The Charlottesville 29

Where to eat in Charlottesville

Tag: Citizen Burger Bar

03/18/2016

Five Finds on Friday: Karen Fiedler

Fielder

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Karen Fiedler, chef of Tin Whistle Pub, among ten restaurants competing in tomorrow’s Soupapalooza charity event at Commonwealth Restaurant & Skybar, from 12 pm until 4 pm.  A $10 ticket buys guests tasting-size samplings of all of the entrants’ soups, including restaurants like Clifton Inn, Public Fish & Oyster, and Parallel 38.  Guest also receive happy hour specials and a full bowl of their favorite of the soups.  Tin Whistle’s entries will be Nantucket Clam Chowder and Mole Cactus Andouille. Purchase tickets here.  Fiedler’s picks:

1) Tacos de Lengua at El Tesoro Mexican Deli.  “El Tesoro is a small family owned restaurant in Palmyra. The tongue tacos are incredibly tender and authentic.”

2)  Crispy Duck Confit Leg and Sweet Potato Waffles at Rapture.  “Wonderful take on a southern classic. Skin was perfectly crispy and the meat moist and tender. I love sweet potatoes, and the waffles were a perfect accompaniment.”

3)  Dakota Bread from Great Harvest Bread Company.  “Right balance of wholesome with a touch of sweet. Filling and perfect breakfast toast.”

4)  Chocolate Croissant from MarieBette Cafe & Bakery. “Can’t go wrong with any of their pastries, but the classic French croissant is one of the best.”

5)  Kinda Vegan Burger at Citizen Burger Bar.  “While I love meat, I appreciate a place that can make a great vegetarian/vegan burger, and this is one that I want to stuff my face into.”

03/11/2016

Citizen Burger Bar

CB

212 E. Main Street . Charlottesville, VA . (434) 979-9944
http://citizenburgerbar.com/charlottesville/

Why Citizen?

For sports fans in a college sports town, a good place to watch the game is essential.  Not long ago, it was not easy to find.  Enter Citizen Burger Bar, which opened in 2012 in the heart of the downtown mall and became an instant smash. With a long narrow space and plenty of big-screen TVs behind the bar, Citizen offers a view of the game from almost every seat.  And, an ever-changing list of draught beers plus more than 100 in bottles means there are suds to suit everyone’s taste.  Even the wines are well-chosen, and the cocktails ($8) priced right.

But what sets Citizen apart from other sports-watching venues is that they actually care about the food.  It’s not just slop to soak up the beer. The beef is grass-fed and from Timbercreek Farm, just eight miles from the grill. The chicken is local. The burger rolls are custom-made down the street at Albemarle Baking Company.  The fries are hand-cut, the dressings house-made, and the “Swiss” cheese is Virginia’s own McClure, by Mountain View Farm. Throw in a cheerful, well-trained staff, and you’ve got a place worthy of a visit even when it’s not game day.

What to Order

Burgers are king at Citizen, rivaling any in town, but there’s more than just ground beef.  Below is a list of our suggestions, owner Andy McLure’s favorites, and appearances in Five Finds on Friday, where a local chef or personality has named a Citizen dish as one of the best in town.

Our Picks

  • Custom Burger with Timbercreek Beef, Red, with American Cheese, on a Potato Roll
  • House Salad w/ Grilled Local Chicken
  • The Mini with Timbercreek Beef, Red, with American Cheese, on a Potato Roll

Owner’s Picks

  • Citizen Burger (Timbercreek beef, McClure swiss, black onion, garlic aioli, iceberg, tomato, house brioche, fried pickle)
  • House Salad
  • The Mini with Timbercreek Beef, Red, with American Cheese, on a Potato Roll
  • Custom Grilled Cheese with cheddar, Swiss, bacon, tomato, and a side of blue cheese dressing to dip
  • Cheese Fries

Five Finds on Friday Picks

01/22/2016

Five Finds on Friday: Bryan Kelly

Bryan

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Bryan Kelly, Executive Chef of Harvest Moon Catering. On February 6, Kelly will be part of a stellar line-up of chefs at a special dinner to raise money for the National MS Society.  Kelly will join Tucker Yoder of Eljogaha, Christian Kelly of Maya, and Mark Otis to prepare six courses paired with wines. Among the excellent local purveyors to be featured are Harvest Thyme Herbs, The Rock Barn, The Local Food Hub, Seafood @ West Main, a.m. Fog Mushroom Farm, Gabriele Rausse, and more.  $100 per person, with proceeds to fight multiple sclerosis.  Location TBD. Email msbenefitdinner2016@gmail.com for tickets and more info. Meanwhile, Kelly’s picks:

1)  Budino at Lampo.  “My wife and I love going here for a night cap to end most of our dates. We love the budino. It always a great way to head home.”

2) Jack’s Java Espresso Stout from Three Notch’d Brewery.  “I absolutely love every beer Dave and his team crafts but Jack’s Java is on a different level for me. It’s always very difficult to limit my intake after work.”

3)  The Hotness at Citizen Burger Bar.  “No better place to watch sports with my family then Citizen Burger Bar. Burgers are my favorite food on earth and The Hotness is the one I enjoy the most.”

4)  Dried Fried Eggplant at Peter Chang’s.  “I could eat this all day long. Love all the numbing qualities this dish has to offer. It is always something I start with when eating at Peter Chang’s.”

5)  Everything at C&O Restaurant.  “I have known Dean for many years, first having met him when we were both apprentices at the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia. The C&O is always great food and well thought out.”