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BurgerFi
1902 South University Drive Davie,
Fla. 33324
This burger joint is right around the corner from NSU and is all about the all-natural burger. They don’t call their food “farm to tray” for nothing. I always have the BurgerFi Cheeseburger, sometimes with the BurgerFi “accessories,” as they call it, and sometimes without. These accessories are the black and white shake and fresh-cut fries. It all depends on my mood that day.
The burger is made with all-natural beef and tastes great and unbelievably fresh — from the melted cheese that makes you want to thank the cow it came from, to the crisp tomato and lettuce that I could swear is harvested fresh every morning. BurgerFi also adds a bit of edge with its logo branded right into the bun.
But one of the downsides to BurgerFi is that the BurgerFi Cheeseburger is a little on the pricy side, costing $8 to $9. The burgers are also on the smaller side. If I am going to go out for a burger, I need it to be satisfying. When I am done eating a great burger, I should want more because it tastes so good — not because it was so little that I am still hungry.
I would recommend this burger joint for its great service, great cookies and cream frozen custard shake. Even though the burgers are small, they still taste great, so I give BurgerFi a four out of five.
Shake Shack
1111 Lincoln Road Miami Beach,
Fla. 33139
Shake Shack is trying hard to be BurgerFi’s competition; not only is it within the same price range, but its burgers and buns taste and look very similar. Shake Shack also emphasizes the all-natural burger and has specialty shakes on the menu, like a black and white milk shake. Both places have servers who are always smiling and they both have distinct metallic futuristic vibes.
The only real difference would have to be the way they brand themselves and the names they give their house items; BurgerFi has the BurgerFi Burger and Shack Shake has the Shack Burger, which is what I’ve ordered. Shake Shack has its special Shack sauce while BurgerFi has its BurgerFi sauce, and the sauce ingredients remain a mystery. What I can’t shake is the feeling that Shake Shack is an impersonator. If I had to choose between the two, I would go for BurgerFi every time. Sorry, Shake Shack. It’s going to have to be a three from me.
5 Napkin Burger
455 Lincoln Road Miami,
Fla. 33139
This joint is casual but high-end and has that authentic South Beach come-hither vibe. The food is pretty expensive because it is considered gourmet: the Original 5 Napkin Burger is $17.
The best time to go to 5 Napkin is during happy hour, Mondays through Fridays 4 to 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. to midnight. The bartender will always chat you up and make you laugh. You don’t have to be 21 to eat the specialty mini 100-percent-ground-chuck sliders. Those bad boys cost $2 each and are amazing. They are amazing in a way that makes you close your eyes and say “yum” but also in a way that makes you close your eyes and say “Thank the Lord I did not pay 17 bucks for this delicious burger.” Unless you pig out and order 10 of them. I give this burger joint 4 out of 5, easy. Amen.
Smashburger
5975 N. Federal Highway, Suite 103-104
Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. 33308
So far in my burger joint trips, Smashburger tops them all and takes the cake — or would it be burger? Their $7 Big Smash Bacon Cheeseburger is melt-in-your-mouth, over-the-top juicy and surprisingly affordable, leaving you wanting more — even though the burger has completely satisfied you.
I also go all out by ordering the Smash fries, which are tossed in rosemary, olive oil and garlic, and the premium Haagen-Dazs Oreo milkshake that leaves me speechless. The service is speedy, warm and welcoming and I felt right at home. The space seems small on the outside but it is surprisingly big inside and the mouth-watering smell hits you as soon as you walk in — or float in, as I did.
Each burger joint has its pros and cons, and I am a lucky to have eaten at all of them. BurgerFi has the original and edgy factor that Shake Shack lacks, while 5 Napkin makes you feel a little too fancy-shmancy with its pricy burgers. Plus, 5 Napkin’s milkshakes are only on the kids menu, which seems unfair; milkshakes are for grown-ups too. Four of these restaurants are order-at-the-counter but 5 Napkin and Smashburger bring food to you.
I crown Smashburger as “The Best Burger Joint in Town” because of its all-around “yum factor,” from the food to the atmosphere to the hip background music they play. But now it’s your turn to choose. Grab some friends, wear some loose pants and may the best burger joint win.
