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Veselka bacon cheeseburger
The other day I came across some mention that Veselka has a great burger. Looked it up online a bit more and saw that it comes recommended as an underrated burger. I walked by it two days in a row and it was packed on both days, the dining room was filled with brunchers therefore I got some take-out instead. There was a slight snafu with charging me the correct price for the burger. The price for the burger is $7.50 on the menu on the window, and $9.50 (maybe $9.25) for the deluxe, which comes with lettuce, tomatoes, and french fries. And this is how the order went...
"Can I get a bacon cheeseburger?"
"Do you want tomatoes and lettuce?"
"Yes."
"Do you want fries?"
"No thanks."
"That'll be $11.xx"
(this next part occurred in my head)
"WTF you idiot. Look at me. I am Asian. You could find a calculator in my left hand as I came out of my mother's womb. You gotta be kidding me."
(this next part is for real)
"Eleven what? How does that work?"
"You had a burger, you added bacon that's dollar [mumbles], cheese, that's dollar [mumbles], lettuce and tomatoes, that's dolar [mumbles]..."
"You know what, tell me how much that is with french fries."
"$10.xx"
(this next part occurred in my head)
"Buddy, you just charged me LESS to get fries. I could just throw out the fries on the sidewalk and it will be a better deal. What are you thinking? What is Veselka? A used car dealership? 'Get more, for less!' Pour me some holy water and call me a horsey, I just won the jackpot."
After that he asked me how I want the burger done, and ten minutes later, the transaction was complete. Two things about the burger, it is greasy and completely delicious. They did not really cook it medium-rare like requested, however it made little difference in terms of enjoyment. If you are used to the portion sizes at the Shack, you would welcome the burger from Veselka, although there is difference in price, and perhaps brain farting from the guy who tabulates your bill. Compared to a bacon cheeseburger from a fast food joint (which I love, Jr. bacon cheeseburger, anyone?), the bacon from Veselka is much more satisfying and hearty.
The fries were great, although could be a bit warmer. I guess that is the downside of getting takeout. They put the fries in a huge red cup and they are the thin, crispy version, in the same classification as McDonald fries. Not as good as fries from Prune but still nice and crunchy and not undercooked.
Overall I really like the deluxe burger combo at Veselka. And now I know to just go ahead and get the fries because they are worth it, since apparently they are not only free if you want lettuce and tomatoes, but they actually give you a discount for fries! Amazing.
Veselka Restaurant
Address: 144 2nd Ave. New York, NY 10003
Phone: 212-228-9682
MapPosted by Danny on January 4 2008 at 12:23 pm
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hmm, that looks yummy. I don't think I've ever had the burger at vselka. I can't believe their math is so screwed up.
Ang on January 4 2008 at 2:08 pm
"Look at me. I am Asian. You could find a calculator in my left hand as I came out of my mother's womb."
LOL - you had me cracking up in the middle of the workday!!! Best quote of the week! :)
Kathy on January 4 2008 at 3:33 pm
Aw man, I should've gotten that on my last visit to Veselka! My beef stew something or other was kinda expensive for not tasting like awesome. -__-
My inborn Asian calculator is running low. Sigh.
Robyn on January 4 2008 at 5:35 pm
If you are in that area again you have to go to Paul's (near St. Mark's) for a burger. The burgers are loosely packed and go down oh so smooth. Plus free pickle slices at every table.
http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/pauls-palace/
My Asian superpowers didn't develop until recently - perhaps I was not ready as a child.
Dennis on January 4 2008 at 7:31 pm
Asians aren't born with calculators. Asians are born with an Abacus. Get it right.
of course, I cant write what I really wanted to write about your math challenged order taker, so instead I will just mention that bacon is delicious.
chiu08 on January 4 2008 at 8:23 pm
Ang,
I do not know why their math is so off. He was not adding in his head, he punched it into the machine. They need better programmers.
Kathy,
Glad you liked it! The truth actually is that I am not very good at math, and in turn probably not a very good Asian...
Robyn,
My inborn calculator is running low too, but thankfully I find it in random places now; there is a button on my keyboard that is specifically to bring up the calculator application in windows... yea...
Dennis,
Asian super powers?! I need to get me some of those.
Chiu08,
You are right, it is an abacus, I will get it right next time. And I already know what you want to say.
Danny on January 7 2008 at 9:58 am
$11.xx for a burger, so expensive. since the shop charges more, they suppose to have better service staff. I believe that the issue is not whether Asia were born with Abacus or calculators, it is their management problem. The human resource has such a 'good' sense to pick up the 'right' people to work with them. What are they going to end up?
chicago on January 7 2008 at 5:05 pm
Well, that is about the going rate for a burger in New York. I am desensitized to it by now. Really though the problem was probably with their POS (that is Point Of Sale not Piece Of ....).
Danny on January 9 2008 at 1:22 pm