Botak Jones is about 5mins walk from Braddell MRT and finding our way there was a breeze. We got there at 6.30pm and to my delight, there was no dinner crowd. I figured their business comes largely from the working executives in neighbouring offices and students (who seem to have lots of spending power these days) from a school just a stone's throw away.
P took some time preying on the extensive menu while I went straight for the recommended choice–The Botak Burger ($5.50) and topped it with sautéed onion ($1.00) and garlic sautéed shitake mushroom ($2.00). The burger is really "botak" and you have to pay for additional toppings. If I had known that it was served with julienne of fresh onions, I wouldn't have picked the sautéed ones and opt for something else. The burger was served with the extra toppings in separate saucers and it didn't look as exciting as the one I just had from Crazy Ang Mo. What could have won brownie points was the bun. It was not the regular sesame burger bun you can get from Sunshine or Gardenia but focaccia-like sourdough bread. I like focaccia. But then again, the pale-looking bread didn't help to dress up the boring burger. I was wondering why they didn't toast it with some butter. Perhaps I should have added the cheese (which I didn't because we ordered the Chez French Fries) to make it more complete. To me, presentation is just as important and that the plate should be treated like the canvas. It's about the art of dining. Oh, don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that my food has to look fancy like those served in highbrow swanky restaurants. The least is to look appetising.
The patty was perfected at medium well and it was tasty but mushy. I'd prefer it minced, not mashed.
The Chili Dawg ($11) is HUGE! The sausage was sunk in whoopass con carne with chunks of jalapeño swimming in it and topped with fresh diced onions. It looked messy and again, not very appetising. The black tablewares were not a good choice, I felt. What's worse, there was actually a sausage bun soaked in the mountain of food! (Can you even spot it in the photo?) I think they should just do away with the bun. Anyway, having said all that, the Chili Dawg tasted surprising good! It was not too spicy, just the right amount of spice to zest up my appetite. The crinkled-cut fries, sprinkled with paprika or Cajun (I think), tasted pretty good too. They reminded me of the Cajun fries I had in The States.
The Chez French Fries ($8.00) were crinkled-cut ones covered with cheddar cheese and lettuce. The lettuce was a nice touch as they helped to reduce the "jelakness". They were yummy when hot and gooey but the cheddar cheese hardened after some time. If you remember TGIF Loaded Fries or Billy Bombers Cheese Fries, the Chez French Fries were just not their match.
The filling meal left both of us thirsty throughout the night. Yes, it may not be the best American food around but we did enjoy the dinner pretty much. And for the price we pay, it's definitely worth a revisit. But the next time, we'll be bringing friends to share the generous portions.
On a final note, I've to disagree with my friend, M, who didn't think much of Botak Jones, the statement is damn true. But I'm definitely heading to where she thinks is the winner, Astons. Soon.
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