O'Sullivans rant..
Maybe my expectations were too high to begin with, but after my first experience there tonight I have to say I'm pretty disappointed. Started with a round of beers and the appetizer platter. Fries were good, different obviously and some salt or stronger seasoning could help, but nevertheless pretty decent. Onion rings were good, cooked well done so they were quite crispy which I especially enjoyed. Buffalo Chicken Tenders were ok, pretty standard items. Blue cheese dressing was a little bland, but I was satisfied thus far.
Onto the burger. I ordered the Black and Blue, medium, with everything on it. Looked fairly appetizing when it arrived. After a few bites I realized that 'medium' must have meant well done to them because there was absolutely no sign of pink inside the patty. The meat was very dry and I was ashamed to have to put ketchup on it just to moisten it up. The black pepper crust was nice and tasty, but considering the dimensions of the burger, they should have worked black pepper in when they made the patty to give the overcooked meat some flavor. The blue cheese was a total disappointment. They slathered it over the lettuce like it was a burger topped with a salad. A burger with blue cheese should have the stinky stuff melting all over the patty (see Tessaro's on the Pittsburgh board, mmm). The dressing, as mentioned above had hardly any flavor. I think I'm tasting the onions more than anything else. In the end, I was let down. I may go back again someday, but for the time being, I think my money will be better spent exploring the other famed burgers of the Boston Metro area.
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So I find that when someone criticizes a popular place, a lot of other pile on. I suspect it's because people are sometimes a little reluctant to criticize an otherwise popular place until they see others do it. I remember a recent rant about East Coast Grill, and after reading six or eight posts you'd never have known that ECG is one of the most popular Boston-area restaurants among Hounds. Mind you, I am not being at all critical; rather I'm just making an observation.
I happen not to be a fan of RFO's either (although, in fairness, I've only been once, so I really have to give them another chance). But the place is popular enough with the Hounds, including some of the most respected voices on this board, that they have to be doing something right.
IMHO, however, give me Bartley's any day. I don't know how that burger possibly could be improved upon, except perhaps by serving it in a more comfortable environment that also serves beer.
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Visited this place for the first time on Saturday. Kind of an odd place. But I will say I got my cheese burger cooked medium and after the first few bites my plate was full of juice.
My friend got his medium rare and it did look pinker than mine.
The novelty of the meatball hamburger wore off, and I'd doubt if I'd go back there.
Not to mention that 65+ bill after tax and tip for 3 burgers and 5 beers is just over the top for me.
I don't mind being gouged on one or the other, but when its both... -
Been to Sullivan's 4 or 5 times when I worked in Somerville based on all the Hype and I alway's left disappointed The Burger was either under cooked or Burnt, never how I ordered it.
They also use canned Mushrooms which is a HUGE no no for my Burger Taste. I'm telling you the Best Burger I've had around recently has been The Corrib Burger at the Corrib on Market st in Brighton. Mushrooms, Ham, Bacon,Lttuce and Tomato cooked to perfection and it's only 6.50 w/ nicely done fries and the Beer is nice and cold. -
O'Sullivan's has its merits, but consistency is not one of them. To make matters worse, you were hit with their greatest demerits, poorly seasoned meat and their inability to cook the burgers to the doneness (is that a word?) requested. My medium rare burgers there have come out ranging from black and blue to medium well, and the meat is never tasty on its own. My theory is that the biggest fans of the place also happen to prioritize (a) beer, (b) setting, and (c) toppings over the burger itself.
BK
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