East Village Burgers: Bacon & Cheese Stuffed Burgers with a Serbian Twist at Question Mark Cafe

December 11, 2009

The bun is similar to pita. The red sauce is ajvar, a Serbian spread combining red peppers, eggplant, garlic and olive oil. But the half pound burger? Well it’s straight middle America. Because at Question Mark Cafe, an unassuming few-month-old eatery on 1st Avenue b/t St. Mark’s & 9th St., cheddar cheese (though the menu reads provolone) and crispy pre-cooked bacon are pressed between two lean, hand-formed burger patties resulting in a pocket of beefy, cheesy, porcine indulgence.

Overall, the burger’s leaness (85:15 meat to fat ratio) makes it more novel than delicious, deriving most of its flavor from the bacon and slightly spicy ajvar. But you can’t beat the price because the deluxe stuffed burger gets you all the food below for just $9.75. The best part of the plate? The orange-ish Urnebes spread featuring feta cheese, roasted peppers and chili flakes. All burgers come topped with this creamy, spicy sauce unless otherwise specified. And while Question Mark Cafe finds its feet, there’s a rumor of a pastrami stuffed burger coming soon.