Boca Burgers?

[Linda in MO]

I just saw Boca Burgers at my grocery store for the first time yesterday. They normally carry Morningstar and Gardenburgers. I'm not a vegetarian so I haven't tried any of these, but I wanted to know if the Boca Burgers were any good? What is your favorite "flavor"? They had classic and grilled veggie. I thought they would make easy lunches for me. Thanks!

[lbudis]

Just my opinion, but I prefer the Garden Burgers out of the three you listed. Fire Roasted Vegetable and Black Bean are my favorites! They make a great, easy lunch - just microwave 45 seconds, flip it over for another 45 seconds and you've got a yummy & healthy lunch!

[Jewel]

Boca Burger Fan here!! I have never tried the Morningstar burger, only their breakfast patty, so I can't compare those two, but I HAVE tried the standard Gardenburger, and in my opinion there is simply no comparison. The Boca looks and tastes like meat. It's not very juicy, so you don't want to overcook it, but as far as texture and flavor, we love 'em! Personally, I always thought the Gardenburgers were mushy and you always knew you were eating a fakey. The Boca isn't as easy to tell!

From a 'work' standpoint, I've also toured one of the Boca plants for my old job, and their cleanliness standards are top notch in the plant...when you're in my business, that means something!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[emilycat]

If you're looking for the best meat substitute, I would vote for the Boca Burgers. I enjoy them, but I think Garden Burgers have way much more flavor; I used to crumble them into brown rice with feta for a quick meal sometimes. The Greek and Mushroom ones are my favorite varieties.

[aggie94]

I'll second Emily. I love Gardenburgers, but I've never expected them to taste like a real burger. If you do, you'll probably be disappointed. Boca burgers, on the other hand, actually do look and taste like real hamburger patties. A friend of mine recently ordered a Boca burger at a restaurant, and with all the traditional hamburger toppings piled on, he couldn't tell that it wasn't beef.

Welcome back Emily! Haven't heard much from you lately -- how was the CL weekend? I didn't see anything from you on those threads!

[kwormann]

I love the Flame Grilled variety...they taste like grilled burgers http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[BlueMoose]

I like the original Gardenburgers. I don't like the Boca Burgers much because they taste TOO much like meat. My DH, on the other hand, loves Boca burgers. I guess its a matter of what you are looking for.

[Jessica]

I would never confuse a Boca burger with meat but they do seem heartier than the GardenBurgers. However, I agree the GardenBurgers have a lot more flavor. If I buy Bocas, I usually put a spicy salsa on the sandwich to give it some zip.

[katygirl]

Mmmmmm, we eat Boca's all the time. Our favorite is called Chef Max's favorite. We usually grill them outside but broiled is good too.

[makedah]

Okay, this is just a pet peeve of mine, so bear with me. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/mad.gif

People often talk about "Boca Burgers" vs. "Gardenburgers" in terms of meat-like patties vs. vegetable/rice or bean patties. BUT! The company Gardenburger makes meat-like patties (as does Morningstar Farms) as well.
Okay, now that THAT's clear, let me say that I ADORE Gardenburger meat-like patties. I don't like the "original" veggie/rice style at all. Last summer, they came out with the greatest thing -- a chargrilled flavor that someone told me tasted like a Whopper patty. I tried it, and they were SO right. I gave up my other flavors of Gardenburger for that one. (NOTE: the box says to cook them for 60 seconds, but you need to cook them for the 90 seconds required for their other meat-like flavors.)

I have tried Boca Burgers, but they were slimy and gray. (Someone please reveal your secret for cooking them - microwave, pan or something else?) I tried Morningstar burgers several years ago and I thought they were just ok. Gardenburger meat-like patties (called "Hamburger Style") are the BEST.

[kwormann]

ok...I guess I was wrong....the flame grilled ones I like are Gardenburgers http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[SueK]

Originally posted by katygirl:
Mmmmmm, we eat Boca's all the time. Our favorite is called Chef Max's favorite. We usually grill them outside but broiled is good too.

I love the Chef Max's favorite, also, but my store recently stopped carrying that flavor. I always grilled them with some teriyaki sauce, and they were great. I'm anxious to try the other Gardenburger flavors mentioned on this post.

[Melman]

My favorite is the Greek Style Gardenburgers! They're incredibly difficult to find in my area, but they're wonderful. Whip up a little "fake tzatziki" sauce (recipe is on the back of the box) and shove it into a whole wheat pita bread. Yumm!

I think right now, I have Gardenburger, Morningstar, and one other brand in my freezer.

[ewatkins]

Please don't serve Boca Burgers to a vegetarian. I hate the taste of meat, but love the Gardenburgers. We were at a cookout where the hostess proudly served me a "vegie burger" but it was so much like meat I couldn't eat it. So -- it depends on whether you're looking for that meat taste--not everyone is.

[eks]

I like the Boca Burgers-Chef Max's favorite is my favorite flavor. I like to cook them in a skillet. They do taste just like a real hamburger!

[tperes]

I agree w/ ewatkins. I don't like the taste or texture of beef, thus I don't like Boca Burgers. I am a big Gardenburger fan, and once my bf and i found this other brand called "Veggilicious" and it was amazingly good, but the only grocery store in town that carried them stopped. UGH!!!!!!! I vote Garden, fire-roasted, spicy blk bean, greek. Yummy!

Oh yeah, I put mine in the toaster oven, tasty!

[This message has been edited by tperes (edited 06-12-2001).]

[Kristilyn1]

Anyone try Franklin Farms veggie burgers? I didn't like the Garden burgers that I tried--but I am a meat eater, so maybe that's why.

I do love the portobello Franklin Farms variety though.....

Kristi

[BlueMoose]

Kristi...
Those Franklin Farms burgers sound really good. I haven't seen them before.

I've found the best way to make Gardenburgers for me is to use my grill pan. In the microwave, they do tend to fall apart when you eat them, but when cooked on the grill pan, they get more done on the outside and hang together nicely.

The whole meatless burger controversy depends on whether you are looking for a meat substitute or not. I don't like the stuff that tastes just like meat, but my DH does. I tried the Flame Grilled Gardenburgers and didn't like them...too much like meat. I need to try some of the other varieties, though. They sound yummy!

Chrisi http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Linda in MO]

OK, now that I'm thoroughly confused... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

No seriously, thanks for all the input. I think I will try the Chef Max's favorite Boca Burger and the Grillers Gardenburger. I like meat, so if it tastes like meat that's a good thing. Then I could get my 5 year old to eat it, too. I wouldn't be against the others though either, as long as they have a good flavor.

Has anyone tried the "grilled veggie" Boca Burger (not sure if that's the exact name)? It looked good, too.

[chefbec]

I have tried Gardenburgers, and definitely prefer Bocas. I also (as others have said) love Chef Max's the best. I eat them microwaved (takes only 2 minutes) and put them on a bun with cheese, lettuce, ketchup and relish. Although it isn't quite the same as eating a beef burger, I think they're delicious and they serve as a heathful, quick meal for me. I think I'll go have one right now... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[gertdog]

I like Morningstar Farms' Grillers when I want a meat-type patty. But we usually don't want meat-type things, just something tasty that will make a nice sandwich.

We like the Morningstar Farms Garden Veggie Patty, and most of the Gardenburger varieties, especially savory mushroom.

We cook all of our veggie burgers in the toaster oven, which works great. Anything to avoid cleaning a pan!

[cooksrhot]

The grilled vegetable Boca is my favorite flavor. I think the best way to cook the Bocas is to thaw them in the microwave for 20 seconds each side and then put them in a small pan with a little olive oil. Very tasty! These are really yummy dressed like a real hamburger.

I also LOVE Gardenburger's Black Bean patties. I'm not fond of the other ones, although the Mushroom is okay. I've tried them all. I thaw them in the microwave for 20 seconds each side then toast them in the toaster oven like gertdog. I don't use a pan or anything...just right on the rack. These are especially good with melted jack or cheddar cheese on a toasted english muffin. Maybe add some salsa if your feeling wild. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif