Indulge Burger

Modern Burger Concept Joint (8/10)
website

I've had my eye on this place since they first popped up on restaurant.com. I'm aboard the burger fad train, and I am a fan of Indulge. And just 'cause you asked I'll tell you why: the excitement starts with the menu, and then the best part is that you get a pencil! "Why is that?" you inquire further. So you can fill in the bubbles with what you want! That means you customize your burger, salmon burger, or kobe burger--there are over 1,000 combinations. They also have several different salads and appetizers to choose from (and bubble!). I'd fill in the little circle that has 1/2 crispy fried onion strings, 1/2 fresh sweet potato fries (just a tip). 

This number is the pastrami burger. I'm told it's a keeper (even though it's only on the special menu). I know a few people who would ask Indulge owner Lee Klein to keep it on. The part I like most, that part that I really look for in a good burger, is the thickness. Along with that, I like how they really cook a medium rare burger. If you are an avid burger lover, like myself, you know that it's hard to find a place that will cook the burger the way you ordered it. This place got an A on that! The quality of meat used is very desirable as well. 

You might have noticed that I frequent Gluten Free restaurants a lot, and I do! My sister was recently told she has an intolerance to gluten, so we try GF restaurants often. The grilled cheese is what she ordered, and the oeey-gooey-ness is enticing. But the bread is what you worry about when you are GF, and with this one, you don't have to waste your worry lines. We even had a nice chat with the lady sitting next to us who said she hadn't been able to have a burger in 10 years. She was in love with her GF dish! 

My only reservation about this place, and it has been consistent in each of the three times I've been here, is the slow service. Most times, even during the slow hours, it takes a good hour and a half to eat here. We have come to expect fast (but not too fast) service and little wait time from burger joints. You won't find this here, and if you are in a hurry I'd suggest pick up. The staff has been nothing less than nice, but seem to be unaware of the doldrum-esque service. The owner as well, whom I got the chance to meet, is very pleasant and attentive to the restaurant and the guests. I'll be coming back, and if you have some time, you should too!

Tryst Cafe

American Fair with Gluten Free Options (7/10)
website

I came here originally because @jewels_cupcakes was starting to sell their delish goodies there. So I tried the hamburger the first time I went, and it was good. But I'm really harsh when it comes to the awesome goodness of a burger, so it's safe to say it wasn't the best burger I've ever had. To start, we ordered the Desert Ridge Summer Rolls.

I couldn't tell you to order them, because then you would never trust anything I told you was good again. But I did get noticed on twitter about how I didn't favor them too much. And they responded very nicely inquiring why, and thanked me for my input. They do have amazing customer service, from all the waitresses, managers, and owners, they will treat you very well. But they should put some of that substance into these rolls. If you could imagine spicy lettuce with rice paper and dip them (in really good) spicy chili mango sauce, it might not seem like what you have come to expect from great spring rolls. But I appreciate the feed back!

You, however, might want to put this dish on your to-eat-list. It's the grilled cheese, and it's amazing. Those tots you see on the side, amazing too! I'd have to say the winner on this sandwich is the bread. The waitress told me they got it from a place called Mikes Bakery in Tempe, but haven't been able to find a place named that. That bread with the gooey cheese, meets avocado, meets your mouth, and you will wonder why you stopped eating grilled cheese when you were a kid. I wouldn't ask for this dish made any other way.

And I was not the only one who enjoyed this!

This is the Seared Ahi Salad, you will want to remember this. Especially if you love tuna, wasabi, and really excellent salads (which I do!). It's got grilled portobello mushrooms, carrots, and grape tomatoes, all in lime vinaigrette, & that wasabi mayo is to die for. 

The tuna is fresh and seared perfectly! I take the wontons and put the ahi on it, love that crunch! 

They have great GF options too, including beer! They offer great  happy hour (4pm-7pm), and foursquare discounts! Check this place out, I'm sure everyone will find something they fall for. And they call it a secret affair but you don't have to hide it from your scale, this place has some good healthy options.