Great NYC Turkey Burger Take Over

Bistro Truck "Make the Switch" logo

We’ve all heard how much healthier ground turkey is compared to traditional ground beef, but most Americans continue to purchase beef in large quantities. Are we afraid of not reaching the temperature safety zone of 165 degrees? Or could it be that most Americans believe turkey lacks flavor and is not nearly as versatile as beef? Whatever the reason may be, in order to show New Yorkers what turkey burgers are really about, Jennie-O‘s turkey paired with NYC’s popular Bistro Truck, representing five different areas of NY that make this truly unique city as magnificent as it is. Yassir Raouli, the owner of the Bistro Truck who arrived from Morocco only five years ago, shares his passion for food and the city by emulating the vibe, attitude, and flavors of NY grilled and topped to perfection.

Bromography was invited on Monday for a special preview of the turkey burgers that would soon be taking over the streets of NYC. Yassir’s task was not a simple one, as it is not easy taking a village and embodying into flavors. After sipping on my Moroccan iced tea with a subtle hint of fresh mint, I sat down to speak with the mastermind behind the inspiring recipes. He described each burger in detail, from seasoning ingredients to the cooking process. He smiled as he continued to outline each recipe and the distinctive area that inspired it.

Media sits by the truck on 53rd St & 6th Ave

Blackened poblano chilis with a spicy mayo well represented the large vibrant Latin community for the Bronx Burger. It was no surprise that homemade marinara and grated parmesan cheese donned the top of the Mulberry Street Burger, the heart of Little Italy. “Although each burger has turkey in it, I didn’t want to leave the vegetarians out,” he added about his E. Village Burger, topped with sliced cucumbers and crisp bean sprouts and a giant slice of brie cheese. One last representation was the Brooklyn Burger: the burger with the best story. “It’s hard to re-create Brooklyn; you kind of have to leave Brooklyn alone, you don’t want to mess with it. I wanted the burger to have attitude without losing the integrity of the turkey,” Yassir said between laughs.

The moment of truth had finally arrived. It was time to taste the turkey. A line of servers emerged from the bright green truck holding plates of sample size burgers or what some may refer to as sliders. The aroma was invigorating with bright colors shining at the end of that turkey rainbow. I began with the Bronx Burger, and what a great place to start! It turned out to be my favorite of the five. The first bite most definitely had that “wow” factor, bringing a symphony of flavors to the palate. My eyes opened wide as I bit into the incredibly moist and well-seasoned patty. The spicy (yet gentle) mayo, cheese sauce, and roasted vegetables came together beautifully. The oregano, chili powder, and cumin combined well with the turkey, only bringing out the best. The fried red onions with their hint of sweetness balanced out the flavors excellently. Brooklyn certainly had that flair and attitude Yassir hoped to capture.

Bronx Burger and Brooklyn Burger (left to right)

Another interesting burger I tried was placed on top of an avocado puree and topped with sliced oyster and portobello mushrooms. The bright green represents the beautiful parks in Flat Iron. It’s nice to see more than just portobello mushrooms offered on a burger. Although the flavors were great, the ingredients seemed more individual than brought together. The E. Village Burger tasted of fresh crisp vegetables, paired with creamy brie that balanced out the flavor as well as the texture. Last, but not least came the Mulberry Street burger. The concept is simple, but makes you feel at home with Mom’s homemade marinara sprinkled with flaky parmesan. Ending my meal with a taste of Little Italy.

Overall it was a wonderful experience. Yassir is a humble man who was approached with a concept and made it happen. His bright green truck encouraging others to “Make the Switch” to turkey can be seen around NYC this week, as it will be making stops in the neighborhoods represented by the burgers and offering a different one each day for free! Please see the schedule below for locations and hours, or follow Bistro Truck on Twitter for more information.

Yassir Raouli (Owner of Bistro Truck)

Tuesday, July 26 – Hudson Street and King Street – The Mulberry Street Turkey Burger.

Wednesday, July 27 – Union Square Farmer’s Market (15th St) – The Flatiron Turkey Burger.

Thursday, July 28 – Old Slip Street and Water FIDI -  The Brooklyn-Style Turkey Burger.

Friday, July 29 – 52nd Street and Park Avenue – The Bronx Turkey Burger.

Saturday, July 30 – Washington Street and Gansevoort Street – The East Village Turkey Burger.