The Dragon Burger: Handcrafted patty with scratch-made giardiniera, Monterey Jack, crisped leeks and honey-habanero barbecue sauce
Chicago-Style Giardiniera Burger
Doc B’s Restaurant + Bar | Based in Chicago
Brian Wright
Giardiniera just might be on the cusp of graduating from condiment to category. Doc B’s Restaurant certainly has some authority on the matter, given its Chicago home base. But rather than stick to the traditional formula, this comfort-food concept is demonstrating the myriad avenues for bespoke iterations. Traditionally reserved for beef sandwiches, giardiniera stars in the brand’s Dragon Burger. “By combining sweet-and-spicy honey-habanero barbecue sauce and a house-seasoned hand-pattied burger with the creaminess of Monterey Jack cheese and the crunch of the freshly crisped leeks, our giardiniera is well complemented and a fan favorite,” says Brian Wright, VP of culinary.
To make the one-of-a-kind giardiniera, he modified the cut size to yield a consistency more akin to slaw than relish. “This allows us to layer and present the Dragon Burger with a ‘Wow!’ factor,” Wright explains. “Since it’s prepared from scratch, we’re able to control the heat and sweetness.” Daily tastings ensure the heat level remains at 6-7, rather than 9-10. One more unique twist: “Most restaurants use crispy onions as a burger topping, but we found them overbearing for this burger,” he says. “We discovered that crispy leeks provide sweet, savory flavor at the right length and texture, pairing perfectly with the giardiniera.”
About the Author
Nicole Duncan is the digital managing editor of Flavor & the Menu. She's reported on the restaurant industry for a decade, most recently as the editor of FSR magazine. In 2021, she won a Folio award for her feature on restaurant tycoon Tilman Ferttita. The following year, FSR was awarded Best Overall Issue for its May 2022 issue featuring Andrew Zimmern. She has profiled well-known chefs including Paola Velez, Fabio Viviani and Daniel Boulud, but also relishes the opportunity to spotlight under-the-radar trends and innovators.Read More Stories by Nicole Duncan
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