[Author’s note: Today, Monday, October 15, is the grand opening of Little Big Burger in the Smith and Burns building on 45th Street. To mark the occasion, LBB is offering free burgers all day long. I dropped in on a “soft opening,” where I compiled the following story.]
I could have taken a hint from the guy from Portland who stepped up to the counter and enthusiastically ordered two burgers. Or I could have paid more attention to the name: Little Big Burger. And then there was the price of the cheeseburger I ordered: just $5. But it only came together for me when my order arrived. These are little burgers!
Founded in 2010 in Portland, OR, Little Big Burger has a huge presence in that city, but also some stores in North Carolina, California and Texas. The store at 1329 N 45th in the Smith and Burns building is their first Washington State store. The opening has been long in coming. We first reported on the anticipated store way back in August of last year. For those unschooled in the ways of LBB, I offer these observations.
Their menu is not expansive. I know what you’ll be getting when you go. You’ll be getting a burger. Whether it’s a hamburger, cheeseburger or veggie, I cannot say. But it will be a burger sure as day follows night. And if you want something to go with that burger, I know for certain what that will be: fries. Yes, I’m a savant. And, oh … you will not be getting salad. As for dessert, there’s a 50/50 chance you’ll get a root beer float. Or if not that, then an ice cream sandwich. And for beverages, I can be 100% certain that you won’t be getting a beer, not until they get their liquor license, anyway. After that, the future seems cloudy to me.
And how was my Little Big Burger, you ask? I would put it at the middle of the scale. Red Mill and Uneeda Burger are definitely tops, and LBB can’t touch them. I also prefer the burgers at Giddy Up. But I’d place LBB above places such as McDonald’s, Burger King and even local favorite, Dick’s. Wallyburger is a pretty close competitor to LBB, but I give the nod to Wallyburger. LBB offers ketchup or “fry sauce” to go with your fries; I’m afraid to ask what’s in the fry sauce, but it’s pretty darn good. I don’t know if there are plans for trays at LBB, but I had a bunch of wrappers and bags to throw away when I was done.
I went down there today about 11:30, hoping to get in a little ahead of the lunch crowd. Not as much for a free burger but more to be part of a community happening. I was pleasantly surprised by the wide variety of folks standing in line. We are definitely not a monoculture neighborhood.
I waited in line 23 minutes and waited 12 minutes from when I ordered till the order was handed over to me. I took the burgers home for lunch with my wife. They are not their ordinary 1/4 pound burger. I weighed it at 2 oz. How good are they? Pretty good. About the same as Wallyburger. I keep suggesting to Wallyburger that they should offer a salmon burger. If you agree, join me in mentioning it next time you are in.
I wish I had known. It would have been fun to know about for the happening of the community. My on call work is slow and having fun events is important to keep that love my city spark alive.I do know that Orange Theory, their next door neighbor, is shootign to have some events end of October. I was involved wiht oen of their openings which had delays so I am waiting but understand if there are delays. ( Comment re comments stands.)
Had a not ideal experience w/ them. Their neighbor OT is not opening til I am not sure. Their opening events to which I referred are getting people to sign up for memberships ahead of their opening to use their workout facility. ( comment re comments)
I went there for lunch yesterday also, but the line was moving very slowly. My coworker and I gave up after a couple of minutes and went to Blue Star instead. A lot of people gave up due to the slowness.
I think it’s the typical new restaurant problem with the operations still being optimized. Hopefully it’d be resolved next time.