A burger at the Florida chain Lindburgers tastes just like what I remember from backyard barbecues growing up. The meat is charred all over, which, back then, was the result of wind and flare-ups and the amateur grill master pressing the patties down on the grill with aplomb. At Lindburgers, the charred exterior lends the sandwich a smoky, caramelized flavor.
The burger is seven ounces large and cooked to your liking -- you can upgrade to a 10-ounce burger for only $.99 more. The meat tastes fresh and beefy and has a firm texture. Lindburger's buns are quality, too. The sturdy rolls are toasted on the inside, though I find if you upgrade to 10 ounces of meat they don't hold up as well.
The chain of restaurants has been around for more than 25 years, and there are now nine locations in Florida. I most recently ate at the Boynton Beach Lindburgers. The restaurant is lined with two rows of deep booths on either wall that feel snug and private when you slip into them. The wait staff is generally young and friendly.
The chain's claim to fame is its selection of "50 burgers," which you can mull over for some time on the laminate menus they hand out when you are seated. Fifty different burgers does sound like a lot to choose from, but after a few minutes, you'll realize many of the choices are nearly identical. One burger may come with onions and mushrooms; another has onions, mushrooms, and bacon (the above Delray Beach burger). That's hardly a difference worth calling it a separate burger. They even have a separate entry for one with onion, lettuce, tomato, and cheese. Maybe 25 years ago, this could pass as 50 different burgers, but diners these days are used to creative options and multiple toppings almost everywhere they go. In terms of selection, Lindburgers' pales in comparison to what's offered at Charm City, for example.
Still, for an inexpensive burger (most under $8) that reminds you of backyard grill-outs of yore, Lindburgers is a decent option. And I really like how you can get your burger with a foil-wrapped baked potato, served with a cold tube of Daisy sour cream and a few packets of sweet butter. That's a classic that will never go out of style.
Lindburgers
1709 N. Congress Ave., Boynton Beach 33426
561-369-5500
lindburgers.com
