The burger wars have divided purveyors and eaters alike, with new eateries specializing in the patty popping up throughout Nassau County and across Long Island. But Bareburger is one burger joint taking its concept beyond borders, with locations in such exotic locales as Tokyo, Dubai and New Jersey.
One of its newest locations, at the busy intersection of South Oyster Bay and Woodbury roads in Plainview, sees the eatery peddling its organic and all-natural burgers, snacks and shakes from recycled shipping containers, stacked and refurbished into one of the area’s most intriguing settings to enjoy a meal. Basically, it’s a hipster playground with a great beer menu and some of the most captivating burgers offered anywhere.
The burger list reads as though the Barebuger brain trust corralled some of the most progressive chefs in the world and gave them free reign with ingredients, including the meat. Besides classic beef, Bareburger also utilizes wild boar, elk, bison, duck, turkey and ostrich, along with house-made black bean and sweet potato patties. No matter which meat is chosen, eaters can be assured that all of Bareburger’s meats are free-range, pasture and humanely raised, and antibiotic-, gluten- and hormone-free.
A major standout is the Wiki Wiki burger, which sees a wild boar patty draped in gouda with duck bacon, chickpea onions and grilled pineapple on a brioche bun. The wild boar boasts some breakfast sausage qualities in all the right spots, but is hearty like a classic burger. Gouda, the perfect melty cheese, brings rich smokiness, while the duck bacon is a shockingly unctuous twist on the already amazing pig variety. The boar also stars in the Hog Wild burger, with pimento cheese and a fried egg.
Another protein option at Bareburger is elk, which is the meat of choice in the Grindhouse and Blue Elk burgers. The Blue Elk is a favorite, with Amish blue cheese, country bacon, stout onions and tomato fig jam on a sprout bun. The elk is surprisingly rich and juicy, but the tomato fig jam is the surprising touch, bringing a mild sweetness and cutting through the strong blue cheese. Another burger that deserves top billing is the Fire Quacker, boasting a duck patty with pepper jack cheese, pickled jalapeños and habanero mayo.
For anyone looking for beef, take your pick from the Buckaroo, Supreme and The Standard. The Buckaroo stands out as it adds brisket to its toppings of aged cheddar, wild mushroom and smoke sauce.
There’s also the option of customizing a burger with the “Be My Burger” section of the menu. This seven-step process allows eaters to choose a patty from any of the aforementioned proteins, as well as grilled lemon chicken, sweet potato and wild rice, black bean and farmers quinoa. Then you choose a bun, cheese, veggies, sauce and spread.
Beyond burgers, Bareburger has hearty crops and greens, shareable sides like onion rings, fries, an array of pickles and slaws, crispy Brussels sprouts and sliders. Bareburger also offers absolutely killer chicken sandwiches like Hot Honey Chicken, featuring buttermilk fried chicken with Brussels sprout slaw, grilled pineapple, crispy lotus root and hot honey.
Though it might be difficult, it is worth saving room for dessert. Try the Chunkay Monkae, a sundae with vanilla ice cream, bananas flambé, bourbon caramel, whipped cream and candied pecans.
The Plainview Bareburger is located at 399 South Oyster Bay Rd. 516-932-3500. For a complete list of locations, visit www.bareburger.com.
