Elite Event at Two 8 Two

My wonderful friend Alissa is a Unilocal Elite member and she invited me to this Unilocal elite event.
1. Made me want to be a Unilocal Elite!
2. Made me like bourbon. They served a lemonade (which was fresh and delicious) bourbon that was so good it made me want to slap your mama! Seriously. That.Good.
3.The breakfast Burger was HEAVENLY. Seriously. It felt that an angel touched down beside us and handed us a plate of the hamburger of the Gods. Best breakfast burger ever! The egg was crispy, the meat tender and juicy…
If the ‘point’ of a Unilocal event is to try the place out on your own, it worked! I will go back to Two 8 Two with some other burger lovers I know and spread the gospel.
4. Very romantic/​nice bar feel. Very intimate and warm, I loved the layout and design of the restaurant.

So I’m late in reviewing this. hmm but better late than never right? *sad puppy eyes*
Since everyone pretty much wrote up every glorious detail of this cool event, let me just sum it up for you.
~ = drool of awesomeness.
Fries & Onion rings: ~
Unilocal sunglasses: ~~
Bourbon cocktail #1: ~~~
Bourbon cocktail #2: ~~~~~
Bourbon cocktail #3: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bourbon cocktail #4*:~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Breakfast burger: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Turkey burger: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Poblano chiles burger: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Peter D. sitting at our table and chatting away: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was a great introduction to Two 8 Two burger. Thanks for Peter, Jane and the rest of the wonderful Unilocal staff for organizing it. And Ben, thanks for taking pictures of the event! Thanks Unilocalers for the awesome company!
* According to Marco C. it was just a glass of water

I was very excited about this Elite event, as I usually pass up the burger joints, and will take any good excuse to HAVE to go to one.
As soon as we walked in, it looked like it was going to be a good night, as it was already crowded with Unilocalers getting drinks and making their way out to the outdoor area. The décor is very sleek and understated, but the way the bar leads to the dining area and finally the back patio is very cool.
The drinks were delicious, and I developed a new love for bourbon that I never thought was possible. They were free flowing which is never bad in my opinion, and accompanied the onion rings, sweet potato fries and french fries perfectly. I actually loved the sweet potato fries best!
The burgers, however, were something else. I loved the poblano burger, as the peppers complemented the juicy patty and soft bun perfectly. I marveled at how juicy all the burgers were, and the lack of veggies and condiments was not missed in the least. The turkey burger changed my mind about turkey burgers, which are usually dry and boring. These were moist and fluffy, touched with garlic.
We ate, drank, met Peter D in person, befriended other Elite Unilocalers, and went home very merry indeed.
Will definitely be back with Maha so she too can revel in the deliciousness.
Thank you Unilocal

Another great event! Thank you Unilocal,Peter D and Two 8 Two!
The weather was perfect– nice cool early September breeze coming in through the huge open doors and back yard. The restaurant is beautiful inside and out. I love that backyard. Tons of room to chill everywhere.
The drinks were off-​the-​hook. I love Buffalo Trace bourbon, and the 3 cocktail choices were all delicious. I tried all three– limeade, lemonade, and ginger-​ale. Big ups to the bartenders who tirelessly muddled each cocktail to order! The beers were great as well. I’m a fan of Peak Organic, and IPA is my favorite type of beer, so the drinks alone made the experience.
The food was very tasty. For the first hour, they must have brought out about 50 plates of fries and onion rings. They just kept coming and coming! The burgers were delicious little pleasure bombs. My favorite was probably the breakfast burger. When you take something that is already wonderful, then add bacon and eggs, the results are always positive.
The chillings were tuff as always, but I must say that the +1s made the event a bit more clique-​y than others I had been to. Events that don’t allow +1s kinda force people to mingle a lot more. Just sayin’. I had my lady friend along with me, and we both had a wonderful time. Nice to meet everyone that I met on monday night, and nice to see everyone again that I already knew!
I rode my bike here, but then had to take it home on the G train back to Greenpoint — full of burgers and schwilled on whisky, thanks again!!!

My first Unilocal Elite event! and it was a good one! I’m so glad I was invited and was able to go.
I wasn’t sure what to expect walking into this place, Two 8 Two, especially not really knowing anyone (except friend and co-​worker Monique R. who graciously accepted my invite to attend). But was pleasantly surprised by all the friendly faces and the table service (which I am told is NOT a regular thing). The wait staff was super attentive and asked to refill drinks before we were finished with our first round.
While we waited for our burgers I was able to score some excellent Unilocal swag. I apparently missed out on the sunglasses: sad face: but was able to walk out with a wrist band and some lip balm. What gal doesn’t love free lip balm!
The burgers at Two 8 Two were alright… not my favorite in the city… but they were really juicy and the combination of flavors was nice… I think my favorite was the one with the chili peppers and cheese. And I would have loved to try the Turkey Burger but it didn’t appear that they were cooking that one. And I think if I were to go back on my own I’d request the burger be cooked a bit more, it was too pink in the middle for me.
Oh, and I’d second the comment below about not being able to socialize easily. There were so many separate tables that it was hard to meet people. I hope to introduce myself to some more Unilocalers at the next event!

So it usually goes like this… what do u wanna eat?
Him: I was feeling a burger.
Me: hmmm a burger would be nice…
and then we debate back and forth over which burger and where.
Well thank you Two8Two, the debate is over and thank you Peter for organizing such a wonderful Elite Event.
The service was fantastic, the bartender T.J. was awesome and Billy, the owner, a really nice guy who took the time out to speak with us.
We had the opportunity to sample the Two8Two Burger, the Billy Burger, the Breakfast Burger and the Turkey Burger.
You had him at the breakfast burger… succulent deliciousness with a fried egg and bacon on top. Oh and did I mention the onion rings (get the onion rings trust me)…whoo-whee! And the Bourbon and Lemonade drink!
The burgers were by far the best, juiciest most flavorful I’ve ever had.
Can’t wait to go back for Brunch. I hear they have kick ass Bloody Mary’s!

Yup, I’ve fallen in love. It was unhealthy for our relationship to want so much after we had just met. but I just could not resist. It smelled so good. felt so good in my mouth. tasted so damn good. Toss an egg and a crispy slab of bacon (breakfast burger) or some of those roasted poblano chilies (two8two burger) in between and I’ve far reached euphoria. The two8two sauce was tangy and creamy. oozing perfectly alongside the dribbles of burger juices any and everywhere. But mm mm mm. that bread. The body was so soft and the edges were so crispy. just my type. Chase it down with a handsome glass of the Buffalo Trace limeade or the gingerale or even the lemonade and I am won over.
This feeling. of love, is unexplainable. You’ll need to make a visit to Two8two to find out yourself.

I had the pleasure of trying the two 8 two burger and the turkey burger, and in In the immortal words of Jules, «Uuummmm, this is a tasty burger!”*** The two 8 two burger was truly off the hook — the meat contained just the right amount of fat and it melted in my mouth, the kick from the poblano chilies was a nice addition — my favorite of the night. The turkey burger was tasty as well and the two 8 two sauce is like crack. What do they put in it?!
And since no evening is complete without self-​discovery* … I didn’t know I am a fan of bourbon based cocktails. I’d never say no to free booze** but the Buffalo Trace limeades and lemonades were absolutely delicious as well.
Great cocktails, mouthwatering burgers, great people, friendly staff. if this what life at Elite Events is like, I think I like it. Thanks for organizing such a great time! I’m going to go back. I’m going to eat a breakfast burger. It will be awesome.
*This is not true.
**This is mostly true.
***My +1 for the event pointed out that one, Abigail M. already used this line in her review of the event. Hats off! I’m simultaneously jealous and amused.

Burgers (really fantastic burgers)
Bourbon
*Briana
Beer
Bones
BROOKLYN
What more do you need for a great event ?
Pretty awesome night,
thanks peter, two 8 two staff and all the cool Unilocalers.

Adorable lil’ event, guys! Of course the first thing that happened when I walked in is that I stood at the bar, gettin’ me some whiskey drinks, right next to the indelible Phil H. — completely unaware. Eyes on the prize (whiskey) Phil finally piped up and admitted that he was indeed the Phil H. of multiple-​compliment fame. Yeah buddy!
Anyway, we got our drinks and sat outside on a picnic bench to imbibe ourselves. I tried all of the whiskey drinks (of course!) and liked the limeade one the best. Delicious and perfect for an end-​of-​summer party. The only slightly critical comment I have about this event is that the set up of this otherwise adorable burger bar made it a bit hard to socialize — especially for people new to the NYC scene, such as m’self. Unlike an event space, a place with tables and a bar isn’t ideal for mingle-​age… but on the flip side, I totally get it. I was first-​generation elite in Columbus, and so I understand how everyone ends up knowing each other and that when newbies show up, it’s the last of their concerns. Ah, well. The remedy? Keep showin’ up! I am incorrigible! ;)
Anyway, I had a lovely time talking to Phil and to Fritz, and my cousin, also an elite NYC Unilocaler, and I enjoyed ourselves in a way that only Unilocalers can (with free drinks and fine company at a place we might otherwise never have gone to). Thanks Brooklyn Unilocal!I look forward to the next event.
PS: The NYC talk threads are out of control!

Awesomeness all around – that’s what this event was all about! First off, Peter D. and other Unilocalers know that Two8Two is my fav. burger restaurant in NYC, so I was especially thrilled to find out this event was gonna be held there… and everything definitely lived up to my expectations. Not only did I get to munch on Two8Two’s delectable burgers, onion rings, and fries, but I got to hang out with a bunch of fabulous Unilocal!Elite folks… and sip on never-​ending bourbon cocktails provided by Buffalo Trace! (Oh, and, btw, I didn’t just sip those cocktails– they were pouring freely, and my friend Jerry and I were downing them like water!) Note that full portions of burgers were served at this event– they were cut in fourths to share… but, all in all, I probably had 2 burgers total. NOM!

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the waistbands which have held them together and to consume from the fruits of the earth, the succulent and beefy burgers which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation… from their appetites.
Seriously. Never have I ever been to a Unilocal event at which there was TOO much food. The staff at Two 8 Two just kept bringing the burgers and fries and Buffalo Trace Limeade/​Lemonade (the Limeade was waaaaaaaaaaay too easy to drink). Even though I was trying to convince Danny P. and his ladyfriend to get ice cream afterward, I don’t know where I would’ve put it. To quote Samuel L. Jackson: «Mmm-​mmmm. That is a tasty burger!»
Loved hanging out in the backyard with old and new friends. One of which I felt pretty bad for as there weren’t any veggie options. Maybe their normal menu has them… Anyway, delicious fries helped, I think.

«I am coming again!» That’s what I said to Billy… the owner/​manager guy! (Alright, refrain from making the TWSS comment!)
Other quote-​worthy statements of the night include:
” The turkey burger was meh… you know, compared to the rest of the AAAAAMMMMAAAAZINGGGGG burgers! I REALLY like all the other 3! «= Me to Billy.
„The drinks are really really really good. I mean.really. *5 second pause* Really” — Me to Billy.
„I want BURRRRRGEERSSSSSSSSS“ — Me just whining for burgers as we saw them pass us by! (We were THAT table camped outside the kitchen!)
„Florence, you are the Burger Grabber“ — Monique to me.
“ I want 2,2,2,2,2,2,2 burgers! Look there’s so many of us!» — Me, again.
«Just keep them coming! Yeah. lemonades!» –Phil H. to our lovely attentive waitress who always checked in on us… we must have looked thirsty.
Did you need to know about the mind-​blowing burgers? Go read the other reviews! Mine is about the event itself! I write about THE EVENT ITSELF. Honestly, this was by far the best Elite I’ve been to… for Unilocal (in the 305 or NYC!) Why?
Amazing food and drinks
Service was impeccable — attentive, happy waiters/​waitresses who would actually check in on us, explain to us what we are eating and let us know what is coming out next
Great company, making new friends
Chill atmosphere — picnic tables outside for big group bonding, smaller tables inside for small groups/​couples
Peter D. «off duty» while making his gf «work» the table
Seeing familiar faces… again!
I never talk to the owner/​manager of restaurants cause I always feel that’s pretentious… but I had to go up to Billy and applaud for the amazing food and service last night!
I am (DEFINITELY) coming again! *cues TWSS* :)
Tip-​bits:
The place has been open 5 months, according to owner Billy.
2 single unisex bathrooms, no signs outside the door though

I have a secret.
I was a +1 for this event!
shhh!
Thanks to my coworker who is a newbie Elite Member, (and her fiancé who didnt want to leave the couch) I got to join in on this awesome event.
I tend to love every elite event I go to but it seems they get better each and every time.
Totally, not what I was expecting in a good way. When Alyssa P. and I arrived, we signed in and noted the bar was full and the place was buzzing. Table service! and event with TABLE SERVICE!
Sweet baby cheeses!
I ran into some familiar faces (F.You, The Most Interesting Man on Unilocal H., O-​Sweat, and a few others) and found a table to park my booty at.
The moment I sat down a platter of fries and onion rings were placed in front of me.
Can this happen at every restaurant on the earth? I would love someone to read my mind and bring me a plate of fries all the time!
And then a sweet lady came over and took my drink order. I blinked and my drink was in front of me.
What service! The staff at two 8 two were attentive and courteous! Friendly and speedy! I was having a blast.
The company was great.
The burgers were phenomenal. I already have plans on visitng after a night of too many drinks for a breakfast burger. So good!
Great event! I will say it was a little difficult making new friends because of the table service but its a great way to challenge yourself and force yourself upon a table with an empty chair.
Thanks Alyssa P for the invite, Peter D, and Billy for the amazing amazing event!
Cant wait to go back!

The burgers at two 8 two are amazing… seriously…amazing…
The Breakfast Burger (topped with bacon and a fried egg) was good. I tried them all except the turkey burger. The burgers were amazing. There was not a bad one. In fact, they were all just great. Did I mention that they were great, cause that was important.
The limonade with the Buffalo Trace was a great complement and went down nicely. The backyard was cool and the interior was clean and nice. The staff was really nice, helpful and extremely accommodating. I plan to drive across the bridge a couple of times and grab some food.
The worse part of the burgers being so good is that the event spoiled me and I don’t think when I go I can have just one of the burgers. I think I will have to pick two each time…
I was so in a happy place that I almost didn’t hear that two Unilocalers may have made a hurricane baby…
Seriously, I didn’t know two 8 two but I will remember it now…

I think this might have been the only event where I tasted everything on the menu: the bourbon cocktails, the beers, and every single one of the yummy and inventive burgers. And I don’t even like burgers that much[1]!
Also, the french fries, sweet potato fries, and onion rings were cooked to perfection.
My favorite burger of the night was the two8two burger with roasted poblano chiles, cheddar cheese and two8two sauce, followed by the turkey burger, but seriously: these burgers kick ass!
Just like the bartenders, and the amazing waitress who actually came to the tables to take orders for the drinks! Like: free drinks delivered right to your hand! Moreover, thanks to the people at Two 8 Two for keeping serving free drinks and free food well beyond 9pm (at 9:30 they were still serving breakfast burgers).
I definitely liked the layout of this place, which manages to be three different things at once: the inviting bar, with a great selections of beers on draft and two TV screens where to watch sport; the main dining area, with dark wooden tables and a semi-​romantic yet laid back ambiance, and the really nice patio, cool and relaxing.
Briana did not call me bitch. Also, I saw a photo ninja last night!
— — — — — — — — — –
[1] Oh, yeah? And how come you dripped burger juices all over your tee-​shirt and jeans, uh?

Drunk on bourbon cocktails and Peak Organic beers. Quietly slipping into a burger coma. The room is spinning as I fall into a subconscious state. I am spun into the air as my apartment is ripped from the ground and flung into the atmosphere. This will not end up good. Where will this take me?
I suddenly wake up and I hear a familiar song —
«We’re off to see the wizard, the wonderful wizard of OZ!»
Holy crap! I am in the land of Munchkins and evil witches. And I am wearing a dress! I’m Dorothy! As I look in the mirror I shrug and figure «hey, it’s not a bad look». Here comes my little dog Fritz the intern. He is signing me up for some contest raffles.
As I step outside I am greeted by Pete D the Cowardly Lion, Jando the Tin Man, and Jane K the Scarecrow. They whisk me away to the Emerald City of Two 8 Two as we are all starving and thirsty. We are greeted by the Wizard owner who sits us down on his outdoor patio and has his minions of flying monkey staff serve us all types of delicacies.
Pete D needs a Billy Burger to gain his courage. Jando needs a Two 8 Two burger to attain his heart. Jane K needs a Turkey burger to help keep her trim sexy figure. I eat many, many Breakfast burgers to help keep my brain in check, especially when the Wizard kept serving us Peak Organic IPA, Nut Brown Ale, and an assortment of Buffalo Trace cocktails. I drank a lot of the Buffalo Trace Lemonades to help me though this strange dream.
As we head back to the city we are greeted by the Munchkins — Monique, Florence, Wanda, Jose, Matteo, Claire, Danny, Joolz, Jamel, Bones, Jacob, Melanie B, James, and many others that I can’t remember. I was told they overpowered Briana the Wicked Witch of Brooklyn and locked her up in the nearby detention center, so there was nothing to fear. Through the crowd comes the Good Witch. She tells me to click my high heels (which are killing me at this point) three times and keep repeating «There’s No Place Like Unilocal».
I finally awaken back in my apartment face down on the floor. Stacey tells me I passed out and she decided to leave me there as she was too drunk and tired to drag my ass to the bedroom. I told her of my journey and she said I just had a drunken dream. It could not have been a dream. It was too real. And why am I still wearing this dress?
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — –
Another great event thrown by the Unilocal team. Big props to Pete D, Jane K and the crew for finding this place and setting it up. The burgers here are amazing, the onion rings and fries are terrific, the drinks were free flowing, and the waitstaff was awesome. Really nice bar area, and outdoor patio to party on. Perfect event to ease out of the summer. Thanks guys!

Dear summer,
The fabulous Peter and Jane invited me to a wee-​little shindig to give you a proper sendoff. Guess what? It was quite the experience! Two Eight Two is a surprisingly large, festive space, and the patio in the back was the perfect way to bask in your last vestiges of glory. I hear the burgers were delicious, but I do wish there had been just *one* vegetarian type of burger (yes, I know… that’s sort of an oxymoron) for me to try. Although the fries were quite tasty, and the Peak Organic Brown Ale made me smile. As did catching up with some old friends, and some new ones too.
I do think this was good way to ease us all into your departure. but I know you’ll be back. Catch you on the flipside!
Love, Joolz M.

Au cheval … On a horse … Or:
An egg riding bareback on a burger. This was life changing. And I have Peter D. & the CMs to thank. (mental note: kindof a cool band name)
This was an adorable space, particularly the outside patio. The burgers were juicy and delish, with one better than the next.
And the bourbon. Nothing compliments a good burger like some bourbon and Buffalo Trace really brought it to the table. Ginger/​bourbon was my fav.
Burgers and bourbon. Gotta love these manly events! Thanks, Unilocal team!

Once upon a evening clearly, while I wandered weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious Buffalo Trace of lore,
While I nodded, quaintly yapping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently asking, burgers would you like galore
‘‘Tis some kindly waitress,’ I muttered, ‘tapping gently at my table —
Bourbon, burgers and some fries; holy shit there’s more.‘
Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the crisp September,
And each separate dying plate left its’ burger juice upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished a second; — stomach I had sought to borrow
From my friends Claire F. and Abby — stomach for just a little bit more —
For the rare and succulent meat we were about to score —
Blessed by peter d. here for evermore.
And the wafty chatting of a group of people never less than certain
Thrilled me — filled me with fantastic delights never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating
‘‘Tis some kindly waitress tapping gently at my table —
Bourbon, burgers and some fries; holy shit there’s more.‘
Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
‘Sir,’ said I, ‘or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is I was eating, and so gently you came repeating,
Please these delicious burgers have, so good you’d eat them off the floor,
That I scarce was sure I heard you’ — never would they make me snore —
Delicious there, and nothing more.
‘Take what you have be it drink or meat!’ I shrieked upstarting —
‘Get thee into my belly’s apparently unending core!
I scoff at Unilocal Elite on Manhattan, Queens or Hoboken!
So my hungriness it was broken! — quit the stories made of yore!
Take thy toothpick from out my heart, and put it in your burgers’ core’
Quoth two eight two, ‘Forevermore.‘
And the lovely waitress, never wilting, still is serving, still is flitting
On the wide and expansive outdoor floor;
The bartender’s eyes have all the seeming of a demon’s that is dreaming,
Pouring Buffalo Trace into drinks made of the other side of heaven’s door;
And my eyes that see that food lies lingering on the floor
Two Eight Two food shall be lifted, eaten — evermore!