…for it is no easy task being the strongest, wisest, most beloved man in all the land. And what is sadder than the moment when our children discover that we are not the illusory Superman we’ve created, but rather, as Herman Melville once wrote, “men drained of valor…”
– Resurrecting the Champ (2007)
We all go through different experiences and difficulties in life, and at times fail to acknowledge each others’ humanness. Tonight, nothing is truer than this, because I hold the powers that be at Slater’s 50/50 in such high regard. I tried the Asian Pork Belly Burger, and upon completion I was grew upset, not taking the time to realize what a task Brad Lyons actually has. Slater’s 50/50 has been open for 5 years now and has expanded rapidly. Their newest location is opening next month in San Marcos, CA. In 5 years, there have been 50 or so Burgers of The Month created by Brad. That is no easy task. There has been a Mexican fusion burger, a Pizza Burger, a burger interpretation of Thanksgiving, an end of the world burger, and other themes; but an Asian fusion burger seems to be Brad Lyons’ Achilles’ heel, in my opinion.
In October 2013, The Bulgogi BBQ Beef Burger stepped on the scene in all its glory. It was an excellent burger though I made the claim that it failed as a Korean BBQ Burger. I cannot say I blame Brad Lyons for this one however. Somehow there was a mix up in the marketing, a staff member told me it was a Korean BBQ Burger, and I suppose my expectations were just different than what I was actually presented with. Just 5 months later, another attempt at an Asian fusion burger emerges.
The Asian Pork Belly Burger is a half pound of marinated pork belly covered by a sunny-side up egg, fried wonton slivers, and Asian BBQ sauce on a bed of vegetable chop suey, wedged between brioche buns.
My issue with this burger, much like the Bulgogi BBQ Beef Burger, is the sauce. First, there is simply too much of it. Second, is it Asian BBQ sauce or Asian Palm Tree syrup? The bullying BBQ sauce strong-armed everything in this burger to the point where could not discern the taste of fat from the pork belly, which is a hard flavor to mask.
I love Slater’s 50/50, and while you do not always hit them out of the park, and sometimes you take a wild-ass swing at a bad pitch, it is good to see you dust off the plate, and get back in there swinging. Like the Boston Red Sox, in the end, you will bring home the pennant.
Slater’s 50/50 Pasadena
61 North Raymond Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 586-1047
Hours: Sun 9:30a.m. – 11:00p.m., Mon-Thurs 11:00a.m. – 11:00p.m.,
Fri & Sat 11:00a.m. – 12:00a.m.
Breakfast is back every Sunday, starting at 9:30a.m. during regular football season!
