It's Burger Week (again) - Burger Lounge - Kensington

Burger Lounge seems to be quite a polarizing chain. Some folks I know, sing high praises of Burger Lounge. But the only thing that bothers me about the things they say about BL, is that most of it centers around BL's use of Tallgrass Beef, and most of them recite this in a mantra like fashion. Very few things are said to me regarding the taste. One good thing is.... that I love good grassfed beef, it is much more "beefy" in flavor. On the other hand, posts by other food bloggers seemed to align the burger at BL with fast food burgers. Or perhaps even worse.  We were curious, so on a recent evening, the Missus and I headed out to Burger Lounge's Kensington location.

Upon entering, I was struck at how "fast-foodish" the place looks. The menu is short and sweet, 3 types of "burgers" (beef, turkey, and veggie), three salads, chicken tenders(no mention of how the chickens were raised), fries & rings, and cupcakes.

As I placed my order, the young lady manning the counter, made sure to inform me that the burgers are "grilled medium", which sounded just perfect to me. This young lady was a joy to watch, she was efficient, yet very nice, especially to the older customers and children (and their parents)who came in later.

The Missus, still recovering from Her burger at The Waterfront, again went with a Veggie Burger ($7.95):

 

  The Missus, a big fan of quinoa, loved this burger. I was told that the veggie patty had a bit of spice to it, and good heft. Based on Her enthusiasm, I may even (gasp!) try it myself next time.

Of course we got a "half and half"($4.95), the combination of fries and onions rings, which is delivered in a sorta-kinda cool looking cardboard take-out box.

The rings were nicely breaded with a good crunch, just the way the Missus enjoys them. The fries were on the dry side, and as with "fresh cut" potatoes, wilted pretty quickly. Both were seasoned with a parsley-salt mix in a very even-handed manner.

Of course, I ordered the Grilled Lounge Burger ($7.95), sans dressing since I really wanted to taste the beef.

I also chose the white cheddar which was nice and mild, and fresh onions to add a bit of punch to the burger. On the good side, I've had my share of grass fed beef that has been on the dry side. This burger was juicy, maybe a bit too juicy. The roll didn't hold up very well, but did have a distinct flavor. The onions were diced, which proved to be a bit problematic, as it kept falling all over the place.

One of the two biggest issues I had with the burger is illustrated below:

What happened with the "our burgers are grilled to medium rare" policy? Also, the burger lacked flavor, I'd been expecting some of the wonderful grass fed goodness to seep through. When I broke off a piece of the patty for tasting, I noticed that it also lacked seasoning. As I later explained to my "go green" friend, you need to season your meat. I've bought stuff from Lobel's in the days before a porterhouse would run into the triple digits. And if you don't season that hundred dollar steak (or $20 ground beef), it won't taste right. Same holds true here...... 

One more thing..... this burger cost $7.95...... compare that to the burger at The Counter, which I put in the same basic category. That burger was just 55 cents more.....

I've heard that the Turkey Burgers at Burger Lounge are  good, and the Missus really enjoyed that Veggie Burger. Maybe it's those two items that put the "burger" into the Burger Lounge. For me, the Lounge Burger was a disappointment.  

Burger Lounge
4116 Adams Avenue
San Diego, CA 92116

Comments

[michael]

OMG! and I thought I was the only one out there who wasn't dazzled by this place? I found the flavor to be lacking as well.Otherwise rings and fries really tasty....for burgers..eh..not so much.

[kirbie]

The one time I went, my burgers weren't overcooked, but they definitely lacked flavor. I would say the turkey is better than the beef, but I've had tastier turkey burgers elsewhere. If I'm ever forced to go there again, maybe I'll try the veggie burger.

[clayfu]

I feel vindicated that your experience was similar to mine! What a bland burger. Grass fed beef has such a distinct almost gamey taste, this had nothing.

[Kirk]

Hey Mike - I think many are dazzled by the concept........

Hi Kirbie - It was sad since this has got to be the blandest tasting grass fed beef I've had.

Hey Clayfu - What disturbs me, is that they seem to have developed a very generic grass fed beef patty devoid of flavor..... that would be sad.

[kat]

gosh, if you try the veggie burger....gasp! though it sounds like it had way more flavor than the grass fed one!

[sharon]

I really love the burger lounge, but mainly love the veggie burger as well. My biggest grip there is that the bottom bun always gets soggy. Good burger places know how to combat this!

[howie]

Hey, Kirk, I had a very similar experience with the burger. Mine was well done, not dry, but not juicy, and lacking beef flavor and seasoning. A big disappointment, but I did enjoy the shakes and onion rings there...

[Linda]

Usually a beef person myself, I've only tried the quinoa burger here. And I must say you should get it next time! Maybe after having a loco moco when everyone feels like ordering something "healthier" ;) It's so nice and moist--although probably not as moist as that tall-grass beef burger you had--and full of flavor.

[caninecologne]

hi kirk
we tried the burger lounge back in early jan...

we thought the burgers were ok, but were really disappointed in what they called the "kids burger"....it was basically one tiny slider, plus fries and drink. the burger was basically toddler sized. my daughter is 9 and 1/2 and can eat a regular (not gigantor) sized burger. overpriced....

[Eat. Travel. Eat!]

Everything looks quite good even if the lounge burger was a disappointment. Haven't seen a true veggie burger patty since when McD's did their healthy eating menu. That was a long time ago!

[Lynnea]

Your review of their beef burger is spot on. I actually really like the burger lounge, but I only like the turkey burger and the quinoa burger. The fries are nothing to speak of, but the salads are actually pretty good(probably have as many calories as the burger =)).

[Dennis]

Hi Kirk, I have friends who love the place so been here and the la jolla location a few times. Thought my burger was so-so especially for the price. They must've switched to chopped onions recently cause all mine were sliced whole (and a bit overpowering). My onion rings were cold twice I visited (la jolla location) but it sounds like they're good when hot. But heard good things about the veggie burger too.

[James]

Hi Kirk - I've been there about a dozen times over the past six months and have had great burgers, OK burgers and less than OK burgers. Common element - every time I have a great BL experience, I got a turkey burger. The onion rings are awesome, the fries are pretty good, but like you said, wow, they go limp fast. Wise decision to hold the 1K Island - it turns the burger into a sloppy mess.

And BTW, even though it closed almost three years ago, I still miss Just Fabulous, which used to occupy the BL space.

[paul]

nice to see you in our neck of the 'hood kirk. the turkey burger is so good at burger lounge that i haven't had the grass fed beef burger in a long time. hope you give BL another shot.

[Stephen]

I had read a lot of positive reviews of this place,
so I have it a try. To tell you the truth, I don't even remember what the burger tasted like.
From what I remember, the Counter was better. I've been wanting to try Hodads, another San Diego landmark I've yet to try.
Good thing I found this blog, so I can catch up on all the restaurants I've missed while living here. LOL

[dave]

" the burger lacked flavor"
yup, that was my thought on this place too. each time i have been, after the first bite i think 'this burger is great!'. then i quickly realize that i am enjoying the cheese and buttered and grilled bun and all the extras. not the actual burger. that has no taste.

[Kirk]

Hi Kat -Double gasp!!! ;o)

Hi Sharon - Yes, places either toast the bun, or use "lettuce protection".

Hi Linda - LOL! I've never, ever said the phrase, "you know, I'm feeling like a veggie burger tonight." But perhaps I should in the case of BL.

Hi CC - The burgers do seem a bit puny for almost eight bucks.

Hi ETE - You know, the Missus also enjoyed the veggie burger at the Counter.

Hi Lynnea - I guess it is the veggie and turkey that puts the "burger" in Burger Lounge.

Hi Howie - I was really disappointed in that burger.

Hi Dennis - The onion rings are great when hot.... but cold onion rings..... seems like they aren't making them to order.

Hi James - I had been told that the Turkey Burger was good..... I guess I need to clarify, and call it "Beef Burger week"? ;o) It seems that the veggies and turkeys are taking over! ;o)

Hi Paul - I'm sure we'll be back since the Missus loved that quinoa burger.

Hi Stephen - If you do Hodad's, you'll need to get a bacon cheeseburger...... it ain't the same without the bacon.

Hi Dave - From all the comments, it now seems unanimous!

[Green Turtle]

You should check out Cheeburger Cheeburger in Carmel Mountain. The meat was definitely red in the middle when I ate there last.

[janfrederick]

I hear that. It is ALL about seasoning! Good seasoning with low quality ingredients = bad seasoning with good quality ingredients = passable.

[Kirk]

Hi GT - So many burgers.... so little time! ;o)

Hi Jan - It's hard to understand..... you're supposed to be using very high quality ingredients, and you don't season.