Grind Time: Burgers on the Edge [PICS]
Jason Genegabus photos
One of my favorite plate lunch spots disappeared when construction began on what is now Safeway in Kapahulu.
JJ Diner offered a variety of local favorites, including one of the best mochiko chicken plates I’ve ever tasted. Unfortunately, the family that ran the business either wasn’t offered or didn’t pursue an opportunity to reopen after construction had finished.
Now that Safeway is open, I’ve become a fan of their made-to-order sandwich bar (although it can take a really looooooong time for the employees to make a single sandwich). And I guess it’s a good thing that the neighborhood now has a Cold Stone Creamery to call its own.
Earlier this month, Burgers on the Edge joined the lineup, offering gourmet hamburgers, turkey burgers and chicken sandwiches in a casual setting. I’m a big burger fan, so after a few weeks of driving by, the pull got to be just too strong.
But I didn’t realize I would have to spend nearly $20 for a burger, fries and soda.
There’s not much to the restaurant. Walk in, and menu screens are right there above the cashier.
Tip #1: Forget the screens. Grab an order form instead.
With five sandwich choices, 10 different cheeses, a dozen sauces to choose from and 18 available toppings (four choices per order), the possibilities are virtually endless.
I tried to figure out the actual number of combinations, but my math skills need sharpening. Sorry.
I don’t know about you, but I’d rather grab a slip of paper and chill outside instead of standing there like a zombie and staring at the screens. There seems to be less of a chance that the cashier will screw up your order when it’s right there on the paper you’ve given them.
A closer look at one of the screens:
As you can see, the folks behind Formaggio are also responsible for BOTE. Another restaurant, Good to Grill, is set to open in the Safeway complex in the next few months.
So how did I spend close to $20 at a burger joint?
When the menu offers wagyu beef, it’s easy. The Off the Edge ($12.49) is a half-pound slab of meaty goodness, and like everything else on the menu, is served on a Mauna Kea Baking Company roll.
Also available: On the Edge ($8.49), a half-pound burger made with premium ground chuck, plus a turkey burger ($8.49), chicken breast sandwich ($7.99) and portabella mushroom sandwich ($7.49).
Which brings us to our next tip.
Tip #2: Like your burger cooked medium or medium-rare? Consider ordering a chicken sandwich or turkey burger instead.
This is what my burger, fries and soda looked like shortly after I got home (yes, that’s my washing machine – shut up):
Not nearly enough pink for my taste. And when I went back a few days later, I overheard a manager talking with a customer who asked why he couldn’t get his burger cooked that way.
It was company policy, the manager said, to cook burgers until they were well done.
He did, however, take the customer’s name and said BOTE would accomodate their needs on a subsequent visit.
While I enjoyed the bread, bleu cheese and smoked hickory BBQ sauce that came with my burger, the beef was simply too overcooked for my taste. Definitely not worth the $18 and change I was charged.
On Sunday, I decided to follow my hunch that anything but a burger would be better at this place. Instead of standing there like a doofus and letting the cashier talk me into choices I really didn’t want, I filled out an order form and handed it over.
What came back was a tasty mix of grilled chicken, Danish havarti cheese, chipotle honey mustard, tomatoes, greens and last – but definitely not least – a few slabs of apple wood smoked bacon:
Instead of ordering the shoestring fries ($2.69), I opted for sweet potato fries ($4.89) and skipped the medium soda ($1.99).
Grand total the second time around? About $12.50.
But it WAS a pretty good sandwich:
Which brings us to a third tip.
Tip #3: Want to save money at Burgers on the Edge? Skip the sides and drink, and you’ll save at least five bucks – if not more!
My take? BOTE isn’t my first choice for an affordable burger. This place makes Jack in the Box look cheap by comparison.
But if you prefer a gourmet meal and aren’t concerned with cost (or your meat being overcooked), knock yourself out. They’re definitely worth a visit if you can forget about burgers (for now) and go for the chicken or turkey instead.
Will I be back? Maybe, but it’ll be for another chicken sandwich. I won’t order a burger until I’m sure I can get it cooked exactly how I like it.
Burgers on the Edge
890 Kapahulu Ave., Ste. 100
(808) 737-8866
http://www.burgersontheedge.com
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:27 am
Man, you must have been rushing to take a pic on top your washing machine. Burgers don’t look that great, how’s the taste though? Sweet potato fries, tempting to go try them… Menu screens are similar at that salad place in Kahala and Ward.
July 22nd, 2008 at 3:31 pm
I ate there last week wit ha friend, it was about 6pm. I have to tell everyone, that this place sucks. The space is small enough without about five or six workers in white t-shirts trying to help you. Also whats with the fold out table with condiments in front of the front counter? The food wasn’t good at all. The burger was tough and to dense for my taste. The bread was a hybrid of a Ciabata and burger bun that failed miserably because of its ability to suck in all the juicyness from the burger. And while it seems the owners were going for a hip upscale atmosphere, the small packets of condiments belies the truth. You cannot charge such high prices and not make the entire experience a pleasant one. Spend some money on nice condiment holders. Overall I felt bamboozled from the moment I walked in the place. You felt obilgated to order after it took so long for the worker to explain how the system works. It would have felt awkard to leave after that explanation. To me the less complicated the better when it comes to choices on the menu. Also the fact that what seems like investors were hovering outside hoping for a dinner crowd made it even more desperate. Its as if they invested in a venture that they weren’t sure of themselves. They all looked pensive.
July 22nd, 2008 at 3:43 pm
thx for the review Jason!
re: the photo, is that SALT on those sweet potato fries? if it is, I’m wondering how healthy this place can be with all the meat, sauces, cheese, white bread, etc.
Are there any other options for veggie burgers than the ol portabella? Maybe Boca, taro, lentil, Garden, avocado, tofu?–hey stop cringing!–veggie burgers are good! even Zippy’s has 2 kinds.
*ducks over-done patties thrown by disgruntled carnivores*
;~j
July 22nd, 2008 at 3:57 pm
I love FOOD!
I’ll try this place out.
Looks delicious. :)
Love and ALOHA,
Auntie Pupule
July 22nd, 2008 at 4:19 pm
It might be positioned as “gourmet,” but BOTE is still a burger joint. There’s something inherently unhealthy about a place like this.
Other than turkey and portabella, there are no other healthy options. But take a look at the toppings list… maybe they’ll let you substitute more choices for the patty?
From the menu…
Toppings:
Romaine Hearts
Tomato Slices
Mesclun Greens
Sliced Red Onions
Alfalfa Sprouts
Grilled Onions
Dill Pickle Chips
Thin Crispy Onions
Jalapeno Peppers
Portabella Mushroom
Pico de Gallo
Fried Egg
Pineapple Slices
Apple Wood Smoked Bacon
Cranberry Relish
Roasted Red Peppers
Grilled Ham
Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Hope that helps.
Oh… and to answer your other question: I don’t know what that stuff was on the sweet potato fries. Might have been parmesan cheese or garlic salt… I brushed most of it off and just ate the fries plain. Didn’t ask for any of that stuff on them, either. =P
July 22nd, 2008 at 4:20 pm
I think it comes out to a little more than 44 million different choices…this accounts for the 4 different toppings…wow…i’m a geek.
July 23rd, 2008 at 9:35 am
If you want less options and zero customer service, why don’t you eat somewhere else like McDonalds? Hell, they don’t even speak english there. And I also saw the stakeholders outside. That just means they care. You must be a corporate monkey from the continental US thats all just about the bottom line.
July 23rd, 2008 at 9:37 am
I actually ate the sweet potato fries. And that’s not salt, it’s parmesan cheese and basil. They’re really good. But I have to admit, it’s not the best place to get to-go orders. I recommend you dine-in.
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:21 am
ah thx thx Jason
maybe there is a separate form for substitutions? lol I hate paperwork. =\
July 25th, 2008 at 6:11 am
Jason…at least the burger came with a massage too…WHAT? NO MASSAGE! Then $20 is steep for burgers, fries and a drink.
July 26th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Hey, guys. If you want healthy what are you doing at a burger joint?? sorry, gourmet products made in smaller quantities just cost more. There are LOTS of other cheap fast food choices with questionable food “products” if you want cheap.
The management probably wants to serve “cooked” meat to avoid that nasty e-coli that undercooked can bring you (and has in the U.S.).
This place seems well worth a try.