12 Baltimore’s Burger Week burger: spicy, classy, cheap

Generally speaking, I don’t like a lot of fuss on my burgers. An avocado or a pineapple on a burger sounds good, but in practice I usually end up picking those things off and eating them separately (if at all). What I really want out of the deal is about as simple as it gets: a juicy patty, cheese, ketchup and mustard. I eat the pickles first, usually. I don’t even want the lettuce and tomato, which I scrape off the bun like a barber wielding a straight razor. Call me what you will. This is who I am. I’m done apologizing. 

I will make exceptions for burger toppings lacking in nutritional value, though. Bacon, for example. Also: jalapenos and onion straws, both of which are found on 12 Baltimore’s “Hot Phillips,” which also crams a half-pound beef patty, cheddar, chipotle aioli, and lettuce and tomato between its buns. I stopped by during the Royals game last night, and damn, son, that thing is tight! It’s also only $5, as part of The Pitch‘s Burger Week. (More on that here.)

Fries come with the Hot Phillips (named after the Hotel Phillips, to which 12 Baltimore is attached) for no extra charge. I believe a salad, and some other potato item, and possibly a fruit cup were also available as sides, but I don’t ever listen to anything servers say after they say “french fries,” although I like to think I’m pretty convincing at pretending to ponder the choices. 

The burger has a little heat to it, but it’s nothing too wild. Bonus: the jalapenos did not give me heartburn. (I had brought along a roll of Tums in case.) Delicious burger, fries, and a pint of beer came in at $11 and change. For a fancy downtown hotel bar, that’s a tough price to beat for dinner. The deal goes through Sunday.