Turkey Burger Smackdown '05

This was serious business:

Our favorite turkey burger has always been at Timberlake's on Connecticut Avenue, but rumor had it the Hawk 'n Dove could be a contender. Immediately, the Hawk earned points for being closer to work, having outdoor tables, and Guinness on tap (why, Timberlakes, why not, for the love of Joyce?)

Service at the Hawk was slow. Painfully so. Granted, a Nationals game had just ended and Barracks Row was bursting with red-tee-shirted sportsfans, so I'll be generous there. While meditating over a black pint and waiting for their best attempt to beat Timberlake's lead, I studied the street from our cozy outdoor table -- the bar next door seemed photogenic enough... The day was cooler, less humid, breezy, and the curb was dotted with an odd mixture of cars; gleaming BMW convertibles and rusted Toyotas.

Gentrification makes strange bedfellows.

Turkey Burger arrived (with onion rings, of course). While I'm sure both Timberlake's and Hawk 'n Dove use easy, pre-packaged ingredients, the Hawk's offering was more "packaged" somehow. Didn't have that lovingly hand-tooled vibe, somehow. Both places offer fine, fat onion rings but even on that count, Timberlake's kicks the Hawk right in its feathered butt.

Our waiter guy disappeared into the mob of baseball people at the bar, and we never saw him again. An appropriate amount of cash was left on the table and we ambled off, with mixed reviews of the two establishments. Hawk 'n Dove would be best for simple after-dinner drinks, maybe an appetizer and a seat outside to study the german sportscars with immaculately groomed Bichons barking in the back seat... but for awesome turkey-burgers in a classic hardwood bar environment, Timberlake's remains victorious.

We strolled happily into the distance, in search of squirrels to chase. It took about two hours but we found one, dammit. We found one.