Summit of Elevation

The next stop on the tour is Elevation Burger. With the slogan "ingredients matter," Elevation Burger prides itself on being an "organic" burger joint. They don't use antibiotics, pesticides or growth promoting hormones. Instead, their cows graze freely on grass pastures...

In 2005, the franchise opened its first burger shop in Falls Church, Virginia. Less than five years later, 11 of the organic burger joints have sprouted up around the country including six in the DMV. Ten more stores are poised to open throughout the country in 2011. According to their website, Elevation Burger plans to open two of these burger joints in DC. We ventured to their National Harbor location during a Saturday evening dinner rush.

The Burger: Organic grass-fed beef... Deli style non-processed cheddar cheese... A bun that compliments the burger rather than competing with it... After taking my first bite, I realized what all of the signs plastered around the eatery where trying to say, THIS BURGER IS REALLY FRESH AND REALLY TASTY! Everything sticks out with the burger: the seemingly unseasoned, but just-butchered meat, the powerful cheddar cheese and the lightly grilled bun. The cheeseburger's Original toppings include Elevation Sauce (mayo-based), two thinly-sliced pickles, tomatoes*, and lettuce. Besides the fact that Elevation Burger doesn't sell bacon, the only gripe might be the diminutive size of the burger. This can be quickly remedied by ordering The Elevation Burger - double the meat and double the cheese. Unfortunately, only the single (bacon) cheeseburger can be judged for this blog.

The "Fresh" Fries: cooked in olive oil, the finger-sized french fries were unskinned. They had just the right amount of salt that no condiment was needed or desired.

Free Fixins: Besides the items that come on the Original (see above), other condiments gratis include caramelized onions, mustard, mayo, raw onions, balsamic mustard and hot pepper relish. Ketchup is the only item placed on each table.

Atmosphere: Signs throughout the burger joint repeatedly remind you that you are eating fresh, organic, grass-fed, meat. Ingredients matter, ingredients matter, ingredients matter... yeah, we get the point.

Cost: The cheeseburger (sans bacon) is $3.99. The fresh fries are $2.59.

Overall: This was the first location where we were compelled enough to eat another burger right away. Was this due to its great taste and freshness or the fact that a large man might consider it a slider? Probably the former.

Burger
The Burger Joint
Good Stuff Eatery
Elevation Burger
Z Burger
Desperados

Fries
The Burger Joint
Elevation Burger
Good Stuff Eatery
Z Burger
Desperados

Free Fixins
Good Stuff Eatery
Z Burger
Elevation Burger
The Burger Joint
Desperados

Atmosphere
The Burger Joint
Good Stuff Eatery
Desperados
Elevation Burger
Z Burger

Cost
Elevation Burger $3.99/$2.59
Z Burger $4.38/$2.59
Desperados $9.50
Good Stuff Eatery $6.69/$3.69
The Burger Joint $8.99/$2.89

Overall
The Burger Joint
Good Stuff Eatery
Elevation Burger
Z Burger
Desperados