Burger Week 2011- Elsa's Kitchen

Yep, you are reading mmm-yoso!!!, the food blog.  Welcome.  Here is another of Cathy's favorite places to get a burger.  A good burger. It's not a fancy place.

Hi again.  Another place I frequent ( and have blogged about )(go ahead, look at that post; the prices here have not changed since I wrote it in October 2007) when I want a good, hand formed, coarse ground, fresh burger, is Elsa's Kitchen.  It's in a plain strip mall at the NorthEast corner of 70th at El Cajon Boulevard, near SDSU.

 

 It looks like a kind of hole in the wall...Really though, you order from a hole in the wall...

Elsa's has been here many years.  Sometimes, there is a wait for the food to be prepared.  The wait is worth it.
I feel the need to show you a size comparison.  This, a side order of onion rings, the small size ($1.75).  The burger is a half pound steak burger. I feel the need to mention that every single Greek restaurant which makes onion rings knows how to make them *so* wonderfully perfect.  From scratch, sliced thick, lightly corn meal battered and fried just right.  Always order the rings at any Greek place.  They are wonderous.
The half pound burger ($4.50) is hand formed, coarse ground, flavorful and juicy.  The bun is toasted and buttered.  The toppings are standard, including thousand island dressing. Yes, my hand is small, but this is a very nice, large burger (in the back is The Mister's Gyros salad ($ 6.45)- The salad is made with mixed greens, Feta, cucumber, onion and tomato.  Dressing is served on the side as is a side of tzatziki).

Eh, here's a photo of the salad.  The gyros is good here.  The portion is crazy large.  
Here is a photo of the burger with a bite out.  I let them cook it the way they think is proper, and it is cooked medium.  Still, it has flavor and is juicy but not dripping. You can see more of the hand formed shape, and that the bun has sesame seeds on both the top and bottom.  A really good bun.

You may have noticed the sign on the front for a 1/4 lb burger with fries and beverage for $4.49. This is the more 'average' portion size and affordable meal.  Maybe not as exciting photographs, but excellent food.

I substituted fried zucchini for the fries.  The zucchini is sliced into sticks, lightly breaded, fried to just crisp and is not greasy.  This also technically is the small size.  

Even this 1/4 of a pound burger is cooked just right and stays juicy and has great flavor. The toasted bun is the right size for the burger, has a good amount of the standard sauce and toppings and is so beefy flavored. I really like the burgers here.

Elsa's Kitchen Greek and American Food 7022 El Cajon Blvd (619) 464-6711Mon-Sat 9-9, Sun 9-8.

{Oh yes, they make breakfast.  Gyros and eggs ($4.49) , breakfast gyro and a 2 egg gyros omelet for $3.99 are great choices.}

 

Comments

[Dennis]

Dang this post totally triggered my burger cravings bad! (been dormant for some time) Hope you're doing well Cathy!! Thanks for sharing.

[Cathy]

This place has great burgers, Dennis. Zero atmosphere though..and that isn't why I eat out...I am just a bit busy right now, but that is to be expected. :)

[Carol]

Between you and Dennis, I need to get a big burger soon. Those onion rings are huge!

[Cathy]

I didn't realize how yummy looking those photos came out, Carol. The 1/2 pound burger and rings were particularly good, but the smaller burger and zucchini were just as flavorful.

[angel]

hi you should try Maggies cafe in serra mesa I here great things about them