Exit133

February 13, 2009 · Nathe

Burgerville Moving North!

“OH MY GAWD!”

That was the reaction of at least one rather excited Exit133 writer when they saw the news that Burgerville is looking toward Tacoma in the very near future. If you aren’t familiar with Burgerville, well, lets just say they source local sustainable ingredients. All the restaurants are wind powered. AND the empolyees get health benefits. Not bad for fast food.

Dan Voelpel lays out the story. Their closest current location is in Centralia. They are now looking toward Seattle/Tacoma/Olympia for expansion opportunities. We know of several Tacomans – including one in the story and one Exit133 person jumping up and down – that choose road trips by their proximity to Burgerville.

I may need to rethink my rule about eating in the car.

Link to The News Tribune

28 comments

  • drizell February 13, 2009

    For vegetarians, they have the best spicy black bean burger in fast food. Also, their rotating line of seasonal milkshakes using locally grown berries and fruits do hit the spot. The Burgerville in Centralia was once a pleasant one-mile walk away. Oh how I miss those days!

  • Nicole February 13, 2009

    HOORAY! I was just dreaming of Burgerville the other day…and voila! Happy news!
    Yummy burgers and the pumpkin shakes are fabulous!
    Please please please let them start with a Tacoma location.

  • Elliot February 13, 2009

    Oh man, I’m an ex-Portlander – Burgerville is completely dope. Completely.

  • Thorax O'Tool February 13, 2009

    Have not heard of them before.

    But being native to our left West Coast, I’ll gladly welcome them over Carl Jr’s any day.

    You hear me Carl? Get back to your side of the continental divide.

  • Jesse February 14, 2009

    I am a native Vancouver-ite (the Portland suburb not maple leaf hoser-land eh)and I know BV has the BEST shakes ever. Thier burgers are ok – not nearly as good as Frisco Freeze but you will end up craving them once you’ve tried them I promise.

    They use high fat soft-serve ice cream at 4% fat as opposed to 2% at McDonalds and Dairy Queen… (yes, I ask these stupid questions) and it makes thier shakes the BEST!

    Next Portland transplant: McMenamins please.

  • tacomachickadee February 14, 2009

    I love that everyone has a favorite. Different people, different tastes means an interesting world. It’s amazing how even in the burger world, there can be so many different kinds. Me? I grew up with Burgerville in my little hometown, and it continues to be more than a sentimental favorite. The yummy food, the scrumptious seasonal items that make you dream lustily for your favorite BV month to roll around, the local food focus (even their eggs are cage-free from Yelm!), the ethical business practices … it’s the full package. Something I will be VERY happy to see head a tiny bit further north. It will still be “inconveniently located for most of America.” :)

  • crenshaw sepulveda February 14, 2009

    How can Olympia get a McMenamins and Tacoma is still going around with her hat in her hand? It is a bad enough insult that McMenamins set up shop in Centralia. What next, a McMenamins in Federal Way or Fife?

  • altered Chords February 14, 2009

    How many different burger joints do we need?

    Dr. told me to lower my cholesterol. I’m a little bitter.

    bacon cheeseburger + fries + a shake = altered chords coronary.

  • tacomachickadee February 15, 2009

    Alterd chords: In addition to the supporting local farmers, seasonal menu items, fair wages and just plain yummy reasons many of us are excited about a BV, they have healthy options, too. Salmon salads, grilled chicken salads, vegetarian burgers, turkey burgers, smoothies instead of shakes, and lots of customizable options.

    http://www.burgerville.com/#page:/Our-Food/Menu-And-Nutrition.aspx|secNum:1|subSecNum:0

    :)

  • Thorax O'Tool February 15, 2009

    The question still remains… will they come or just bypass us to Fed Way or South Center?

    You’d think the 2nd largest city (by a wide margin over #3 Vancouver) in this half of the state would be an all-too-tempting target.

  • Candace Brown February 15, 2009

    Chocolate and red roses? Forget it! Next year I just want a Valentine’s Day gift of that Burgerville cheeseburger with the peppered bacon. Talk about L-O-V-E… oh man…I’m having fantasies right now. My husband and I made many trips to Portland last year and planned a stop at Burgerville into every one. And the strange thing is, we never eat beef anymore, except there.

    It goes beyond the excellent food. I love the whole Burgerville story. Here is the PROOF that you can do things right and still make a profit. I wish other businesses would pick up on this concept. I suggest we all contact the company and beg them to settle right here in Tacoma, put out the welcome mat, promise we’ll show up, whatever it takes. Come on…we all love Tacoma and know in our hearts no one deserves a Burgerville more than we do. Right? Let’s start a campaign.

  • Thorax O'Tool February 15, 2009

    If we form the Burgerville Coalition of Tacoma, and successfully lobby a location in our Fair City, will it live up to this immense amount of hype?

    I’m sure we’re all familiar with the epic FAIL that is Krispy Kreme. I’d love to see a restaurant live up to it’s hype for once.

    NOTE: if you think Krispy Kreme makes a good donut, then you haver obviously never had a good donut. TO’T recommends Pao’s, just past 6th & Mildred. It’s the only donut in town to earn the coveted TO’T Thumbs Up Award®

  • Candace Brown February 15, 2009

    Burgerville will not disappoint. That is unless you don’t care for the good honest taste of fresh, quality beef, cooked to perfection, (flavorfully browned on the meat’s surface but still nice and juicy), Tillamook cheddar cheese, ripe tomato, an actual piece of fresh lettuce, with the option of crisp lean bacon, all on a bun that actually has a pleasing texture and flavor. Did I mention the excellent fries? Then the perfect “seasoning” in this dining experience is the good feeling you get knowing it’s all locally raised in a responsible manner and prepared and served by people getting a fair wage plus benefits. This is capitalism with a conscience.

    Please forgive me, vegan friends. Part of me wants to be one of you, but Burgerville just brings out the carnivore in me.

    Thanks for the tip on Pao’s. We’ve never been there but maybe now we’ll give it a try. By the way, if anyone wants a couple of never-worn Krispy Kreme T-shirts from the pre-grand opening private event for the very first store in Washington, I have them and am open to offers. (Being invited to it was a long story involving my banjo, but that’s for another day.)

  • tacomachickadee February 15, 2009

    Thorax: On donuts, I also recommend Pao’s.

  • tacomachickadee February 15, 2009

    Also, moving Burgerville north only slightly expands its footprint. I never want to see Burgerville in New York, Minnesota or Florida, honestly. I like that they’re “Inconveniently Located for Most of America.” I like regional chains. I like being able to go to a different state and get different food. I lobby Burgerville in part because it’s great food with a conscious … but also because it’s less than 60 miles south. So close … yet so far … fingers crossed

    BTW, for those on Facebook, there is now a “Bring Burgerville to Tacoma” group.

  • I'm for Change (for tacoma) February 16, 2009

    I’ve seen BV’s, but never ate there. After all the good words, I’ll give it a try if they come to Tacoma. Unless they move to the mall area!

  • RR Anderson February 17, 2009

    Who the hell cares?

    Hermans burger could smoke these hippie clowns.

  • RR Anderson February 17, 2009

    Down at Hermans Burger they make their buns from scratch DAILY!

    Down at Hermans Burger they make fresh milk shakes from real alligators, not some poopy-pants substitute.

    Down at Hermans Burger everyone is treated like cucumber sauce.

    Down at Hermans Burger, our products taste so good you’ll be making your own cucumber sauce (if you know what I mean).

  • RR Anderson February 17, 2009

    You’ll have to be a complete idiot suffering from some horrible sexually transmitted mind-eating disease not to want to stuff your fat North American face with a juicy HERMANS ORIGINAL with 52 flavors of actual steak fries right this second.

    Burgerville? yeah right. I hope you choke on a pickle patty and die.

    (not a paid advertisement)

  • Thorax O'Tool February 17, 2009

    No burger on this whole ball of rock we call Mother Earth can compete with the fabulous turkey burgers made by yours truly.

    Not only are they not dunked in the calorie bucket (which restaurants must have… how else is a Sourdough Jack 1400 calories or a Double-quarter-pounder with cheese 1700 calories?) , but my Fabulous turkey burgers cost far less per unit than anything BV sells.

    The economy is in uber rough seas, saving what little $$$ you have is imperative.

    TO’T‘s famous Turkey Burgers:

    1lb ground turkey (substitute buffalo or beef, if that’s what you like)
    2 tbs Worcestershire sauce
    1/2 cup bread crumbs
    1 tsp garlic powder
    1 tsp ground sage (omit if using red meat)
    1 tsp black pepper
    Salt to taste

    Make into 8-10 patties, cook for 3-4 min per side, longer if you like thicker patties.

    Enjoy!

  • Mikeeeee February 17, 2009

    Another good place for donuts:

    LeDonut on S. 11th, near the Safeway in the Hilltop area.

    Use to be on S. 38th by Big5 until she lost the lease there.

    Another good donut place that is local: Sunny’s Donuts in Fife in the strip mall near Subway on Pacific Highway.

    Burgerville is good, and Sonic is on the way to Puyallup. I remember when Carl Jr’s opened on 6th Ave. it was packed! Not anymore. The meat is cold when you get the burger and quite frankly I was disappointed.

    So we shall see if Burgerville can be the place to go.

  • Thorax O'Tool February 17, 2009

    I lived in Ohio and Wisconsin for a couple of years back when I was like 10.

    I assure you, the only thing grosser than Sonic is White Castle.
    They make nasty burgers and soggy fries (or at least the ones in Toledo, OH and Green Bay, WI) did.

    Keep these damn east coast companies outta here. They have no need to be here, and I sincerely hope any expansion out here will result in the bankruptcy of their organization and severe, painful losses for every one of their management and stockholders. I furthermore hope that the nitwit individual within their organization who approves such expansion meets the fury of 400 degree fry oil.

    Stay on your side of the Rockies.

  • Brent Tayet February 18, 2009

    Let’s not forget the amazing, thick, frothy, world’s best EVER milk shakes!

    I hate to put a damper on the whole conversation but I spoke to Burgerville’s corporate real estate rep last week and they indicated that they have no northly expansion plans in 2009. Although their long term plan calls for growing north, it is not on the immediate horizon.

    We can just hope and pray for solid 2009 sales and subsequent plans for 2010 openings!

  • altered Chords February 18, 2009

    I had a great burger at Carls on 6th. It came to about 6.50 though. Too much for that style of burger.

    It was, howerver, better than the cold patty I got at Red Robin and paid almost 11.00 for.

    But – as I stated earlier, Dr said to lower LDL cholesterol. I’m on a mission. He says bring it from 125 to 100. I’ll have at 80 within 30 days. I’m eating oatmeal, cut out mayo, reduced Ceasar dressing to a suggestion and compensating w/ peach-mango salsa. Lightened up on the cheese. Eating oatmeal without sugar every day too.

    You can keep the artery clogging burger joints and donut shops. THis 50 year old will out live the lot of you fatty food addicts.

    Bet you all waste your lives drinking Miller, Coors or Bud light too.

  • Thorax OTool February 18, 2009

    Davest, if you like White Castle, feel free to eat as many of them as you like.

    I however, feel that they should not legally be allowed to call those things “food”.

    But aside from that, why are we rooting for an out-of-state company to come here? Granted, Oregon is pretty much our evil doppelganger separated at birth to a decidedly less wealthy and arrogant family, but still.
    Why aren’t we pushing for Frisko Freeze to spread? Or pushing to start 133 Burger?

  • Bigbadcoz February 19, 2009

    As a kid we did not go to McDonalds we went to Burgerville in Vancouver USA. There is something magical about the sauce. Even when I am not hungry and heading north I stop in Centralia for a small cheeseburger (to maximize the sauce per other things ratio).

    I was a little ashamed of Dan Voelpel for liking Sonic more than Burgerville USA. I even considered writing a letter to the editor but I figured that the people who would care would see it here. The only Sonic I have been to is in Florida and I did not think it was anything special.

    Anyway I thought any discussion of donuts would be incomplete if it did not include the Lakewood House of Donuts(LHOD) on Gravelly Lake Drive. To me Pao’s is second only to them. Do not get me wrong I love Pao’s but LHOD has some seriously good donuts.

  • altered Chords February 19, 2009

    I second th LHOC vote. I like their 80 pound scones!

  • twocents February 19, 2009

    I’ll second Bigbadcoz on his entire comment (No. 27), other than I haven’t tried LHOD yet (but have heard great things).