Our plan is to review burgers we can get in the area (in and around Sterling, VA), but we might throw in a sushi or movie review here and there.  Enjoy our first review!  Comments and suggestions are welcome.

http://cheeburger.com/home2/index.asp

Price:

$6.29 (Semi-Serious – 1/3 pound burger)

$0.99 each for add-ons (mushrooms and bacon)

$3.29 (medium fries)

Concept:

Choose your burger size (ranges from 5.5 oz – 1 pound) and select optional add-ons and toppings.  Fries are sold separately.

Our Orders:

Rebecca: Semi-Serious (Medium-Well) with Pepper Jack Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, Ketchup, Sauteed Mushrooms

Brian: Semi-Serious (Medium) with Swiss Cheese, Lettuce, Onion, Black Olives, Bacon, Sauteed Mushrooms

Cross-Section:

Meat:

Rebecca: I ordered my burger medium-well.  There was no pink, and it was not dry, overly juicy, or fatty.  However, it had little structural integrity (luckily they provide a fork).

Brian: “Medium” was still reasonably juicy. The meat had no special seasoning taste or unique flavor — it was just a patty to hold the extras. Not the best, not the worst.

Extras:

Rebecca: I felt like the mushrooms on my burger interfered with the whole burger experience rather than enhancing it.  They were ok, but not tasty.

Brian: The mushrooms were a little dry and not worth the extra 99 cents. The bacon was crispy and added just the right “counter flavor”. Lettuce and onions were normal and the black olives were tasty, but unnecessary for a burger. They have a “zesty seasoning” at the table which just tastes like someone poured salt and pepper into a cup and shook vigorously. You have to add your own ketchup (I did not).

Bun:

Brian: The bun is a step up from the cheapest “grocery store” bun, but worked well. It was large enough to cover the meat, but compressed easily so you don’t spend too much time chewing it or digesting it. It didn’t really add to the taste of the burger.

Rebecca:  The bun was a good consistency – soft, yet didn’t fall apart.  It didn’t take up too much space in one’s mouth or belly.

Side Orders:

The fries are medium-width steak fries with seasoning. Crispy, without tasting like a deep fat fryer. A medium basket can easily serve three people.

Atmosphere / Burger Presentation:

Rebecca: A word about the atmosphere (and not the geophysical kind): Lacking.  Although the restaurant made a few gestures to encourage patrons to think of the 1950s, it still felt more like a bunch of tables at a strip mall stall than an old school diner.  I did enjoy that the sodas were served in mason jars.  I sometimes like to have a beer with my burger, but there was no beer list on the table or menu, and it didn’t feel like a place where one would kick back with a beer.  Maybe it was the bright lighting.

Brian: The burger is served in a basket and looks appetizing — it’s garnished with a green olive on a toothpick.

Overall Experience/Bottom Line:

Rebecca: Since the burger itself didn’t have a distinct flavor/personality, I wish I had ordered crazier toppings such as horseradish or guacamole (but not peanut butter, which was available).  But if you are someone who likes to add a lot to their burgers and experiment with crazy toppings, the Cheeburger Cheeburger basics might provide a good canvas.  2 out of 5 .

Brian: The burger was satisfying as it went down, but had a lingering aftertaste even an hour after we finished (and it sat heavily in my stomach too). Not a bad burger for the money spent, but not worth having more than once when there are so many other burger joints in the area.  2.5 out of 5 .

Final Rating:

2.25 out of 5