Burger Month #3: The Burger Shack

 

The Burger Shack

2011 N. 1^st Ave

Whitehall, PA 18052

610-443-2077

Hours:  Mon-Sat 10:30-9:00 PM  

Closed Sundays

This week’s feature is an Evans’ Eats ideal….encompasses the look and feel of a simple, practical “hole-in-the-wall” restaurant with a modern, clean, fresh business and product.  Self-described as the “valley’s newest burger concept,” this relatively new establishment (July, 2010) offers their signature stuffed burger, uniquely offering its ingredients stuffed within the beef!  In addition, they use an all-natural 94% lean ground beef, hormone-free, and “raised on open pastures”, thus using the slogan: 

 Fresh.  Simple.  Honest.   

So, enjoy your guilt-free burger with this unique twist!  We both tried one of their featured burgers, “The Shabby”—stuffed with mushrooms and onions, topped with the Shack BBQ Sauce and more mushrooms & onions.    For those who want to keep it simple, they do offer a classic hamburger, but hopefully you’ll be tempted by some of their unique offerings…such as The Flophouse—sliced pork roll, grilled pineapple, fresh ground beef patty, topped with The Shack BBQ sauce.  All burgers include boardwalk fries and free burger toppings:  lettuce, tomato, raw onions, ketchup, mustard, and mayo.  Substitutions at an extra charge are cheese fries, gravy fries, sweet potato fries, shack fries (chili, cheddar cheese, and bacon pieces , jambalaya or pierogies.    

Their menu is generous in burger alternatives from veggie burgers to a wide variety of shack dogs served on a steak roll, jambalaya, pulled pork or turkey sandwich, chicken sandwiches and wraps and salads and finally, a few dessert items for a sweet ending!   Menu items range from $3.99-7.49.  Our meal cost $16 for 2 stuffed burgers with fries   and 1 large fountain drink.

If you are in the Whitehall area, be sure to visit the friendly owners with a serious product.  It’s a refreshing alternative for a local independent burger joint!

Burger Month #2: Basically Burgers

Basically Burgers

33 N. Main St.

Doylestown, PA

215-345-8502

Hours:  Sun/Mon 11:30 - 7 Tues -Thurs 1130 - 8 Fri and Sat 1130 – 9

*Cash only

The charming streets of Doylestown include this family-friendly, down-to-earth burger shop that has a thoughtful, expansive menu for an array of customers.  It offers

• Gluten-free hot dogs and hamburger rolls, which are increasingly accessible in grocery stores but rarely in restaurants

• Asherah vegan patties and a variety of veggie and black bean burgers for the vegan and vegetarian crowd

• Hormone free ground beef for those who have been influenced by the documentary Food, Inc.  or your own education on the processing of our foods.

• Nathan’s hot dogs for the non-burger customer, and anyone who has experienced a NY-made-popular Nathan’s hot dog.

• "Build your own" and “house” featured burgers for the adventurous, topping-lovers like me, served on a beautiful roll.

• Ice cream and shakes for the one-stop experience, convenient for families with young children.

• And my favorite feature of Basically Burgers’ location besides the charming owners and friendly staff:   the chalkboard wall—definitely a magnet for the kids…what an ingenious idea—an instant babysitter for parents, while providing us with wall art and a view of the young artists of the future.

Our meal came to $19.19 for a beverage, sweet potato fries, black bean burger with toppings and a house special, the port mushroom burger. 

Will we return?  It’s a definite first option when we take a trip to Doylestown.  Ideal for a simple but delicious family dinner, or a convenient lunch-break during jury duty or work for Bucks County locals.

Burger Month #1: Goody'z

Goody'z
637 Gravel Pike
E. Greenville, PA
215-679-2000
Hours: Sun-Thurs 11-9; Fri & Sat 11-9:30

An American food tradition:  the burger. 

It seemed appropriate to end our summer months of Evans’ Eats to prioritize the summer delicacy of a grilled burger.  For the health-conscious and vegetarians, don’t tune out yet—some of this month’s reviews will direct your steps on the Valley’s surprising  array of burger joints.

   Goody’z:  Another ideal summer stop (see July) due to the picturesque country drive and outdoor seating.   Their simple menu features burgers made with fresh ground beef, you decide if you want a single or double burger/cheeseburger.  The “Fixin’z” are customized, ordered “all the way”:  lettuce tomato, raw onion, pickles, ketchup, mustard, mayo or “Add what you like”:  grilled onion, grilled green peppers , jalapeno peppers, mushrooms, relish, brown mustard, bbq sauce, and chili.  Besides the fresh taste of their fresh ground beef or turkey, who can’t favor a place that enables you to build and stuff your own?  The thoughtful Kaiser roll is also one of its main features.

Goody’z also serves hot dogs, topped with your “favorite fixin’z” and a verity of sandwiches including a sausage sandwich and cheese steaks.  My guess is that once you get a taste of their 50’s style diner décor, it will only seem suitable to order the classic burger & a side of their delicious fries.

Save room for dessert—they serve local Longacre’s Dairy Ice Cream including specialty sundaes and the areas’ classic dessert:  waffles & ice cream.  Goody’z food & atmosphere is ideal for the whole family.

Our total meal: $15 (2 burgers, fries and a large beverage)

Summer Stops #4: Pita Pit

Pita Pit

The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley

3045 Center Valley Parkway

Center Valley, PA  18034

610-841-PITA

New 2^nd location:  Lehigh Valley Mall

823 Lehigh Lifestyle Center

Whitehall, PA

Occasionally, a chain will make it to Evans Eats: LV & B.  When it has the charm of an independent eatery

Hayden & Daniel enjoying a pita

and an excellent product that exhibits distinction, it is noteworthy, such as this ideal summer stop.  Whether you are shopping or meeting friends at the Promenade, in need of a quick lunch break stop with coworkers, or in the mood for a light summer dinner---enjoy the picturesque outdoor seating and a great meal at the Pita Pit.  Since its inception in 2007, Pita Pit has provided a consistent, healthy, fresh, and customized product to young and old of the Lehigh Valley.   You are sure to be greeted by pleasant staff and a helpful owner, who now runs 2 respectable businesses, with the opening of their 2^nd store at Lehigh Valley mall’s Lifestyle Center.  One can quickly tell the employees enjoy their job and believe in what they sell….a pita packed with a customer’s creation!

Its vast menu provides reasonable pita sandwiches ranging from $5-7, for vegan to meat-lover diets.  Somehighlights on the menu:  chicken souvlaki, buffalo chicken, philly steak, chicken crave (formerly known as Hawaiian—chicken breast, black forest ham, romaine lettuce, pineapple, tomatoes, melted American cheese, and honey mustard), falafel or veggies (both paired well with babaganoush, an eggplant spread or hummus.)  The best part is watching the employees man the grill and then stuff your pita to your liking—from your choice of white/wheat pita, to the selection of veggies, pickles, sauces, and spreads—you leave with a sense of satisfaction in their customer-friendly and creative-centered approach to a healthy fresh meal.

Pita Pit also offers a breakfast pita (Why have I not tried one yet?) and any pita can also be made a salad.