B.Good - Back Bay

B.Good's success hinges on the expectation that people are willing to shell out a couple more bucks for food that is fast, but that isn't processed to hell or molested by machines. That's a pretty good expectation--I won't argue with that.

They have a wholesome family tone going on where if you sign up to be part of their "family" you can get gifts that I assume are basically coupons and invitations to eating contests and other events. I'm starting to like these guys--how about you?

With hunger heaving at my door I thought it would be a good opportunity to try out a burger at B.Good. I ordered a double El Guapo with cheddar. Note that it is extra to make it double and to add the cheese as well. The El Guapo is pretty standard with tomato, onions, and lettuce, but adds jalapeno-ranch dressing and bacon to the mix as well. By doubling it and adding cheese I made a $6.29 burger into a $8 burger. I have mixed feelings about this since that's a bit much to spend on a single burger, but in it's defense it did add a substantial amount of girth to it.

I was warned of their fries before, but I had to try them myself. Unfortunately, that advice should have been heeded--their regular fries are undesirable: a bit chewy, neither crispy nor soft with flavor that can only be described as bland. I hear their sweet potato fries are a much better option.

The burger was great though. The meat patties were definitely lean and cut out the grease that fast food chains dish out. The jalapeno-ranch dressing adds a nice kick too, but I don't think there was any bacon . . . that is I couldn't tell if there was any or not. The mystery of this ghost bacon perturbed me somewhat. My thoughts of it turned to postmodern meditation: if the bacon existed, but was not tasted--did it exist in my sense of reality at all? Did my mind's entertaining of the notion of bacon as an idea mean that the bacon was, in fact, there before I even began eating? Or perhaps they just forgot to put it on the burger--after all, they did forget to give me my fries at first.

Bacon meditation.

131 Dartmouth St., Boston, MA, 617 424 5252, www.bgood.com