Deluxe Burger located in the Depot, off of Dickson and West, falls into the latter category. It's casual enough for lunch, but also stately enough for dinner. When you walk into their nicely cool dining room, catch a glimpse of the high ceilings, it lulls you into a happy place, preparing you for some good eating. So, why don't we get to it? How does Deluxe Burger stack up in the beef hierarchy?
Our rating system is structured within four primary categories: Atmosphere, Food, Lunch Bargain, and Service. We base our scores out of a possible ten points per category--typical stuff, we know. But this is where our ratings diverge! Sure, we count up the numbers, but they don't have so much to do with the restaurant's overall score. That, friends, is our pride and joy: a celebrity tribute, where we define a restaurant's personality with a famous person's name. Cool, huh? Ya, we know. |
Recycling, the act of discovering new uses for old things, is super hip, is it not? No, we're not referring solely to dumping your plastics into the correct bin, though Mother Nature thanks you. Thrift stores (Macklemore's claim to fame), refurbished furniture, watching episodes of Three's Company as if they're still relevant. All recycling.
Nestled within that craze, Deluxe Burger is the hippest place not to be a hammock, hanging in a Fayettechill store, with a mustachioed biker/basket weaver taking a nap inside. But as a re-modified train station, with high ceilings, brick walls converging onto wood paneling, and a tidy bar, there's no denying Deluxe Burger is hip.
TVs are spaced out on the walls, not too many, making it easy to check the score on a date without being inconsiderate. While the weather remains pleasant, their outdoor seating looks out upon the Depot and Dickson street, comfortably close to the parking lot. There's plenty of room, inside and out, a testament to Deluxe's management. Because this odd cube-of-a-building has the potential of being an architect's migraine. In short, Deluxe Burger is hip. It could've been a normal sports bar...but that's, like, so early 2000s. SCORE 7.5/10
We believe bathrooms are crucial enough to be a subcategory of Atmosphere, deserving of its own score. Our resident dandy, Harvey, reports that Deluxe's bathrooms are not quite up to the standard upheld by the rest of the restaurant. Specifically, they are "not the most inviting, and a little untidy", though spacious enough for the single patron. A quick fix, but important nonetheless. SCORE 5/10
"Deluxe" is not a word to be casually thrown about. When you're a higher-end burger joint in any city, let alone a college town, expectations for quality must be high. That's why an Englishman, a Chinese Man, and an Indian respect Deluxe Burger's brass choice of name.
But there's no truer test of a burger's quality than to sink your teeth into it. So, Harvey retired to the beach with his Aloha burger (Swiss cheese, bacon, pineapples, teriyaki sauce) and a side salad. Qi had Tucson on his mind as he ordered the Arizona burger (Pepper Jack cheese, green chillies, avocado, aioli) topped with a juicy fried egg and a side of fries. While, Mike's B.B.O burger (bleu cheese, bacon, grilled onions) and side salad were his ticket to old Paris.
How went our flavorful getaways, you ask? Well, the burgers were well-cooked, lush without being greasy, with perfectly melted cheese on top. The brioche-style buns were buttered and toasted where grilled, soft (a tad too soft) within, but pleasantly fluffy without, Harvey and Mike agree that the side salads, romaine and red lettuce, are a big step up from everyday iceberg. Though Qi convinced them of his superiority, or the superiority of his french fries, that is. Crispy outer layers, warm chewable insides, all from a scrumptious, peppery batter. SCORE 8/10
Qi's Side As precursor to the wonderful fries, Qi ordered the beer battered Onion Rings. These weren't your average onion rings, oh no; Qi scoffs at Sonic's deep-fried imitations, furrows his brow at cheap tater tots and (cough) cheese sticks, Right now, we're talking thickly battered rings, sweet and peppery, with grilled onions just asking to break from their shell. Combined with their zesty dipping sauce, these rings held the taste and consistency of an onion blossom, except in a much more manageable size. Plus, for three to four people, there's plenty to go around. Try 'em and inspire awe! |
Deluxe Burger has some tasty burgers, ain't no doubt about it, and the prices aren't too bad, either. However, there's one hole in their menu, in need of a lunch value. While having no lunch menu helps to maintain simple, straightforward options for the casual diner, adding incentives for lunch can be an absolute boon for business. At Faylunchin, we're always looking for creative menus and good deals, and Deluxe Burger has a golden opportunity to do just that.
Aside from a lack of lunch value, a tasty burger (single patty) cost us around $8, while the onion rings was an additional $4. To add an additional burger patty is only $1.50 extra. Not bad. Qi, with the addition of a soft drink and fried egg, spent the most, roughly $14 not including tip. SCORE 5/10
Our server was efficient and attentive, starting off very strong by filling our drinks and asking if we had any questions. Due to his diligence, our appetizer was out in just over 5 minutes, and the entrees came out steaming, less than 15 minutes later.
Harvey has a rule of thumb, though, something he's repeated upon our last few visits. Admittedly, it's growing on Mike and Qi, as well: Readers, keep an eye out for when your checks are being delivered. If delivered when there are still plates on the table, or if anyone is still working on their meal, we see that as room for improvement. Conversely, if the plates are all cleared, and everyone is contentedly fed before the checks are passed, well that's a bonus point.
Unfortunately, on this day the plates were still down when the checks were delivered. That doesn't take away from our server's overall performance, not at all. But it would've been a feather in his cap! SCORE 7/10
Deluxe Burger falls comfortably into the diner burger category. The burgers are wonderful, the atmosphere is casual, and there's room for improvement, just a smidgen. If there wasn't, well that'd make it a fine dining establishment, would it not?
One take away that an Englishman, a Chinese man, and Indian all agree on: Deluxe burger is a hip place (call it hipster, if you like). And hip means trendy, accepted, cool daddy yo. We had to find a celebrity who fits into the cool scene, but could also get down with a juicy burger. After a short pause, very short by our standards, the choice was clear. Peeps, the Faylunchin trio awards Deluxe Burger the overall score of....
We think that if Chris were to join us at Deluxe Burger, he'd probably have something leaner, something like the 'Shroom. But the Andy Dwyer in him might just surprise us with a double Southerner with extra pimento cheese!
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