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Fatburger makes some pretty big burgers. (Photo Holly Miyasaki)
By Sarah Jane Racchi
Some restaurant names can be misleading, but others can put it right in your face. Fatburger’s name isn’t deceiving – you can see it in their six and eight ounce beef burgers overloaded with toppings.
When you walk into the diner there’s a loud, chipper young person behind the counter to greet you with a “Welcome to Fatburger!” It’s decorated in ’50s style with chrome-lined tables, red leather booths and a jukebox by the fountain pop for guests to put in their requests.
The televisions in the corners add a modern touch to the blast-from-the-past decor. I noted there was a large garage door that remained shut – a patio that would be great on a hot night to enjoy a beer with friends. That’s right, this burger and fry joint offers Coronas by the bottle and blended margaritas.
I decided to try one of their turkey burgers – a 6 oz. patty with shredded iceberg lettuce, onions, pickles, tomatoes, and mayo, mustard and relish. I felt maybe with all the toppings, it might be too much sauce and the cashier let me know it was no problem to have the toppings on the side.
After I ordered my turkey burger and skinny fries, the chipper girl called it to the kitchen staff who called it back as a veggie burger. She ordered a re-call and they called the right order. After paying for my meal she called out “fat tip!” and the kitchen yelled “thank-you!”
As a person who tips not only based on service but on principle, I worried for people who left a “skinny tip” or no tip. I didn’t observe any public berating so I’m sure if you don’t leave anything for the staff you won’t be ridiculed. Each restaurant has its own theme and this is part of the charm at Fatburger. I would have liked a heads-up on the shouting but for those of you who are going, you know about it ahead of time.
I poured myself a lemonade as my refillable drink and took a table by the window. Each table has a caddy with seasoning salt, chipotle tabasco sauce, salt and pepper, hot sauce and napkins. There’s counter seating by the patio and across from the jukebox. If I were coming back again alone, I might sit choose the counter versus taking up a table.
I enjoyed the turkey burger and the multigrain bun. Unfortunately when I bit into it, half my toppings and the meat slid out to the back of the paper my burger was smartly wrapped in. The fries were hot and not over salted – I appreciate when a meal doesn’t need additives, but also isn’t overpowered in other herbs and spices.
The goal to each meal is to balance the flavours the cook has combined. Whether you’re dining at a five-star restaurant or trying a Fatburger, if you can’t taste your food, just the spices that are on there, you probably would have been better to skip the entree and order a plate of condiments.
When I look at the menu, I feel the cost for a single burger by itself is a great deal – the cost for a combo is a little more pricey. If you remind yourself about what you’re getting as the deal, the extra $5 as a combo doesn’t seem too bad. The burger is enormous and the portion of fries are more than generous. They offer a reasonably priced sides menu with onion rings for $3.79 and or chili cheese fries for $4.99. They provide a fun variety of toppings like bacon, grilled mushrooms and egg for your dining pleasure.
For those on a lighter diet, they offer the Cajun Chicken Cheddar Salad, a Grilled Chicken Salad and the Fat Salad with diced bacon, lettuce, tomato and choice of dressing.
If you’re looking to treat yourself with a casual dinner and indulge in a big burger, stop into Fatburger on Gordon and Highway 97. Prepare to unhinge your jaw.
Sarah Jane Racchi has worked in the restaurant industry for 13 years, since she was 13. After graduating from SAIT with a major in print journalism she returned to the Okanagan to work for a chain restaurant in British Columbia. For the last four years she has been a manager and avid customer to Kelowna’s eateries.
Editor’s note: It’s Kelowna.com’s policy to contact a restaurant prior to its review. Fatburger did not formally agree to the review and deferred us to their head office.
One Response to “Review: Fatburger’s name doesn’t lie”
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Fat Burger is a very unfortunate name. I sounds yucky.
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