Western Steakburger

I'm not quite sure if Western Steakburger is a franchise or a chain, but I know that there are at least two of them in San Diego(the other in Serra Mesa). I'll often stop by the shop on University Avenue when I'm in the area and grab a burger. Though with this food blogging thing, not often enough, since I haven't been here in a while......

This Western Steakburger, which an acquaintance of mine calls "Western Steakburger West", has a real Mom-and-Pop feel to it.

The Owners are usually hard at work, with Maria(I think that's Her name) manning the counter, and "Gus" manning the grill, at this Greek-Burger joint. The drill goes like this; you order at the counter, pay, and grab a seat. When your order is ready, you pick it up, and proceed to devour it. Here's part of a menu for RONW's reading pleasure. I know I haven't posted one in a while.

Bring the "stick in the mud" that I am, I usually go for the same thing. 1/2 pound Western Deluxe($5.85), no mayo, no ketchup, with grilled onions(add $1.25). Today it dawned on me that I'd never had the fries here, so I added fries(add $1.35), as the Missus says; "whoa, living on the edge, huh?". All burgers are grilled, and you can sometimes watch the flames rising in the air, I keep what it would take to set off the Halon(or whatever they use nowadays).....

The patties here are formed into a sort of oval shape, and the meat is course ground. And yes, that is Gyros meat on the burger. The burger is always fairly moist, in spite of the grilling, though I sometimes find the burger very under-seasoned. I enjoy the taste of the grilled onions, but on this visit I found the Gyro meat to be very bland. Though this burger beats any mass produced burger by miles....

It is quite a mouthful. I found the fries to be nothing special, and they were not salted. I don't think I'll have them in the future. One last item, I enjoy the well toasted bun. Still that flavorless Gyro meat gave me some concern, since I saw them cut it fresh.....

So on my next visit, I ordered the Gyro Sandwich($5.65).

I don't think I've ever had a Gyro Sandwich with so much meat in it. The sandwich itself must have weighed in at three-quarters of a pound. Unfortunately, the meat was on the mild side, and the flame grilling left it dry and hard. The Tzatziki also wasn't to my taste, being quite mild, with no herbs, and very little flavor.

So I think I'll stay with the burger. During my visit, almost everyone ordered the Teriyaki Burger, which I guess is a popular choice.....

I think that Western Steakburger really isn't worth a special trip, it's not the best burger in San Diego by a long shot. But if you're in the area that I call the "Dead Zone", the area between Hillcrest and North Park, Western Steakburger isn't a bad choice.

Western Steakburger
2730 University Ave
San Diego, CA 92104

Comments

[Passionate Eater]

Gyros and burgers? I'm glad to see that you are feeling better Kirk! I know that you wouldn't be eating gyros and burgers if you weren't feeling better. Are you feeling good enough to participate in a meme? I just tagged you! You can get the topic from my site. Hope to read your answers soon! (Will Vienna Sausages or SPAM be a part of the list?)

[Rachel]

Glad that you were well enough to enjoy your burger kirk. I'm on a diet ... wait its not called that anymore ... a "lifestyle change" but seeing your meals always makes me want to change back !!! Comfort food gimme gimme gimme!! *does the cookie monster thing, spraying crumbs everywhere*

[Kathy]

Mmmm, I think I'd be happy with just the onions and a mound of rice! :)

[toisan]

I pass by Western SB to and from the workplace. A little further east on University, at Cherokee, is Canada Steak Burger. Good stuff. And if you're in the mood for a Mexican-style fruit salad, Frutlandia is across the street. The salad is chock full of fresh fruit, raisins, granola, honey, and cottage cheese. I go sans cottage cheese. I'll miss the area's good eats when I relocate the office.

[RONW]

Hi KirK, the menu is a work of simplcity, instead of the more common yard-long multiple choice rigamarole. The way I understand it by your description, is that "ordering" at a Western Steakburger is similar to ordering at a Jack-in-the-Box or Burger King, you pay then wait for your number to be called. What sets it apart is that you do get to order off a restaurant-type menu instead of a billboard. At $6.oo a pop for a hamburger, though, customers would leave quarters as tip, if there were a wait staff. I missed this year's annual Greek Festival held last weekend in Honolulu, so your post is right on.

[Kirk]

Hi PE - Thanks. These visits were done before my bout with the summer cold, but I'm doing pretty good now.

Hi Rachel - LOL! You know the term "lifestyle change" could be taken in many very different ways.

Hi Kathy - Hmmmm, need to check if they have rice. ;o)

Hi Toisan - Thanks for the tip(s).

Hi RONW - Yep, right on the money. The prices are kind of steep, but this ain't no preformed fast-food burger, and is grilled to boot. Hope you enjoyed the menu shot.