Review: Elevation Burger Kirby Drive (Grand Opening)

"Ingredients Matter" is the tagline for the limited run, high end burger company known as Elevation Burger.  According to their website, founder Hans Hess was having trouble finding a burger similar to ones he'd had in California after moving away from their about a decade ago.  This spurred him on to create a burger that was full of good flavour, was healthier for the customer, was environmentally friendly and produced in a sustainable fashion.  In fact their burgers are 100% organic, grass fed, free range beef.  Their fries are cooked in 100% olive oil.  And they use real Cheddar Cheese, no plasticky, rennet-custard imitation cheese here   Elevation Burger opened its first location in 2005 and began franchising in 2008 as a result of Hess's creativity and action.   Elevation burger opened in Austin in 2011 and is now opening its first Houston location on Halloween, 2012.

I made some arrangements and high-tailed it over to Kirby Drive and 59 to check it out for a Halloween lunch.  Turned out to be a good call for sure!  After perusing the menu I chose a Half the Guilt Burger--one beef patty, one veggie patty--had it with cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, organic bacon, caramelized onions and Elevation Sauce.  I had it with an order of fries and enjoyed a Fanta Cherry soda from their Coca-Cola Freestyle Machine.  First of all this was a very good burger.  The thin beef patty was meaty and juicy--reminded me a little of In-N-Out, as did the Elevation sauce.  The veggie patty was somewhat like a Boca Patty--grainy, cheesy, good texture and flavour.  The veggies were very fresh as well and I liked the Elevation sauce quite well.  The fries were an interesting hybrid of shoestring and natural cut--with the distinct twang of olive oil giving them extra flavour.  I was also glad that the food wasn't too salty tasting either--I think at times we get too used to food being oversalted and this was a fresh change of taste that I liked quite well.

Report Card for Elevation Burger Kirby Drive:
Food:
     Half the Guilt Burger: A
     Fries: A
Service:
     Speed:  A-
     Friendliness: A
Atmosphere: Organic, Efficient: A
Cleanliness:
     Dining Room; A
     Men's Room: A
Overall Grade: A

Elevation Burger to me had a feel that was like a mix of several places--some of it like In-N-Out Burger, some of it like Steak-n-Shake, some of it like Jerry Built Burgers and some of it like Freddy's Frozen custard.  And yet despite those similarities it is also its own unique place as well.  It's a good fit in the Houston area and I honestly think that they will do well at Kirby to be sure.

Elevation Burger is located at:
3819 Kirby Drive
 Houston, TX 77098
Hours of Operation
Mon-Sun  11 AM to 9 PM

And remember to Eat Happy, Y'all!!!
早安，你们!!!