Rex 1516

After hearing Chef Justin Swain’s pimento burger at Rex 1516 won the 2^nd annual Battle of the Burger, held at the Piazza at Schmidt’s in Philadelphia last month, I made reservations to taste and judge the winner for myself.

Set on the western half of Philadelphia’s popular South Street, Rex 1516 offers a Southern-inspired menu boasting comfort food, craft beer, unique cocktails and Southern specialties, like mint juleps. While the inside is beautifully decorated, decked out with wood chandeliers, antique mirrors and wrought iron, I sat outside on the outdoor patio, enjoying the comfortable late-summer weather.

Though I came for the burger, the rest of the menu looked tempting as well, featuring Southern specialties, like skillet cornbread, fried green tomatoes and crawfish pot pie as appetizers and Memphis pork shank, fried chicken and smoked brisket as entrees. In addition to the burger, I tried the duck special, featuring duck confit atop fresh pappardelle sprinkled with pecorino and basil.

The duck was melt-in-your-mouth delicious, but the burger stole the show and lived up to its title as the winner of the 2014 Battle of the Burger. Cooked medium and served on a light and fluffy brioche bun, it was topped with a fried egg, rich and slightly spicy pimento cheese, crispy red onion, crunchy bacon and fresh bibb lettuce. Paired with a Philadelphia Brewing Company Newbold IPA, it was the perfect meal.

Rex 1516

1516 South St.

Philadelphia, PA 19146

tel 267 319 1366