Philly File tries gourmet fast food at Bootsie's

By Lisa Angelucci
Collegian Editor
October 18, 2006

Gourmet fast food might sound like an oxymoron, but the new restaurant Bootsie’s is looking to change that. The restaurant’s upscale version of hot dogs and hamburgers features burgers made with buffalo meat or Kobe beef, and sausages made from buffalo and chicken-and-apples. There are natural, organic and vegetarian options, as well as a variety of unusual toppings to choose from.

The service is slightly slower than a typical fast food joint, but meals are made-to-order rather than pre-made. The building is also cleaner than many fast food chain restaurants.

Bootsie’s makes for an interesting meal, but it’s a bit too pricey to eat often. Burgers cost as much as $11, and the cheapest hamburger offered is the $6.95 Black Angus burger. Sausages start at $4.95, and an organic all-beef hot dog costs only $3.95. The real downside – only a select few of the extra toppings are available for free. You won’t have to pay for ketchup or mustard, but if you want cheese on your burger, it costs 55 cents.

Diners can create their own burgers, sausages or hot dogs by choosing from the exotic meats and a long list of topping possibilities. Cheese and onions are available, but there are also more exciting options, like spicy pineapple lime sauce and Applewood bacon.

The burgers are good – I was able to try Black Angus beef and buffalo – but the rolls are too small for the size of the sandwich, which makes for a messy meal. However, the rolls are multi-grain and are a nice complement to the natural meat. The Black Angus burger did not taste much different from a hamburger served at any other restaurant, but the buffalo burger had an interesting flavor. It doesn’t taste like chicken, but the flavor is definitely distinct.

Side options are just as limited as the rest of the menu. French fries seasoned with Old Bay are available with or without cheese, but that’s about it. The fries are served in a drink cup and they can get very messy, especially towards the bottom. Also, the Old Bay seasoning can get pretty spicy, which means one might want to avoid Bootsie’s fresh-made lemonade. It’s good, but it has a sharp lemon flavor and does little to quench thirst.

When I was there, the restaurant was nearly empty, but it was long past peak dinner hours while still too early for late-night dining. The restaurant stays open until 4 a.m. on weekends, however, making it an ideal option for a middle-of-the-night meal.

Bootsie’s also serves breakfast sandwiches during the week from 6:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. The $4.95 organic egg sandwich allows the diner to add a topping and cheese and includes a free cup of coffee.

Bootsie’s is located on South 19th Street between Market Street and Chestnut Street.

angeluccil1@lasalle.edu