Quality and Affordability

(Editor’s note: We continue with our profile of local burger restaurants in celebration of next week’s Cheeseburger Week in Pasadena. Today we’re looking at Rounds, on Lake Avenue, with our guest writer, Debra Combs Ortega Macias.)

A few years ago, while eating at a popular Hollywood restaurant, The Ghaby brothers were served a hamburger on a brioche bun. George told his brother. Charbel, “I want to sell this hamburger for five bucks.” The concept of Rounds Premium Burgers was born. They began looking for fresh, high quality ingredients that would make their hamburger possible.

George describes Rounds as “fast, casual, premium burgers.”  Rounds starts with a basic hamburger. No bells and whistles. Their classic burger starts at just $5.25. The burgers are made with fresh ingredients, at an affordable price—a pleasant surprise to both the palate and the pocket book.

The surroundings are simple at Rounds—concrete floors with bare walls, and simple wood tables with ottoman style chairs. There is no wait staff. Just a counter and a very simple menu.

The “Build Your Own” menu at Rounds starts with the basics. You can order your round on a Brioche bun, a whole wheat bun, or wrapped in lettuce or served solo, on a bed of lettuce. And then there is a choice of  beef, veggie, chicken, turkey, or a larger beef patty. Your round can be as healthy as you choose to make it, or as sinful as you’re ready to make amends for.

We ordered the classic burger with cheese. We also tried the California from the Premium Round menu on Brioche. We were delighted with both choices. The classic is a good-size 1/3  lb. burger, Served on a cookie sheet style tray, these burgers are done to perfection. They are large enough to be filling, but not gluttonous. The condiments bar also offered A-1 Steak Sauce and Grey Poupon mustard. It’s all in the details.

There is one side item—French fries. They’re fresh and fried twice, with your choice of plain, garlic or chili. We chose the plain and the garlic. (The garlic fries are strictly for garlic lovers.) There is a choice of ten sauces to accompany your fries. One flavor is free with your order. We tasted all 10, from the chipotle mayo to the pesto.

If you want a great cheeseburger at a great price, skip the drive-through and stroll into Rounds.

Rounds Premium Burgers is at 46 N Lake Ave, Pasadena. (626) 304-9810. www.roundsburgers.com