The Return of Cheeburger!

The Chowhounds have resurrected.

Cheeburger Cheeburger is a franchise burger chain, one of which is located around the corner from Limani Seafood Grill in Westfield, NJ. It opened many years ago and its 1950's-theme was an instant hit. The food was great. It closed inexplicably in August of 2008, much to the chagrin of locals.

I noticed it reopened when we parked in the train station parking lot, and were walking to Limani. I was flabbergasted and thrilled to see the lights on and pleased to know it opened its doors again on June 30th of this year.

Predictably, we came back in less than 24-hours. I planned this from the night before and therefore salivated at the memory of their onion rings, and infinite number of ice-cream shake combinations. The actual number of flavor combinations is 378,000 - according to the menu - but you get my point.

We both ordered "semi-serious" burgers which are 1/3 lb of beef cooked at a medium degree of doneness. You can go all the way to a full pound but that is just plain unreasonable. Kris topped her burger with pickles, tomato, and the preposterous use of mayo. I used the much more logical toppings of A-1 Steak sauce, fresh garlic, sauteed onions, and pickles. We split a "Basket of Both" which is a half order each of fries and onion rings. Being that this is a meal to satisfy gluttonous rage - at least on my part - cheese was therefore an irrefutable accompaniment for the fries.

I enjoy Cheeburger because it doesn't attempt to be something is isn't. They don't claim to have the best burgers, nor is their advertising noticeable. At least I have never seen a commercial. But their menu defines comfort food. You can choose the size of the burger, which you can't say for other joints, as well as 9 cheeses from which to choose. The available toppings are as numerous as they are unique; choices include standard options of bacon, lettuce, tomato, pickles and onions but will extend to jalapenos, guacamole, salsa, ranch dressing, fresh chopped garlic, teriyaki sauce, coleslaw, and many others. With the exception of bacon, sauteed onions or mushrooms, you can have as many of those toppings as you wish for no extra charge. That's cool.

Waiting for the food always tests the attention deficit disorder in me, but fortunately Cheeburger has that covered. I suppose that their successful business model taught them to include crayons for kids, or throwback ads from the first third of the 1900's to catch wandering eyes. Of course, this would provoke any imaginative or un-medicated child to ask questions, thus providing the appropriate distraction until the arrival of the meal. They also accounted for inattentive 29-year olds by putting a handful of Trivial Pursuit cards in with the salt and pepper shaker. Oooooh you clever marketing execs...I'll play your game...

Perhaps there is one thing that the business model did not consider. What to do about the shame and humiliation their guests suffer at the hands of their spouses once that infamous card game has ended. The food may have arrived, but the scar of indignity remains.

The burger was succulent and nourished the chowhound in me. The bun was the perfect size and despite my mound of toppings, it absorbed the steak sauce as well as juice from the pickles without getting soggy. That's praiseworthy if I do say so myself. Kristen was quick to point out that hers was fantastic and far superior than another local burger joint we tried two days earlier. We were both happy that this option had returned.

Cheeburger Cheeburger also offers other dietary options including chicken sandwiches, grilled cheeses, veggie burgers and salads, a good time can be had by all.

Two sodas, two shakes, two burgers, and an appetizer ran us $31. Go for it. You'll love it. It easily competes with any Fat Burger, Jack in the Box, In and Out Burger and even the local The Wind Mill.



*Sidenote - The fact that Westfield has a a burger/hot dog place called the Wind Mill is of great concern to me. But I digress...