The Silver Spring Penguin

Photo: Burger on the bar at Eggspectation. Credit: J. Deseo/SSP.

REVIEW — Burgers are like eggs: Undercook ‘em and they retain some moisture; overcook ‘em and they’re chewy like rawhide.

That’s how things roll at Eggspectation, the noisy Downtown Silver Spring restaurant that handles omelettes and hamburgers on the same griddle and with the same culinary technique.

On one occassion, the bacon and cheddar cheeseburger ($12) was ordered cooked to medium, thus producing a tender, juicy and somewhat bloody beef patty. The meat’s inherent sweetness trickled down the sides of the toasted kaiser bun, soaking its nooks and crannies with a deep pink juice that mooed.

The beef’s rich flavor was nicely balanced with two salty pieces of bacon and ooey-gooey American (not cheddar) cheese. If one doesn’t mind the sight of blood or the threat of E. coli, this medium burger is good eats. (more…)