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Lunchbox Laboratory - CLOSED
Category: Restaurants Burgers Burgers [Edit]
7302 1/2 15th Ave NWSeattle, WA 98117
Neighborhood: Ballard
(206) 621-1090
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
484 reviews for Lunchbox Laboratory
Review Highlights
"The sweet potato fries were awesome, too."
(in 97 reviews)
"I'd definitely recommend the Truffle Love Burger, too."
(in 28 reviews)
"Lastly, the Nutella shake was absolute HEAVEN."
(in 37 reviews)
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484 reviews in English
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Review from Nho H.
7/25/2011 1 photo
I am a fan of burgers but damn this place really takes it to the next level (it's a good thing). Had the truffle love burger and while to the eyes, I thought I would have a heart attack, it was very pleasing to the mouth and belly. Well, I think my artery clogged up a bit but it was worth it.
Got the key lime pie shake and it was da bomb dot com y'all! -
Review from Jon C.
Seattle, WA
Updated - 3/31/2011
http://seattletimes.nw...
R.I.P. Chef Scott. You were a visionary, and an all-around nice guy. You were always willing to take time to talk shop with me, and I wish - more than anything - that you could've lived to open your dream diner.
Your food was simply incredible. Thank you for your passion, over the years. You are missed.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/18/2009
Lunchbox Laboratory is as good as a burger gets in Seattle, or otherwise. Expensive, but the best.… Read more »
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Review from Michael C.
Seattle, WA
4/2/2011
This sounds cliche, but this was the best hamburger I have ever had: the "truffle love." I am looking forward to my next selection. Also another cliche: I think I also had the best strawberry shake that I have ever had. Yes I sound like I don't get out much and just overreact our exaggerate, but I assure you I have been to a lot of places. Red Mill doesn't compare to Lunchbox Laboratory.
LL has moved to South Lake Union now.... the food seems to have changed... the burgers are smaller, not as fresh and greasy, they don't have the big chalk boards will dozens of options, and the salt bar is gone. I feel that the delicious experience may have gone downhill. I will have to try it again to confirm. -
Review from Wendy M.
4/27/2011 1 photo
Truffle Love = Best Burger Ever!
If you haven't tried the burgers here, you are definitely missing out! Some people define a good burger as to how good the patty is, how it's made, the sauce and/or what toppings are placed on it but at Lunchbox Laboratory, they win it all! Everything is made in house - burgers and all!
I love the option to "make your own" but their creations are amazing!
The Truffle Love is orgasmic! :O
You may think it's crazy to pay so much for a burger but one bite and you'll understand why! There was a guy there that finished his burger then went back to order one to go.
When we got the news about the close, a dark cloud came over me. Then to hear that they've just re-located...Ahhhh, a ray of light shined through! :DListed in: I Travel for Food
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Review from Tammy W.
Updated - 1/5/2011
Never fear! LL is just leaving Ballard - not closing for good! They will be in the old Southlake Grill space soon. Hurray! Finally, a real place to sit down, and a bar as well.
http://seattletimes.nw...Listed in: RIP, My Quest for Burger Nirvana
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/30/2008
Your head will absolutely spin at the choices of flavor combinations and sensations. Which meat?… Read more »
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Review from Stephen T.
Seattle, WA
12/9/2010
As a diehard Red Mill fan, I couldn't believe there was a better burger in the Seattle area...I was wrong.
The experience of eating a burger from Lunchbox Laboratory will absolutely change how you live your life.
On a rainy Wednesday night, me, a friend and my dad went to Lunchbox Laboratory (with the help of Google Maps, otherwise we would have never found it) and were immediately overwhelmed by the menu options. I went in ready to face the huge selection after reading other peoples' reviews on Yelp. However, upon actually reading all of the descriptions, everything sounded amazing.
In the end I decided to go with the smaller 1/4lb Burger of the Gods (Gorgonzola Cheese Sauce, Caramelized Onion + Bacon). Let me start by saying this was the juiciest burger I have ever eaten. Not greasy juicy. I hate grease. This was not grease - this was straight up juicy burger goodness.
Every single ingredient was the highest quality, and I would gladly pay the $15 every time for the unbelievable quality of the burger.
In the end, I have to recommend the Burger of the Gods, Tater Tots with garlic salt + pepper (which were crispy, not greasy) and any shake. Seriously their shakes are unbelievable.
GO TO LUNCHBOX LABORATORY NOW -
Review from Andrew E.
Seattle, WA
3/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Greatest. Burger. EVER. Before eating here, there were only 2 things in my adult years that gave me that same level of excitement that a kid feels on Christmas. For me that is going to a Mariners game and visiting home for home cooking - eating at Lunchbox has now added a 3rd.
Coming here to eat and looking at the order combinations makes me feel like Pizza the Hut from Spaceballs and gives me an overwhelming urge to want and eat myself to death.
I've had several of the burgers and shakes (the nutella shake = zomfg) and every time it has been a marriage of WINNING in my mouth and stomach. -
Review from Jamie J.
10/19/2010
As see on TV? Oh, yes. Seattle ... we have another one added to my 'As seen on TV list.' Lunchbox Laboratory is an eye opening experience. And, no, I'm not being dramatic.
Lunchbox has every element of a classic american burger joint: originality, that old school feel, simplicity, a fun loving vibe, and a lot of grease. What makes them stand out are two undervalued aspects in the 'fast food world': gourmet and quality.
Sure, Lunchbox is costly. How could it not be with the ingredients they use?! Some yelpers out there can't do simple math; it's called cost of goods, folks. Lunchbox sells for a profit, duh! Now that we've had our accounting lessson, let's get to the food.
I drove all the way over to ballard from the hill to experience this. I ordered two burgers: The burger of the Gods (with duck, not beef), and the truffle burger (beef patty). "Burger" doesn't justify what this really was. I took a bite out of each burger. I think i died a little inside as the duck and beef fat dripped down my face. The basalmic onions and earthy gorgonzola make for a praise worthy combination. The truffle burger is layered in bacon, but shoot, I'm not complaining. I do wish the truffle was a little bit stronger, but I undersand how costly that is.
LL does everything to the 'T.' Pick your fry... wait, pick your salt too... what about aioli? You pick that too! ... One more thing, fabricate your shake... OR manufacture your own burger. I mean really... the possibilites are endless.
I read some Yelps about "too many options." People... this isn't Taco Bell, there is no #1-8. This is a high quality, foodie paradise. Get with it, or leave it to the Pro's
LL I wish I could pack your burgers in my lunchbox everyday! Heaven on Earth now has a name... -
Review from Inna B.
Seattle, WA
10/8/2010 1 Check-in Here
I recently went on a Lunchbox Lab mission with a handful of co-workers. They got their meaty burgers and I tried their veggie burger.
The burger was huge and filling. The tater tots were so greasy the bag they came in got greasy and therefore my desk got a little greasy... but, they were tasty and I enjoyed about half of the serving before finding another "victim" to finish the rest of those tasty tots.
The one baffling thing is when you try look at the prices and offerings... and then look at the actual place you're standing in (or next to).
The Lunchbox Lab felt very much like a hole-in-the-wall shack. I was NOT expecting them to be all about fancy burgers and high burger prices. When I pay their prices for a burger and tots, I kind of expect to also be sitting in a nice-ish restaurant and getting some waiter service (instead of standing in line, paying, and then squeezing my way outside to sit and wait for my food to finish).
Do I like the quality and options? Yes!
Am I baffled by the price point given their physical location? Yes.Listed in: Burgers, Sandwiches, Gyros,…, Ballard
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Review from Felicia J.
Seattle, WA
11/26/2010
Having read many of the other reviews I was expecting the "ambience" or rather the lack of any, and also did not have high hopes that the staff would be models of customer service. It IS a hole-in-the-wall dive. Period. It is also absolutely the most fabulous burgers ever. I am extremely picky, especially when it comes to meat. I had the churken and it was phenomenal. The prices reflect the quality of the ingredients used. Is $33 for 2 burgers and 2 sides expensive? Yes BUT its was worth every penny. My friend and I would otherwise have eaten at some sit-down sort of restaurant and would have paid the same price for a meal. If you are looking for a "burger joint" this is not what you are after. If you are looking for gourmet quality burgers, this is definitely something you should try and expect that the price tag will match.
My meal - I did a build your own sort of thing. The chick taking the order was friendly enough but the lady behind the counter kept interjecting - are you sure you want that? you know that costs extra right? 2 kinds of cheese - wow really? The comments could have been left out, but it didn't really distract that much from the food experience. I had a churken patty with pepper jack and cheddar cheese, supreme Gorgonzola sauce (Yes, really, I want that much cheese) and Sweet and Spicy Jalapeno Relish. The relish was awesome and definitely had a kick to it. Added Tater Tots with Cajun Fire salt but was unimpressed with the "Fire" label - the tots were really good but not at all spicy.
My friends meal - Burger of the Gods with Beef, and sweet potato fries with Cinnamon salt. She went with that salt because it was recommended numerous times, but said that she would probably go with plain sea salt if she ordered them again.
Both of the meals were huge, both of use divided ours in half and wrapped up the other half for later, both went back and ate the other half pretty much immediately! I would say that hands-down, this is the best burger I have ever had! -
Review from Allison A.
Seattle, WA
11/21/2010
Two burgers + one order of tater tots = $28. Whoa.
BUT, I think they used $10 of bacon on my burger alone. The sauces were out of this world. The tater tots were served in All-Clad. The lunchbox on the wall celebrated the metric system. My burger included a Martinelli's sparkling cider. I had 8 hot sauces to choose from.
Will be back, no doubt. -
Review from Chris C.
New York, NY
12/29/2010
THE BEST BURGER OF MY LIFE.
nxtlvlbrgr. -
Review from Danielle J.
Seattle, WA
Updated - 9/9/2010
Now that I am eating beef again- this place definitely moves up in my ratings because their beef is truly super. So juicy and flavorful it is the most impressive burger I have ever had. In fact, so much so that I typically order it plain and just add the Super gorgonzola sauce and the topping that come with all burgers (lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle) and it is so satisfying.
I like the sweet potato fries, but have discovered that for me, I'd rather get tots or regular fries because the plethora of awesome dipping sauces go better with the plain fries.
Love it!!!Listed in: Best Burger Joints
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/3/2009
I am a sauce junkie... sauces and dips make me very happy, as well as being able to customize my… Read more »
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Review from Lori G.
Seal Beach, CA
1/26/2011
After reading just about every wonderful yelp review, and pouring over the even more wonderful pictures of Lunchbox Laboratory's amazing burgers; I took my mom there for her 65th birthday. We live in California. I planned a trip to Seattle, JUST to go to Lunchbox Laboratory because my mom and I share a dying love for hamburgers.
Needless to say, we never got our burgers. We showed up to Lunchbox on a Saturday around 2pm and they were out of buns - so they closed. We begged and pleaded and said we didn't care about the buns, just give us some burgers and toppings and those amazing looking fries and milkshakes! Nothing. They wouldn't budge. They were closed. My mom and I were so put off we didn't go back the next day, even though the reason for the trip was to visit that ONE place. -
Review from David Y.
9/16/2010
Let me start off by saying that the combination of huge, tasty burgers and the most absolutely delicious milkshakes I've ever had creates what has undoubtedly been my favorite burger shack experience ever. The menu is wildly creative, customers can customize to their hearts' content, and the shakes are somehow better and more satisfying than many a complete meal.
The black eye on lunchbox laboratory comes from the one-two combo of bloated pricing (I've seen cheaper though admittedly smaller wagyu burgers in Tokyo!) and inconsistent--or perhaps overzealous--seasoning. The abundance of bacon is more a praise to be sung than a problem, but the cooks should understand that less seasoning is required for this type of burger than for, say, a burger of the gods (great burger!).
Even with the outrageous price, I will want to eat a meal at lunchbox lab any time I spend more than a few days in Seattle, which is unfortunately rare. However, were I a local, the overly-expensive price would relegate me to the occasional visitor rather than the regular one.
If you love burgers or even if you just love milkshakes, you owe it to yourself to go. It's messy. It's sloppy. It's _greasy_...it's just the way a burger should be done! -
Review from Gavin N.
10/25/2010
My order:
Lamb Burger
Goat Cheese
Sauteed Mushrooms & Onions
Ketchup
Tater Tots
Mexican Coke
Verdict: DAMN GOOD
Portion Size: HUGE even for my fat ass.
Price: A little expensive for a burger joint. I think I spent a little under $20 for everything I ordered.
Wait: Took a while like 20 minutes maybe, but it was nice that they do bring you your food, and it's not nearly as bad as some other popular local joints like Paseo/Salumi.
Service: They were very nice, and they brought your food to you.
Atmosphere: Okay, seating surprisingly was plentiful, and clean enough.
One Request: maybe even let you pick different options of buns.
Anyway, I will definitely be back the next time I'm in Seattle.
~G -
Review from Arry Y.
9/25/2010 1 Check-in Here
Yummy. Yummy in my tummy. Mmm....
The menu is a bit overwhelming - you walk into this tiny tiny smokey joint and there's two wall sized menus of goodies, toppings, meats, sides, sauces, cheeses, etc... you can order. Heaven for a man who loves his burgers - especially when they offer truffle burgers! :)
Whatever you order, you can't go wrong. There is a wall of their best selling/recommendations you can choose from. I went with what I thought was a simple burger: 1/4 Baby, Meunster Cheese, Mushrooms, Tartar Sauce, with Tater Tots on the side.
No matter what you order, it's decadent, extremely rich, and the best food on the planet one can eat when completely hungover, which I was. :) They also have a nice selection of pop/sodas which use real cane sugar - which I thought was a very nice socially conscious touch.
Pricey for a burger joint (expect $12 and up per person - think gourmet burger) - I'd highly recommend SHARING with friends when you go there. Portions are HUGE. Remember... "sharing is caring"
Love the personality of this place - so much character. -
Review from Andy B.
Seattle, WA
12/20/2010
Everything that needed to be said about LL has already been said. This place is hands down the best burger joint in Seattle. The burger menu is amazing and has to be seen to be fully appreciated. The sweet potato fries are awesome and delicious and the shakes will make you wish you were 10 again
Cancel your evening plans - you're going to be in a food coma -
Review from john k.
Woodinville, WA
11/2/2011
Sadly, Lunchbox Laboratory has fallen into the hands of those more interested in churning customers than offering a quality product. It's a shame that since the passing of the founder, the quallity of his original creation has dwindled so much. What was once an amazingly juicy and delicious burger is now a dry, overcooked, tasteless hockey puck on a bun with some great flavor combinations piled onto it. And more often than not, it takes forever for them to get it to you despite the large crowd in the kitchen. I've been there several times since the founder's passing in the hopes that my last meal was an anomaly. But no, it has been getting consistently worse with each subsequent visit. Although they still do some things well there like their shakes and fries and some of their non-burger specials, it's nothing like it used to be. Even though Five Guys cooks their burgers well done, they still manage to maintain some level of juiciness and they cost a lot less. Although their burger combos are some of the best around (esp. Burger of the Gods) someone there needs to go back and remember how to cook the burgers that made them famous if they want to survive.
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Review from Dale C.
Irvine, CA
10/14/2010
Yowzers. What a burger.
Which burger you ask? I'll go out on a limb and say choose any from their special list of burgers, and you won't leave feeling jipped. EVEN with paying $15 for a burger. As a matter of fact, you'll leave so full you'll want to have shared a burger for 2 and bring another to-go box for the extra bacon. That's right. If you order anything with bacon, expect your burger to have TOO MUCH bacon. YES! TOO MUCH! Unheard of...I see pigs flying. Is it possible to have too much bacon?
Well, a friend and I counted the bacon strips in 1 burger, and we counted roughly about a supermarket package amount of bacon (~12-15 strips). That..is a lot of bacon in 1 burger. With 4 times the unhealthy amount of bacon comes the saltiness, but inspite of such gluttony, the fresh veggies (which are placed on the side for some burgers as to give you the option of eating it) and gourmet style ingredients do make for a taste that rivals none other.
The venue is small and crowded, and not suitable for larger groups. There is an outdoor area that, if you don't mind the cold, offers larger spaces.
If you are looking for a novel place to dine in Seattle, LL is an unique experience for the hungriest of monsters. The burgers arent cheap, and yes with all that bacon they are salty, but man those first few bites are heavenly no doubt. Share a burger if you're a light eater, and dont order bacon if saltyness isn't your thing. -
Review from Dan S.
Seattle, WA
11/1/2010
*I am somewhat torn, amazing burger, weird vibe
*To echo the others, bacon overload, spit a 1/2 pounder too, HUGE
*Tots and yammie fries are good, mac and cheese was velvetalicious
*If they are trying the "sanford and son/trailer parK' look, well, mission accomplished, it almost felt like they are working hard to make the place trashy. -
Review from Louis K.
Bellevue, WA
7/16/2010
I wish I had more hands, so I can give these burgers 4 thumbs down.
To preface, I am not a health nut. I routinely eat whatever I please and seek out the "healthy option" once or twice a week. Big, weird, and uncomfortable meals do not phase me. That said, Lunchbox Laboratory might be creative, but their execution is god awful.
There are 2 things Lunchbox Laboratory does well: adding bacon to your order and adding salt to your order. I had the Truffle Love burger with a side of onion ring fries. I give points for presentation (especially the All-Clad ramekin), but none of this makes up for the salt bomb this burger puts in your mouth. I love bacon as much as the next guy, but an inch thick slab of pork fat is disgusting no matter how you slice it. Also, the burger is fried in some sort of wrought/pig iron which makes the patty taste metallic. For a place that charges 10$ a burger, I was extremely unimpressed with its preparation.
The onion ring fries for some reason also tasted extra salted. Why, Lunchbox Laboratory? This is a salt outrage! This is also why America is fat.
I'm reminded of Patton Oswalt's phrase describing the KFC famous bowls: a failure pile in a sadness bowl. Well these burgers are failure piles in a sadness bun. -
Review from Lita A.
Seattle, WA
9/28/2010
Lunchbox Laboratory is a little hole in the wall burger joint in Ballard/Crown Hill neighborhood. They signed a new 1yr lease, so they are aboslutely still in business. We were here last year, and we thought it was going to be our 1st AND last time eating there.
When you step into this place, grab a table as soon as you can, otherwise you'll be outside. The decor threw me back to my childhood. Actual old school lunchboxes hung up below the menu board, employees greet you warmly, tell you about the special of the day.
But my favorite part was the endless milkshake choices. If anyone knows me, I didn't have have to think about it for more than a second. With a big smile on face, and eager anticipation, I ordered my Nutella milkshake, burger, and side of sweet potato fries. I would come back for the dessert. The shake alone is worth the trek, I loved the fact that they poured the shake into a beaker! -
Review from Greg G.
4/27/2010 6 photos
Most delicious burger in the Seattle area? Found it. Lunchbox Laboratory.
After seeing this place mentioned numerous times in magazines, on TV, and on the internet- I knew I had to have it. On one of my recent trips to Seattle I grabbed a Zipcar and headed for Ballard to try this place. Upon arriving at Luncbox, I was greeted by a very friendly server and huge blackboards listing endless burger options.
The only way to describe the burgers here are RIDICULOUS. I ordered the Truffle Love Burger- freaking amazing. Ridiculously big, ridiculously meaty, ridiculously delicious(try saying that last one 3 times fast!). Beef- ridiculous. Bacon- ridiculous. Tater tots- ridiculous. Nutella shake- freakin ridiculous. Burger shot: http://www.yelp.com/bi... Shake and Boylan Cola: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
I'll be honest- I think the meal deserves 5 stars. The burger, the tater tots, the nutella shake- unbelievably delicious. But fact of the matter is this place is a dump lol. I know they've got the whole 'Lunchbox Lab' thing going on which sets them apart from every other restaurant(and is kinda neat) but seriously- dirty broken tables, broken chairs- this place is a mess lol. I've been to tons of gourmet burger joints who have much cleaner establishments, but not nearly as delicious as Lunchbox Lab. I had a conversation with one of the workers and they said they were planning on opening a new restaurants at a new location that would be much nicer- the guy was very cool!
I highly recommend checking this place out- Lunchbox Lab is a hit! I'd definitely recommend the Truffle Love Burger, too! Expect to pay upwards of $20-30 a person and dine on some dirty tables- street parking around the block. -
Review from Jon D.
7/21/2010
Okay folks. If you order a burger with bacon, IT IS GOING TO COME WITH A TON OF BACON ON IT. So if any of you out there happen to read this review before going out to the Lunchbox Lab, consider yourselves informed.
While I'm definitely the kind of guy that would eat bacon as a snack, I'm also perfectly capable of picking bacon off of places, so it's not a big deal when I see a 1/2 lb burger crowned with bacon glory.
Now, back off the bacon for a moment and let's get onto the meat of the review, so to speak (ha ha... sorry.). Let's consider what we should know about the Lunchbox Laboratory before we arrive. This place will serve you a $15 half-pound burger on a kaiser roll, has many unique flavors of milkshake to go with, and is generally a "high-end" burger counter with plenty of character.
First pro-tip, order in multiples of two people to a burger. These are big burgers, and splitting one into two is the most economical way to enjoy this beefy experience. Each burger on the big special board comes with either a side or a drink. My personal suggestion is to get the burger with a side and then order a shake (unless Mexican coke is your schtick... they got that, too).
I came as one of six. Between us, we tried the Truffle Love, the Burger of the Gods (balsamic glazed onions and gorgonzola sauce), and the Rama-Lamba. Sides we got were the onion "fries" (quotation marks their addition, not mine), shoestring fries, and sweet potato fries. The dipping sauces included barbecue sauce, ranch, and garlic aioli (tasty!), and, like any really good burger counter, a grand selection of quirky hot sauces.
Burgers were well done, and kaiser rolls are always a nice choice for a burger (SEE NOTE ABOUT BACON ABOVE). The lamb burger was actually nicer, in my opinion, than the last lamb burger I had a FLIP Burger Boutique in Atlanta. The necessary veg matter for the burger are placed on the side. According to whether you want them or not, you can raise your bun, insert said vegetable matter, and continue enjoying your burger.
It's a unique, tasty, big burger. The service is also uniquely friendly for what looks like a lunch counter. They do give you nice rectangular plates worthy of a fine dining sort of dig, and do enjoy their All-Clad dishes for the sides. The burgers were brought out with two plates each for sharing. The empty plates were periodically cleared as we were sitting, and we were checked up on. The tips come in a tip jar at the counter, and they deserved any tip you gave 'em.
Members of my group trickled back in periodically to order more tasty shakes, including the Heath bar, and the Coconut, packed to-go for later orders. The iced tea in the pitcher is in fact peach iced tea, it's quite good. The iced tea was a good foil for the thick, sweet and creamy milkshakes.
And the outdoor dining is also quite nice for a hot summer day.
And when you split the burger (which makes for two very happy portions), the price isn't even too bad.
Good food, good service, and yes, lots of bacon. 5 stars. -
Review from Jackie turner T.
Seattle, WA
Amazing burgers. They have perfected the patty. The milkshakes are to die for. I'm not even a fan of milkshakes and find these to be addictive. I'd drop by just for one.
I've sampled all their sides and think they need a lot of work. The shoestrings are the best of the bunch. The others seem to be too salty or not as flavorful. But sides are almost not necessary since the burgers are so hearty.
Quick service! -
Review from Emma L.
12/13/2010
I don't know what to say that hasn't already been said. Time for the point form list so readers get the most salient points:
-one of the best burgers I've ever had
-they said no changes for their specials, but you can request no onions if you hate them/are allergic
-burgers with bacon have the equivalent of another 1/2 pound patty in bacon
-you may have to wait quite a while around lunch on a weekend
-try to share
-the fries are great with amazing salts to choose from, but a bit too salty
-expensive, but if you get a burger with bacon it's a better deal
They're also moving to South Lake Union this week. Go get some amazing burgers at their new location! -
Review from rajesh V.
Seattle, WA
Updated - 5/8/2010
I have been to LL about 5 times in the last year, so let me clear up a few things.
1) The burgers are amazing... the meat is a hand ground mixture of organic grain fed and grass fed beef. What a lot of people are mistaking for a greasy burger is a juicy healthier piece of meat than some are used to. In fact, grass fed beef even has Omega 3 fatty acids.
2) The price is high. You will spend about $16.00 with tax for a burger, fries and a drink... about $18.00 if you opt for a shake.However, just because the price is high doesn't mean the lab should get a lower rating. It means you don't go there for lunch three times a week.
3) The seating area is small. There is only enough room for about 10 people to eat inside. Since the place is so popular, and it is always raining (there is 3 times as much seating outside) it can sometimes be hard to get a seat. Again, not a reason to lose a star. I can think of other Amazing Seattle places with limited seating (i.e. Macrina Bakery, Paseo, Dick's (for some), A caprice kitchen, enter the name of your neighborhood family owned here.
4) In case it isn't clear from the above, I and I believe the yelp community, think the stars should be a rating of the food. Not atmosphere, availability of hi-chairs, cashier friendliness, or a restaurant's location.
Simply put, Lunchbox Laboratory is the best, highest quality burger you can buy in Seattle. Your mouth will literally water. If that is what you are looking for and you are willing to pay $10-$14 to get it, than go (you won't regret it). If you are looking for a booth and a burger that won't drip on you for less than $7, than go to Red Mill or Blue Moon. They are great burgers too.
But, whatever you do, please don't pull stars off the rating for anything other than characteristics of the food.
Cheers.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/13/2009
The best burger you will ever eat.
Be ready to spend $15 per person with a side.
But it is amazing!!! Read more »
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Review from Stuart A.
Cary, NC
I have never before in my life been faced with the choice between churken and dork. But on this day, in a crowded, somewhat shack-like building on 15th Ave NW, I made that decision in the form of the "El Zesto Dorko". And I got the skinny fries on the side, with California Garlic salt, whatever that is.
What arrived at my table outside was a towering, unwieldy stack of meat, sauces, crosshatches of bacon, lettuce, pickles, and a tomato, which, when assembled, was the hand-and-a-half sword of the burger kingdom. I was starving; I was intrigued.
The burger was delicious. I may have never eaten another as good as it before. But it was, as I previously mentioned, unwieldy. At any moment when I picked it up to take a bite, it threatened to list to one side; its gooey contents coating my fingers down to the third knuckle; a billion calories capsizing like an unsinkable ship metaphor. It was DELICIOUS, but there was something wrong. The chemist in me immediately recalled my collegiate studies, and I knew that a crystalline lattice of duck and pork formed relatively weak ionic bonds due to the presence of a catalyzing substance in their secret burger sauce (most likely bromine). With each bite, the patty threatened to break apart, but through some alchemical prowess on behalf of the chef, it held. Kirk took a different approach, instead eating his burger in a spiral fashion, thus maintaining a greater sense of integrity.
A caveat: their al fresco dining area features warnings about murders of crows that will descend on any untended comestibles, so watch your buns.
I would probably give this place five stars if the menu weren't so incomprehensible, forcing you to stand drooling with confusion in the entrance as the single waitress and other customers push by. Also, as good as it was, the burger and fries was FIFTEEN FUCKING DOLLARS. What is this, Oslo? Admittedly, I didn't need to eat anything else for the rest of the evening, so I guess if you consider that you're getting probably more than a full day's worth of calories in one meal, then everything evens out. -
Review from Ardith F.
Corvallis, OR
11/21/2010
Here I am, stuck in Corvallis, OR, jonesin' for a burger from Lunchbox Laboratory.
Has anyone ever seen the episode of How I Met Your Mother in which the gang goes on the hunt for the best burger in NYC? If they were in Seattle, I have a feeling they may end up at Lunchbox Laboratory.
My partner came home one day, raving about the delicious burger he had eaten a few days earlier. One summer afternoon, he convinced myself and several other friends to go there-- only there was no real convincing. We all sort of agreed that it sounded like a good idea.
Anyway, long story short-- I came away with the most elaborately "decorated" chicken-turkey blend burger and some of the best tots I've ever had. (Tip: Get tots-- pick one of several types of seasoning! It's great.) I came away a Lunchbox Laboratory believer.
Well, and I also came away with an entire dinner, because I barely got through half of my meal. Will definitely hit up the place when I'm back home for the holidays. -
Review from Anthony Z.
Pittsburgh, PA
11/3/2010 4 photos
This is one of the most amazing burger places I've ever been to. However, it definitely isn't the most healthy thing. If you ate here for a week straight, you'd probably die.
...it'd be worth it though. The burger was stacked high and so delicious (if you get bacon on your burger, there's like three layers worth of bacon). The tater tots were also amazing. I think what really sold it for me was the small things - you get to choose from a variety of salts and seasoning for the tots or fries and the soda options there are so bizarre and unique.
It's a little costly and the restaurant itself is kind of small and in the middle of nowhere, but they definitely know how to make a burger! -
Review from Luis P.
Seattle, WA
1/24/2011
I almost cried - my burger was that good. The "burger of the gods" is to die for. How do they do it?!?!
And now they are moving to South Lake Union which is dangerously close to my home. I am afraid for my life... -
Review from Wennie H.
Renton, WA
7/24/2010
I'd read about this place on seriouseats and my brother had even mentioned how good it was so I came in kind of expecting deliciousness.
My first thoughts when I saw the place were, "really?" But this is why we don't judge books by their covers, in this case why we don't judge food places by their store front. It was dingy, grungy, and pretty much on the verge of dirty. The inside is probably the size of 2 of my bathrooms (not counting the kitchen), so seating isn't ample. But there are a handful of seats/picnic tables on uneven grounds, outside.
Right when you walk in you're face to face with a jam packed menu. The first burger that caught my attention was the truffle-love. After going between that one and another one, I finally settled on the truffle-love.
The burger comes to you on a plate, presentation wise this was pretty unexpected. Also the burger is huge, literally huge. My burger was on the verge of falling over, even the guy who brought it to me had made a comment about it. This place is a little more on the pricier side (3 burgers w/ 3 sides were about $44).
It was hard to smash the burger down and cram it in my mouth, I had bacon and onions falling out, as well as sauce oozing out. There was probably a 1/2 pound of bacon on my burger, I don't think I've ever seen that much bacon on a burger before, in my life. The burger was good a smidge salty (but that's to be expected), not just 'oh this is good', but 'this is so good i want to eat the whole thing even though i'm full'. Halfway through I had to pull out the rest of the bacon, I was on a sodium overload. The sweet potato fries were pretty darn tasty too, not as good as some places but still good in their own right. They were the right amount of crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside.
Would I come back? Yes. Will I attempt to eat it on my own? Probably. Will I finish it? Most likely. Will I feel good after? Yes but then I'll fall into a burger coma and my tummy will most likely start to cramp. Will it be worth it? Definitely. -
Review from Kayvon P.
Palo Alto, CA
9/7/2010
Probably my favorite lamb burger joint EVER. And I've had my fair share of lamb burgers. Every time I visit Seattle, I absolutely DROOL about this place.
What I've Had: Lamb Burgers, Churken Burgers
The lamb burgers are absolutely insane. I've had so many variations and just trusting the chefs and the menu is the BEST way to go. The lamb creations with the gorgonzola cheeses have been my favorite. The bacon is also crispy and juicy and I always look for a lamb option with the bacon. Make sure to take off 50% of the bacon to avoid a heart attack! I must add that I wasn't a fan of the churken (it is chicken/turkey and VERY GOOD but nowhere close to the taste of the lamb) and I've heard the beef is nuts as well!
What also makes this place are the sides (tater tots and sweet potato fries are just madness) and the various salts and all of the different shakes and drinks! The shakes are old fashioned and probably the best milk based shakes I've ever ordered as well.
The place is definitely a hole in the wall and the burgers aren't cheap but they are going to be one of the best burgers ever no question about it and well worth the wait and madness. My only knock on this joint is that I have to order my meat well done b/c of a health condition and the workers always give me a little crap for having to do that! :)Listed in: Best Lamb Burger
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Review from Keith B.
Renton, WA
1/3/2011
Wow, another burger joint that has earned a five star rating from me. I tend to be VERY picky when it comes to giving out five star ratings, but Lunchbox Lab. has earned it with no doubt.
First up, their menu is nuts. Get ready to take at least 10min to read over this ever changing list of bizarre creations before figuring out what you want. Once that is hammered down, get ready to pick out your side dish! Sweet potato fires!? Camp fire style pork and beans!? Giant pickles!!?? The list goes on and on.....
Just know that they dont do special orders. I once tried to get my burger well done (I ask for it to be as black as a hockey puck) and they said that they don't do special orders. The girl behind the counter kinda snapped at me, making me feel somewhat stupid for asking for something that's different from their menu.
Pricing is pretty high (last time the girlfriend and I ate here we dropped $36 for the two of us) but it's totally worth it! -
Review from Angelic L.
San Jose, CA
8/19/2010
This place is not what I really expected it to be. Right when I left the airport, I rushed my little butt over here because there was no way I was going to be in Seattle and NOT have Lunchbox Laboratory. We managed to get there before 8PM with about half an hour to spare, but it was sold out so it didn't really matter. Pretty disappointing...
Anyways, we ended up coming back on a Sunday, and IT WAS OPEN! I was super excited because this was the only place I really looked up to try in Seattle. I'm not going to lie... I was pretty damn excited that I'd be able to review this place--so much that my sister called me a Yelp freak! Now the main reason I was this excited to be there at all was because I was DYING to have my cute nutella shake in a beaker like all of the other Yelpers had. What an unpleasant surprise it was when my shake came out in the most ordinary cup ever! There's only one word to describe my feelings at that point... HEARTBROKEN!
Aside from the fact that the shake didn't come in a beaker, it was definitely a GOOD shake. On the other hand, I think the burgers are overrated. They're basically serving you a heart attack on a plate with all the bacon they have. It was literally a mountain of bacon on a greasy, cheesy burger. Not really my idea of a good lunch.
All I can say about this place is that it doesn't live up to its name. It would be much better if they could tie their restaurant name into their decor or menu better and if they weren't working out of a hot, non-air conditioned shack. -
Review from Patrick S.
Seattle, WA
5/2/2010
It turns out you can have too much of a good thing. I've been here twice, and both times i've felt the same way. 1) The burger is too big and TOO messy, making it harder to enjoy. 2) they use way too much salt on everything. I don't ever ask for special or extra salt either. The bun I got as soggy as well. I'm not sure what to think about this place. On one hand, I'd tell anyone visiting Seattle to at least try it once due to the novelty of what you can get, but on the other, it's a bit overkill and not really worth it, especially for $14 (1/2 lb for their specials).
If you just want a simple burger, this isn't your place. -
Review from Irene Y.
West Sacramento, CA
12/9/2010 1 photo
Before moving back to CA, I was told I NEEDED to give Lunchbox Laboratory a try. I'm mighty glad we did! (;
Feeling a bit overwhelmed by their menu, I decided not to manufacture my own burger, but to order something they've suggested. The whole menu is written on the chalkboard, naming all the patty's, sauces, chesses, fries, sides, seasoning, etc. you can choose from. Never knew you could order "dork" (duck and pork, I believe) as your patty.
The Hothead and skinny fries was what I went with. When I got the burger, I was impressed by their presentation. The burgers were gigantic, and had all the toppings oozing from the sides. The fries were set in an All-Clad dish. Those details made my meal 10x's better! It's very filling, so sharing a burger would be your best bet if you're not that hungry.
We about died laughing, because my cousin had to "shove off" the excessive amount of the bacon that was on her burger. It was too much, not only on hers, but on all of ours. Here I am complaining, but it was just an overload! We ALL agreed that if the bacon was extra extra crispy, we would have finished it all!
Lunchbox Laboratory has a lot of character, and I loved it! I wasn't expecting it to be as good as it was. It may be a little pricey, but for the quality and quantity, your money is well spent. Even if its not the biggest or cleanest, it still gets two thumbs up! I'll definitely be back to attack another one of their crazy creations. -
Review from J R R.
Seattle, WA
Updated - 7/3/2011
RIP Scott Simpson... You made the best burger in the universe! JR
Listed in: cheese burgers
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12/4/2009
Beef...ground fresh every day... hand pounded... delicious kaiser rolls... toasted to perfection...… Read more »
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Review from Nancy B.
Slickpoo, ID
11/18/2008 ROTD 2/12/2009
I love my meat. Yes I do. All of it really, any meat will do. I love cute little animals as much as anyone does, but I eat them. Cute little cows and ducks and baby cows and baby sheep and the little fishies and chickens, a tiny little innocent quail - all nice to look at and even give the loves to when they're live, then SUPER TASTY when they're DEAD AND GRILLED.
This, my friends, is a haven of grilled cute little animals. Cute little cows and buffaloes and ducks all mixed up with cute little pigs to make Dork, and chickens with turkeys to make Turken, and on and on and on.... And falafel, which was once cute little chickpeas. Yes.
You can top your cute little meaty burger with any number of toppings from pedestrian (uh - cheddar) to one of the other 10 to 15 cheeses they offer (Camenbozla anyone? Chevre? Yuh-mi.) to maple bacon, candied balsamic onions, and on and on and smackety plop. The condiment choices are ever plentiful - and, as I am sure I have mentioned, I am a condiment whore.
So I had me some Dork with maple bacon and candied onions with a complex balsamic sauce of some sort, served to me on an elegant rectangular plate on some kinda delicious bun thing, accompanied by onion fries (with bacon salt - you can choose from a number of seasoning salts for the sides too) in a cute little All-Clad stainless ramekin. Dear Jesus. It was huge and amazing and the juxtaposition of the elegant presentation with the greasy, slipperiness of the floor pleased me to no end.
Yes, there are many choices to be made here.; it can be overwhelming to be sure, but if one can rope it in for just a minute and let decision making disabilities fall away - you are going to get your burger on in ways you didn't even know were possible.
Moo. Quack. Oink. Baaaaa....and whatever noises chickpeas and buffaloes make.Listed in: Yay for Me! ROTD!
