I am a value hunter.
I went to cooking school
I'm picky af.
It's long, so don't waste your time.
Gave the business time to season the grill. Turned up around 1030. PM and got a girl voice who claimed 'I' was breaking up ! Khurr crackle, buzzz, hissss. Actually, there wasn't any of those sounds...
A more, 'hip, his' voice suddenly replaced hers and the ordering was a little off because every flavor on the shake menu had commas except banana pineapple.
Is the shake banana pineapple only? You want a banana pineapple? Can you make a banana only shake? Do you want a banana shake?, type banter.
We went a few clarifying rounds as the order was only banana but they can essentially mix any of the flavors.
The drive through was wait appropriate as there was a car in front. The restaurant seating was empty and it seemed reasonably staffed although it was obvious the workers were 'not really there' and, it was near closing time. I wasn't sure if there was a manager on duty?
I enjoy green chili burgers and like to try out who has the latest one around town. No two are alike!
Keep in mind, I receive the food in the drive through and eat in the dark, tonight.
The shake: chemical icy cream mixed with chemical flavor. 2 Spoons, 1 for effort. The shake was over spun and was half melted so the liquid part rose to the top and spilled down my shirt unknowingly at the time. The first sip made me taste again and again. It lacks everything if using the state fair award system. Shakes should be thick and take time to enjoy!
Ortega Burger: 2 forks (1 for effort) I dug into the burger wrapper and revealed the top quarter to eat. The bun is enormous. It is 2/3'rds the burger. It's warehouse bakery supplied so shelf life is limited due current temps. Getting the first bite in when served is about 3" tall, thinking you are getting into a big patty, however, and sadly the meat is flavorless and thin. The lettuce should be kept ice cold, but arrives less than crisp on the burger, tomato's were cheap and flavorless. Even the taste of onion was not evident. The precooked (canned) green chili does not get on the grill and lays on the cheese slowing the melting time. (I know, this is tough. This one of the first burgers that actually oozed with pepper Jack cheese. Maybe it was processed cheese? Yes, I now think so! Anyway, nice touch. The bun is not toasted and had the texture of going slightly stale. The smear is an aioli mayoli and is pleasant. I hacked away at the upper bread to reduce carb intake . To sink your teeth into one these Ortega burgs is odd. Especially if the flavors all run together when chewing. I guess that's the point, there was no real satisfaction in the shake or the signature burger. Hence, a mediocre review!
Overall: OVERHAUL! Get the owner to taste test everything. If they don't eat it, neither do we!
I am from the camp that INnSHOUT is the gold standard, at least in value, effort, longevity and taste.
The burger is pounded thin, soft and grainy. The bun is ridiculously large. There is little Greatness to the brand or uniqueness. A good try, but at $7.80 a sandwich for mostly bread, ow!
PS. The T-shirt was ruined by the time I got home. The burger also dripped down the front (not anyone's fault but me own. read more