The Project Burger,Super good !!! The burger with salad was the perfect pairing. This place is a must.

Overall: 4.5/5 [dine in] Wow, this is like an elevated smash burger joint with great service and a unique vibe. They even serve water in a tequila bottle which was unique. Blackened Smash Burger ($18): I had to get this for the black bun. It came with 2 smashed patties, caramelized onions, mushroom, and provolone truffle cream. It was good but the truffle flavor wasn't as strong as I would have liked and I would have preferred it in a sauce rather than a cream. I paired it with a Caesar salad to balance out the heavy meal and that was a great call. Build Your Own Burger ($10) + Pork Belly ($7) + Additional Toppings ($2 each): My husband built his own burger with 2 smash patties, 3 toppings, and house aioli. He went with onions, scrambled eggs, mushroom, and bacon. The pork belly was amazing and the star of the show. The burger was very filling and umami and honestly tasted better than my blackened burger. No side needed. If you love burgers, this is the place for you! read more

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Came here for Coachella weekend and decided to try out this spot. It's a cute and nice place. The inside had a bar area and I want to say about 4 booths inside. Tables were also placed outside for outside seating. We ordered the pika pika and blackened burgers. With each burger, you could get sweet potato fries, crinkle cut fries, or a caesar salad. The sweet potato fries were soooo good especially paired with the caesar salad for a refreshing bite. The fries had a house sauce that was super tasty. I loved the pika pika. It had jalapeños and pineapple which gave it a small spicy and sweet profile. The burgers had thin smash patties and honestly, did not make me SUPER full. The spicy aioli and the cilantro aioli were great with the burgers. To note, they charged an additional dollar for extra caramelized onions (an ingredient that was already in the burgers). I didn't mind but a heads up would've been nice. I would love to come back and try the rest of the menu. Beware - the door squeaks LOUDLY whenever someone comes in/out and that happened every other second. read more

Project Burger - Burgers Near Me - Palm Desert, California

Wow! The restaurant is clean, cool vibe and top notch service. They have table or bar service. These are probably the yummiest burgers in the desert, unique options often not seen in a smash burger. Had the project burger and the addition of the bacon jam was the bomb!!! My husband had the Pika Pika burger and he loved it, it had a nice heat to it but not over the top. Don't skip the milkshake We met Mark who is one of the owners, nice guy! Found out he is related to the owner of our other fav restaurant Casa Luna. Give this place a try and keep coming back. read more

Cute place in the HOT desert. Burgers and salads. We had bison and pika pika, great burgers. Portion on the smaller side but great for me. The Pika Pika was spicy and messy, don't go on a first date. The sides options were fries, sweet potato fries or salad, all fantastic. Waiter was attentive, spacious place. They also have selected wine/beer available. read more

Project Burger - Pika pika - Burgers Near Me - Palm Desert, California

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If you're in the Coachella Valley, it's a must! The service is super friendly and the ambiance is very cozy. We tried: - Spicy Teriyaki Wings & Habanero Aioli (Special Menu) - Handcrafted Mamalona Reese's Shake - Pork Belly Loaded Fries - Mamo's Super Hamburguesa - Shrimp & Al Pastor Tacos - Blackened Smash Burger - Chile Relleno Smash Burger - Steak Sandwich read more

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A coworker wanted to try Project Burger so we placed an order over the phone, which was extremely easy. The person on the phone was very friendly, patience and helpful. We ordered a lot of food! One of my coworkers and I wanted to try different burgers so we ordered our own and split it! The burgers were absolutely delicious. The patties cooked to perfection and the sauces and condiments were absolutely flavorful. I can't wait to actually go and sit at the restaurant to have the burger! My coworker shared that picking up the order was easy and that the customer service was great! They were pretty busy but still managed to give her a good deal of attention and care. read more

Project Burger - This is half the Peso Pluma & half the Project Burger! - Burgers Near Me - Palm Desert, California

Cool small burger place! Eventhough it was small inside we didnt have to wait for a booth. They also have bar seats and outdoor tables. The star of the show was the strawberry milkshake!! Usually comes in a bag (authentic Mexican style) but ordered in a cup for my little. It was sooo good! Definitely would go back just to order that. I also got a chile relleno veggie patty burger that was so good, so happy they offer a vegetarian option at a burger place! The fries were amazing. Ordered a plain cheeseburger for the kids. They stack their smashed patties so its not your typical cheeseburger. Forgot to ask if they had kid options. But it was all great, look forward to the next time! read more

Project Burger - Strawberry milkshake in a cup - Burgers Near Me - Palm Desert, California

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Project Burger opened in December 2025, and judging by the crowd, Palm Desert collectively decided this was THE place to be!! The spot was packed inside and out, but we lucked out when a group of five finished up and vacated their table... proof that burger karma is real if you believe hard enough!! The service was excellent, almost aggressively attentive in the best way!! We were checked on so often it felt like they genuinely cared about our emotional relationship with our burgers!! Now for the main event: *The Bison Burger came dressed to impress with bacon pepper jack, onions two ways, and a cilantro jalapeño aioli that didn't come to play!! *The Project Burger delivered classic smash-patty perfection with bacon jam doing what bacon jam does...stealing the spotlight!!! *Nora's Breakfast sandwich was an unhinged but brilliant croissant-based creation that blurred the line between breakfast and burger in a way we fully support: smash patty, eggs, ham, bacon jam, and cream cheese!! *Blackened burger brought truffle energy, mushrooms, and provolone like it had expensive taste and wasn't afraid to show it. This was the best one!!!! Every burger was deliciously unique!!!! No notes. We'd absolutely come back next time we're in the area. read more

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Really cool place--I hope they get a strong following. We heard about it through word of mouth, and they were already pretty busy. The service was fantastic, and the outdoor patio was lovely. The sweet potato fries were to die for, especially with the dipping sauce. They offer gluten-free buns, which was a nice surprise. We ordered the blackened burger, but I wish I'd gone with the Southwest one--next time! We'll definitely be back. read more

Project Burger - Blackened burger with salad - salad excellent - Burgers Near Me - Palm Desert, California

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Very fresh and tasty burger and chicken sandwich options. The crinkle fries and sweet potatoe waffles were are nice surprise. I'll definitely come back when closer to Palm Springs area. Service was very good, plenty of cold water and nice glass of wine. read more

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Project Berger in Palm Desert is a must-visit! I had their blackened smash burger and it was absolutely incredible, juicy, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. The sweet potato fries were the perfect complement: crispy on the outside, tender inside. The service was fantastic and super friendly, attentive, and my food came out quickly. Diego was super welcoming and the staff was very professional. The atmosphere is relaxed, and the overall experience made it clear this spot takes both food and customer service seriously. Best smash burger in the Coachella valley! I'll definitely be coming back for more! read more

Project Burger - Blackened burger with sweet potato fries Yummmm - Burgers Near Me - Palm Desert, California

Excellent once again! Best burger in town! Personable and friendly. We will be back soon. read more

Everyone was so nice and welcoming, and the food was excellent. We loved our burgers and the sweet potato fries were the best we ever tasted! The malts were excellent too. We can't wait to go back and I'm so happy to have this new hamburger place near me in Palm Desert. We even purchased their house made sauce which my husband loved. They have outdoor seating but it was too cold last night although they do have heaters. It was busy on a Tuesday and 4:30. The only drawback could be is the restaurant is pretty small so if they get real popular it may be hard to get in. We found out it was owned by the Same family that owns Oceana close by and we have been there many times. read more

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The best burger I've had in the desert. Went on a Monday night and it was packed. Didn't have to wait long though, only 15 min. Quick, efficient and friendly service. It's a small place in a non-descript strip mall within a business park. The inside of the place is taken up mostly by a bar seating area. We sat there. I got the Project Burger - classic smash burger with a twist. The bacon jam was amazing. Just the right amount of sweetness that balanced the richness of the actual bacon in the burger, caramelized onions and the melty cheese. The burger itself was perfectly done with crispy edges. My husband and got the Blackened Burger. Black brioche bun, mushrooms, cheese and a hint of truffle. All served with crinkle cut fries. So good. They have a selection of beer from Evan's brewing company. We got the Mexican lager and hazy pale ale. Both were good, made better by the frosty mug they served it with. Real quality food, well executed. I'll def be back. read more

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This place was BUSY, but well worth the wait. Despite how busy it was, service was friendly, and food came out quickly. I got the project burger, as did my husband, and we both agreed that it was one of the best burgers we have had in a long time. It was the perfect amount of food- not too much meat like some burgers. The bacon jam and house spread combo were to die for! Wish we had one of these back home in NC! read more

Project Burger - Project Burger - Burgers Near Me - Palm Desert, California

Looked exciting to try this place out! It was clean and decor was cool. When it came to the food, I was excited to try it. But after the first bite, it just felt...average. no flavor bomb or explosion. Service was great. Just not the food. Feels like it's missing something. I would give this place another chance. Ordered the Pika Pika burger, which was not really spicy at all, and the Black Mushroom burger, which was average. read more

High Quality burgers. Sampled 3 and all were delicious. Greeted at door by one of 3 young owners, who was very cordial. Burgers are clearly the start of show here, but for those not eating beef, they do offer other options. I liked how they serve the food on a wood board. Restaurant is very well appointed, with a Gastropub feel,but is quite small. read more

We ordered the project with a veggie patty & Nora's breakfast. Both burgers were delicious, and well cooked. The veggie patty had black beans, but it wasn't too heavy like your average black bean burger iykyk. If you are vegan & vegetarian make sure to let the server know! Some items come with bacon so just be careful and mindful when ordering. We also ordered the buddys got cheese fries which was bomb! Fries were well seasoned, the jalapeños and grilled onions were a nice taste. Service was exceptional! There was seating inside and outside. The location is tucked behind other businesses which is a nice escape from busy streets. Thank you read more

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Project Burger has been open for about 4 months. It's really nice to have a quality Burger place so close to our house! The good news: All of the burgers are smash burgers with two smash patties per burger Every smashburger regardless of your style is $16. In the days of $20 to $25 hamburgers. I guess this is a good deal. They have a great variety of smash burgers with a lot of different styles. I had the blackened truffle cheese with onions and mushrooms burgers which was amazing. The color is a little off-putting because they make the bun with charcoal and it makes it black but it's delicious The lady went with the pika pika Burger which is spicy. And when I say spicy this is spicy people. Beware! They also have a couple salads and sandwiches, plus some Kraft beer in a can and you can also get milkshakes. Each burger comes with either crinkle fries, Sweet potato fries or a salad. A couple critical notes: I ordered the crinkle fries (which I love) and which were cooked very nicely but they lacked salt. I hope that was just an oversight by the cook. $11 cookie dessert! A cookie dessert should not cost $11. Nevertheless, this is a good place, seems to be family owned as we met one of the young owners I think and we are going to start coming here in our usual burger rotation. read more

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I've been slacking on reviews because I'm not 100% onboard anymore with Yelp. This place deserves their status! UNBELIEVABLE service! UNBELIEVABLE burgers! Miggy and team were top notch. We didn't even make the door and someone welcomed us and asked if we preferred inside or out? It didn't stop there. Not obtrusive at all and every team member was different. Kept it light and fun and you felt like you could ask anyone for anything. Some places say, "I'll let your server know." Not here. Everyone helps everyone!!! Like it should be! And you're not gauged for EVERYTHING!! Obviously, we'll be back. Try it! You will too!! read more

Top tier burger. The bison came with two juicy patties sandwich in between pillowy, soft sesame seed buns. Their buns compliments the patty perfectly; they sink right into the meat allowing you to taste all the ingredients. Their crinkle fries has just the right crisp and you can taste the seasoning. This is not just a typical burger place, it's a place to enjoy a gourmet style burger. They have some quite unique burgers to try like the Chile relleno. read more

Project Burger - The bison - Burgers Near Me - Palm Desert, California

We were so excited to discover this place is owned by Mark and Diego, two incredibly hardworking people we've been seeing around town for years! We came in on a friend's recommendation and were blown away. The food quality and flavors were phenomenal. Three out of four of us had burgers and absolutely loved them. I had the prosciutto chicken sandwich, and it was so delicious. We're already planning our next visit! Everything on the menu looks amazing. The tuna melt, Caesar salad, and tacos all caught our eye. And don't skip the fries--both the regular and sweet potato fries were fantastic. You have to try both! read more

OK, this is RARE to go somewhere not expecting the world let along enjoy the BEST burgers we have EVER had anywhere! Simply wonderful. The service is insanely perfect...Quality? The best...Portions perfect! The Rika Rika spicy smash was amazing.... Come and have the BEST of the BEST plus save some money in this horribly overpriced world of horribly small portions and too costly! read more

I had been hearing about this little place and finally made it over to check it out. Turns out, it's in the location that used to be Karen's Cafe, which is a place I hold dear to my heart. Dear Karen passed away a couple years ago suddenly. Now it's called Project Burger. The menu is simple, fairly priced and the burgers are DELICIOUS! There is limited seating and sometimes a small wait but it's worth it if you're in the area. The service is friendly and interior aesthetics are diner-like. Super cute. I'm not a HUGE burger girl, but I would come here again, before going somewhere else if I wanted a good burger. Totally worth a check in. read more

Had dinner here with my kids. The burgers and fries were delicious. I would recommend this place to other people.

Absolutely great burgers and shakes. The place is small but nicely decorated with ample outdoor seating and heaters. They could use more parking. We were promptly greeted and the service continued to be great. The only weird thing was the shakes were served in a bag. I had a bison burger which was superb. My wife's chili relleno burger was just a good. French fries were good and the serving was not too large. The shakes were fabulous. We tried chocolate and Oreo. You should get to this new neighborhood gem. We'll be there! read more

So glad we found this place. The food was incredible. Really unique burgers. I got the Mamos Super Hamburgesa. Burger, chorizo bilboa, and ham, in a cheese sauce? Incredible. As good as the food was, the service was even better. Entire staff checked in multiple times. read more

Customer service-exceptional! Food-absolutely delicious and great presentation! Restaurant-clean and smaller. Great outdoor seating! A well oiled machine-This is exactly how all restaurants should be operated! Can't say enough good things about the food and our visit. We will definitely be back! read more

Project Burger - Chili rellano smash burger, fries and an IPA. Amazing! - Burgers Near Me - Palm Desert, California

Ordered to-go food. My spicy burger was delicious and wonderful. However, the fries were not the best quality to me. Plenty of parking around and the food was ready when we arrived. They were very, very busy when we got there so plan accordingly. read more

The most flavorful burger we've had in a while! Can't wait to go back and try so many other things on their menu read more

Project Burger - The hamburger we ordered with sweet potato fries - Burgers Near Me - Palm Desert, California

Worth it! Fast service, outdoor seating for a sunset dinner, amazing food, and water in shot glasses. Definitely worth stopping by. read more

Project Burger - Worth it! - Burgers Near Me - Palm Desert, California

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I used to frequent this restaurant regularly when it was Karen's cafe. They have completely remodeled the interior so it looks more hip and modern as opposed to a vintage diner. The owner introduced himself and was very kind. I ordered 2 burgers- the pika pika to enjoy at the bar, and the project burger to take home. The cross cross waffle sweet potato fries are a must for your burger side. The burgers are very juicy and full of flavor. I can't wait to return. read more

Project Burger - Pika pika burger, sweet potato fries, ranch dressing, a glass of Chardonnay. - Burgers Near Me - Palm Desert, California

Food was amazing! Service was amazing! Great new burger spot! Lots of great flavors! Will definitely come back! And highly recommend checking them out when you're in the mood for a burger! read more

Project Burger - Chile Relleno Burger - Burgers Near Me - Palm Desert, California

Our first time visiting project Burger tonight. I took my daughter and her friend. We got there a little before 5 PM. The restaurant itself has a great vibe.. staff is extremely friendly. Our server Miguel was great. The girls ordered make your own burgers. I had the Norma's breakfast burger on the croissant. It was absolutely delicious. The girls shared Reese's peanut butter cup milkshake, and said it was very good.. This is a hidden gem in Palm Desert! read more

Project Burger - Burgers Near Me - Palm Desert, California

Wow! Wow! Wow! I always joke about food making someone cry. The burger I had here brought a tear to my eye.. It was so so delicious. when it arrived, it was super hot. The bun was soft. The meat was delicious and there was a jam on it. I believe it was an onion jam that really added a lot of flavor. The fries were sweet potato. They were also very, very hot and the portion was substantial. I am extremely happy and I'm looking forward to my next visit. Keep up the great work. read more

I use Yelp quite a bit but don't generally write reviews, but this place was amazing!! Al pastor fries were outstanding and all of us had different entree and every one of the them was delicious. Finished with the churro dessert which blew everyone's mind. Highly recommend! read more

Project Burger - Pastor fries - Burgers Near Me - Palm Desert, California

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Yep five, count em five stars from me. This is a burger. A darn fine burger too. Not much more one can say, everything about the burger is spot on; Meat, bun & various 'stuff' all working together. Nothing fancy here, not need to be. A few tablse, and some counter seating too. Short and simple review for a burger joint that doesn't need anything to improve on it. read more

Amazing burgers, I did the blackened burger. It had black brioche bun which I was a little concerned about but it was soft and tasty. The double meat was solid, it also had caramelized onions, mushroom and a truffle sauce. Delish The sweet potato fries are on another level. That pastor was smackin too. The service was good, the 3 owners were there and moved a table from outside to join ours since we had more people. Ambiance was cool, we were in and out in under 30 minutes. Solid choice read more

Excellent service, great burgers and fries. Beer was only $7 We ordered the pika pika - super spicy but full of flavor and the Relleno. Both were great but we'd probably order the relleno again with an extra patty. read more

Project Burger - Pika pika burger - Burgers Near Me - Palm Desert, California