my Burger Lab

Sometimes change sneaks up on us ever so slowly, we don't even realise it's taking place.

One such time, was when I was preparing to write this post and realised...

WTF I can't believe I've become one of those schmoes who queue up for ages to eat anywhere. TWICE!

But after the initial horror, I'm relieved to say, at least the burgers here was pretty awesome, so I guess I'm going to put the first time down to research, and the second one down to having nothing better to do on a Friday night. That last bit is sad, I know.

So, the menu is pretty much what's on there. Cleverly placed, so you can decide while you wait in line. Other things to keep you entertained while you wait in line include a wall full of polaroids of supposedly satisfied customers, and a bunch of notes written on currency tacked on the board next to the photos. You can also alternate between scanning the menu, and actually watching their kitchen staff whip up those burgers and fries while you ponder which burger to get.
So, once you've placed your order, gotten your number (like at the post office), you're now out of the queue and forced to wait around awkwardly for your order. I say awkward because between already very full tables, the preppy-college-kid-looking staff clearing tables so that the even more people who are circling the tables like vultures waiting for a spot to open up can sit down, there's hardly any space to stand without being jostled. It also annoys the crap out of me that the staff, and quite a number of the patrons all look and talk like they've been cast to be part of some young adult drama series set in a burger joint.

So here comes the bit where going through all that becomes a little more worthwhile: the food!

 

So, first trip there, I had the Chicken A+ which was pretty good. I did not expect the bun to be as beautifully soft and warm as it was. But of all the things I've ever eaten, I'd probably put it at an A-. Still, better than most places. The eating experience was also probably impaired a little by the fact that I was standing at the bar-like counter near the entrance - the only table left. 

The second time there was one random Friday night, a couple of friends and I decided that burgers, instead of beers, would be our poison. One of the two said friends, lived a convenient 3 turns away from this place. So this time, we had a better solution to all our parking problems - both for the car and our backsides. 

This time I got to enjoy my burger - The Hulk was the burger of choice this time - in the relative comfort of my buddy's spacious dining room table. That said, I'm pretty sure it wasn't the relative comfort of my eating space that makes me say this oily little piece of heaven is the burger that deserves an A+. Highlight of the burger - the fried avocado, also available on some of the other burgers, and as an add-on for a price I don't remember. 

Omnomnomlicious indeed.

Okay, I can't believe I wrote that word, especially while not even remotely talking about Sesame Street. Ick.

7 Village

If it's fried, oozing chocolate or just sinfully indulgent in any way, I'm usually the first to be a fan. But one of the few things I absolutely love, and is still relatively healthy, it's koay teow th'ng (literal translation: flat rice noodles in soup).

There are some pretty awesome places you can get this in Penang; my favourites being the one in Sg. Nibong in the daytime, and the one at the Pulau Tikus market if you're looking for dinner. 

But on one of my recent trips back, I discovered this place at Abu Siti Lane.:

Unlike my usual favourites, this isn't a hawker stall type of thing. But let's face it, sometimes you're just not in the mood for the hot, crowded coffee shops. Or it's raining cats and dogs outside, and you're still craving this (or are on a short trip to Penang and want to eat everything in sight for fear of not having tried something). For those times, I love the fact that places such as this now exist. 

Not sure what the food might look like? The huge posters on the wall will give you a pretty good idea.

I had my doubts at first. Didn't help that they have this really annoying bell that the person preparing drinks rings every time they're done with an order.

But when the food came, I was feeling waaay more forgiving. Side dishes/snacks above were all pretty delicious. My particular favourites were the lor bak and the curry fish balls. 

Also, I have to make a point to mention this...don't be fooled by my dish of cili padi in the picture. What's really awesome here is the chili sauce thing they have in a container on the tables with all the other condiments. I had no idea at first and scooped my usual helping of cili padi. But that was left long forgotten the moment I tried their chili sauce. I kind of think it reminds me a little of the Nando's peri-peri sauce, but it totally works! 

And the main event, the koay teow th'ng. 

There's quite a fair bit more on their menu, and I still have my doubts that all of it is good.
I've got a long-held belief that any makan place with too extensive and diverse a menu means only a handful of those dishes are awesome and the rest are usually quite awful (or perpetually not available, or as I've been told many a time by some waiters "out of stock". I kid you not.).

Whether that rule applies to this place...I'll have to go back for seconds to find out.