Josef Burger & Bar

Menu
****
₪₪

Josef Burger is a Technicolor dream come true!

If our forefather, Joseph would have made a burger this tasty, I am CONVINCED his brothers never would have sold him off or fake his death.

As I penned for Golden Burger , there seems to be fascination around Jews and Burgers. It even says outside of this establishment, What is with Jerusalem and Burgers?!

“The hamburger seems to beckon Jews of all stripes and backgrounds. As if it were hidden from us all of our years in exile that we crave it wherever we might be. It is a staple of the coveted Jewish food that we all seem to flock towards. I remember eating the Big Kahuna years ago at Norman’s on Emek (and enshrining my name on the wall) and even before that, Mc Davids which was one of the first fast food burgers in this country. Burgers Bar started as a single location and took off to a successful franchise quickly based on its good eats. Mc Donalds was featured at the recent 4th of July celebrations in Jerusalem and proudly celebrated 40 years in Israel. “

I was not looking to fall in love at all! I had plenty of other worthy and verified burger suitors, Im blushing when I say that this patty stole my heart - and so very unexpectedly.

Located on Agrippas Street, next door to Hatzot and owned and managed by the same people, in the heart of the Machine Yehuda market, Josef’s burger is a designed hole in the wall, dive-like place with more of an on-campus vibe than a restaurant feel. All that was missing was a dart board and a pool table, but there would be no space. Even the bathroom is outside and around the corner because physical space is at such a premium here.

However, what they lose in real estate, they make up for in flavor.

I had the classic Daddy Jerusalem burger with garlic aioli and chimichurri. The bun was crispy, not soggy and the three patty stack was grilled (not fried) with real char marks. It was juicy, flavorful and just scrumptious. My friend had the lamb burger with pineapple and a gluten free bun. Hers was equally delicious. Do not judge her on the pineapple. She is wicked smart and as crazy as it sounds, this concoction worked.

One could choose all types of add-ons to your patty. From goose liver, sophisticatedly called foie gras, to portobello mushrooms, jalapeños, crispy lamb bacon or even just extra tomatoes and more. What you will NOT find here are the CRAVE like parve cheeses. This is an organic and purist burger establishment that will not be cheapened by those usually forbidden but loophole permitted gimmicks.

We did enjoy some seasoned fries that were good but nothing to write home about. But this burger was more than I had ever imagined.

There are other things to order here, of course. Salads for the carbohydrate challenged. Blooming onions and rings and wings, fulfilling that campus feel and a few other schnitzel like dishes too. But, if you come here, eat the burger. It might make you weak in the knees, like it did me, when you were looking for it the very least!

The bill gave more reason to celebrate. Burgers and fries and drinks and tips cha-chinned in at less than 200 Shekel - which is not bad, all things considered.

I know why this burger was crowned viceroy and made all of his competition very jealous! Enjoy this treat!