Burgatroyd

Location: SE 2nd and Oak, The Row
Hours: Tues, Wed, 11am-4pm; Thurs, 11-6, Fri-Sat, 11-8, Sun, 11-6

The Story:

Last year, a fellow burger connoisseur, Nick Zukin, set out to discover Portland’s top burgers. While mostly concentrating on restaurants, Nick did highlight the burger at Garden State as one if his top 10. I’ve enjoyed the Garden State burger also and am excited to see that Kevin Sandri, the owner, has taken that burger and opened Burgatroyd.

Located at Mississippi Marketplace in the same cart that housed Kevin’s first incarnation of Garden State and the short lived T-Rex last year, you will find a wide grill, a deep fryer and a bagel toaster oven. Kevin was the only burger joint in the lot and up until recently, one of the only burgers on N Mississippi. Since his introduction of the Garden State burger last summer, the street has seen the influx of other excellent sandwiches from the likes of Bar Bar, Lucy’s Original and Mee Sen Thai. The street is quickly becoming a burger fan’s destination spot. Burgatroyd though, has one of the coolest names.

Burgatroyd offers up an excellent burger for great price. Each one is a 1/4 lb Highland Oak Beef and burgers are $4 with cheeseburgers at $5. What sets Burgatroyd apart from other spots is that you can build your own masterpiece and add extras like pancetta, pickled beets, fennel kraut, a pineapple slice, Calabrian chili aioli or even a fried egg. While normally I opt for a simple burger on a bun in order to enjoy what the chef has in store for me, I’ve enjoyed Kevin’s burgers, so know it will be to my liking. The day I visited, I decided to go for it and added the aioli, some chopped red onions, dill pickles and a fried egg. They added the pancetta accidentally and I didn’t complain. What I enjoyed that day was one of those mind blowing burgers you tell your buddies about the next time you’re having beers. Each of the extra items cost more, but it was well worth it. A juicy flavorful meat cooked medium rare had just the right amount of fat for flavor. The chili aioli has an initial spice but mostly an afterburn that was enjoyable with every subsequent bite and complemented the shoestring fries.

Hamburger and Fries from Burgatroyd

Burgatroyd is a great addition to the Mississippi Marketplace pod. Every time I enjoyed a beer at PROST!, I imagined what it would be like with a good burger. If Kevin decides to go late night come spring and summer, Portland will keep him busy. Next time you’re in the mood for either a simple or complex burger, check out Burgatroyd and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

[Burgatroyd moved to The Row in November 2012]

Sample Menu:

• Burger  – $4
• Cheeseburger – $5
• Burgafries – $2.50

Add-it-up for 25c each

• Fennel kraout
• Calabrian chili aioli
• Sliced red onion – raw or caramelized or pickled
• Pickled beets, giardiniera
• Mushrooms
• Dill pickles
• Pineapple slices
• Roasted tomatoes

Add-it-up for 50c each

• Roasted red pepper
• Roasted Poblano chile
• Sunchoke relish
• Cage free egg
• Pancetta for $1

Hours: Tues, Wed, 11am-4pm; Thurs, 11-6, Fri-Sat, 11-8, Sun, 11-6
Website: Burgatroyd.com
Twitter: @Burgatroyd