Back to Marky’s… Tasting and Testing the Cheeseburger

Just thinking about it makes my mouth water. My six senses drove me towards Marky’s Philly Joint, the place where I discovered the best burger in Lebanon. I just had to go again and have that burger that’s been on my mind a while now.

After writing my review a couple of weeks ago about Marky’s, I received many calls and emails from people criticising me for just trying their special edition burger and naming it the best. It was really that good… for those who think I am exaggerating I invite you to head down there and try it… But no problem, to satisfy your questions and of course to quench my intense cravings for their burger, I went back to Marky’s again and this time I made sure to try more of the choices available on their menu.

We ordered and tried some of their basic choices on the menu, just to see if the place is as good as I have described earlier.

We ordered:

Cheese Burger 8,500 L.L
The Western Cheesesteak 12,500 L.L
Cheese Hotdog 8,000 L.L
Cheese Poppers 6,000 L.L
Chocolate Cake 6,000 L.L

The Cheeseburger: You have to close your eyes, or they will do so alone. The sensations are so strong that a mysterious explosion happens around your brain activating all your senses making you feel like superman. Amalgams of flavors, well balanced and dosed enter your mouth to caress each and every palatal bud. A thin fluffy bun holds the juicy non-fatty ground beef that has a beautiful texture, and some cheddar cheese, tomato, American pickles, ketchup and mayonnaise. The simplicity is what makes this burger so special. Look at your hands; they won’t even be shiny and dirty. Everything slides around your tongue with style.

The Western Cheesesteak: Wow! Yummy! Mmmm! I don’t know how to say it, but the cheese steak is more of a love message in a bun. Filled with sauce and aromas, the fluffy bread hosts a rich and generous portion of beef mixed with grilled onions, cheese and mushrooms served with two crispy bacon slices. The sweet BBQ sauce adds the needed flavors. Uffff! Like they say in Lebanon! Royally fantastic. Pay attention not to burn your tongue.

Cheese Hotdog: Chicago style bread, softer than that of the Philadelphia, toasted on the sides, hosts a fresh hotdog, vacuumed and not canned. With pickles, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, mustard and ketchup, you’ll finish this sandwich in six bites, leaving you with a hard decision: Should I order another one or try one more burger? It is small indeed but very reasonably priced.

Marky’s chocolate cake is a sin. Although, I was literally full, I couldn’t but cheat myself with a bite or two. It’s not another diner’s average chocolate creamy cake, but a decent sweet piece of sculpture.

You can eat something awesome and fulfilling for only $5. Unbelievable! There are good burgers at places like Brgr&Co or Frosty Palace, but they come at a hefty prices and there are more commercial style burgers at franchised local and international joints and diners for $10. The choice is really yours.

Now lets take things up a notch. I will let you into a secret. I wanted to put Marky’s to the ultimate test – the test of eating the meat cold. The same test I did with Roadster, Crepaway and Classic Burger Joint but all failed.

I wish there was a video to show you what happened here today. I left the Marky’s patty 30 minutes untouched and uncovered. I invited my friend Shady, two guests at the restaurant and Mark himself to come and taste this meat kept aside. It turned cold for sure, under the air conditioning unit but it tasted exactly the same way it did when it was freshly prepared. Fresh, non-oily, non-fatty, non-crunchy and not rubbery. It crumbles like if it was cooked just now. A slight salty flavor followed by a juicy rich meat that tastes even better than the ones your wife prepares at home. No synthetic flavor whatsoever. Two thumbs up! This is what a burger should be like.

But guys, regardless of what I think or say here, unless you try Markey’s Philly Joint the below might not make sense.