On last night’s episode of “Burgers, Brew & Que,” Michael Symon loves his three favorite food groups on this episode titled “Hot and Spicy.” Michael is bringing fans across the country to visit places he deems to have the best “Burgers, Brew & Que,” and everything in between.
His first stop is the Hell’s Kitchen section of New York City where everyone told Michael he could get the spiciest burger in town. Island Burgers & Shakes has been around since 1996 and serves the Napalm Burger made by chef and owner Mark Calvino and is the hottest burger they make. They bring the heat in four ways; a spicy rub, spicy barbeque sauce, habeñero puree and four slices of jalapeño and Michael’s mouth was on fire for a long time. Michael found the antidote readily available at the shake counter. But regardless of the consequences, Michael recommends both the Napalm Burger and the Black and White Malted Shake.
In Nashville, Tennessee, Michael went to visit Acme Feed & Seed to see owner Tom Morales and his two daughters Kendall and Lauren, who serve up some great Southern food, but the beer list is phenomenal. They have 28 beers on tap, many from Nashville. In the kitchen, Michael met Matt Farley, the chef who made the Beer Belly Taco who combines pulled pork, pickled daikon, carrot, sweet chili & cilantro with black beans & grilled corn to create a combo of Mexican taco with Asian influence served with Mexican street corn. Michael wasn’t done yet; as he had to have the Chicken-Fried Steak paired with fries, coleslaw and smothered with gravy. His dark Black Abbey Dark Ale was the perfect pairing with this heavy treat. Symon Says, you must try these.
At Bubba’s Q in Avon, Ohio, former NFL All-Pro defensive end, Al Bubba Baker runs a barbeque joint where every customer is family. His world-famous boneless ribs have all the flavor of a regular rib. He smokes them traditionally with the bones, but then removes the bones in a secret process that Michael was not allowed to know. However, Bubba did invite Michael into the kitchen, but on his way there, he was greeted by Joel Bitonio and Mitchell Schwartz, members of Michael’s beloved Cleveland Browns who were defending Bubba’s deboning room. Michael did manage to sit with the guys and as part of Symon Says; he recommends the boneless baby back ribs and the big baked potato on this episode of “Burgers, Brew & Que.”