Aioli Restaurant & Catering
| Address: | 2540 Main Street, Irvine, CA 92614, USA |
| Phone: | +1 949-757-1802 |
| Site: | aiolioc.com |
| Rating: | 4 |
| Working: | 11AM–3:30PM 11AM–3:30PM 11AM–3:30PM 11AM–3:30PM 11AM–3:30PM Closed Closed |
Location
Photos 23
Reviews 8
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Walter Macalma
Im not a pyromaniac, but I like "Fire....the burger that is". Well I like normal fire too... We all know the pretzel bun isnt new, but its making a comeback. Very few of them are substantial enough to stack up to the burgers their bare. Now on to the hidden star. The fire burger. Turns out while I was sticking to my damn uncommon item rule the rest of the world was finding out about the true star. A burger that pleasantly surprised me and made me a believer that this dainty food court had more to offer than mediocre everything. I typically go for the most unique/uncommon item on the menu or the most non regional to us so I had always gone with the Italian Beef, I like to call them Madrina or Padrino aka Godmother or Godfather. Italian beef when made well is simply amazing, juicy, flavorful, tender and perfectly balanced when the roll and the toppings come together. I find the Italian beef here to be a little stringy and not as tender as authentics, the juice (au jous) to be a little watery and not seasoned like how its really made in the Chicago. If it werent for the hot giardinera or sweet peppers it would be a French dip and be mediocre even for the west coast. (think Phillippes). Madrina adds provo and marinera, frankly the provo is enough as the au jous already soaks the bun and the marinera adds no value, turns sloppy and to me doesnt really round out the profile. Like his name sake suggests the Padrino is the overlord of their sandwiches. The Italian sausage gives an umami and savoryness to it and that creates to profiles (sausage, marinera, provo) (Italian beef, giardineira, sweet peppers these are add ons) . This makes a mess and can not be picked up once au jousd. The rolls just arent sturdy enough and I doubt many are, not even in Chicago do I see them on the go built like this. Of course people will suggest why not get 2 sandwiches and split with someone, but to me the padrino part lingers more than the madrina. Bread is lightly toasted and soft. I was thinking they go with slider style to get around the size issue, like 6 sliders instead, plus youd get a better bite each time, but wouldnt match the au jous so well. The key to these is get pepperoncinis for bite, giardiniera isnt hot, just spicy. The only real problem is build quality. The cheese doesnt quite cover the meat, the burger isnt rested before build, with the aioli sauce and the pepper topping juice obliterates a pretty stout pretzel bun which is one of the better ones Ive had. The burger is thick and a little packed, but does separate around the edges, flat top grilled. Its solid in flavor and profile, but I didnt taste the dry rub much until the end, might be too much going on. Its a lot of burger and combos makes it a hefty meal. Tiny soda cups. Most easy coast places offer peppers, at a bar, but here they make them on the sandwiches and charge for them. Fries are skin on and well cooked, light on the salt and nothing fancy. Since its in a food court obviously the ambiance and décor are communal along with cleanliness shared. In my incessant need for knowledge my questions never get answered, they just tell you whats popular and youre soon able to see they arent from Chicago looking for authenticity, but all in all its a good burger and a solid stab at something most places flub. Whats fer dinner by der, must be da subs. Lehts not get ours tonge cot in the pickle jahr. Sorry I couldnt help myself. I spent a few summers visiting my aunt in Chicago when I was younger.
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Hannah Williams
This is quickly becoming one of my favorite spots. The Lola burger is Delicious. The Chicken Marsala is very good also. A friend of mine had the Godfather burger said it was very good. I dont think you can go wrong with anything here.
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Morison Woo
Quick and cheap burger that is surprisingly juicy. Mmmm. Its located inside a food court, so you wont see the sign from the outside. Their burgers are cheap! I got the Western Burger. It was so good, i would come back again.
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Adrian Aguilar
This place is located in a business area food court. You can miss it driving by. Let me tell you the burgers are amazing, I was so stuffed, place is not cheap but worth it. Seating is tight too. But Im going back.
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Matt Bell
Awesome Italian beef with hot peppers! Whooo hoooo!!!!
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Alaaeldin El Hadary
One of the best burgers Ive had at this price range. The place isnt that nice (average food court), but its a REALLY good burger!
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Valerie Tamburo
As for the food, its good! The customer service from the younger man at the register is TERRIBLE! Hes a d@ck!
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Patrick Danly
Great Italian Beef!!
