JFG Nation, happy Monday! Let’s get to it…Also, don’t forget to sign up to challenge me in a March Madness bracket – details last week.

Today: Hard Rock Cafe DC’s Guinness & Jameson Bacon Cheeseburger!!!

JFG Nation, the Hard Rock DC has a special place in my heart ever since I began reviewing their burgers. That special place, I’m sure, had a bit of red meat lodged there I’m sure, but I digress.

Each time I’ve been to the Hard Rock, I’ve had a different experience. When I tried their World Tour of burgers, it was summer time and tourists were coming in and out. When I tried the Modelo burger, the place was about half full and I had a nice chill dinner.

This time, when the Hard Rock Cafe invited me to try their Guinness & Jameson Bacon Cheeseburger? The place was HOPPIN’. Jam packed, loud, lots of energy, and pop music to the MAX. At one point the entire restaurant was singing “Party in the USA” at the top of their lungs. It was like a movie. I was FIRED UP to eat this burger. Let’s DO THIS.

Hard Rock Cafe DC’s Guinness & Jameson Bacon Cheeseburger is being served now and is on the grill until the end of April according the manager Jeff. The burger features Jameson bacon jam and Guinness cheese sauce. SUPER IRISH. I guess St. Patrick’s Day IS right around the corner…

Our waiter Ameen was super cool and got us started with some Guinness…

…uh, a lot of Guinness.

Then, our Hard Rock Cafe DC’s Guinness & Jameson Bacon Cheeseburgers arrived!

I have to give the Hard Rock Cafe DC credit – I love he knife-in-the-burger but. I had the JFGal and her friend with me, so we could get a triple take on this Guinness & Jameson Bacon Cheeseburger.

The Hard Rock Cafe DC’s Guinness & Jameson Bacon Cheeseburger came with a bed of arugula on a toasted bun. The arugala seemed to have a bit of aioli mixed in with it.

The burger was topped with the bacon jam and I saw a LITTLE bit of cheese sauce but I wanted MORE. If you’re gonna hype this cheese sauce, lather that stuff on!

Ameen hooked me up with a nice side bucket of the Guinness cheese sauce to douse my Hard Rock Cafe DC’s Guinness & Jameson Burger. I tasted it – really good. Not salty and full of deep beer cheese flavor.

I tried the bacon jam on this Hard Rock Cafe DC’s Guinness & Jameson Burger and was surprised how bright, sweet, and onion-y it was! When I initially saw how much was on my burger, I was worried that it wasn’t enough… But after tasting it, I was glad I didn’t ask for more. REALLY strong flavor with great smokiness. I definitely didn’t want this to overwhelm the burger.

THERE WE GO. The Hard Rock Cafe DC’s Guinness & Jameson Bacon Cheeseburger, properly dressed in cheese and cut. The burger was a perfect medium to medium rare.

I took a bite of this Hard Rock Cafe DC’s Guinness & Jameson Bacon Cheeseburger, and knew this was a good burger. Perfectly cooked. The use of arugala instead of lettuce was smart, keeping the burger from getting too soggy while adding some peppery notes.

The combo of the beer cheese sauce and the bacon jam was wonderful – I’d had this combo before; the deep yeasty flavor of the cheese sauce is well contrasted by the brightness and smokiness of the bacon jam. The sweetness of the onions really came through. Stack this on top of a good burger and you’ve got a winner.

I enjoyed this burger even more than the Modelo burger; this was tasty tasty tasty. One critique – more cheese sauce please! The JFGal and her friend agreed – good burger but was made even better by the addition of the side tub of cheese sauce.

Bottom line: highly recommend if you get the extra cheese sauce on the side to further dress the burger. Thanks again to the Hard Rock Cafe DC for the chance to try this burger!

Thoughts? Please comment below or hit me up on Twitter @junkfoodguy or LIKE my Facebook Page and message me there. I also have Google+!! Let’s hang out.

Sincerely,

Junk Food Guy