It’s full, beautimous confession time. Writing is not as easy as it looks. Reading – after all the years spent learning how – is easy.
But for me, when the inspiration ebbs, for whatever reason, it’s ridiculously hard to recapture it. I’ve spent the summer, basking in the sun and enjoying the tiredness that comes with working and raising a family. I’m not complaining, I’m confessing.
I’ve been, not in a writing funk, but in a writing deadlock. Not having the energy or the inspiration to venture out, much less do reviews.
Which brings me to my current situation; I have been trying new burgers. I have a few reviews and observations to share. So, instead of doing these as individual review, here are my review versions of sliders … not a real burger or review, but a taste that will say enough:
The Sand Bucket – Cape San Blas, Florida
The Sand Bucket Smokehouse and Grill sits on a tiny peninsula called Cape San Blas, located near Port St. Joe and the Apalachicola-area of Florida. But it looks a lot like most newer barbeque joints. It sports a lot of metal for the seats, wood on the walls and is fairly stripped down – you order at the counter, no table service, etc.
Part of the Forgotten Coast in Florida, the Sand Bucket gets high marks from tourists and locals. Not surprising, given that – unlike it’s beachy cousin 45 minutes west (Panama City) – the area is not overridden with chain restaurants or touristy places. Between Cape San Blas and Port St. Joe, there is good food to be found, but the pickings are leaner.
When we went to the Sand Bucket, burgers were the hope and dream … and it didn’t disappoint.
I’ve said it before; you can almost always count on any decent barbeque place to make a very good burger. They get fresh meat. They know how to cook it correctly. And the rest of the stuff that comes with it – fixing, sides – are likely decent.
The burger at the Sand Bucket was good, not great, but I also think that you give the place some “you’re eating at the beach” credit. Expectations are different. Day-drinking – if you’re into that – is highly likely. You’re famished from exertion, and supplying weary beachcombers with fatty burgers and beers will win points with a lot of people.
The meat was good, not overdone. The fries were a bit of a letdown (frozen). And the presentation is about what you’d expect at a barbeque place … less art and more “schlorp.”
I wouldn’t get a burger if I went back; I think the other fare there is likely a step above. But if you’ve been laying on a beach near Cape San Blas, sipping your favorite beverage and need to recharge with a burger … Well, you’re at the beach, and as long as the burger doesn’t harsh the mellow, then I think you can safely call it a win.
Rojo – Highland Avenue, Birmingham
I’ve meant for some time now to officially review the burgers at Rojo. I’ve resisted because reviewing this fine, neighborhood eatery, for me, is akin to reviewing my mother’s or wife’s cooking. I know the owners. I know the staff. My kids feel like it is practically an extension of our home. Rojo is absolutely the type of local place that is central and needed for any neighborhood. It’s been that kind of place for 15+ years.
Rojo is known for a lot of things – honored for its support for numerous local causes … an incubator of musicians and creative talent … Bob Dylan visiting years ago. It sports an eclectic following and an equally eclectic menu – one side focused on American fare and the other, Tex-mex-ish.
The burgers there – and they have several kinds (Black and Blue, Cheeseburger, Bacon Cheeseburger) – are very much consistent with the food at Rojo overall. It is reliable. It is dependable. It is the Rod Carew or Cal Ripken of Birmingham restaurants. It is there practically every day. It hits for average, not home runs and the locals love it (and the owners and the staff).
Not the flashiest. Probably not the best. But it’s consistent and there … and consistently good.
In a pinch, Rojo – because of its proximity – is one of my go-to burger places. They grill it with some char, serve it with lettuce, tomato and raw purple onion. Condiments, there but unapplied. Side is your choice, but I’d suggest the fries or tots (the tots at Rojo are exceptional in the sense that they are not exceptional at all… but are tasty, like you had at home or the school-issue conical tots … the best flavor or side with tots is nostalgia).
It’s not a mischievous or out-there burger. They don’t ask how to cook it … and of the dozens I’ve eaten over the years, it’s never come less the medium-well (no pink for you!)
But if you’re looking over the menu and are overwhelmed by the choices, the burger won’t be a bad one. It will be a solid hit.
Rojo will always get bonus points for the best patio dining in town, as well as unparalleled people-watching opportunities in one of the most diverse and vibrant part of the city. Hang out on a Saturday or Sunday and watch:
- The dogs
- The kids
- The newly-met, Tinder couples
- The hungover, enjoying brunch
- The joggers … and the walkers … and the in-betweeners
- The dog walkers
- Newly-weds
- Families hanging out
- Friends running into each other
- Gatherings of all sorts
- Music and art
- And more
For me, and for most of the people for frequent the place, I doubt that the food is the primary draw (though it helps that the food is dependable); it is the people and the sense that Rojo is a bit more important and vital to the community than we give it credit for. Highland Avenue in Birmingham existed before Rojo. But the neighborhood and its citizens are better for having it as part of the community.
And so, no, this wasn’t exactly a burger review. But hit me up, and I’ll take you there and you can see for yourself.
Beautimousburger 
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