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Life & Arts

Local joint gives more for your buck 

Cream Burger delivers fast food commodities, 
desserts for less than competitors

by JOHN-MICHAEL HAINES 
The Daily Cougar

Breaking the chains that deliver the same old fast-food experience, Cream Burger serves up fast food that is better and cheaper than the competition and just a short walk from campus. 

Its burgers are about the same size and shape as a Whataburger, and they have a remarkably similar taste and texture. The patty tasted juicy rather than greasy and seemed to have a little pepper infused. Cream Burger gives diners the option of adding chili and cheese to a burger, improving the taste immensely and making the burgers both different and tastier than any fast food chain cheeseburger. 

Not only is it a great break from the norm, but at nearly half the price of a Whataburger, it beats the competition. Cream Burger's hot dogs are decent but are overshadowed by the burgers it offers. 

The fries are larger than what comes out of the usual drive-thru window, but are still longer and thinner than steak fries. Cream Burger's fries manage to find that elusive balance where the both the potato and the greasy, salty crispiness are easily detectable.

The "cream" part of the title refers to the varieties of ice cream and shakes that Cream Burger has on its menu. The prices are as low as it gets, with $.75 ice cream cones and shakes for $1.25. Most of the flavors are pretty standard, and the only one that stands out is the pineapple shake. It blends pineapple chunks with a light, homemade vanilla ice cream, giving it a pleasantly thick consistency. It really is a nice ending or companion to a meal, especially on a hot summer day.

Cream Burger is a shack located on the corner of Scott Street and Elgin Avenue, so unnoticeable to the uninformed driver that it is easy to pass by without taking a second look. Cream Burger chooses to ignore any sort of atmosphere. Cleanliness is questionable and even seems ignored as well. With only a few places to sit and two outdoor-friendly tables, everything is served in a to-go fashion. Service isn't a problem. Parking can be difficult when Cream Burger is busy, and unfortunately there is no drive-thru window. There are still plenty of spaces just across the street, but this can be a bit of a hassle, especially with two armfuls of food and drinks.

This is a great place to grab lunch on the go, and you don't need a lot of cash. Instead, bring a little courage and take the Cream Burger challenge. 

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