When you’ve got burgers on the brain, super-nice and rather expensive grocery store Erewhon is unlikely to be your first port of call. The vibe at Erewhon is all very organic, artisan and high quality.
“At Erewhon, we believe that nutrition is the key to a radiant lifestyle,” the upscale grocery store and cafe states online. “Through our markets, we endeavor to provide exceptional organic products that inspire good decision-making and healthier communities.”
But sometimes, you’ve got to step out of your beefy comfort zone and try something different. The Cali Smash Burger at Erewhon is quite incredible. It’s worth noting, by the way, that there is also a Cali Smash Slider on the menu, for those with a smaller appetite.
For the burger novices out there, a Smash Burger is a relatively thin patty that has been smashed down on the griddle with a spatula to increase browning. It also, if we’re being honest here, increases the surface area for taking in more grease. On the other hand, it has to be cooked carefully so as not to overcook and dry out.
The Cali Smash Burger at Erewhon has two smashed patties, both smothered in melted cheese–what appears to be cheddar, though perhaps a quality, aged cheddar as opposed to some waxy, standard fare.
The patties are made with organic grass-fed beef and, while it’s hard to say if the quality of the beef makes itself known on a big, fat burger, we do know that the meat-cheese combination is delicious. Each bite is so juicy, it essentially melts in your mouth.
There’s some salad on there, and naturally that’s all very fresh too. The lettuce leaf is vibrant and crisp, while the large slice of tomato and the tart onion helps to cut through the grease.
The burger sauce is creamy and binds everything together. The soft bun mustn’t be overlooked either. Fresh, warm and yummy.
We also had a side of Spicy Buffalo Cauliflower, which Erewhon describes as, “Crispy organic cauliflower bites with a spicy kick. Coated in rice flour and arrowroot, seasoned with oregano, pepper flakes, and nutritional yeast. Flash fried in non-GMO avocado oil for a crunchy texture. Seasoned with sea salt and black pepper.”
The kick is real, but doesn’t overpower the flavor. The breaded cauliflower leaves a nice buzz in your mouth, which isn’t unpleasant.
This wasn’t our first trip to Erewhon, specifically to sample their hot food counter, and it won’t be our last. They haven’t let us down yet.Erewhon is located at 9300 Culver Blvd., Suite 101, Culver City 90232. Call 310-893-1888 or visit erewhonmarket.com.