I confess, after a hard day at work, my go-to meal is a cheeseburger. But I don’t eat one unless it’s organic OR from a very reputable source or so famous that I must try at least one (like Shake Shack; still on my list to try is an In-N-Out Burger, unavailable on the East Coast). For a while, I would traipse into any Ted’s Montana Grill for a bison burger and that was the top of my best burger list. But now, oh, now, I have a new favorite—and the great news is it’s from a chain (and there are a few of them sprouting up around the East Coast). It’s called Elevation Burger. Perhaps because it has elevated fast food to a whole new level—my level!!!!
The chain’s motto is “Ingredients Matter,” and everything is organic, grass fed, free range, and all that good stuff. But as y’all know, taste matters too. And let’s just say in a blind test between a Shake Shack burger and Elevation Burger, I would pick the Elevation Burger every time. It’s just the right thickness (not too thick, although, I’ve been known to order a double). It’s juicy, salty but not too salty, rich but not too rich. It’s awesome. I get mine with Elevation Sauce, cheese (of course), and pickles. It’s not gourmet, it’s fast and filling and totally YUM. The bun is just right too; it kind of melts into the burger. (There is nothing worse than a bun that commands too much attention on a burger.) You actually can order your Elevation Burger wrapped in lettuce if you are going bunless, but hey…I don’t eat them every day and those buns are damn good.
And the fries, oh, the fries. Skin on, fried in olive oil, organic potatoes. They are just right, especially with the organic Heinz 57 ketchup slathered on them.
And Elevation Burger is a fast-food restaurant. You order at the counter and they bring out your meal on cool metal trays in less than five minutes.
Now a note about price: I’m not a price shopper. I’d order the $32 burger at DB Bistro if I could stomach the foie gras stuffed into it (YUK—not yum). But a cheeseburger is only $4.89 in Manhattan. Fries are $2.59, and it’s a generous serving. So for less than 10 bucks, you can get an all-organic, deeply satisfying and tasty, comforting, and delicious meal. They even have salads, but I haven’t tried them yet.
The great news is that Elevation Burger is spreading fast. There are locations in nine states, including California and Texas. You can even become a franchisee! (For about five minutes, I seriously considered it.) Check it out if you can. I know you’ll love it. And yes, they have veggie burgers, too! (From organic, soil-fed, free-range vegetables.)
These burgers are THE BEST ever. This place is awesome. For all those who have ever wondered about an organic fast food joint, check it out!
I love a great organic burger now and then, too, but I must say, as a nutritional therapy practitioner, that one should never, NEVER, EVER fry in olive oil! (GASP!) Olive oil is a monounsaturated fat, thus very unstable when heated to the high heat required for frying. It should only be used for low cooking for a very brief amount of time (sauteing) or better yet, used to dress salads or hot foods after they have been removed from heat. Eating heathy, organic potatoes fried in olive oil is like eating toxic junk food! I’ll opt for the bunless, organic, grass-fed burger, thank you. 🙂
Maria- thanks for letting me know about Elevation Burger! I had passed it and wondered what it was…they have a new one in Dallas not too far from my home. As a native Californian, I was really excited to have In n Out Burgers arrive here, but it was a big disappointment…the fries are yucky. Have you tried Five Guys?
Unfortunately, not organic but they do it up right! Best burger and fries I have ever had! We hardly ever go there because we predominately eat Organic. Thanks for the news…we’ll try it out tonight!
There is an Elevation Burger in the Wegmans shopping center in Collegeville (about an hour from Emmaus), but I have never stopped there–I usually just grab a quick bite from Wegmans, but I will definately stop in next time. I had no idea they had organic, that’s awesome!
In-N-Out-Burger being promoted on this blog, seriously? According to In-N-Out’s site, their burgers are nothing more than tortured meat, full of hormones and anti-biotics from CAFOs. Yes, specially selected chucks but from CAFOs nonetheless. Don’t get why Maria would promote this but perhaps she was having an off day?
My mouth is watering now. My sister-in-law works in Rye. I’m on my way to NY in a few weeks. I will definitely try the burgers and shakes, not together, of course. Looking forward to it because I haven’t had a great tasting burger in quite awhile! All the more reason to visit NY! Thanks.
In and Out burger Their burgers resemble Wendy’s. No big deal.