New to Brookline and a short walk from the high school down Cypress Street, RiceBurg joins the plethora of restaurants available for students looking for international eats. If you’ve seen students carrying cups with their noticeable red logo, you’ve walked past and considered stepping inside or if you haven’t heard of it at all, there are a few questions you might be wondering about the new restaurant: Is it good? Is it filling? Is it expensive? Below are some answers to determine whether or not RiceBurg will hold its own, at least among its tight-walleted, high school audience.
Ambience: 8/10
RiceBurg makes the most of what it has. There’s not much space to work with, but the lighting, decor and intentional color scheme of the small restaurant indicate careful effort put towards making its ambience as inviting as it can be. The walls, tabletops and floor are all pearly alabaster. To most, cleanliness is critical, and RiceBurg passes that with flying colors. The seating is pretty limited, so if you’re dropping in during lunch, you’re probably better off ordering to-go, and luckily, the food comes out in no time.
Spicy Chicken Katsu Riceburger ($10.50): 4/10
The rice patties, a unique alternative for buns, are toasted to a warm brown, the lettuce is a fresh green and the chicken katsu drips with a glossy red sauce. But its appetizing appearance sets the bar a bit too high. The chicken has a good texture, but it’s bland by itself. The only flavor comes from the sauce, which is the item’s only strong point. The sauce is tangy, sweet and has a tiny bit of kick.
Still, that kick is hardly enough to make up for the lack of flavor. As a reference, compared to the hot salsa at Chipotle, or even the salsa verde, this spicy riceburger’s hotness is extremely underwhelming. Also, ask to remove the pineapple. Perhaps its fresh sweetness is supposed to balance with the supposed spice, but it’s peculiar and clashes with the other flavors. Priced at $10.50, the riceburger isn’t worth a second try.
Small popcorn chicken ($6): 7/10
For $6, the small size is still a pretty hefty amount. Considering the cost (especially in comparison with the riceburger), it’s not a bad option for a quick meal. You’d be satisfied with just eating the small portion for lunch.
The chicken itself is respectable. The larger pieces are juicy, and their texture is a great balance between perfectly-cooked chicken and a crunchy, fried exterior. In other words, it’s exactly what you’re looking for in popcorn chicken. For a second time, though, the food lacks spice. There’s a dusting of red powder over the chicken, which is definitely supposed to be the spice, but it falls short. It just tastes like salt. The spice comes at no extra cost, though, so your wallet won’t feel the same disappointment as your taste buds will.
House fries ($4): 6/10
They have a solid crunch with a soft, pillowy interior, and the fries themselves are a decent size (not too long, not too thick). It’s not clear what seasoning they have on them, but it’s delicious. It’s salty and even has a bit of acidity. However, the small portion, which costs $4, is tiny. Despite how much you’ll love them, you’ll never pay $4 for so few fries again. Actually, maybe you will. They’re really good.
Chicken katsu curry ($13): 10/10
It’s practically flawless and poses a near-perfect blend between flavors, textures and comfort. The white rice is soft, though a bit dry if you get a bite without the curry sauce; the chicken is crispy and the perfect thickness, and it has great flavor on its own; the yellow daikon, or pickled radish, is crunchy, tangy and a little sweet, balancing the taste and feel of the dish splendidly. The curry sauce itself is thick, savory and has cubes of soft potato and carrot in it. This one isn’t meant to be spicy, and its profile perfectly matches that. It’s salty and packs a punch, not in the sense of being spicy, but it has the kick you’re looking for in a curry, especially as we move into the colder, winter months.
Together, the bowl is soothing, filling and delicious. You’ll add the dish to your list of comfort foods right away. And for $13, it’s a great portion and enough food to keep you full for the day.
Overall: 7/10
RiceBurg isn’t a bad option; it’s clean and quick, which is what many of us are looking for in a school day lunch spot. It’s very item-specific, certain things are worth coming for, and other things you’re better off avoiding. Note that if you’re a spice lover, this place probably isn’t your jam. And because it’s so good, here’s one last reminder: Get the chicken katsu curry. You’ll probably come back to RiceBurg just because of it.
