Restaurant: Good Stuff Eatery (http://www.goodstuffeatery.com/)
Location: Capitol Hill
Total Rating: 3.3
Food: 3, Price: 4, Service: 3, Ambience: 3, Accessibility: 5
Summary: The newest burger joint to hit Capitol Hill from Top Chef alum Chef Spike. Although casual in atmosphere and with its menu, I expected a little more with the food and service. Closest Metro is Capitol South.
November 2008: After reading the mixed reviews and hearing all the local buzz about the place, we decided to try Good Stuff one rainy night. Surprising crowded, there was a bit of a line but they give you buzzers so you can go find a table while you wait. We ordered the village fries – but ended up getting the plain fries in our bag. We opted to try the chipotle mayo only since the other flavors (sriracha, mango, and old bay) did not sound as appetizing. Fries were way over cooked and greasy. So were the onion rings – disappointing. The saving grace was the homemade milkshakes. Since I did not have a burger this time, I noticed they have a turkey or Portabello mushroom version for us non-beef eaters, I would go back to give Chef Spike a second chance.
UPDATE: Decided to give Spike's another try. This time, about 8 months later, the hype has died down a little so it was not as crowded as the first time we went. The staff seem to be more comfortable with taking orders and delivering on time. One new thing we did notice was that now the menu offers a chicken alternative to any burger style. Another plus, for us non-beef eaters. I tried the turkey burger and was still disappointed. The patty tasted frozen, it was missing sprouts, and the avocado was more like warm guacamole. Keith, however, enjoyed his Big Stuff burger better than the first cheeseburger. Still not impressed, Spike.
What I ate:
Sunny Fries
Onion Rings
Chocolate Milkshake
Onion Rings
Chocolate Milkshake
Free Range Turkey Burger
Chunky Avocado & Sprouts
Muenster Cheese & Ruby Tomato
On A Pennsylvania Dutch Whole Wheat Bun
Spike’s Village Fries
Topped With Fresh Thyme, Rosemary & Cracked Pepper
Plus Keith ate:
Bacon Cheeseburger
Two-beef patties, with maple-wood bacon, 2 kinds of cheese,
onion, pickles, lettuce, tomato, and special sauce
Big Stuff Bacon Meltdown
Double Patty, Lots’a Bacon, Double Cheese
Ruby Tomato, Lettuce & Pickles With
Good Stuff Sauce