Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage — Review by Food Network
Cambridge, United States — American burgers
Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage in Cambridge is an iconic burger joint located across from Harvard University that delivers exceptional burgers and sides. The restaurant uses high-quality 100% chuck beef with no fillers, cooks patties on a flat top for perfect crust, and offers creative burger varieties named after local celebrities. The homemade onion rings, coleslaw, and Russian dressing are standout accompaniments that elevate the entire experience.
What was great: Excellent quality burgers made with 100% chuck beef, creative burger varieties named after local celebrities and politicians, perfectly crispy onion rings made with fresh Spanish onions, homemade coleslaw and Russian dressing with great flavor balance, knowledgeable owner Billy Bartley with 37 years of cooking experience
What could improve: Nothing mentioned
The Dishes
The Harvard Double is a classic burger that has been on the menu since the restaurant opened, featuring two large patties topped with grilled onions, grilled peppers, mushrooms, and barbecue sauce. It is juicy and well-constructed. The restaurant also offers creative variations including the Kevin Garnett burger with jack cheese, chili, and sour cream served with sweet potato fries, and the Brady burger with guacamole. Each burger is characterized by its exceptional crust from cooking on the flat top griddle, achieved by searing quickly without seasoning during cooking, then finishing with kosher salt. The onion rings are a standout item, made fresh daily from large Spanish onions sliced thin, dipped in evaporated milk, coated in cornflour with no additional seasoning, and fried perfectly crispy. They are salted after coming out of the fryer. The homemade coleslaw features thin-sliced cabbage with a dressing made from sugar, seasoned salt, celery seed, cider vinegar, oil, red cabbage, carrots, and peppers. The homemade Russian dressing, a family recipe from Billy's mother, combines pickle relish, chopped Spanish onion, ketchup, mayonnaise, and secret ingredients including Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, white and black pepper, and maple syrup.
The Experience
Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage sits right across the street from Harvard University, giving it a vibrant college town atmosphere. Owner Billy Bartley has been cooking at this establishment for 37 years after taking over from his father, who opened the restaurant the year Billy was born. The restaurant maintains a casual, friendly vibe with a simple approach to food preparation. The flat top griddle cooking method creates an engaging atmosphere where diners can watch the cooking process.
Value and Pricing
Specific pricing was not discussed in the review, but the value appears strong given the quality of ingredients used, the handmade preparation of all components, and the generous portions served.
Notable Moments
As a chef, I'm always interested in the recipe. What's the recipe for a great Triple D location? It's got to have history. It's got to have story. It's got to have character. It's got to have location. And it's got to have great food.
The crust on that is incredible. No salt, no pepper, no nothing while it's cooking. Just a little bit of kosher salt after.
Every burger has its own character and I think that's part of the fun of coming here.
The Verdict
Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage is an essential destination for burger enthusiasts and anyone visiting the Cambridge area. The combination of high-quality beef, expert cooking technique, creative flavor combinations, and homemade accompaniments makes this one of the best burger establishments around. The restaurant's long history, family ownership, and commitment to quality ingredients and preparation methods make it a classic American burger joint worth seeking out.