Adam was craving a good burger, a good cheap burger. We also had food shopping (Back Bay Shaws) on the agenda, so we narrowed our search to neighborhoods in the vicinity. As I browsed Back Bay and South End Restaurant Week lunch spots (because why not, if he's getting a burger, maybe I'll eat a 3 course lunch?) no idea, just bare with me here. Is it bad that I found burger price ranges in the low-mid teens and considered that cheap?
Post 390's Post Burger goes for $15. Beehive's menu lists The Beehive Prime Burger with fries and slaw for $14. Adam vetoed both. More because of the price, but at the same time, I was reaching. Are either of these the type of place known for their burgers, the type of place you really "go" to eat one? Post 390? Well I've never been their so I can't really say for sure. Beehive? Probably not. Is The Beehive the place you go to pay $13 for a Shortrib, Farmhouse Cheddar & Fontina Grilled Cheese? Yes. But that's another story. Somehow in an epiphany of sorts, I remembered Bukowski. I've never ate there (drank, yes), but I knew they served burgers. I assumed theirs would cost well under $15. Adventures ensued when we decided to walk over. We took the scenic route. Through the Boston Common. 
The fountain at Park Street was on. 
They never have this fountain on!
And the Public Garden.
Such a tourist shot. 
Stopping to nap. And stare at the pretty trees. 
As we wandered down Marlborough Street we ended up stopping at the Unitarian Universalist Church. 
We were carousing outside - intrigued by the building itself and the grounds. 
Then a nice man with a set of keys offered to show us around inside. He gave us a tour and a mini history lesson. I didn't get any great shots (I kind of felt bad snapping pics in the space of worship as the nice man was talking) but this church can be described as none other than an architectural wonder. The two pictures below were borrowed from the website. 
The narthex (church entrance / lobby area) above. The sanctuary below. 
The sanctuary is where we spent most of our time. We learned the same architects who designed Boston City Hall also designed this space. The similarities in design and the use of concrete was striking. It is an incredible space which we both marveled over. 
We later discussed, this is they type of place, you could live your whole life here, even in this very neighborhood, and never realize that this church existed. Perhaps the same could be said about Bukowski Tavern (?) which we slowly but surely made our way over to. Not before stopping to observe some purple stones in the sidewalk on Clarendon Street. 
Bukwoski is a narrow inlet of a bar located at 50 Dalton Street, smushed in between the Pilgrim Parking Garage and the Mass Pike. 
The bright red exterior and odd placement allow it to stand out on one hand, but its tiny facade under a tall building perched over the highway seem to hide it on the other. Bukowski is cash only, beer and wine only. 
I love that you enter into a vestibule warning you of that fact. The vintage chandelier which hangs from the ceiling is also a thought provoking piece of decor.
The long narrow dive bar opens up to a small seating area emitting relaxed vibes.
We took a seat in the corner by this window which provides a truly unique view. 
I enjoyed watching the cars whiz down the turnpike and the Boylston Street landscape in the distance. Unfortunately the light shining in makes certain picture elements look washed out. I was in no mood to be fussing with camera settings.
I was in more of a bloody mary mood, but this is a beer bar. Could I handle more beer? After all I consumed the night before on the roof deck and at the festival?
Obviously. 
I chose a frothy pint of the Boulder Sweaty Betty Blonde ($6) from the Draught list. Brewed by the Boulder Beer Company, the Sweaty Betty is their signature summer brew, an unfiltered cloudy wheat beer with subtle hints of clove and banana. 
Our waiter was a cool guy. It was fairly quiet in there but I still thought it worthwhile to mention that he greeted us right away and was on the ball the whole time.
Then it was time to decide on a Burger, which cost between $9 and $10. Now we're talkin'. [Come before 8pm on a weekday however, and your burger is $1.99.] Here are the choices:
Adam choose the burger off the specials menu, basically the Barfly Burger but with mushrooms and onions. 
And he chose mashed potatoes as his side. I swiped a few bites. They were definitely a fun choice! Me, I needed fries. Long semi-thick, soft and warm on the inside, crispy and golden on the outside fries. 
But what burger did I chose? 
Good angle of the burger itself. Bad shot of the star topping.
That would be a fried egg. There's a first time for everything. I chose the Hangover Helper ($10) at the recommendation of my waiter. Gee, what gave it away? 
Bacon and a fried egg? It's brunch on a burger! I dove in headfirst and barely came up for air. This burger was a mess and a half. I'm talking runny egg yolk everywhere. Don't get me wrong it was amazing, but definitely the kind of lunch you have to be in the mindset for. 
Adam laughed at me pretty much the entire time. I laughed at myself too. When I headed to the bathroom to go "wash up", he made some joke about hoping there was a shower in the bathroom. If you've discovered a way to eat a gigantic burger with melted cheddar, bacon, lettuce, tomato, chipoltle mayo, and a fried egg without getting it all over your face and hands, let me know.
If you haven't tried a burger with a fried egg and are now craving one after my glamorous description, head to Bukowski Tavern in Back Bay, or Inman Square, Cambridge. Or just head there for the great beer in an atmosphere with character.
Somehow the grocery shopping never happened.
I was in more of a bloody mary mood, but this is a beer bar. Could I handle more beer? After all I consumed the night before on the roof deck and at the festival?
Obviously. 
I chose a frothy pint of the Boulder Sweaty Betty Blonde ($6) from the Draught list. Brewed by the Boulder Beer Company, the Sweaty Betty is their signature summer brew, an unfiltered cloudy wheat beer with subtle hints of clove and banana. 
Then it was time to decide on a Burger, which cost between $9 and $10. Now we're talkin'. [Come before 8pm on a weekday however, and your burger is $1.99.] Here are the choices:
Adam choose the burger off the specials menu, basically the Barfly Burger but with mushrooms and onions. 
And he chose mashed potatoes as his side. I swiped a few bites. They were definitely a fun choice! Me, I needed fries. Long semi-thick, soft and warm on the inside, crispy and golden on the outside fries. 
But what burger did I chose? 
Good angle of the burger itself. Bad shot of the star topping.
That would be a fried egg. There's a first time for everything. I chose the Hangover Helper ($10) at the recommendation of my waiter. Gee, what gave it away? 
Bacon and a fried egg? It's brunch on a burger! I dove in headfirst and barely came up for air. This burger was a mess and a half. I'm talking runny egg yolk everywhere. Don't get me wrong it was amazing, but definitely the kind of lunch you have to be in the mindset for. 
Adam laughed at me pretty much the entire time. I laughed at myself too. When I headed to the bathroom to go "wash up", he made some joke about hoping there was a shower in the bathroom. If you've discovered a way to eat a gigantic burger with melted cheddar, bacon, lettuce, tomato, chipoltle mayo, and a fried egg without getting it all over your face and hands, let me know.
If you haven't tried a burger with a fried egg and are now craving one after my glamorous description, head to Bukowski Tavern in Back Bay, or Inman Square, Cambridge. Or just head there for the great beer in an atmosphere with character.
Somehow the grocery shopping never happened.
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