The Burger Stand Review

Recently, Charlie and I ended up back in Kansas. I spent a few hours wandering around Topeka and received several recommendations for The Burger Stand as THE place to go for burgers.

I don't eat many hamburgers but I've learned that when more than one person tells you a place is worth checking out, you go.

The Burger Stand is located on the edge of Washburn University and is surrounded by student housing. For their concept, this location is perfect.

The menu at The Burger Stand consists of gourmet burgers and fries. You can take a look at the complete menu here.

The burger list had a few notable toppings (habanero cactus jam) but the french fry offerings were impressive for a beer and burger joint: poutine fries, truffle fries, smoked tofu fries (?), and duck fat fries to name a few.

burnt crispy bit at the bottom of the stick :(

I ended up at The Burger Stand for a really late lunch and I knew I couldn't handle a whole burger so I opted for the corn dog with house made batter and, on the recommendation of an employee, the sweet potato fries.

Now, you might be asking why I went with such a generic fry choice with so many options on the menu.

SAUCE BAR!

Well, the sauce bar is why! After you pick up your order you can head over the the sauce bar which had at least 10 different dipping and burger sauces!

I tried four of the sauces that I found the most unique: toasted marshmallow,  garlic Parmesan aioli, cocoa ketchup, and a jalapeno ranch.

All of the sauces are made in house.I found them all to be delicious.

My secret love of greasy corn dogs was cultivated by childhood trips to the State Fair. The best corn dogs are crispy, greasy, salty, and have just the right amount of batter stuck to the stick at the bottom of the corn dog for one last amazing and crunchy bite of batter.

And, it is food on a stick. You just can't go wrong there.

Yes, I'm serious about the corn dogs I eat.

death by corndog

Sadly, the corn dog was a disappointment. The batter was burnt. It was soaked in an intolerable amount of grease. And, after my first bite, I realized its stick was actually to kitchen skewers-ummm....dangerous!

I gave up on the dog after three bites but the fries and all their sauces were great. The toasted marshmallow sauce may sound strange but it was the runaway star. Seriously, I'd bathe in it!

sidewalk chalk for customers to use on the building

All in all, I'd say The Burger Stand is a place I'd go back to if I ever find myself in Topeka again. However, I'd certainly order a burger and I'd try some of their other fries. It has an great ambiance. In fact, it has a cool factor that you only find in college town eateries.


And, you can't be too upset by a place that Heisenberg would visit! ;)