4343 N. Ocean Dr.
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL 33308
954-489-0110
Open daily 11 a.m.-1 a.m.
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Curious about business BurgerFi is drumming up at the site of a closed Burger King along A1A in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, I was compelled to sample their menu recently. By noon, a small line cued up for orders of natural burgers, hand cut fries, hotdogs, shakes and … cupcakes. The line grew considerably by the time I left.
Open air but partially air conditioned BurgerFi is also sparkling modern, eat-off-the-floor-clean, providing a cool and relaxing respite from heat and traffic; it's a much-needed, solid improvement over the Burger King that used to sit there. BurgerFi's menu remains the same for lunch or dinner. A crisp-grilled quinoa veggie burger, fries, and a soda went for nearly $12. Pricey, but it’s not typical fast food. Beef eaters there told me they think BurgerFi’s prices for their exceptional burgers (about $6 for the basic choice) are well worth it. Diners include tourists and a fair share of repeat local customers, which says a lot.
Owner David Manero’s (Vic and Angelo’s and other eateries) premise is to serve healthy, hormone-free beef. The Web site explains the name and philosophy: “a Burgerfication of the Nation™ … a discovery of what the burger could be.” In keeping with the health theme, they also sell sodas sweetened with sugar cane instead of corn syrup.
Good beef (and hotdogs), abundant toppings, “hand-spun shakes,” craft beers and a more-than-ample selection of wines raises BurgerFi a few notches above a fast food joint. Another BurgerFi operates in Delray with more to be opened as franchises. Franchises are among the few business endeavors making any money these days so they may be on to something.
NOTE: now open on Sunrise Boulevard, across from the Galleria, in Fort Lauderdale.
Tags: healthy burgers Fort Lauderdale, places to dine in Lauderdale by-the-Sea, lunch in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, burger franchises, Fort Lauderdale hamburger places, BurgerFi
