Philadelphia Weekly

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Edgy, veggie, go: Secret sauce on Honey's Sit 'n' Eat's burger tastes "like awesome."

Veggie burgers aren't just for pot-smoking, flag-burning, troop-hating, patchouli-reeking, mung bean curry-slurping, Caucasian dreadlock- sporting, home-made didgeridoo-blowing, Birkenstocks-with-socks-wearing, Trey-Anastasio-overrating, work-ethic-not-having stinking hippies anymore. So sit back, relax, pick the crumbs out of your disgusting ratty beard, and get ready to burn one down because Field Guide is passing this Philly veggie burgers-packed dutchie on the left hand side�. (Don't bogart our textured vegetable protein, man.)

If the Taste Defies Description

Honey's Sit 'n' Eat's (800 N. Fourth St. 215.925.1150) special veggie burger made with corn, mushrooms and seasonal vegetables is topped with garlic aioli, and--if you ask nicely--Claudio's fresh mozzarella cheese. It's accompanied by a pickle, a "health" salad and a secret sauce our lanky and ironically outfitted server assures us tastes "like awesome." And it does. H $ M 1 V

If You're Feeling Neglected

We've applauded The Sidecar Bar & Grille (2201 Christian St. 215.732.3429) before for their mastery of the art of grinding pork shoulders and livers into a well-seasoned ode to meat. Well stop pouting, veg heads; they haven't forgotten you. The south-of-the-border black bean burger served with chipotle mayo, golden fries, crisp slaw and "attention to detail" will have you smiling. G H $ H 1 V

If You're a Braggadocio

National Mechanics (22 S. Third St. 215.701.4883) claims to make the "single greatest veggie burger in the known world." Field Guide has yet to visit Veerapol's Veggie Burger Emporium in Maha Sarakham in North East Thailand, so we can't really comment. But Mechanics' secret recipe is a real crowd pleaser. And with 42 beers on offer, it's definitely the greatest destination in Old City. G H $ M 1 V

If You Like to Pick and Choose Your Causes

The disappointingly prepackaged patty at Gianna's Grille (507 S. Sixth St. 215.829.GG4U) comes coated with a "homemade special sauce" that turns out to be Russian dressing. Posters of crust-punk bands like R.A.M.B.O. coat the walls in this vegan-leaning restaurant. Most surprisingly, these proponents of PETA provide no opportunity to recycle. Save the animals, screw the planet. How terribly, terribly punk. M V

If You Want to Guarantee Yourself a Seat on the El

The black bean burger at The Black Sheep Pub (247 S. Latimer St. 215.545.9472) has pine nuts in the mix and comes with your choice of two toppings. Our recommendation is goat cheese and caramelized onions. Steak fries come on the side, and two extra bucks will get them slathered in a garlic sauce that'll keep everyone around you out of breathing distance. G H M $ V

If the Wounds Still Haven't Healed

The bickering staff at Basic 4 Vegetarian Snack Bar (Reading Terminal Market, 12th and Filbert sts., 215.440.0991) is as dysfunctional as the Tenenbaums. Their mushy veggie chili burger on a whole wheat bun slathered in a kidney bean sauce isn't worth the flashbacks to our parents' divorce. H V