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Good Taste: Burger fantasies come to life at Rex 1516

Patties, Puns, and Pints Rex 1516 has become something of an open mic for burgers since July, when chef Justin Swain began inviting a new chef pal each week to concoct a Tuesday-Wednesday burger fantasy for the City Wide Burger Special. Paired with a shot of Buffalo Trace and a p

The House Grind burger, a Buffalo Trace shot and a pint of Newbold at Rex 1516. ( DAVID SWANSON / Staff Photographer )
The House Grind burger, a Buffalo Trace shot and a pint of Newbold at Rex 1516. ( DAVID SWANSON / Staff Photographer )Read more

Rex 1516 has become something of an open mic for burgers since July, when chef Justin Swain began inviting a new chef pal each week to concoct a Tuesday-Wednesday burger fantasy for the City Wide Burger Special.

Paired with a shot of Buffalo Trace and a pint of Newbold for $15 (a nod to the actual "citywide" drink special offered in local bars), it's a tremendous value.

From "Choucroute: There it is!" (topped with sauerkraut and apple jam) by Will BYOB sous-chef Craig Russell to "New Pigs on the Guac" (Chihuahua cheese and pork belly al pastor) by ex-Taqueria Feliz chef Lucio Palazzo, they've been a rare combination of good taste and questionable puns.

There's no question, though, that the Southern-themed Rex has emerged as one of Philly's great burger kitchens.

It begins with the restaurant's thick 8-ounce patty of custom ground brisket, deckle, and fillet (for softness) that gets a perfectly seared crust in iron pans. The best combo, though, may be Swain's own "house grind" (pimento cheese, bacon, crispy onions).

It gets the boozy "citywide" special status on Monday nights.

- Craig LaBan

City Wide Burger Special, $15,

Rex 1516, 1516 South St., 267-319-1366.