The interior of Bobby’s Burger Palace; chef Bobby Flay holding his Crunchburger, a patty with double American cheese and potato chips. Photographs by Emma Patti
Slideshow: Burgers, Fries, Milkshakes, and More
Food
An Early Look at Bobby’s Burger Palace in DC (Pictures)
Red-headed Food Network chef Bobby Flay has set up shop in Washington.
Celebrity chef Bobby Flay debuts his sixth Bobby’s Burger Palace today, bringing his signature Crunchburger—that’s a patty heaped with potato chips—and other indulgences to 2121 K Street, Northwest.
Burgers—choose chicken, turkey, or beef—get regionally inspired toppings. The Santa Fe Burger has queso sauce, pickled jalapeños, and blue-corn chips; the Philadelphia includes provolone, griddled onions, and hot peppers. There’s no nod yet to Washington, but Flay says a DC-themed burger is in the works and that he may ask the White House—where he has grilled with President Obama—to pitch ideas.
Shakes come in such flavors as pomegranate-blueberry and Cola, and there are boozy ones spiked with bourbon, rum, and vodka. Flay’s ideal meal?
“A pistachio shake, a Crunchburger with pickled jalapeños and coleslaw, and a side of hand-cut fries,” he says.
For our either/or questionnaire, Flay told us some of his other preferences, including Benson or Stabler (his wife, Stephanie March, is on Law & Order: SVU), country music or rap, and how he feels about José Andrés versus Anthony Bourdain.
Culinary school or kitchen slave?
Culinary school first, kitchen slave second.
Beer or milkshakes?
Milkshakes.
Rickeys or Manhattans?
Rickeys . . . like a lime Rickey? Oh, Manhattans for sure. I’m a huge bourbon fan—Woodford Reserve, Booker’s, Bakers.
Beef or pork?
I’m going to go with beef, because everybody’s so pork-crazy right now. I think there’s nothing more satisfying than a juicy burger or steak.
Small-plates or normal-size plates?
Normal-size plates!
José Andrés or Anthony Bourdain?
José Andrés.
Competing or losing against Teddy Folkman or José Andrés?
[I’d rather compete against] José Andrés. With Iron Chef, I always want to win. Throw Down, I never want to win. José Andrés did goat [on Iron Chef America in 2007], and he did a great job and he beat me. I’d rather lose to him.
Benson or Stabler?
Well, Mariska Hargitay (Benson) introduced me and my wife, so I’ll have to go with her for sure. I like Chris Meloni too, but Mariska is pretty close to my heart. That’s a good question, though!
’90s country or ’90s rap?
Rap. It’s not even close.
New York State of Mind or Empire State of Mind?
I’m a huge Jay-Z fan, so I’m going to have to say Empire State of Mind, although it’s hard to say no to Frank. [Hey, Bobby, New York State of Mind is by Billy Joel!]
Masaharu Morimoto or Mario Batali?
Morimoto. He’s my greatest competitor, and now my greatest colleague.
Rachael Ray or Paula Deen?
Why are you trying to get me in trouble? I can’t separate those two. You’re a troublemaker!
New York Times or New York Post?
The Times.
Hangover cure: Bloody Mary or Gatorade?
Bloody Marys.
Ari or Mrs. Ari?
Mrs. Ari by a landslide. Until she kicks me out of the house.
Bobby’s Burger Palace. 2121 K St., NW; 202-974-6260; bobbysburgerpalace.com. Open Monday through Thursday 11 to 10, Friday and Saturday 11 to 11, Sunday 11 to 9.
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Food Editor
Anna Spiegel covers the dining and drinking scene in her native DC. Prior to joining Washingtonian in 2010, she attended the French Culinary Institute and Columbia University’s MFA program in New York, and held various cooking and writing positions in NYC and in St. John, US Virgin Islands.
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