A Burger Worth Writing Home About
I stopped into Elsie's Burgers & Shakes recently and went with their $15 burger and shake special, and let me tell you... this might be one of the best lunch deals around.
I kept things simple and ordered a classic chocolate milkshake. Thick, creamy, cold, and topped with whipped cream -- exactly what a milkshake should be. But what really impressed me was looking over their insane list of flavor options. They have dozens of syrups and combinations available. Everything from cookie butter and cotton candy to lavender and pumpkin spice. I went traditional this time, but next visit I'm definitely branching out.
Now let's talk about the burger.
Absolutely outstanding. Perfectly cooked, juicy, with melted cheese, crisp lettuce, and a toasted bun that held everything together the way a good burger bun should. Nothing over-engineered. Just a straight-up great burger. Honestly, it's one of the best burgers I've had in many years.
A quick heads up: seating is limited. There's one small two-top table and about six seats at the bar, so this is not a big dining room. Personally, I think it makes the place feel even more like a hidden gem. My advice would be to come here for a midweek lunch if you want to avoid crowds.
What's really exciting though is that Elsie's is part of the bigger renaissance happening in Gloucester City. The town has been leaning hard into its American-Irish culture, and it's showing. This year marked the 11th annual Early St. Patrick's Day celebration, which happens in early March. The parade has grown incredibly popular -- I personally know people who travel from multiple states to attend, and it's not unusual to see the Governor of New Jersey and other politicians or celebrities show up.
Along with that growth, the local restaurant scene is getting really good. Within walking distance you have places like The Bank Bar across the street, Pudge's, and City Public House just to name a few.
Elsie's fits right into that momentum.
Small place. Big flavors. Great burger. Great shake. And absolutely worth stopping in if you're anywhere near Gloucester City. I'll definitely be back. read more