BurgerClub

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DISCLAIMER: I would lower my vote to a C- if I could, as after a 2nd visit, this place just doesn't cut the mustard like other great cali style joints... and I think Hamburger America would take his vote back if he could and give it a more appropiate non A grade.

Location: Jersey City, NJ
Website: http://www.EastCoastFoods.net
286 Washington Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
P 201-332-2244

Cali burger in NJ!



Faced with my first California burger chain since the inception of BurgerClub, even though this is NJ, I was excited. Having had the Shake Shack, Lucky Burger, and Blue 9 in nYc as my substitute, I looked forward to seeing if those guys really were good equals to the left coast chains.

Getting to this Jersey City branch was fairly easy from the city. About a couple miles or so after the Holland Tunnel... although the jerk faced cops and expensive parking makes the short distance kinda a hassle. Once in Jersey City, I got the feeling that I was in the franchise and mega new corporate building capital. Uber buildings dotted with familiar food chains. Right next door to UNO's was our destination.


(there's nothing "Great" about it")

While waiting in the short line, I began to wonder if the franchise nature of this joint would affect it's quality compared to those one offs that I have become accustom to back in nYc... 'i hope this doesn't suck.' Looking at the menu, I debated going with the Kingburger over the Fatburger (king=1/2lb; fat=1/3lb). Whatever, go with the burger named after the joint... and make it a double with cheese please. I also opted for the "works"=pickles, relish, mustard, mayo, tomatoes, onions, and lettuce. There are several other add ons which I couldn't bring myself to try= egg, chili, ranch dressing. I also went with the onion rings instead of fries... several choices with that too= fat fries, skinny fries, and chili cheese fries.



My order was yelled out loud for the cooks behind the register, or rather for a classic burger joint effect (there was probably some screen showing all orders i the back). you get a number flag thingee and go find a seat... they bring you your food when it's ready... a nice touch. After a very short wait, my goods arrived. My burger wasn't as pretty as the other boys, but aside from affecting my photo, whatever.



It was definitely on par with all other fast food places I've been to in the city, and easily passes some of the more popular diner like spots. But after a few bites, which were enjoyable, I didn't find myself taken to a new place that the Blue 9 and Shack didn't already... IMHO, not a bad burger, but not what I would call a classic Cali phat burger.

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lets eat!

They did a good job at Fatburger, even if it was in New Jersey. Really no different than a west coast Fatburger experience. I'd still grab a Double Fatburger over an In 'N Out double double any day...

This is my favorite way to dress a burger - yellow mustard and cheese (though I did forget the pickles)

Jersey City v.2

Hamburger America, it's ok to change your vote to a lesser grade... cuz this guy (at least the Jersey version) is no way an A grade burger.


(You look a little sick there, Hamburger America...?)

On our 2nd visit, thanks to ass clown traffic cops, we found out after tasting and asking that the east coast branches of Fatburger use frozen meat! We also found out that you can specify if you want your burger cooked "char" over a flame, or "grill/griddle" fried on a flat stove top. Having had the fried version the first time, I went with char. Well, on top of being frozen, this guys was over cooked and dry... not good eats (sorry alton brown).



Like I said before, this guy is B- at best... so don't listen to those tainted votes of excitment... the east coast version is no substitute.

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lets eat!

Yeah, I think it was the recent visit to the Jersey City courthouse to unsucessfully fight a speeding ticket from the first Fatburger experience. Or was it the fact that I found out that the Jersey Fatburger starts as a frozen puck? After this discovery, and the speeding ticket which brought my 2 burger experience to a total of $147, I'm never setting foot in Jersey City again. Thank God we have better burgers in NYC. Now we need an In 'N Out here...

wow. i agree with you –no need to drive (or walk) to get to a FatBurger location..... if you're hungry and next to one, fine!

Los Angeles - 7450 Santa Monica Blvd. West HollyWood location

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Dear FatBurger,

You're not my friend.

After a hit or miss disappointment in your East Coast joint, I figured it would only be fair to try one while out in Los Angeles, where baby Fat was born. Out here, you could run into a FatBurger even if you weren't trying. (maybe they could call it StarBucksBurger)

Again I ordered a FatBurger "char" cooked on the fire... this time I went with a single cheeseburger, it was only 11am, I just had a "Randy's" donut and I had some more eating to do that day. I commend you Mr. Fat on your fine condiments, but those were not enough to mask the dry and at times hard to swallow patty which they surround. You sir, ruined a perfectly good start to my day... and although after eating this puck of burger I had no appetite, I was glad to take a bite of my dear sisters take-out burger from In-N-Out... as it reminded me of what a tastee burger should be... even if it was a 30 minute old take-out... Jerk!

I give you a big fat C-


(looks are deceiving) ... (dry and tasteless meat)


(couldn't convince anyone else in the west to join me for a FatBurger, now I know why)

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lets eat!

I've eaten at FatBurger 10-15 times over the past 20 years or so. I gave it a B...it's a bit too greasy for my tastes. And, for consistency, I'd have to give In'N'Out the nod between the two of them (I've eaten at In'N'Out hundreds of times...).