BurgerFi brings unique burgers to Firewheel

It’s safe to say that in the last few years “trendy foods”, gourmet burger joints have all but fallen off the grid. Queue Firewheel Mall’s  newest eatery, BurgerFi, the self described “‘heart’ of the better burger movement” where the burger patties are made with “all natural angus” and ”grass-fed” beef and the urban decor and hip vibe makes you feel like you’re in some mom and pop burger shop. If you ask me, this restaurant could win over even the most snobbish burger enthusiast. And don’t even get me started on the milkshakes.

BurgerFi prides itself in running restaurants with the smallest carbon footprint. This is very apparent when you first walk in and see the mismatched chairs and reclaimed wood making up the dining area, which has a refreshing color scheme of green and neutral colors. As the “Fi” in the name suggests, the shop also has some aspects of modern style, with the menu on flat screen displays and trendy music streaming from the speakers.

At the register I was greeted by the smiling face of my friend Aviana. I knew this was her first day on the job, just like everyone else working there, and she did great. She was knowledgeable, friendly, and quick.

The menu consists of your regular burger joint grub with many fun additions thrown in. I personally liked how you can build your own burger, milkshake, or hot dog from the list of not so ordinary toppings like a fried egg or neon relish (turns out that’s just regular old pickle relish with neon green food coloring).

I eventually settled on making my own burger: a single patty, grilled diced onions, American cheese, Salt & Vinegar chips, and BurgerFi Sauce (which my friend explained in an extra perky, totally unscripted voice, “Our famous sauce made with mayonnaise and 15 other secret spices”). I also ordered  fresh-cut french fries with Parmesan Cheese & Herbs and a Red Velvet Concrete, which is house-made Vanilla frozen custard blended with a red velvet cupcake.

I didn’t have to wait long for my food after I got my number, which I was very happy about. The food came in a neat little cardboard box and the burger was toweringly large with the “BurgerFi” logo actually branded on the bun. I suppose if I’m paying $6 for a burger it better be more than enough. Not only that, but it was delicious!

The beef was perfectly seasoned, fresh and juicy, the chips gave a good crunch and did not overpower the rest of the burger with the salt & vinegar. The cheese was melty and yummy and it mixed in with the caramelized onions and BurgerFi sauce, which tasted similar to the secret sauce In-N-Out Burger is famous for, but with a little something I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

As a whole the burger was fantastic and not too greasy, which was a concern I normally have. I even almost finished the whole thing, which I hardly ever do. The fries were a hot, perfectly cooked pile of gold sprinkled with green herbs and salty Parmesan. They were one of those snacks that you finish before you even realize it.

To end the meal, I had a thick, rich, creamy Red Velvet Concrete topped with whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles. When they handed over the Concrete, the server flipped it upside down to demonstrate just how thick it was. Let’s just say, don’t try to drink this frozen treat through a straw. My one  grievance: the cake could have been blended in a bit more, but other than that, the red velvety chocolate went really well with the smooth vanilla custard and was the perfect way to end the meal.

From the “secret menu”, to onion rings the size of a small child’s head, to something called the “Purple Cow”, I’ve barely scratched the surface of the BurgerFi dining experience. I highly recommend you stop by when you get the chance. With so many great options, this will surely become your new go to burger stop.

Address: 365 Coneflower Drive, Garland, TX 75040

Open from 11AM – 11PM Daily

Phone number: (972) 530-9750

BurgerFi website

All American Rejects stick with familiar sounds

The new single “The Beekeeper’s Daughter” from The All-American Rejects may be just as much a hit as previously released singles like “Move Along”, but it seems as if the band has lost the one thing that I always saw as unique — their adventurous nature.

Staying with the same, upbeat pop-rock style, there is almost no departure from former releases. The single almost echoes the feeling of their last studio album. This leaves me sensing an air of discomfort and reluctance to change and evolve, something that any band should wholly embrace in order to succeed.

However, to any musician (including myself), there is a fine line between ordinary and pushing the limits. You cannot help but feel a bit of respect for a band who, through everything they’ve been through, can keep making the type of music that they love, regardless of critiques from fellow musicians and disgruntled ex-fans (like me).

It’s clear that, by their reluctance to follow the influence of pop culture in music, they are not only attempting to succeed; they are attempting to create music that portrays who they are and what makes them happy. This, a trait nearly non-existent in most popular bands the last decade, earns them my respect. Beauty is most always in the eye of the beholder, and even though I may not like the particular style of music The All American Rejects finally found comfort playing, they still remain, in my eyes, one of the most talented and influential active bands from the former decade; and, to my dismay, will hopefully continue playing the music that they love.