Tracking down hamburgers in Chongqing has been a passion of ours since  here at cqscene for a long time.  Times have not changed.  I admit I've been a little slow on this one however, first hearing about the Beer Garden Bar and Grill, in Jeifengbei's Deyi Shijie bar area.  In my defense however, we were still in a time of gray skies, and that unpleasant cold humidity that plagues the city.  Needless to say, the weather then, was not the weather it is now, and last Friday, in the early evening nothing sounded better than sitting outside with a burger and a beer. 
The beer, your standard "outside bar" Carlesburg draught, was made better solely for it being a cold beer on a warm day.  The burger my friends, was one worth returning for.  And though the food at hand gets its name from Germany, its no secret that America is where she was born and bred, and it was of no surprise to see the man behind the grill, to be from one of the 50 states.  Cooked to perfection, the burger can be enhanced with a variety of items such as white chedar cheese, grilled mushrooms, and bacon to name a few, along with "gramma's secret sauce," and delightfully seasoned, hand-cut fries, the Beer Garden and Grill's burger rivals any to be tasted on either side of the two rivers.  Being a passionate consumer of mustard after some good time spent in Germany, my experience was slightly soured by the lack of god's condiment, but head Chef  Mike Shane was quick to assure me that they would be having it soon, as chili dogs are destined for the menu in the near future.

Moving to CQ 4 months ago, I made a decision to assimilate into the Chinese culture.  The first stop:  food. 

We all know about Hot Pot.  A big ole Pot that’s as hot on the way out as on the way down.  But, as I have started to discover, Hot Pot is the tip of the iceberg…
A week ago I tasted my first “Bone Soup.”

The special treat of the meal is the bone (of course)!  The diners put on the glove, take a bone, and proceed to use the straw to suck out the bone marrow.  A bit of meat is on the bone as well, and can be gnawed off.

Overall, I was a bit perplexed by bone soup.  The straw was a bit much for me, but the marrow was quite tasty.  If your wanting a new adventure, check out one of the many Bone Soup shops around China.

T.Barnes

Many times in my life, I have craved nothing more than a good burger and a Belgium waffle on a stick.  Okay, maybe not on a stick, but after experiencing the joy of Waffei’s 2rmb sugar/syrup-infused waffles…..I AM HOOKED!   


Of course, the waffle is nothing compared to the thick, juicy goodness of the Waffei-Burger.  Real sesame-seed bun, a pound of juicy meet, sautéed onions, mushrooms, ketchup/mustard/mayo, real cheese, and BACON!  Oh my sweet bacon cheeseburger, how I have missed you.  The fries were thick cut, with light seasoning to compose a great compliment for the burger.   

I will be heading back to Waffei for another Belgium-created burger experience.  I’m still debating if next time I splurge for the Ultimate Waffle in addition to my burger. 

Waffei is located on the 4th floor of HongYaDong, just outside the riverside elevators.  

  -T. Barnes

any one who's been a fan of cqscene for a while probably noticed last spring, that I have an affinity for the sweet, circular fried batter that we call doughnuts.  So much so, that I am now dedicating my second post to the subject matter. 

I have come across yet another legitimate example of what a doughnut ought to be, here in Chongqing(presumably throughout China).  This time it comes from the fine folks at Qin Yuan bakery who have recently introduced a sugar sprinkled specimen that, though not excellent, could hold its own anywhere from here to Baghdad (traveling eastward). 
Though not all of the Qin Yuan location carry them, most of the bigger ones do, and at a mere 1.5 RMB you cant go wrong. 

                                                                                                                                sidewalkspew

one thing i've taken for granted growing up in america, was the ever present availability of doughnuts.  whether its my favorite organic, vegan doughnut from seattle's(one of CQ's sister cities) "Mighty O,"  or a pack of the hostess donettes from the nearest gas station, doughnuts, in america are everywhere.  and no matter where you are, its not easy to find a bad doughnut.  of course some are far superior to others, but most doughnuts are in some way enjoyable, even in china. 
i have found one however that goes beyond merely being enjoyable (i would go as far to say it is absolutely delicious), and that is the dico's doughnut.  yes dico's the over-priced fast food haven finally gives us a reason to enter its doors and that reason comes in two flavors, powdered sugar, and chocolate.  both being tasty, the chocolate exceptionally so, and at RMB3 and 3.5 respectively you can't go wrong.

As much as i love da pan ji, gong bao ji ding and the ever so good xin jiang ban mian. There is nothing and i mean nothing like the sweet satisfaction of stuffing your face into a half pound of pure minced beef cooked medium well surrounded by fresh lettuce, red onion, tomato and relishhhh, bathed in a healthy serving of mustard and ketchup, with the extra ketchup for the the double  dipps 'ahhhhh'. Ohh! lets not forget the thick fresh cut wedge fries that are the size of Chinese roaches " BIIIIGGG, " AND ITS UNDER 50 RMB. So in the words of  Senator  Clay Davis form Maryland " SHEEEEEEEEEEIIT....."  this burger is definitely worth buying flowers for. and you can find her on the 6th floor of da du hui plaza in jie fang bei across the new york new york building.

Dont forget your flowers, cause she is a beauty!!!

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