Two Burger Reviews: The Palm and Miracle of Science

[tamerlanenj]

I had a chance to try two burgers in the past few days that are generally well regarded in the Boston burgerhound community. I thought it my duty to communicate my findings as follows.

The Palm: This burger is only available at lunch during the week, which means you'll find it hard gettin' unless you happen to work in the Back Bay. I've been meaning to try it for a while, but I only had the opportunity after finishing grading all my final papers for the semester.
Sat in the bar, where service was friendly, though some fellow patrons decided to heckle me about my Yankees hat. A 60 year old man acting like a 14 year old...only in Boston.
As for the burger...well, it's hard to say it's anything special. It's a sirloin burger, and is a bit lacking in flavor. Still, it was cooked a nice medium and was sufficiently juicy. However, the bun was just TERRIBLE. Stale, not soft at all, with a sort of crumbly texture that I despise in buns (it reminded me of the terrible chainburgers from Bennigans I used to get in high school).
All in all, this burger is similar in type though inferior in quality to the lunch burger at Abe and Louie's. Though The Palm still has better steak. Grade: C+ I don't count this in my overall grade, but I have to say the Palm has tremendously tasty and super crispy fries.

Miracle of Science: Another well regarded burger, but another merely so so experience. I ordered mine rare because bars always overcook, and it STILL came out practically well done. It did have a nice flame grilled taste, and I enjoyed the pan fried potatoes, but I can't say the burger was anything I'd run back for. Maybe if it were cooked to the right temperature...it was served on a kind of oversized french roll which, while better than the stale crap at The Palm, was still not exactly ideal for a burger bun.

[sullz79]

You should try the Veggie burger at the Miracle. I don't eat Veggie burgers, but when I go to the Miracle I always get one over a regular....with pepper jack cheese, of course.

[steinpilz]

Thanks for the review... I was thinking of trying Miracle of Science after the recent burger thread on the Boston Chowhound board (I like flame grilled burgers) and will probably still give it a try as I like MofS.

[digga]

Aren't MoS burgers griddled?

[tamerlanenj]

I thought mine tasted grilled, but I could be mistaken. I know those yummy potatoes are cooked in a skillet.

[MrBigTime]

I second (or triple) the "Roni" at the MoS. As for atmosphere, since you went for lunch, I'm guessing you didn't accompany it with a pitcher of Brooklyn (that would probably go with the hat). Also, I do like the slightly studious feel of the bar, especially since its right down the road from MIT.

[tamerlanenj]

Actually, it was at night and I did indeed have two or three pints of brooklyn lager. Fun place. I'll definitely go back and give the burger a second try.

[Joanie]

I'm pretty sure they're grilled. I've found them to be more inconsisent in the last few years but still can be great. Guess they don't always undercook like their sister restaurant Audobon.

[digga]

Yeah, I think I was wrong (maybe MB aka MB can chime in here?). I am thinking of all the grilled items I have ordered in the past - the pita in the hummus plate, veggie and shrimp skewers.

[lergnom]

I like the Palm's burger. I think it's slightly better most of the time than Abe & Louie's, which I also like. Never had that bun burger. The Palm has improved their fries over the past year.

[nm424]

It's too bad to heear about your experience...I've always been a huge fan of Miracle's burger, maybe you just went on an off night

[jgg13]

At MoS, did you get the normal burger or the "roni burger"? the latter is much better IMO

[BBHound]

Um, er , what is the "roni burger"?

[jgg13]

Its got jalepenos ground into the meat and served w/ pepper jack cheese

[tamerlanenj]

Yeah, I got the one with the hot peppers.

[joth68]

I agree with your miracle of science review. Good but not a destination burger spot.