The Wandering Foodie

I was a bit skeptical.

“The best burger in New York,” they said. “Hudson, you have to try it.” “Hud, you’re a burger guy, have you been to Raoul’s?”

So, I put it on my list – The Famous Burger List – and for over a year, it lived on the list, waiting for a convenient moment, a day when I could spare time to line up ahead of time in the afternoon to get one the exclusive 12 burgers (they only make 12 per night) at Raoul’s in SoHo. Finally, during a late August staycation week, I went for it. I got dressed, took the train to SoHo and lined up outside of the restaurant at 4:30 pm.

I thought the wait (you have to be the first 12 people in the bar for the burger and then wait 50 minutes for it) would be long, boring and annoying. But the staff, and my fellow patrons, were great. From the bartender (a fellow Detroiter) to the friendly manager who, after discussing restaurants, burgers, PR and dating in New York at length, offered me a glass of Pinot Noir on the house.

And the burger – wow! It was worth the wait. Beefy, delicious, dipped in French au poivre sauce and paired with frites. I devoured it quickly and washed down with that second glass of Pinot.

This is the New York way – sought after dishes in restaurants frequented by celebs. The bonding of strangers over a common experience – PR people and writers celebrating their finished manuscript, tourists, regulars. That feeling of accomplishment, the thought that you are part of an exclusive club. It’s the worth the wait.

Just another Friday night in the city.