It’s funny how the food you remember from childhood always seems to be the best. My friends in Oregon insist that Burgerville is the best thing out there. Having grown up in California, In-N-Out remains my favorite. The best Tillamook cheddar burger from Burgerville can’t compare.
When I heard that CaliBurger had plans for a new restaurant in Seattle, I was really looking forward to a taste of home. Sure, CaliBurger technically isn’t In-N-Out, but the two have enough in common that it was worth driving to Seattle’s University District to try it.
Caliburger is in close proximity to the University of Washington, which is probably why the line spilled out onto the sidewalk. It took a solid 40 minutes before we reached the register. Several people dropped out of line, but I hung in there, eager for a taste of California.
As I waited in line, I remembered how CaliBurger played up the technology angle when announcing the restaurant’s concept. They had plans to let you order from your phone using an app. Tables would have cell phone chargers. And they planned to have a giant Minecraft game on the big screen (which I figured my seven-year-old son would love).
Unfortunately the tech was having an off day during my visit. The app didn’t allow mobile ordering. The self service kiosk only let you order drinks and fries. The Minecraft game wasn’t working. CaliBurger chalks this up to being a new restaurant and says that they intend to work out the bugs.
But here’s the good news, the food was delicious. And let’s face it, that’s the reason why people come here. The best endorsement I can give is that CaliBurger’s food reminded me of home. They use sponge dough bread for the buns. They use all beef patties. The thousand island spread was on point. They even put grilled onions on the burgers. If I closed my eyes, I would have thought I was in Orange County again.
I liked that CaliBurger offered some secret menu items like french fries animal style, which CaliBurger calls Cali Fries. My one bit of advice is that they shouldn’t put “ask us about the secret menu” on the menu board. That defeats the purpose of a secret menu and takes away the cool factor.
CaliBurger had more on the menu than I had expected, with two types of chicken sandwiches in addition to the burgers. They also serve alcohol, which includes spiked shakes. I liked that CaliBurger’s shakes were handmade using real ice cream. In-N-Out just uses a shake machine, so CaliBurger’s version was a big upgrade.
Was it worth sitting in traffic, fighting for parking and then 40 min in line? Probably not, but that is just because I hate waiting for things. If I lived nearby though, I would be a regular.
The burgers and fries at CaliBurger reminded me of home and the shakes were wonderful. If you are near Seattle’s University District, it is worth a visit. It will make you understand why everyone from California still raves about their favorite burger place from childhood.
Photos via GeekWire
