Slater’s 50/50, Los Angeles
As long as I can remember, I have always enjoyed eating hamburgers. But whenever I saw a pink color in the meat, I was told it was a “No!-No!”. Pink meant that it was non fully cooked, and perhaps unsafe to eat. And the idea of uncooked, rare, or even some pinkish medium ones, raised red flags with me. Yet, when I looked at the menu at Slater’s – their burgers are featured pink and they boast about the color. Their claim to fame is a burger that is hand packed with bacon, thereby resulting in the pink.
Astounded by this claim, I knew I had to try it – a beef burger patty packed with bacon. Unlike other bacon burgers, with a patty and a couple of strips on top, Slater’s signature burger is 50% ground beef and 50% ground bacon. This savory component, built right in, brings a unique and different taste profile. This added dimension is ignored when I chomp right in. But you could taste the bacon flavor with every bite. The bottom line for me, perhaps was this novelty, but more the combination of taste in the Peanut Butter & Jelly and the 50/50 with an egg. You’d think the burger would be more salty, than maybe desired, but alas, it wasn’t. I think the ground bacon provides the burger a better structure and consistency. Some gourmet burger tend to fall apart easily, while the Slater’s 50/50 holds quite well.
I had to try the Peanut Butter & Jelly, since I was told it was one of Orange County’s top burgers. Slathered with peanut butter and jelly, this sweet and savory classic combination is melded with the signature 50/50 patty. This gooey combination is a winner with kids, and myself. I liked the sweet combination with the bacon flavor. I confess, though, having made mess. (I’m a Poet!)
I was disappointed with my friend selection of healthy carb-less 50/50 – without bread. I don’t think any burger is complete without bread, let alone the additions – the chef intended it to be. It’s like having a double double without lettuce, tomatoes, and sauce. Anyways… I guess to each their own.
I regret that I ordered my PB & J with only a 1/3 lb. patty. I choose the “lighter” selection, with the abundant amount of sides. I should have picked the 2/3 lb. patty. But i think I made up for the lack of calories in the sides of mac’n cheese and the combo appetizer plate – with fries, sweet potato fries, and the fried pickle chips. The mac’n cheese was good, but nothing special. I like most mac’n cheese’s, but I think its hard to really do exceptional mac’n cheese. And Slater’s was good, but not exceptional. The fries – sweet and regular were fine. But it was the fried pickles, in which my brother told me to order, that were exceptional. The deep fried batter mix with the tangy and sour pickle were really good. You don’t find new flavors and combinations that you like every day.
Slater’s is a nice bar, a neighborhood sports bar in fact, that features great burgers. The fact that I drove for about an hour in traffic to Anaheim Hills was a feat in itself. But at the end of the day, Slater’s and their 50/50 PB&J was well worth the drive.
What to Order: 50/50 PB&J and Deep Fried Pickle Chips!!! What not to Order: you don’t need to waste your time with regular fries or sweet potato ones.
Rating 3 Pigs Price Range 2 $/¥/NT