aware of the political reasons behind them being "forced out."

I've had them a couple times and they're pretty good. More on par with Sunset in my opinion than say some of the other favored places. I admit I haven't tried Bartley's.

I heard similar reviews re: Common Ground burgers also. If you're a burger aficionado, you should try RF O'Sullivan's on Beacon St. Somerville.

[tamerlanenj]

O'Sullivans = zzzzzzzz

All of Boston's best burgers are of the super huge pub burger variety...Boston needs a thin, juicy, greasy spoon style great burger along the lines of Shake Shack or In 'n Out.

[maillard]

Have you tried Flat Patties in Harvard Sq? I've never been to In 'n Out, so I'm not sure if it's the same, but I thought it was really tasty. Thin and greasy in the very best way. Tasty fries too.

[MichaelB]

I was thinking Flat Patties too. They don't have the elaborate combinations (or secret menu specials) that I've heard about with In N' Out, but they are pretty tasty. Also, they do grill the buns, which is always a Good Thing.

[tamerlanenj]

I had not even heard of flat patties. I will definitely have to try it.