Sometimes, we just want a burger. For all the talk in recent years of healthy eating and various diet fads, there are times in our lives when nothing can beat a burger and fries. Of course, we don’t need to do without. Moderation is always the answer, as well as quality. Thankfully, there are places like Burger Lounge on Washington that allow us to partake in a burger without feeling that we’re devastating our insides, or contributing to the profit margins of a ginormous global chain with questionable work practices.
The Burger Lounge is a Cali-chain, with a bunch of locations around California, including the Bay Area and San Diego. There are eight in Los Angeles County, including the Culver restaurant.
“We take common recipes to new heights by crafting them with familiar ingredients sourced specifically for taste,” they say. “The best part is, these ingredients are often better for you, and the environment too. Burgers with grass-fed beef and free-range turkey, salads featuring organic spinach and mizuna, a cod sandwich that’s sustainably-sourced…the list goes on and on.”
The design of the place, inside and out, is very sleek. You could be forgiven for thinking you’re in a very hip and happening wine bar, thanks to the lighting, wall paneling, and the font on the sign. It’s also immediately noticeable that they make sure the words “grass fed” are on the main sign, an indication of the quality of the beef.
“An uncomplicated, tastefully-sourced approach is what we’re all about,” they say. “If it doesn’t taste better, we’re not into it. Call us stubborn, but we think keeping things pure and simple is the best way to serve great food. It’s not always easy, but easy isn’t what we’re here for. We’re here to do a common thing uncommonly well. We’re here to be better.”
On this occasion, the three members of our family all had something very different. One of us had the Impossible Lounge Burger, done vegan style meaning no cheddar cheese. Despite the presence of dairy-free cheese however, this proved to be a satisfactory burger that could fool the casual diner.
We also had the turkey burger in a lettuce wrap rather than the traditional bun. Whereas a turkey patty can be terribly bland, this one was seasoned wonderfully and it sat perfectly in the leaves, pickles and sauces.
A kids meal of a cheeseburger, fries (their fries are really good), a drink and a scoop of ice-cream proved to be great value and, honestly, enough food for many adults.
Burger Lounge is located at 9901 Washington Blvd., Culver City 90232. Contact 310-842-8800 or visit burgerlounge.com.