We do have to say though, that mussels are probably not something that should be all you can eat. There is something unsettling about consuming very large quantities of mollusks in one sitting. A two-pound pot of mussels is a lot of food, and to some people, “all you can eat” might as well be a dare. We’re told that the record holder at BXL put down eleven pounds of the suckers in one sitting…and didn’t die. In some cultures that will either get you appointed king or drowned in a river for being a demon. At BXL I think it gets you a second Stella.

Food Rundown:

Moules
There are a few sauce options to choose from, and our favorites are the Marinières (white wine, shallots), Provençale (tomato, garlic, basil) and the Marocaine (green olive, cilantro, tomato). If you’re going all you can eat, the first pot is a two pounder, and all pots after are one. We recommend you drink a bunch of Duvels and challenge some co-workers to an eating competition.

Hamburger BXL
A pretty straightforward burger on a soft bun. We always find it well cooked and generally decent.

Croque Monsieur
Some people take their croque monsieurs very seriously. We are not those people, so we can’t speak for the hardcore devotionists…but we like this sandwich at BXL. Perfectly crunchy bread and a lot of cheesy goodness make for really good comfort food.

Croque Madame
A Croque Monsieur with a fried egg on top. There is no way to eat that and not feel bad about yourself.

Food Rundown:

Burger
This is one of the better burgers around town, served with gruyere on a soft bun, and the meat grind is beef cheek and hanger steak. A fancier take on the Burger Joint burger, but not as good.

Tete de Cochon
A roasted pig’s head sandwich served on toasted bread with sriracha, cilantro, and some pickled goodness. It appears that literally every part of a pig tastes good. Order this.

Moules & Frites – Spanish style
Mussels in a broth with saffron, chorizo, fingerling potatoes, and paprika. This is inexplicably flavorless and unsatisfying. If you’re looking for mussels, check out Flex.

House-made Tagliatelle
In an effort to eat something on the menu that didn’t once have a pulse, I tried this. Served with bacon, tomatoes, and basil, the pasta itself wasn’t bad, but it was a bit like when you have pasta in the pantry and no pasta sauce. Overall, this is pretty bland and not recommended.