Author: Artsy Chow Roamer

What to Get at Culver’s

BUTTER BURGER

Ever since the first McDonalds opened it’s doors in 1955, man has been trying to perfect fast food. Culver’s may have done it with their Butter Burger. It all started In a place called Sauk City, Wisconsin but they are spreading fast. This post will explain why and give you all the info on this spot with better burgers.

Having watched the stone exterior rise in Jasper, GA we thought it was the rumored arrival of a Longhorn Steakhouse. But when the well known blue awnings appeared we realized it was another Culver’s (we also have one in nearby Dawsonville). So just what was all the fuss about we wondered as the cars began piling in and waiting in the take out lanes.

MODERN MEETS RUSTIC FOR UPSCALE FEEL

It does not feel like any of the top places even after trotting out their new designs of late. The modern meets rustic approach at Culver’s is supposed to feel more upscale and it does. The menus are large and easy to read with their clean blue and white graphics.

Special to Culver’s prints work well for the artwork while contemporary light fixtures and offset ceiling designs provide interest and coziness. Patterned glass panels above three quarter walls help to hide areas that can be noisy or messy. Take your pick of high tops or low top seating with comfortable chairs. The servers seem to make sure you won’t have to look at any dirty tables either.

PLACE YOUR ORDER

You have a lot of choices. Meat, fish or chicken. Sandwiches or meals with sides. Soups or salads. On a diet or watching calories? Over 20 meals promise to be 500 calories or less. Once you narrow down what you want the questions begin.

Like say you want a burger; well which kind do you want? Is that a single, double or triple of that fresh, never frozen, nicely seared meat? Want bacon? Some grilled onions? Cheese? Swiss or cheddar? How about mushrooms? Anything else on that lightly toasted buttery bun? Which sides do you want? Crinkle fries, onion rings or tots? I know…..decisions decisions!

MAKE THAT A SINGLE PLEASE

Since we were there to do research on burgers that was our main focus and the pick of the day. I took a single with cheddar and everything offered with crispy fried onion rings. My husband decided on a single with bacon and grilled onions and a side of crinkle fries.

Once you order you get your cups for drinks and a little number thingy for your table. Because Culver’s is cooking everything fresh to order it takes a little longer than standing in line at the other places. You go to the drink station and get your choice as well as any ketchup in a cup from a pump thank you. No little plastic packages to tear open.

It wasn’t very long before a server drifted over looking for our number and set the tray down asking if we needed anything. I asked for lemon for the tea and she hurried back with some freshly cut wedges in a small cup. Hmmm….I’m liking this approach.

SEARED AND FRIED CRISPY

Our burgers simply melted in the mouth. They were seared crispy around the edges and juicy. What is the secret to the taste? Most folks think they put butter in the meat. I am not sure but it is good meat and the bun has a great toast that captures the juice and just makes it perfect.

The crinkle fries are better than any fries you will get at any of those other spots (ya know who I mean). They are crisped to perfection on the outside and soft on the inside as they were meant to be. The onion rings are perfect; the kind that you can bite off and NOT pull the entire sting of onion out of the coating. That is the test for rings at their best.

I am not sure how anybody eats a double or a triple. We found that a single with a side was more than enough to eat at one sitting. We didn’t even have room for dessert but there are certainly great choices if you do.

GOT ROOM FOR DESSERT?

Another thing Culver’s is known for is making their own Flavor of the Day ice creams, fresh frozen custards, shakes, malts and floats. Old school tastes and recipes that remind you what used to be served in the family owned fountain counters inside the drugstores (well to hear my grandmother tell it).

You can drop in anytime for a little sweet pick me up in a cup, cone or dish. You can even grab a small container from the fridge and take it home with you for later. A good variety of flavors are on offer along with six shakes, several different malts and a classic root beer float.

WHAT IF I DON’T WANT A BURGER?

As offered earlier in this review, you can pick chicken or fish. Culver’s chickens are raised humanely without antibiotics and with a fresh healthy diet. They are crispy outside and moist inside. You can grab ‘em as sandwiches or tenders with two varieties of each. If fried isn’t your thing, get it grilled.

Rather have seafood? You can pick from fried shrimp, North Atlantic Cod or Northwoods Walleye. You can have them as sandwiches or make a dinner plate with fries, slaw and a roll. And may I say that I am picky about any fishy smells within a restaurant that serves it. There was absolutely no smell when seafood plates were coming out. Another check in the box for me!

Lastly, if you still haven’t found what you wanted, maybe you should try the soups and salad. Hearty types like your Grandma would make are super on a cold day with a nice crisp salad. They offer some great dressings and sauces that are freshly made and not packaged.

You really do have the best to choose from within their menu. And don’t even get me started on the homestyle favorites like pot roast, chopped steak, pork tenderloin and reubens. I like their stories on the website too. Everything comes across as homey and friendly just like your favorite place to hang in your old hometown. They also support agricultural education in a big way.

CONCLUSION

So there you go. You now have the full story on what to get at Culver’s. Yes, it could be a Butter Burger but it can be a lot of other things too. All will be great, served up fresh and friendly in a place that doesn’t feel much like any fast food joint you ever ate in before.

Get out there and give it a try. Tell ‘em I sent ya! I hope you enjoyed reading this review. You might also want to take a look at Edible Fare to read other blogs on food along with restaurant reviews. Hey, don’t be a stranger! Let me hear about your burger and where I should go next. Until then…

Cheers,

ArtsyChowRoamer

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