Whole Burgers

Supermarket killed the local mom-and-pop food locale. Or something like that. Once upon a time, you might get your food by going to butcher here, or some farmer dispensing veggies there. Who knows? This was far before my time, and all I've known are supermarkets.

Supermarkets are big business, and unlike, say, Macy's or Nordstrom's, there aren't many supermarkets reaching for the high end. Indeed, places like Shopper's reach for the low-end. Whole Foods and places like it (Trader Joe's) are trying to reach for the more discriminating market, in particular, folks for a hankering for organic foods. The idea is that supermarkets sell cheap, inferior food, while places like Whole Foods sell higher quality food.

Burgers used to be like supermarkets. If you asked someone what they thought about burgers, they'd refer you to McDonald's or Burger King or Wendy's. Not exactly stellar examples of burgers.

Now there's a market for high-end burgers, which sounds almost ludicrous, like high-end hot dogs or high-end soul food. But people would tell you that a backyard burger made on some Memorial Day weekend was far better than a burger you'd get at the golden arches.

But here comes Five Guys, a chain in the DC area, or Fuddrucker's, or Cheeburger Cheeburger.

I decided to give Urban Burger a try. Apparently, there is some chain by that name, but this one is an offshoot of Urban BBQ. There's some irony in the name Urban Burger, since it's situated in one of those mini strip-malls that seem to dot the suburban landscape. Somehow, Suburban Burger doesn't quite cut it, sounding like soccer moms, and cookie cutter housing for the 2.5 kid family. Urban sounds hip, rough, edgy. Something you'd want in a burger, right?

Of course, any reasonable burger place has to realize not everyone likes beef, nor chicken, nor even meat, and so Urban Burger gives you all three (beef, chicken, veggie) as choices, and a choice of sauce, and toppings. The burgers are physically bigger than the ones you find at Five Guys, but then, they cost more too. You're likely to spend about 7.50 on a burger, then add drink and a side, and you're over ten bucks.

I had an Angus burger topped with a two-alarm chili, which as far as chilis go, was pretty mild. Still, compared the Urban BBQ, which is a tiny place, Urban Burger is more spacious, so I could spread out a copy of the Post, while watching some sports out of the corner of my eye.

You know how it is. Another week and there's March Madness.

I'm not what you'd call a burger guy. I eat Five Guys, and it's fine. I don't feel the need to go out when I'm not with company. I might do the same with Urban Burger, though it falls more in line with what I want in a burger (more choices or non-burgers). I know there's the mantra to do one thing and one thing well, but I want a few choices, even at a burger place.

So if you're ever up in the Rockville area, give it a try. There's even a wine and beer store nearby that's open on Sundays, as I got some Dogfish Head there (a bit pricey, alas). You can't beat being able to buy alcohol on a Sunday.