Slater's 50/50 is a SoCal burger joint famous for their 50/50 patty; made of 50% ground bacon and 50% ground beef. I've never been to one until recently and that's when I discovered the 50 Alarm Burger. It comes with ghost pepper jack cheese, bacon habanero spread, fresh jalapeño, beer battered habanero poppers on a brioche bun. They also make you sign a waiver before eating the burger plus they bring you gloves to wear. I was a little skeptical about how hot this burger could be but before ordering our food I overheard the group of guys sitting at the table next to us daring each other to try the 50 Alarm burger and one of them was saying, "No way, man! I had the flamin' hot (their 2nd hottest burger) and that was too hot." I immediately knew this was the burger for me to try.
Now I don't know if it's because of my small frame or clean cut look but apparently I don't come off as someone who can handle hot foot because when I told the waitress I wanted the 50 Alarm her eyes widened and she responded, "Are you sure? It's a really spicy burger." I was like, "Of course I'm sure. Bring it on, baby!" I signed the waiver, drank my beer, and anxiously waited for my burger to arrive, hoping I wasn't going to be let down again by some gimmicky named burger.
So once the burger arrives I snickered at the gloves and tossed them to the side and immediately took a huge bite into the burger and my first impression was that this was a damn good burger. Then that oh so familiar taste of habanero hit my tongue and the heat slowly started to kick in. Everybody at my table was staring at me to see my reaction and with a big smile on my face I gave them a thumbs up and kept on eating. I was halfway done with the burger when tiny beads of sweat started forming on my forehead, and I'm not trying to make excuses, but it was 95+ degrees outside and the a/c wasn't working too great where we were sitting. Other than that it was pretty tolerable heat. I'd say it was like any sandwich I make at home that I chop a couple of habaneros in but instead of a sandwich it was a gourmet burger.
The waiters brought out a complimentary sample of some spicy IPA beer that I washed back with my last few bites and that was that. Overall I have to say I was very satisfied with the heat and flavor of the burger and I would definitely go back and eat that burger again.
Here's a stock photo of the burger I found online. Pictures of food usually don't look like the actual product but this one is pretty close.
Now I don't know if it's because of my small frame or clean cut look but apparently I don't come off as someone who can handle hot foot because when I told the waitress I wanted the 50 Alarm her eyes widened and she responded, "Are you sure? It's a really spicy burger." I was like, "Of course I'm sure. Bring it on, baby!" I signed the waiver, drank my beer, and anxiously waited for my burger to arrive, hoping I wasn't going to be let down again by some gimmicky named burger.
So once the burger arrives I snickered at the gloves and tossed them to the side and immediately took a huge bite into the burger and my first impression was that this was a damn good burger. Then that oh so familiar taste of habanero hit my tongue and the heat slowly started to kick in. Everybody at my table was staring at me to see my reaction and with a big smile on my face I gave them a thumbs up and kept on eating. I was halfway done with the burger when tiny beads of sweat started forming on my forehead, and I'm not trying to make excuses, but it was 95+ degrees outside and the a/c wasn't working too great where we were sitting. Other than that it was pretty tolerable heat. I'd say it was like any sandwich I make at home that I chop a couple of habaneros in but instead of a sandwich it was a gourmet burger.
The waiters brought out a complimentary sample of some spicy IPA beer that I washed back with my last few bites and that was that. Overall I have to say I was very satisfied with the heat and flavor of the burger and I would definitely go back and eat that burger again.
Here's a stock photo of the burger I found online. Pictures of food usually don't look like the actual product but this one is pretty close.
