*Editor’s note: HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Chris Preovolos brings us very special Thanksgiving Hamblog from New Canaan, Connecticut where he tried out the turkey dinner-themed burger at The Filling Station. Chris, a native Californian and In-n-Out lover, is not only a fantastic photojournalist, he is also the author of “The Lunch Break Chronicles”, a great food blog about places in Stamford and beyond. Make sure to stop by his blog and see his great pictures and learn what’s good to eat in Connecticut. http://blog.ctnews.com/lunchbreak
I don’t really mess with non-beef burgers. What’s the point, right? But in the interest of burger journalism, a Thanksgiving-themed turkey burger was something I couldn’t pass up.
For this, I headed to the Filling Station which set up shop in New Canaan, Conn. earlier this year and has become a popular lunch spot in the small town famous for its residents like Paul Simon, Brian Williams and Glenn Beck.
None of these dudes were inside chewing down burgers when I visited, which is all the better because the bright and modern seating area is tiny and Beck’s ego would have probably filled the room to capacity.
Walking in, I’d imagined something dripping with mashed potatoes and gravy (which would probably have been inedible) and I’m still intrigued the the idea of such a beast, but you won’t find that here.
I opted for the double Thanksgiving Dinner burger which came with dual turkey and sage patties with bacon, lettuce, tomato and a cranberry aioli on a brioche bun.
Having never in my 31 years eaten a turkey burger, I was highly skeptical of this particular holiday-themed gimmick, but upon closer gustatory examination my fears were proved unfounded.
This is a solid burger.
The cranberry provides a subtle sweetness to counter the saltiness of the bacon, giving the burger a delicate balance of flavors — this burger was pretty well thought out, yet totally simple. Surprisingly, I didn’t miss the beef.
But the crowning glory here is the pumpkin pie milkshake. It’s awesome and I could probably describe it in flowery detail but basically; it tastes like pumpkin pie. In a milkshake.
While this might not fully satisfy your cravings for all things Thanksgiving, it will absolutely squelch any lunchtime hunger pangs and you won’t be left asking “where’s the beef?”
RATING: 4 out of 5
The Filling Station
19 South Avenue
New Canaan, CT 06840
(203) 966-4445
www.fillingstationco.com
Hours: Seven Days a Week 11:30AM – 8:00PM
