BRU Burger Bar

Where can you get an amazing burger on the most fabulous side of town?! BRU burger bar, that's where!  Not to spoil the review, but we like.

BRU is part of the Mesh and Boulder Creek family, but felt more like a neighborhood place than a chain. We went on a Friday evening, kids in tow, ready to sink into some serious beef.  Our wait was short, only 20 minutes and luckily the establishment is next to a little patch of grass with that big brick head sculpture.  Anyone? Anyone? Yeah, not sure of the name, but it was the ideal place to let the kids cavort for a bit. 

We were seated in the glassed in addition. Beautiful, awesome people watching, and so much nicer than the usual -by the front door- seating we are used to receiving.  Another pleasant surprise--an actual kids menu!  Did not expect that.  And the beer selection?  Holy Moley!  If the burgers stood up to the beer, we knew we had a winner.

Our waitress was a doll.  Knew the menu, knew the taps, knew what to suggest(even as far as pairings)and spent just enough time flirting with the kids to make us feel welcome. 

The burgers seemed to answer to every palate you could imagine.  For tonight, Fred settled on the Bourbon Burger---lets the imagination go wild, doesn't it?  This one came with bacon, peppercorn-bourbon glaze and horseradish havarti. Hello!  Libby had to try the one egg burger on the menu--The End--horseradish havarti, fried egg, carmelized onion, lettuce, tomato and tuffle aioli.  Ozzy went with their mac and cheese with fries and Stella the fried shrimp and fries. 

While we waited, we enjoyed the incredible people watching and our luscious beers - Weihenstephaner Hefeweisen and a Two Brothers Domaine DuPage  .

Just look at those burgers!  Gorgeous, juicy, and topped with some fantastic ingredients.  Let's just say, we were one happy FLOE.  Fred's burger was cooked bloody and rare, just like he likes it! The bourbon glaze was quite tasty but made this burger a definite knife and fork experience only. Libby, on the other hand, indulged in the warm, gooey, sticky meat/cheese/sauce/egg mound eagerly with both hands.  Other than needing a stack of wet naps, she was in her happy place. Her side of onion rings were nicely seasoned, but were a bit heavy on the batter(a tasty Pabst Blue Ribbon batter)...not too shabby.  Ozzy was ooing and awing over his mac while Stella picked at her shrimp, but downed some fries and what appeared to be a homemade ketchup.  Stella was crazy.  Mommy and Daddy had to sample those shrimps and they were awesome!  Screaming to be put on a poeboy with some of that truffle aioli!
Although this is a pricey endeavor for burgers and beers, it's well worth it to dine with "our peeps" on Mass Ave...and of course, sneak over to Mass Ave Toys for play time!

http://www.bruonmass.com/

Wrap Up
Price-$$$, Expensive for a burger, but damn, that's a burger that touches you in all the right places!
Atmosphere-****, Rediculously warm and inviting with dark woods, exposed brick, rich tones and a perfect amount of buzz in the air to off set the occasional screeches from the short people. A true family pub!
Service-****-Knowledgeable, fun, fast, and obviously enjoy their work.

Overall
Libby- A --mazing!  I will gladly go there anytime and spend too much for a burger, beer and awesome company..and what i wouldn't give to live upstairs! ;)
Fred- A -- Seriously could not have been happier with my meal.  I'm a sucker for homemade ketchup too, and this one did not disappoint. 
Ozzy- A+ -- Oz was oooing and ahhing over his homemade mac & cheese.
Stella- B+ -- While she didn't dig on the (perfectly wonderful!) shrimp, she loved the homemade ketchup, fries and undivided attention from the waitress.