The waitstaff at Bareburger wear T-shirts that say “I (Heart) Grass” and they are not promoting pot but the organic, free-range, pasture-raised, antibiotic-, gluten-, and hormone-free meat served at this restaurant chain. Established in 2009, there are 31 locations with more on the way.
From the section of the menu called “Crops,” we shared a wheatberry chickpea salad with marinated green chickpeas, red wheat berries, feta, buckwheat groats, cucumbers, red onions, grape tomatoes and a red wine vinaigrette; colorful, healthy and delicious. Under “Shares,” we opted for crispy brussels sprouts topped with shredded Manchego cheese. We sprinkled them with lemon for zing and were in veggie heaven. Also in this category were three picks for sliders; brisket, beer bacon or short rib. We opted for short rib, there were three to the order, and the sesame-ginger beef was topped with kimchi slaw and sweet pickles; a delightful variation.
Since the name of this restaurant is Bareburger, we also decided to go with a burger, which according to the webpage, there are 5,645,376 burger combos using beef bison, elk, wild boar, duck, turkey, grilled lemon chicken, sweet potato and wild rice, black bean and farmers quinoa. Once you choose your patty there are many directions to go as the diner also chooses the bun, cheese, bacon, veggies, sauce and spread. For this visit, we kept things simple and tried a beef burger on a brioche bun with lettuce and tomato; it was scrumptious and thoughtfully cut in half for easier sharing and eating.
Sammies (ice cream sandwiches), as well as a kids’ sundae, flourless chocolate cake with cherry compote and vegan carrot cake are available for dessert as well as shakes. We did not pay attention to the calories listed next to each menu item and ordered the Choco Choco PR Sammie containing vanilla ice cream between two chocolate cookies spread with peanut butter. Chocolate sauce decorated the plate. Yum!
Bareburger is a lively space with multi-colored wooden chairs and tables, wood and tiled floor, whimsical pictures of humans with animal heads and vibrant multi-patterned lights hanging from the ceiling over the bar, which look like upside down lamps.
We happened to bring a bottle of wine and were surprised to see the majority of tables had done the same—an unusual sighting at a burger restaurant. Stemless wine glasses are used.
Open for lunch and dinner, Monday to Friday from 11:30 AM; Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM. The restaurant is family friendly and has a TV tuned into a cartoon channel. Upon leaving the restaurant I said to Lowell, “I (Heart) Grass too!”
Bareburger
480 Bloomfield Avenue
Montclair
973-509-2273
BYO
Beef burger
One of the whimsical pictures decorating the walls at Bareburger.
Photos courtesy of Lowell Saferstein
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