Big Daddy's

Big Daddy's Menu

Big Daddy's, located on Columbus and 91st, is a retro themed diner that in my opinion is on the map for the Sweet Potater Tots. The retro theme is complimented with Trivial Pursuit cards on each table and a funky wallpaper that spans no specific generation, featuring logos/icons from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and 2000s. Sure they offer a handful of extra large burgers and a number of homemade shakes as well but since Napoleon Dynamite made tots all the rage, they're a menu must. Making sweet potatoes into tots is just taking things up a few notches and that's something that needs to be recognized.

Big Mac Daddy

In eateries that serve sweet potato fries, I'm one to ask for maple syrup to dip them in. Sometimes that will result in some odd looks for the wait staff but I'm very used to odd looks. Big Daddy's, however, serves their Sweet Potater Tots with a homemade, over the top, spicy and not sweet at all BBQ sauce for dipping and it is NOT a good pairing for me. The sauce is strong and not complimentary to the sweetness of the sweet potatoes and that's just a mistake. For a look at their menu, click here.

Half Eaten Big Mac Daddy

The big burgers, are cooked to order from fresh meat and served with tots. Be warned!! Do not ask to sub in the Sweet Potater Tots for regular tots because Big Daddy will draw the line and you'll be put in your place. I've been told "We can't do that." In the food service business, focus on the word service, there's no such thing as can't. Want the sweet tots? Spend an extra $6. I was seething at this one because it's just absurd. The last thing I need is tots and more tots to go with my burger. I sorta worry about my waistline sometimes and I think I should pay some attention to my cholesterol so getting more fried treats, no matter if they're trans-fat free or not, seems like a not so hot idea. Add that to the fact that it's nice 'n' greasy for my complexion and we've got a winning combo.

Infamous Sweet Potater Tots

But you are saying, this is a burger site, where's the burger review? Here it is. I recently visited and ordered the Big Mac Daddy burger - their take on the Big Mac minus one patty and one slice of bread while adding caramelized onions. The burger holds up really well and has nice flavor, with or without all the added toppings. The bun is a good size to hold the large slab of beef piled on top of it while soaking up the burger's juices nicely.

Rating - 3.75/5 - No subbing sweet potater tots with a $15 burger and forcing the customer to spend an extra $8 on this signature item? Foolish. The burger is good and a bit on the high side. At $15 (not including a drink, sides, etc.) you are creeping in on Olde Homestead or Minetta Tavern territory and this is not on the level with those. It's a good burger, not the best burger but the no subbing really does rub me the wrong way.

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Blue 9 - Hell's Kitchen

I should have been scared.

Let's start by taking you back to a time when I was on one of my typical eatercising quests. This time was roughly 5 years ago and I was in the midst of trying out some "must have" food in NYC. I'm not going to put any other spots on blast here but I say this NY, it's not that you can't get a good cheesesteak in NYC but if you are telling me it's just like the Philly experience and you do not deliver, shame, shame, shame. It's not "let's call Arnold Diaz" type shame but it's not good and I'd rather make a run down to Philly. On a night like that, after a cheesesteak letdown, I needed a burger pick me up. Blue 9 was close and I had heard good things so it seemed like a good fit. Until I ate it.

Fast forward to the present day and I was doing some wandering up and down 9th avenue - one of the BEST places to wander if you are not in the village IMO - and there was another Blue 9. Sure this was not the same one that jaded my opinion of their small chain but at some point, a chain is a chain because they do it all the same. If not, what's the point. The only thing that varies, is the amount of love the cook has for the food. If the cook wants your burger experience to be the best burger experience, chain or not, they can and will wow you. Trust me on this, I had Taco Bell late last night and it wowed me. Sure I was famished but I was also shocked that the food presented nicely and was neatly packaged in the tortilla.

So Blue 9 2.0, here's to you. I walk in the Hell's Kitchen location, door wide open, place empty, two guys behind the counter seemingly confused as to why I am there. I ask, "you are still open correct?" The hesitant "yes" should have told me to go home and eat some Chobani but I was here so why not? I ask for a Blue 9 Burger  (double burger, cheese, lettuce, tomato, thousand island) As the pic shows you, raw onion got on there too, NBD since I like it but why the wilted lettuce? I say that is not necessary. The burger itself is actually not bad. The picture you see is a double and each bite does provide enough beef. It also has enough similar qualities to a number of other burger places that sell shakes in NYC however if you like you burger served with a side of apathy and heaping loads of indifference on top, then you might love Blue 9.

Blue 9 Menu with FLASHY flash!

Rating - 2/5 - This has been a middle the road burger for me for a long time. I took a 5 year hiatus and they're still there, mediocrity, minus half a point for wilted lettuce and indifference. It's nothing spectacular though I've noticed the burger menu has morphed a bit to feature some more exotic pairings - mango came to mind at the Hell's Kitchen spot. Similar experiences, different locations, years apart. Who really goes here? And why?

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