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Tenleytown-AU (Red)
Mon-Thu. 10:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Sun. 10:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
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Ah, the great burger war between Z-Burger and Five Guys continues its path of destruction leaving nothing but pieces of tin foil with globs of leftover mayo and bags from fries that are so greasy that they are clear in its wake.
These are both great burger places, but my vote has to go to Z-Burger. The burgers at Z are slightly tastier in my opinion and not as squished and greasy. At Five Guys, they pack your burgers so tight into those pieces of tin foil that then when you go to eat it you have an incredibly dense tiny burger. The bun at Z felt a little fluffier, and less like "balloon bread". I guess, a double cheeseburger at Z-Burger just feels more like a traditional burger to me.
I find that a bigger difference in the two places comes in the fries. Five Guy's fries are delicious but tend to be soggy. I'm a fan of crispier fries, which seems to be one of Z-burger's strong suits. Also I find that the canjun fries at Five Guys are seasoned fairly lightly with standard medium spice seasonings. I find that I still want to put vinegar on them or use ketchup. At Z-burger, the seasoned fries are outstanding and are great by themselves without any vinegar or ketchup.
These are both great places and you're not making a mistake going to either. The difference is I would give Z-Burger 4.25 stars and I would give Five Guys 4 stars.
Z Burger gets the job done, not much more. If I lived in the area, I'd hit it up. The burgers here are virtually indistinguishable from Five Guys. Same with the fries; maybe less grease here. Lot of variety to the shakes, but they're nothing special. At least if you're into onion rings (I am not), the ones here draw compliments.
I do love the actual space. Esp. cuz my big group of around 15 of us took over most of the side room with floor-to-ceiling windows all around, right out on Wisconsin. Good people-watching, nice view of the street. Unfortunately, also saw my buddy take a spill on his motorcycle out front...
If you're looking for a area burger place worth taking a trip out to, go a skoosh fancier, and hit up Ray's Hell-Burger or Good Stuff Eatery!
It's my worst vice on earth, and I almost hate to write this review...IT'S SOOOOOO YUMMY! I love their burgers and all the add on options. It's also weirdly addicting. I'm not a fan of Five Guys, but for some unknown reason Z Burger captures my taste buds. The meat and buns are fresh, it's sometimes hard to believe its fast food. Whilst, I've never partaken in their shakes/malts, they have more flavours then I would even know what to do with! They seem to have good alternative burger options like hot dogs and cheese steaks. The fries are great if you like them oily and largely cut (accompanied with malt vinegar..yum yum).
So, for a delicious fast food joint, this place is it!
I've heard a lot of talk about z-burger since I came to DC. Well I was finally walking through through for work and decided to stop for lunch. I have to say I was not too impressed. It was not a bad burger by any means but it was not amazing by any means either. As said in other reviews it if very similar to 5 guys, and I have to say I think I like 5 guys better. The fries are tastier, but they both leave you with that disgusted feeling. I guess my burger quest continues in DC
Z-Burger vs. Five Guys, and Five Guys still wins!
The meat at Z-Burger is less flavorful and a bit dry. The patty is smaller and thinner than Five Guys. I had 4 toppings on my burger, fewer than I usually get at Five Guys and I still couldn't taste the meat.
The buns are better at Z-Burger. They toast their buns so that they hold up better. They also seem a little thicker, which I think would work better at Five Guys where the meat is flavorful, but at Z-Burger it actually worked against them with the meat already being thin and tasteless.
The toppings are good and plentiful. I got sauteed mushroom, jalapenos, relish and hot sauce on my burger. There was a lot of mushroom on my burger, which I loved, big pieces of fresh jalapeno rings and a thin layer of relish spread evenly across the burger. A little less hot sauce than I prefer though.
The burgers are assembled more neatly and wrapped tighter at Z-Burger, which is nice, especially if you're getting it to go. The paper bag the burgers and fries come in are also take-out friendly as it has handles that makes it easy to carry.
The onion rings are fantastic. Great flavorful batter and crisply fried. The fries are thin but not crispy, rather soggy and lots of small pieces.
Have had a few of their shakes now and it is safe to say that the cheesecake flavored ones are good. The rocky road is very rich and sweet. The first few sips are delicious but I couldn't finish a regular one. And the chocolate pieces aren't blended small enough that they keep getting stuck in the straw. The maple walnut is overwhelmingly strong with artificial maple flavor and not worth getting in my opinion. Extra points for offering $0.99 Shake Happy Hour every Monday-Friday 3-6pm.
Overall I would say that if I'm craving a special shake and onion rings I'd make a special trip to Z-Burger, but to fulfill my big juicy burger cravings I'd still head to Five Guys.
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I got in a fight at Z burger. It was more of a verbal spar. Actually, it really was just me yelling at some high school kid who threw a pencil at my friend. I picked it up, sashayed over to their table, smacked the pencil on the table, and mocked him mercilessly for looking like a poor man's Opie from the Andy Griffith Show. It def was not my finest moment but whenever I drive by the Z, I think back fondly of how I schooled a 14 year old.
To score some useful points, I will say that the turkey burger is decent. It's no wagshals but it satisfies my burger cravings. I'm a toppings kind of girl so after some cheese, jalapenos, shrooms and zsauce , I'm pretty happy. The turkey burgers take a bit longer to cook so you might want to order in line first if you are with a group. The fries are yummy too, but then again if you make me something that even remotely resembles a fry, I will eat it. The small is plenty for two people.
I'd say the only negatives are that the waiting area to place and pick up your order is very cramped. They don't have an orderly system for calling out numbers so it can be hard to hear when the Wilson High kids roll in. I think the milkshakes are a bit overrated but that might be because they overstretch with so many flavors.
This isn't really a negative but more of an observation. The owner is very friendly. He has also made a thinly veiled attempt to get Obama to come eat here. Yes, he and Michelle have made the stops at Five Guys, Good stuff, and Ray's. Maybe if you take that creepy pic of the whole family down, he will pay you a visit. Or if you open Sandwish
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I really wish I liked ZBurger more. It would be so convenient if this was an easy place to get a good burger. But I don't love Zburger. I think the shakes are mediocre. I think the fries aren't crispy enough. I think the burger is fairly flavorless until lots of toppings are added, and then, invariably, the burger falls apart. It is strange to me how flavorless the meat at Zburger is, especially considering how greasy it is. I almost always have a stomachache after eating at ZBurger.
One of the best things about ZBurger is the location, which is close to AU. I also like the creepy painting of Obama in the window, and that ZBurger gave out free cake on Obama's birthday (free anything is always good). ZBurger does a lot of promotions, and it nice to have a cheap place that is involved in the neighborhood.
I just wish I liked the food.
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I've decided that the number of napkins you use while eating is a good measure of how good a burger is. How many do you need to eat a McDonald's burger? None. It's dry and they skimp so much on the toppings. But I needed 5 napkins to eat a Z-burger. The burger itself was juicy and came STANDARD with fried onions and mushrooms, tomato, lettuce, ketchup, mayo, pickles and mustard. All for about the same price as a McD quarter pounder which comes with NOTHING but a smear of ketchup and a few onions
But Z, if you're reading this, EITHER KILL THE MILKSHAKES OR MAKE THEM BETTER. Seriously, your shakes are worse than McDonald's and who said you had to offer 120 flavors when everyone knows you're just using artificial ingredients and substandard ice cream to make them? I'm sorry, but it had to be said. Please get some GOOD ice cream and offer just a few flavors.
As for the inevitable Five Guys comparison. I think the Z-Burgers are bigger and juicier. I love Five Guys too. I'd say the quality of beef is similar--both have never been frozen. The fries at both places are great.
But you know I am starting see Five Guys joints opening EVERYWHERE and that fact alone makes me want to support Z-Burger (with just two locations so far) whenever possible. And another thing, come to think of it: I don't need a burger joint to be fancy--in fact I don't want it if it means paying more--but Z Burger has decent prices AND they hae made an effort with decor and lighting. Five Guys places typically have flourescent lights and are kind of lax with the clean-up these days.
Another Plus: Z burger has free wi-fi!!
Go Z!
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I came. I saw. I was conquered by a really good strawberry cheesecake shake. Hot damn that thing was good! It tasted just like its name implies. I swear I could taste pureed graham cracker crumbs. It was made even more delicious by the fact that it was FREE. Thanks K St Kate! Despite the crowd, the workers were able to herd us quickly out of line, off to the side, and then not too long after served us our treats.
The fries were decent. The onion rings could use more onion but the beer batter is scant and that's a good thing. I hate eating a big piece of fried dough unless it's a funnel cake or a donut or an apple fritter or a....well you get the picture. I need to duplicate whatever is in the dipping sauce they give you. It looks thousand island like but doesn't taste exactly like it. I see sauce experiments in my future.
Ben, beat me to the punch about the burger. It is comprised of a patty that is a few steps up from Big Mac meat. They need a little more seasoning and a little less time on the grill to beat what has to be their arch enemy, Five Guys.
I'd still come back for a milkshake. I think Monday aka "99-cent-milkshake-happy-hour-day" may be my new favorite day of the week.
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Z-Burger reminded me of the Big Mac. I have mostly avoided McDonalds for years, but that was still my immediate reaction.
But then again - it was all free due to some KstreeKate celebrity. Little crazy with the promotion. Tried to charge me when I didnt say the "secret password"....like Im standing in line with sixty other people cause Im just hoping to part with $8 on your glorified big mac and a shake... Seriously - hand over the free food. Fine - Ill say it. "KSTREETKATE!!!!!!!"
Oh. And dont get the honey mustard as a burger topping. It is that sweet thick bright yellow honey mustard. Not so good. Kiwi strawberry milkshake was decent, but maybe just strawberry sans kiwi?
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Who knew that the best fast food burgers were on the coasts? In 'N Out may own the West Coast, and Five Guys the East...but Z-Burger definitely holds its own.
A single cheeseburger with all my favorite fixings, a side of seasoned zfries and a soda will run you about $8. Not bad.
This particular location is larger than the Glover Park outpost, about 3 times the size, and they have 50 types of shakes for you to choose from. And the icing on the cake: free wifi + 99 cent shake happy hour from 3-6 on Mondays. But only at this location, not the Glover Park spot.
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Finally made it out here, but only because ZBurger was giving free burgers and shakes in association with KStreetKate. I had the opportunity to try their milkshakes at at a Yelp event a while ago and picked up some poker chips good for free burgers and milkshakes. Even then their milkshakes were really damn good. Too bad this place is too far away cuz I would definitely be swinging by more often.
Shakes cost as much as the burger, but they are well worth it I think....even if you are lactose intolerant.
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Soo, I'd been burger lusting for a while. Unable to find the juicy bison burger of my fantasy for under $10 at a lunchy establishment, I settled on a turkey burger from Z-Burger. MMMMMMMMM. It was freakin delish. As I was eating I couldn't help but think how amazingly un-delicious and slightly dry the turkey meat looked...but it tasted the EXACT opposite...so I continued to eat, never looking down again. The flavors are great and the condiments were piled on and took it to the next level for me. & it came with Mushrooms! yayy I love mushrooms!
The only negative I had was....the onion rings. I should know by now not to trust other people's opinion's on onion rings, but I was hungry, thus my brain was on low power energy saving mode. Anyone who thinks these onion rings are good has never tasted the slice of heaven that are Sonic Onion rings. Nothing can compare. Nothing. At all. These tasted like the one's I make at home... no scratch that, mine are better. I couldn't finish eating them because they were so greasy... The onions are rather thin, and the dough is the same dough as every other establishment that doesn't know how to make onion rings uses.
So get the burger & fries folks! unless your palette has never been expanded by the flavorful amazingness that is sonic....in that case, carry-on.
Oh, & there was also plenty seating, even had separatedish little rooms, & plenty of room for you to sit outside. & the guy who took my order was really nice...as was the one who gave me my food. ok, im done.
I've read the arguments here, and other than the fact that yes, it IS like a Five Guys establishment, we don't really have a Five Guys near AU. I eat here for convenience/if there's nothing else to choose from.
Other AU perks: They take EagleBucks. You don't have to get on the Metro. They're open past 9pm. College kids get lazy sometimes, and I don't blame them.
The service is friendly, the food's alright (and they actually sell onion rings!), but the milkshake list confuses the hell out of me. I'll pass on the mango milkshake, thanks.
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Good burgers, very Five Guys-esque, but even better shakes. They have like 200+ shakes or something crazy like that. Definitely try the s'mores one! Fries are just OK. Nothing else to say. I fully enjoyed it.
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The obvious vibe you get from Z-Burger is that it is trying to compare itself to, and compete with Five Guys. All I have to say to that is:
Z-Burger, I've eaten at Five Guys. I know Five Guys. Five Guys is a favorite restaurant of mine. Z-Burger, you're no Five Guys.
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Was relieved after reading Julie H's review that they were still accepting the free milkshake tokens I got at a Yelp event. Why not take the opportunity to cash it and my free burger token in?
Besides fries being not as seasoned, the burgers and fries are of comparable quality here as what you'd get at Five Guys. This place does set itself apart from the other for their onion rings and a plethora of milkshake options. Unfortunately for them there's more FGs than ZBs out there.
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I have been meaning to give Z-Burger a try and armed with the free milkshake token I picked up at the last Yelp event and accompanied by always-ready-to-help-me-eat-to-my-death Alicia G. a trip to Z-Burger was on.
I hemmed and hawed in (awe) front of the 50 milkshake flavor board. Thinking I'd make my decision easier by going for the daily special, I inquired to the girl manning the register. "Any three flavors," she replied. "Wh-what?" I stammered, with the panicked feeling that she had just complicated my choices further but giving me EVEN MORE OPTIONS. I appealed to her and the "shake guy" (her words, not mine) who helpfully tried to sort out my options (do I like vanilla or chocolate?). In the end he said the magic words ("reese's pieces"), offered to upgrade my shake and I was on my way.
As I hadn't eaten dinner I took Alicia's recommendation and ordered a turkey burger, and I couldn't resist the onion rings raved about. See what I mean when I say that Alicia is ready to help me eat to death?
The turkey burger was good - not bland and actually turkey-tasting, though definitely benefiting from the myriad of topping options. The onion rings were a revelation and a disappointment - the breading was different from your usual onion ring, giving it more of a greasy aftertaste with less emphasis on the onion and more on the breading, but they held together nicely when bitten into.
And my shake? Good but nothing I'd trek out of my way for again. The shake was on the milky side, immediately drinkable and spiked with reese's pieces. The attraction here is definitely the infinite flavor combinations.
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I managed to score one of those free burgers thanks to Tracey in exchange for a ride to the Elite event at Policy. It was damn great for a free burger...much better than some Mickey D's garbage, but it doesn't stack up to Five Guys. I'd come back though for a sit down meal next time with some fries and a shake, so I'll update my review when I've had the full experience.
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She Said...."Z burger is kinda like a spin off of 5 guys. The burgers taste better and arent as greasy, and the fries are pretty much the same except they have some kind of old bay seasoning on them. They have a large selection of ice cream flavors to choose from. They make really good shakes. Z burger is a bit cheaper than 5 guys too."
He Said.."The outside of Z-burger looks trendy...watchout for parking though because its hard to find. I ordered a cheeseburger and it was like a five guys/urban burger/fosters burger...but it did taste a bit better than all of them except Urban Burger. The fries were good and they salt them with store bought seasoning. If you ever seen Goodburger this place will remind you of it...remember.."welcome to Goodburger, home of the goodburger, may I take your order..."
If a restaurant prides itself as a "Burger and Milkshake"-joint, you should expect to be blown away by good quality, fast service, and low price.
Unfortunately Z-Burger is lacking in all three.
While you'll get the homemade, not-frozen hamburger meat here, every time its been too greasy and too small. Not to mention topped with cheap American cheese and enough ketchup and mayo to leak from all sides.
The milkshakes are also a letdown. They have a huge flavor menu, but they're almost all created with cake batter. Interesting technique to achieve different flavors, but it even tastes cheap.
The prices are good but not fantastic. I believe its like $4.50 for a cheeseburger and $3.50 for a milkshake, which is about $2 too expensive each. With these prices and at this quality you'd at least think the service would be speedy, but its not.
Besides convenience (for Tenleytowners), the only real plus is the homemade fries. They're sliced right there and they give you a huge enough portion for two or three people, no kidding you.
Better than McDonald's, yes, but you're not getting your money's worth.
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So, once again, I made my way to Z-burger, but this time I decided to try their turkey burger. Yea, i know, its a burger joint, but screw it, it was the day after July 4th and I already had enough grilled red meat.
I topped the turkey burger with a-1, onions, tomato, lettuce and hot peppers. Delicious. A great turkey burger and very filling. Of course we all shared their made to order onion rings. That's right, they batter and fry them to order. Five Guys, eat your heart out.
I'll be back, oh yes, I'll be back.
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I know how many people think 5 guys is better. They're wrong. Z-burger has a very similar style… Read more »
This place probably doesn't really deserve a full 5 stars -- but I can't give it 4 1/2, and I gave Five Guys 4. The menu is a virtual clone of Five Guys', burgers, hot dogs, and fries (their own style or Cajun-seasoned), though they also have Philadelphia cheese steaks, and their burgers and fries are about the same as Five Guys' (the burgers, I think, are a bit smaller, but also a bit tastier), so why do I want to give this place another star? In a word, SHAKES.
This place has FIFTY different flavors of shakes, including such exotic ones as amaretto and maple walnut, and I don't know of any other place with so much variety. And although when I first came here they didn't use enough syrup in the shakes, the amaretto shake I had yesterday was so delicious, I'm sure they've discovered the way to do it now. This is the reason to come here... get your burger and fries, but don't go for a fountain soda (though they have them, with as big a choice as Five Guys), get the shake even though it'll cost you some extra money.
Their burgers are good but nothing to write home about - it is pretty similar to Five Guys -- you can choose from lots of toppings. (I also think Five-Guys makes a tasty burger obviously but in my opinion it is way over-hyped). Their fries are just like Five Guys fries. Z-Burger has cheese steaks also but I have never tried them. Personally, the only reason I come here sometimes is because they have some of the most AMAZING onion rings I have ever had. Its like the burger is just an afterthought for me.... The onion rings are made to order and the batter is fantastic -- just try them. A large order is an insane amount of food -- definitely probably enough for two or three people, although I once finished a large order myself because they are just that good. I felt kind of sick afterward but had no regrets. I have not had their shakes but have been told that they suck.
Oh man. Good burger, awesome onion rings, fantastic milkshake. And two thirds of it was free thanks to K Street Kate. Still, the ginormo bag of onion rings was worth paying for. The batter resembled a tempura and was really crunchy and delicious, but didn't overpower the onion itself. Best O-rings I've had in a while. As for the burger, you've gotta love a place that puts slice FRESH (not canned) jalepenos on their burgers on demand. And on the topic of milkshakes, well, there's not much more to say than "I'll be back" to try the other flavors. And I'm willing to pay for them
It is Five Guys, only wildly inferior. Their buns are kind of vile, they're stingy with the toppings, and their fries are merely passable. My burger was weirdly crumbly. Star added for the presence of milkshakes and onion rings. I have never had either here, but I hear the onion rings are delicious and I'm a girl who loves her deep fried onion snacks. My friend said her milkshake was too sweet. They have enough flavors where this is probably avoidable.
Go elsewhere if you have the option. If not, it's fine.
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For the record, I'd like to share that the fries have improved dramatically. The onion rings are superb. Their sandwi(s)hes are good...and by that I mean the grilled cheese (plus tomato and sauteed onion) and the cheese steaks. Every time I come in here, I eat a burger in probably a minute and a half. I have a big mouth, I can't help it. But it's delicious. And I love Z-food.
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I hear a lot of people unfavorably compare Z Burger to Five Guys, citing burger quality and taste.… Read more »
I went to Z-Burger recently to cash in my tokens given to me at the Yelp Sail Away party. The cashier gladly upgraded the free burger to a free cheeseburger to go with my free shake. I added a small order of fries to my order, making my meal cost a total of two dollars and change.
And what a big meal it was! As others have said, the order of fries was huge, but the big surprise was how heavy the (single) cheeseburger was. It was as heavy as a brick. So much for the burger not being greasy. What do you think happens when you fry a hamburger on a griddle? The fat all stays in the burger! You wanted to be like Five Guys, you got it!
On their behalf, I will say that the burger was cheesy, and had a good bun and toppings. I like to stick to ketchup, lettuce and tomato on my burgers so I can actually taste the meat, but in this case it didn't really matter, since the burger only tasted only of salt and grease.
The fries were hot and plentiful, but didn't taste especially fresh. They certainly weren't fried twice, otherwise, they wouldn't have been soggy. But with some ketchup, they seemed to go with the burger well enough.
The S'mores shake was as tasty as I had heard, but was still not a good idea when executed. Adding mini-marshmallows may make it taste good, but they will clog up your straw in a hurry. And who wants to drink a shake without a straw?
Ultimately, this place was just another greasy burger joint in a shiny package. While it was nice to try once (especially since the price was right), I will stick to my nearby Wendy's (which Z-Burger's beef tastes suspiciously like) for my occasional indulgence in greasy meat.
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This review is biased because I am deathly allergic to peanuts and therefore cannot eat the fries or the burgers which are both cooked in peanut oil! That being said, I have had many of the around 50 milkshakes and found some of them to be delicious and some to be gross.
The major plus of z burger is the employees who ALWAYS give people free things. Especially if you go there late at night, they will give you giant free samples of milkshakes or ask you to take home bags of fries.
This has become my go-to place after a bender the previous night and tonight was no exception. There's just something about the combo of grease, messy burgers and a Diet Coke that hits the spot.
The burgers here are great - always moist, cheesy and gooey - and come with a lot of toppings as standard, including onions, mushrooms and pickles. Good deal. Plus there are more toppings you can get for free and a few premium ones.
The onion rings are out of control here. I have yet to actually finish an order, not because of taste but lack of sheer willpower to push my stomach that far. Every time I've ordered them, the rings come out piping hot and cripsy with fun little jagged onion ring jags, nooks and crannies - the mark of homemade onion rings.
I've never been to Z-Burger in non-post-drinking mode, but I anticipate my willpower will fail me again at some point. Until that day, both awful and wonderful, I'll continue to make this place my morning after place.
Finally got a chance to use my free milkshake and free burger tokens from the last Yelp Event we were at. The mint chocolate shake and the California Shake were both delicious and left us holding our bellies. I like all the customization options for the burgers, and they went down super easy. Bag of fries, just like five guys, but a bit more crisp, I think. The fries were too much for us to split, with a few that had gone cold and had to be thrown out, but a delicious meal for two for $2.50! If/when I'm back in the area, I'll stop by. I sure hope they get that space on capitol hill!
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Z Burger is just another in the growing line of fast-ish food, individualized burger chains. In the local area, the fries match well with Five Guys but the burgers fall far short. [As an aside, I think Z Burger and Five Guys fries beat Elevation Burger's fries, but the Elevation Burger and Five Guys burgers are significantly better than Z Burger's.] The menu is very similar to Five Guys, although the prices are a little higher. I didn't get to try a milkshake but, with 50 flavors, Z Burger may stand out in that area - I will probably not return for a burger, but at some point I'll definitely stop in to try a milkshake . . .and maybe have some more fries.
(All that said, after looking at the other reviews I may give Z Burger burgers one more chance. It's possible that my burger was rushed since they lost my order - a fact identified, acknowledged, and compensated for by the very friendly and observant manager - and they worked to get one out to me quickly.)
Everyone is on the Rays bandwagon. BUT, has El Presidente been back since? Nooooooo, it's because he's out looking for some fries, milkshake, and whatever else.
I was going to write this review as I was just eating at Z-Burger, but while I was there, the Presidential family (sans dad) was picking up an order to go (so I definitely have to now). I was waiting for dad to come in, so missed out on the fact that mom and kids were already standing in line as I was playing with my phone.
Not really the point with who eats here and who doesn't. That shouldn't be why you pick a place. . . the food should be the reasn.
I've had the burgers here, and they're good. A bit messy, but still good. A "regular" order of fries or onion-rings will clog your arteries until 2010 (if I'm eating them. . . I'll eat about 1/4 of what they give me. . . don't know what a large order consists of, but I imagine it's about 50lbs of potatoes).
Tonights review is on the cheese-steak. I realize if you're not in Philthy, it's supposed to be called a "steak and cheese". . . but, sh-, this was one good mf steak 'n cheese!!! :-)
I'm all pommes-fritted out, and will be tasting them for the next month before I return (I figure that's how long it's going to take me to work off the calories I just consumed).
If you're in the mood to get THAT much closer to a heart-attack, Z-Burger is the place to go.
Maybe the meat isn't on-par with Rays. . .but, everything else more than makes up for it (it's not high-school "beef" either, just differnt texture/type of patty than Rays).
Now go, before all of the "cool" kids find out that the Presidential family got burgers here and the line starts winding down the street (or maybe that's just an Arlington thing to not think for yourself. . .talkin' to you brown flip-flops).
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??????? I had lunch there today -- it was my first time -- and it was so good! Definitely did not see that coming. Wow. I was pleasantly surprised; 1 star.
Two words: FREE TOPPINGS. Any topping you want. However many you want. FREE. I lost track of how much I put on my cheeseburger, but let me just tell you that it was delicious. +1 star.
The burger wasn't greasy or dry; it was juicy. The bun had sesame seeds -- I love that! +1 star
The fries were very good. There was still some skin on them -- I love that, too! +1 star
Finally, great customer service. Everyone was nice and pleasant (and I got a drink on the house...) -- +1 star
This place is full of win. +1 star for clean facilities.
Yes, that's 6 stars.
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Z-Burger's continued operation puzzles me of how eerily similiar it is to Five Guys. With the exception of a few cosmetic changes and the addition of a shake bar, Z-burger simply duplicates the Five Guys business model. But maybe the lawyers for Potbelly's are just more effective. It's been one year and the Potbelly's knock-off "Sandwish" is still "under construction."
The reality is that Tenleytown desperately needed a good, cheap burger joint. And with the over-expansion and decline of Five Guys, who cares about the potential infringements of Z-Burger? Because Z-Burger is G.E.F. (good enough food).
There are also several new items of interest including healtier options like the Veggie Burger (supposedly "DC's Best" by self-proclaimation) and the Turkey Burger both for $5.49. There's also the Chicken Philly Cheesesteak for $6.99.
Among the 50 shake flavors, my new favorite is S'mores because of its graham cracker and oddly caramel-like taste. [Last Visit: April 12, 2009]
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Don't bother reading all the other reivews of this place, just listen to me.
The burger is good... it's nearly identical to Five Guys. I'd say on a given day, it's a toss up on whose is better. The only thing I don't like about the Z-Burger Bacon Cheeseburger is that they could be a *little* more liberal with the bacon, but it's really not that big of deal.
The onion rings are retarded. Think funnel cake batter... so effing good. Definitely order those.
The Banana's Foster Shake is..... it's..... it's REALLY delicious. Like, it's the best shake I've had in recent memory. If you like banana, this is the cat's pajamas.
Overall, I'd definitely come back. Not sure why this gets anything less than four stars. It's a solid, greasy burger with delicious onion rings and shakes.
Next time I go I wanna try the cheesesteaks.... I dont believe the hype.... once I do, ill report back
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Eh...that is how I feel about this place. I mean, it was good, but I don't see the 5 stars here. Good Stuff trumphs them every time, you know? I just cannot go past 3 stars here. I mean, the milkshake was good (Oreo) but it didn't knock my socks off. I really wanted to be wowed but me and my boyfriend agreed that this is not bringing much to the table.
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Meh. The burger thing is done much better at Five Guys.
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Would I eat here again? Sure.
Would I travel out of my way to eat here again? Probably not.
My burger taste swings to Five Guys and Good Stuff - thick, greasy patties that feel like a sopping mess of calories as you cram them into your open mouth. The patty at Z Burger was a bit thinner and decidedly less greasy and tasty. Really didn't blow my hair back.
The fries were well-salted and ok, but again nothing spectacular.
My milkshake - chocolate cheesecake - was pretty tasty, and I look forward to going back and trying another one of their 50 varieties. Not the best I've had, but a solid offering.
So again, while I enjoyed everything I ate, I just kept shrugging my shoulders and commenting "eh, pretty good." Yelp informs me that "A-OK" is equal to 3 stars, so here we are.
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All comments that Z-burger is identical to Five Guys is completely accurate - it's just a cleaner version (sans peanuts on the floor and greasy paper bags). I don't know the story of how Z-burger came about, but I'm assuming that its origins came from some extremely unoriginal minds.
They took the Five Guys burger concept and combined it with a nostalgic-California-burger/shake atmosphere - and placed it in a few neighborhoods where there's currently no Five Guys. You get the feeling that the daughter of a 1980s sitcom would work there - even she would say "this is just like Five Guys." The toppings are all the same - except for the crazy "Z-sauce"!!! until you realize it probably came out of a tub of Ken's thousand island salad dressing (another fresh idea from the owners).
Sure, the burger was tasty. I expected something different with all of the hype. If something is good, and already exists, don't mess with it. I'm sticking with Five Guys, just like I am with the original Pink Panther movies.
People thought this was:
Neighborhood: Glover Park
Category: Burgers
Neighborhood: Tenleytown
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Tenleytown
Category: Thai
Neighborhood: Tenleytown
Category: Greek
Neighborhood: Tenleytown
Category: Pizza
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