I finally got a taste of The Whiskey King Burger yesterday. I know, what your thinking…”Maria YOU haven’t been to Village Whiskey yet?”. We’ll actually I have, but the place was so packed that all I could tolerate with that crowd was a drink…well actaully two, and a bite of the deviled eggs. Lunch time is much more manageable.
So up until now Butcher and Singer definitely had me….had me at first bite, but Village Whiskey- you now hold The Crown and are reigning supreme! Yes Whiskey King…your name is well fitting because you ARE the KING of BURGERS in this town. And how could you be anything but perfectly put together? Your creator is our City’s Celebrity Chef who knows food in and out and when he doesn’t, he does the research needed to deepen his knowledge so that just about everything he touches tastes like a treasure!
I’m still dreaming about that burger…The bottom of a brioche sesame seed roll, layered with bibb lettuce, fresh ripe tomato,8 ounces of sustainable farm-raised Angus beef (a mixture of sirloin, chuck, and round eye), maple bourbon glazed caramelized cipollini onions, applewood smoked bacon, Rogue smokey blue cheese, one ounces of seared Foie Gras, crowned with the toasted top of that sesame bun, and cooked to medium requested, perfection .
Oozy, greasy, dripping down your fingers and hands, juicy goodness. Decadent and exploding with flavor. Comforting in the simplistic sandwich sense, but so rich you feel almost guilty for getting so much pleasure out of what usually is the star of a backyard BBQ or casual meal…..until you get the bill. A $24 Burger? And it doesn’t even come with the duck fat fries??? We’ll considering all the high end ingredients, the perfect execution, and that it’s size alone could retitle it The Whiskey King Kong, it’s worth the hefty price. This burger was more than enough to satisfy the grumbling stomachs of two famished foodies. We did add in a side of the Tater Tots….so lite and airy they almost dissipate in your mouth like well made gnocchi….for only THREE bucks. Yes, at Village Whiskey, lunch becomes a royal affair!
Where to sit: I love the seats at the Retro looking bar with its marble top and view of the green glass shade bankers lamp staged behind the bar. While the weather is still nice, try to snag one of the teak wood upscale picnic size tables.
Tots- served w/ a caramelized Vidalia onion dip
What to Order: The Whiskey King Burger ($24), Tater Tots ($3), Duck Fat Fries ($5), Herb Cherry Tomatoes (under the Pickles section) The Fun-named Cocktails (Vieux Carre, De Rigueur, Between the Sheets)
What to Skip: The Deviled Eggs (they taste like Dijon eggs…all mustard) and the The Philadelphia Scottsman Cocktail (egg white froth completely overpowers the lemongrass essence)
On My List to Try: Next time in I’m hitting up those Short Rib and Cheddar French Fries and going for the BBQ Pork Sammy! I’d try the Village Burger, but how do you back to a plain old Villager when you’ve had The King??? 
Best Time to Go: Lunch time (around 1pm after the rush) because it’s less crowded than in the evening, although the amped up throwback Jazz music is fun at night . Keep in mind the Lunch and Dinner Menu is exactly the same.
Hours: Mon-Thurs 11:30am-11pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am-12am, Sun 4pm-11pm
Filed under: Bites, Restaurant Reviews | Tagged: Best Burgers Philly, Burgers in Philly, Foie Gras, Food Philly, Jose Garges, Philly Lunch Hot Spots, Village Whiskey, Whiskey King Burger
