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Fast Food Done Right at Elevation Burger
Saturday night we had some friends visiting, so I thought it was the perfect time to try out a new fast food restaurant near our apartment. Yes, you read that right. I brought my friends to a fast food restaurant.
I saw Elevation Burger being built earlier this summer. I assumed it was a standard fast food burger place and thought the location was a bit strange given the progressive, trendy area it’s in. A fast food burger place doesn’t really fit in on Bloomfield Ave. in Montclair. So, I went home and read about it online. I was impressed with the mission and goals of the restaurant and was confident it would be good.
You see, at Elevation Burger “Ingredients Matter.”
It’s a burger place with more vegetarian options than meat options (two kinds of veggie burgers. grilled cheese and salads) and French Fries cooked in Olive Oil. And the beef they do serve is organic, grass fed and free range. It’s a fast food restaurant with bamboo floors and ceilings that is committed to the environment and sustainability.
We ordered at the counter and 10 minutes later were enjoying our greasy burgers that arrived swaddled in paper in neat metal trays.
I chose Veggie Burger #2, a vegan burger reminiscent of a larger and heartier Veggie Medley Garden Burger. It came on a light and fluffy light roll and I asked for lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and caramelized onions.
I added ketchup.
I wouldn’t say that my actual burger was out of this world in the taste department, but it was definitely better than some I’ve gotten at restaurants. My only criticism was the lack of whole wheat buns. What’s up with that? You can, however, get your burger on lettuce instead of bread!
Mark and I also shared some fries. I couldn’t taste the olive oil, but they were not greasy or salty at all.
My non-vegetarian friends also ordered Veggie Burger #1s. They both loved it and I was so happy for them! They’ve both had nasty frozen veggie burgers before and agreed that these were much better.
Also at our party was a Grilled Cheese.
And 3 of the Mini Chocolate Chip Pecan Oatmeal Cookies. Oh my god these were phenomenal. They were soft, chewy, delicious and the perfect size! I loved it!
I felt happy eating my food. Small changes can add up and make a difference. There were a lot of little kids with their families and I was thinking about how interesting and different their “burger and fries” experiece and memories. would be. Progress.
This food looks so delicious! Especially the cooking!
That place looks awesome. There’s a chain in Boston like that, and I love to go in to get quick and healthy food. That’s weird about the whole wheat buns, though. I was kind of wondering why it was on white thinking a place like that must have whole wheat and then I read that
That sounds like a really cool place. I would much rather my future kids eat at a burger and fries place like that than the alternative.
I wish all fast food was like this! It looks like an awesome place. I would be torn between the veggie burger and a beef burger. The fries would definitely be in the equation, though.
Wow! A fast food place with veggie burgers — that sounds like fun! I will have to try that the next time I am in NJ. This might be added to my list of Reasons Why I Should Move Back to NJ…
What a neat place – good to see restaurants working toward sustainability in both ingredients & decor! I agree about the lack of WW buns though – you’d think they’d offer things in a wrap or WW buns to get with the healthier times, but maybe they’ll become an addition later on. In Tampa there’s a great fast food place called Evos that sells healthier burgers and has great veggie burgers and “air fries” – I love it!
Oh that place looks really tasty! I love build your own burger type of things. But odd about the WW buns. Usually places that offer veggie burgers offer them on WW. Recommend them!
That place sounds great. One small step towards a McDonald’s free world? Probably not, but here’s hopin
Ohh I wish we had a place like this near me! Looks really good. I am not much of a red meat fan, but once in a while you just can’t beat a good burger :O). And that cookie looks phenom!
I’m so jealous of that place!!
My co-worker just moved to Montclair and she raves and raves about that place!
YUM! That place looks wonderful! When I see ya’ll post cool places to eat – it makes me hate Cleveland even more. My choices for bugers are McD and BK – barf, and barf!
Glad you felt good eating your food!
That looks awesome! It all looks super good though!
There’s a place down the street called Terra Burger and it’s kinda the same thing (orangic type fast food burger joint). I keep meaning to try it.
I quit chain fast food in 2006, but I’ll still occasionally eat a burger from local burger joint where it tastes like real food and not plastic.
The exterior of the building reminds me of Starbucks! That place sounds great but it is pretty odd they don’t have whole wheat buns. Great find
very cool place! its a fast food place with bamboo floors and ceilings, that must have added a very nice touch!
just found your blog, its awesome!
there is a place here in boston called UFOOD grill that is known for being more of a ‘healthy fast food place’ it doesnt look as good as this place though!
I might have to check this place out, do you know if the veg burgers are vegan?? Have you gone to the Whole Foods in West Orange, there is a diner inside and the veggie burger is soooooo gooooood!
Wow, that place looks great!! I’m jealous!
What a fun place! Those cookies look mouthwatering!
Wow, a fast food joint with veggie burgers?! Sweet deal. The cookies look gooood
[...] am officially adding this post from Hangry Pants to my list of Reasons Why I Should Move Back to NJ. Monclair, NJ has an Elevation Burger. What is [...]
Mmmmm I love places like this! There are fewer good ones in NYC–but DC has some great “healthy fast food” places. All in favor of a state law mandating healthy fast food restaurants…. haha
That place looks really cool! Love their food philosophy too. After volunteering/subbing in different childcare situations over the year, I definitely give two thumbs up to changing the way kids eat and view fast food!!!!
That’s awesome! Organic, healthier burger and fries restaurants are a great idea! Hopefully we’ll continue to see more of them … but I agree, I think a whole what bun should be offered … kinda weird that it’s not?
Looks great! Where in New York is it?
Very nice! Fast food with a bit of a conscience
Wow that is great to see a new side of fast food! I am glad to see they care about the environment and offer good food!
I love your comment at the end about kids and their experiences with fast food… let’s hope that in the future kids see McDonald’s for the crap that it is, and that school lunches in the future are filled with fresh veggies and vegetarian options for those who want it!
Speaking of, I’m giving away a one year’s subscription to Vegetarian Times Magazine on my blog, if you are interested!
Are you trying to convince us NY’ers that Jersey isn’t so bad after all??? If that’s the case then, its working! This place would be perfect for me and the Husband. He loves his meat he’s been making progress with his eating habits as well.
Nadia: It’s in Montclair, NJ.
that burger place sounds amazing! i would have gotten the veggie burger as well, looks so yummy
jenna
What a fantastic spin on fast food!
loving the caramelized onions and the grilled cheese. MMMMMMMMMMM. Just ate a plate of straight-from-the-oven chocolate chip cookies. will keep the rest away from Brady.
What a fab place! It reminds me a lot of a place down here called Evos–they have like 5 different kinds of ketchup and veggie burgers!
hhmm…very cool. i have yet to see/hear of this place. but i hope one comes by me soon.
an organic fast food place!? sign me up.
those french fries are totally calling my name!
Seems like a awesome place! Btw, you always do really nice reviews of restaurants, and it makes the reader really want to go there! Thanks!
That burger looks so delicious. I’m no vegetarian, but I would definitely give it a try!
Wow, it looks so modern and shiny…definetely a place I would like to try! And I’m intrigued by the frying in olive oil…sounds like a good alternative to god only knows what most other restaurants are using.
Courtney
Adventures in Tri-ing
That’s so cool! It seems like a lot of fast food chains are popping up that focus on organic ingredients- we have a salad bar and a taco joint that both feature organic and vegetarian foods. A burger place would be PERFECT.
Those cookies look gooooood
AWESOME!!!!!! I would totally eat at THAT fast food place… and I would HAPPILY bring my kids. I heard Burger King had a veggie burger. Do you, or anyone reading this know if they still do?? You’re right… it’s progress….. Maybe this country really IS changing its ways (slowly but surely)!
-A
Elevation Burger looks so cool, I can’t wait to try it out! I adore Montclair and love more reasons to eat there (Veggie Heaven, Cuban Pete’s… yummmmm.)
This is such a fun post, and looks like a fun little place!
Craving me some Elevation Burger right now. and those cookies.. YUM
What a cool restaurant! Everything you had looks soo good!