Last week when I discussed Gordo’s, I mentioned Cincinnati chef Jean-Robert de Cavel, the closest thing the city has to a traditional “celebrity chef.” Jean-Robert has an upscale restaurant downtown called Jean-Robert’s Table that is excellent but the French chef also has a number of more moderately priced restaurants.
Two years ago, Jean-Robert opened Frenchie Fresh, his version of a fast food restaurant (or as close to fast food as he is ever likely to get.) The goal is quick gourmet food with a menu which primarily consists of soups, salads, mac & cheese, and sandwiches.
Their burgers are served one of two ways, either the “Frenchie way” or the “Yankee way.” The former refers to that sandwich served open face on top of an herb-grilled baguette. Yankee style means it is served on a traditional American bun. They have two beef options, a high-quality ground beef patty they call “Kansas City Beef” or a “Texas Wagyu” patty from the Japanese breed of cattle. There are other options, including chicken and bison.
They have several “chef’s choice” burger combinations and at this point, I think I have tried them all. Their basic is their cheeseburger which they call “The Gene Kelly,” “The Pig City” is served with garlic and herb cheese and bacon. “The Alpine” has Swiss cheese, caramelized onions, and a mushroom demi-glace.
Occasionally they have specials, such as the one pictured. This was called “The Super Slam.” It included the Cincinnati-favorite goetta, a sausage I have mentioned before, which is made from ground meat, oats, and spices. The Super Slam was a Kansas City beef patty topped with bacon, cheddar, caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, a garden mix of greens, a slice of goetta, and a sunny side up egg.
In addition to their fine burgers. Frenchie Fresh also has other delicious sandwiches. Their “Sloppy Jean,” a version of a Sloppy Joe, has a great, slightly sweet flavor. They have an excellent seafood roll that is made with lobster, crab, shrimp, and scallops tossed in a creamy dressing on brioche. My favorite of their mac & cheese choices is “The Three Pigs,” which includes pieces of bacon, hot dog, and Italian sausage blended into their standard mac & cheese which is made with a French white bechémel sauce. But you won’t go wrong with any of their burgers!