Hello and welcome back to Five Things I Ate! This week, we go on a burger hunt. Read past posts here, and please follow my Instagram, @fivethingsiate.
Cheeseburger at Cafe de Novo
94 1/2 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10006
During the summer my #1 food is the cucumber tomato salad but the Bodega Cheeseburger might be a close second. While it’s not a Cooling Food per say, it is a no-cook meal, as in, you get someone else to cook it for you. I love a good/bad bodega burger. It’s not quite as good-bad as an Amtrak Cheeseburger, but it’s also not a restaurant burger, and frankly, I like it like that. Cafe de Novo is not a five-star establishment, but it is open 24 hours, which is beautiful in its own way. The burger is your standard bodega fare, aka a standard thin patty, cooked on the griddle top melted with a slice of American, with lettuce tomato on a soft bun. Perfect for my needs.
Cheeseburger deluxe at Riverside Market
300 Albany St, New York, NY 10280
This Bodega Burger is one step up from the Cafe de Novo burger, as this is a slightly bougie bodega, but it’s not to be confused with a Fancy Bodega. The prices here are still good, but there is slightly less trash on the sidewalk in front of the entrance. I got the cheeseburger deluxe, which came with fries. This cheeseburger was weirdly massive?? I’m not going to knock something for being a good deal coz it was around 10 bucks, but I don’t like it when a full burger is too big for me but half is too small. Also they put the tomato and lettuce on the side which made the fries wilt a little. The fries were good, though, double-fried bodega style.
Junior burger at Treadwell Park
301 S End Ave, New York, NY 10280
This is a restaurant burger, so supposedly one step up from the Bodega Burger still. It’s a pretty solid burger. They have a non-junior burger but I don’t like that. I like my burgers to have thin flat patties (not necessarily smashed or super thin, I just hate those thick burgers with thick mealy brioche buns). It’s honestly a pretty perfect burger EXCEPT I have learned that it makes awful takeout. For some reason if you order the burger as a sit-down meal it comes out structurally sound BUT if you get it on Seamless it's a soggy wreck. Thankfully, I’ve done that research for you, so you know to go in person.
Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Premium Brownie Mix at the bodega
I love baking, but since it’s been consistently 90 degrees out I really haven’t bothered to try out a new recipe. Plus, I love a good box mix. There’s actually something more charming about it. It’s been a very long time since I bought brownie mix, because brownies are so easy to make. I have to admit I was overwhelmed by the choices? Why are there like half a dozen types of Ghirardelli brownie mix?? What’s the difference between double chocolate and chocolate supreme?? I decided to just choose this one on a whim. I’ve forgotten how nice the texture of box mix brownies is. Really nice crispy edges and chewy top here. The downside is that there is no butter flavor, since this is an oil-based box mix, and also these brownies weirdly make me very thirsty?? Perhaps it’s Too Sweet.
Koia Fruity Cereal Protein Shake at Whole Foods
Now for a total change of pace: I’m totally obsessed with vegan protein shake that tastes exactly like Froot Loops milk. I know this kind of goes against the whole cheeseburgers vibe BUT like many generations of people with ADHD before me, I really struggle to eat consistent meals, especially because I’m always on the go or on the way to the studio or the gym. However, if I don’t eat consistently my whole body comes to a grinding halt and I have a huge mental meltdown, which is a problem. I’m also picky about the type of foods I’ll eat when I’m in transit – I strictly prefer sit-down meals, BUT I will eat something on the go if it is a Little Treat. Hence this line of protein shakes that feels like a Little Treat! I’m not vegan (obviously) but I prefer vegan protein snacks and shakes because whey makes me nauseous. So far, this shake has been a lifesaver for me. The only downside is it's a bit pricey at over $4 but that seems to be a small price to pay to stop a mental and physical meltdown.
Stay cool,
Soph
P.S. Do you have a tip for staying nourished on the go? A protein bar that doesn’t suck? You can reply directly to this email.