A rule to live by: Only trust burger people. Don’t crave a patty between bread on occasion? I have questions. Even my vegetarian brother eats meat-free versions daily, though he insists on calling them “circles” to remove the suggestion of flesh. I have no such problems. I’m in it for the beef. And that is why Tamalero is a blessed discovery.
Tamalero is one of the ghost kitchens operating inside Chantilly’s Frontier Kitchen in Chantilly alongside Kindi Thai Chicken Rice and Island Food to Go. And while those vendors trade in international food that’s tough to find elsewhere in the region, Tamalero’s focus is on providing diners who follow halal law with a beast of a burger. Yes, there are single-patty versions of each of the combos, including the Diablo with Swiss, jalapenos and Sriracha, and the BBQ Ranch with American cheese, an onion ring and barbecue ranch sauce, but the real reason to hit Tamalero is to attack a Monster. That’s a stack of three six-ounce beefy rounds with toppings on every stratum.
For $18.25, my colleagues and I shared the Monster SQ Triple, a pile of patties layered with American cheese and bacon and crowned with fried eggs between sturdy egg-washed buns. This could be overwhelmingly rich if not for expertly applied spice. There are grilled jalapenos, Sriracha and spicy mayo, all adding up to a subtle ache of heat, not the serious impact that the ingredients imply. But the charred, medium-well-by-default beef is the incontestable centerpiece. I found myself removing individual patties and eating them plain in order to better enjoy the collision of beef and fire.
For some, a burger craving may mean “circles” and that’s just fine. But on Meaty Monday, Tamalero is a destination that will overindulge any beefy cravings. // 25387 Pleasant Valley Rd. Suite #110, Chantilly
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