Hello everyone and welcome to the 45th edition of Mastication Monologues! Hooray for me and my wandering tastebuds! Today I will be reviewing a relatively new restaurant that I didn’t even know existed until I was given a free burger coupon for them from my dad. It’s called Canyons Burger Company and is located at 243 W 63rd St Westmont, IL.
Since I never really heard of this restaurant, I was walking into it without any sort of preconceived notions about their menu. However, I was surprised at the variety of burgers and other items they served like salads and chicken tenders. I decided to get the Blue Bayou burger since I seem to be in a Cajun state of mind as of late (see my previous post for Heaven on Seven) and a side of regular fries. They also offered onion rings and sweet potato fries, but I didn’t feel like being that big of a fatty after coming from the gym. Another great option that I liked was that they provided me a wide range of sauces and topping to choose from for free. Therefore, in addition to the blue cheese and Cajun seasonings, I got ketchup, mustard, chipotle mayo, lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles, and sliced jalapenos piled on the burger. Once my order was entered, they gave me a number, and eventually they brought it to my table. It did take an unusually long time to cook my food since I was the only person in the place, but I’ll wait for food if it’s high quality.
Eventually my food was delivered, and upon first glance it looked quite delicious. Once I finished taking my pictures like a weirdo, I realized that there were no blue cheese crumbles as advertised on the menu. Instead there was a some sort of blue cheese spread coating the burger. Plus, the Cajun spices were not on the meat but rather on the cheese. Even though it wasn’t exactly what I was expecting, I got to work on the burger. The first bite was delicious and flavorful with each element having its own voice amid a very busy flavor profile. The vegetables were fresh and crispy, and the beef was expertly grilled to a nice brown hue while still maintaining a good amount of juice for flavor. I really enjoyed the jalapenos because they were fresh and not pickled. All of which provided a crispy texture change and a spicy bite that hooked up well with the chipotle mayonnaise. The mystery blue cheese spread worked well with its powerful flavor made spicier with the Cajun seasoning. Even though it seemed like a real cheeseburger in paradise sans the terrible Jimmy Buffett singing, I didn’t enjoy the fact that the bottom bun seemed to disappear quicker than the top one. This became a serious problem towards the end of the burger when the chipotle mayo threatened the integrity of my burger through its own slippery yet savory self. Thankfully I possessed the dexterity to keep the burger intact, but I wish the bread they used was a bit more substantial. Taste-wise, it was ideal with a slightly buttery taste to bring out the richness of the beef but not overwhelming the other ingredients. As for the fries, it was a substantial amount for the price I paid, but it was not a case of quantity over quality. In my case, I prefer my fries to be on the softer side, so these golden-brown sticks were modicums of delectability. Plus, they were not overly salted/seasoned which drives me crazy sometimes like with the oft-praised Five Guys Cajun Fries that are seasoned into oblivion. By the time I finished the fries, I was thoroughly satisfied with the meal.
So if you’re looking for a burger place beyond the clown, the king, and that red-headed girl, try Canyons Burger Company!
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