Bar Jules: FAIL

So we had been out to grab some late night food with some friends on monday, and we all started talking food, the best place for this the best place for that, and on the subject of burgers Bar Jules came up. Having never been, i wanted to see what all the talk was about. I had once done a search for best burgers in SF, and it popped up there too, so it was inevitable that i try it.

So a lazy wednesday afternoon with nothing to do, the sun was shining, what a perfect day for a walk into hayes valley and a burger at Bar Jules. We sat down to a fairly empty dining room (it was 1:30 in the afternoon in Hayes Valley, i wasn't planning on a crowded place), the atmosphere cute enough, a wide open kitchen and 1 server. We sat at the front window seat, were asked if we wanted still or sparkling (way to upsell) , and started looking at the menu posted on the wall... because we were told the burger was great, we both opted for it, even though there were a couple other things that sounded great, namely the flank steak sandwich with salsa verde. we even asked the server what he thought the best thing on the menu was and he said the burger. So a medium burger $14 add gruyere cheese +$1.50 was ordered, let the waiting begin. luckily they had paper tablecloths on the tables so we had something to entertain ourselves with while we waited the 30 min it took to cook up 2 medium burgers (remember there was about 5 people in the whole place-and we didn't order anything too complicated mind you) The burgers arrived and to my dismay, it was a large round ball of good quality meat, a slice of gruyere all on toasted levain bread... really a burger without a bun? no pickles? no onion? no lettuce? nothing but aioli that was all melted and made the bread all soggy and greasy, i didn't even know how to conquer this bad boy. i had to knife and fork it which seemed a little ridiculous, but otherwise my hands would have been covered in grease. Anyway, not at all impressed. it was like eating a huge meatball in between pieces of toast, let me say, not the easiest to eat or best burger in the city. I have most definitely had better, and for way cheaper too.

After dropping $50 (after tip) on a mediocre lunch for 2, i doubt that i will be back for seconds...nor will i suggest it to my friends. it had all the potential of being great, it should just stop trying to be something it isn't... a good burger.