BurgerFi serves natural beef in cool setting
Lights hang from meat hooks attached to beams. A large, almost-helicopter-like ceiling fan turns slowly as customers below line up this weekday lunch hour near eco-friendly, brushed-metal top tables.
The inside of the new BurgerFi in North Naples creates a modern industrial feel, and the food part of the equation seems equally forward-thinking: natural Angus beef with no hormones or antibiotics.
And the place - its second Naples-area location - appeared to be an early hit this mid-August afternoon as customers queued up to wait up to 10 minutes for food. BurgerFi had opened in the southern end of the Creekside Corners leg fronting Goodlette-Frank, just off Immokalee Road, about a week earlier and the wait showed that it still has some growing pains.
Myself and two dining companions checked it out and found another wait after ordering of about a half hour. But in fairness, the place is new and still needs to address such issues. And a manager visited our table and, upon hearing about our wait, offered coupons for our next visit.
When the food arrived, it looked flavorful and unique with "BurgerFi" branded atop our hamburger buns. My choice, the Breakfast All-Day Burger ($7.87), combined my love of the first-day food with hamburger. It featured American cheese, bacon, maple syrup, a fried egg, a hash brown, grilled onions and ketchup.
It was cool to watch the yellow yolk ooze out of the burger during my first bite, which meant a napkin was needed per bite. And biting into it, I was half-expecting to taste a summer barbecue mixed with a Waffle House breakfast special. The hash brown patty seemed a bit greasy.
Even so, everything except the burger proved tasty, though, and one of my dining companions echoed my thoughts with her food. As she said, the flavor of her BurgerFi Burger was mainly everything except the meat itself.
Our third co-Filot thought differently. He ordered The CEO burger, two all-beef patties made of a Wagyu and brisket blend topped with aged Swiss cheese, house-made candied bacon-tomato jam, and truffle aioli. At $9.97, the top-of-the-line burger has a certain air of importance about it.
The prime blend of meats was juicy and tasty. Its unique combination with the special tomato jam, cheese and truffle oil creates a sophisticated taste.
The hand-cut fries were flavorful with just the right amount of salt. Even the fries that appeared over-fried were good. A large order ($4.77) easily serves two or three people, but they also may be ordered in regular ($3.47) and family ($6.97) sizes.
The onion rings ($4.67 for regular; $5.67 for large) are huge, crispy and golden brown. Diners wanting to sample both the fries and rings can order “Cry + Fry” for $5.67.
Vanilla, chocolate or vanilla-chocolate swirl custard can be served in a cup ($3.97/$4.97) or whipped into concretes ($5.57) or floats and shakes ($4.47). My dining companion’s coffee mocha shake tasted almost like an iced coffee drink. The thick drink included chocolate syrup, whipped cream and sprinkles.
BurgerFi also serves alcohol on tap, with six beer and four wine options.
The bustling place makes for a unique dining experience, as workers yell "Welcome to BurgerFi" and answer themselves with "All natural." The fries and onion rings especially are worth the trip, and the attentive staff makes patrons feel at home.
3.5 forks
IF YOU GO
BURGERFI
What: Fast-casual restaurant that also serves beer and wine.
Where: 1514 Immokalee Road, Naples 34110
Prices: Sides: onion rings ($4.97) to family-size hand-cut fries ($6.97); burgers ($6.17-$9.97); hot dogs ($3.97-$4.97); custard floats, shakes, "concretes" and cups ($3.97-$5.57)
Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
More information: burgerfi.com and