Cheeburger Cheeburger: A New Spot for a Retro Meal

Each week, HolmdelPatch picks a great
restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice:

CHEEBURGER CHEEBURGER

Back in the day, John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd made "cheeburger cheeburger" a part of the English lexicon.  But those surly, hilarious characters from Saturday Night Live wouldn't fit in here at all. 

The staff at Holmdel's newest eatery "CheeBurger, CheeBurger," in the Holmdel Commons between Pac Sun and Pier One, is friendly and eager to fill your order to your precise specifications.

Overview:  The classic burger joint marries the old corner soda shop in this 1950's inspired franchise restaurant.  They invite you to "invent your own taste" with dozens of burger toppings and myriad flavors for one-of-a-kind milkshakes.   Not for the calorie conscious, it's fun on a casual Saturday night after a movie with your sweetheart or with a noisy group of friends. 

Decor:  Long and narrow, the brightly lit dining room has neon accents, retro art on pink walls, formica tables, vinyl turquiose chairs, a glass block counter, soda fountain, and an Elvis or two (thin Elvis, not Vegas Elvis).  

The Drinks:  The signature beverage is the "Invent Your Own Shake or Malt."  For a half size ($3.39) or regular size ($4.65) you can mix and match any of the 75 different flavors for a possible 378,000 different combinations!  Play it classic with vanilla or chocolate, but if you're feeling adventurous you can try a shake in apple pie, cotton candy, s'mores, amaretto or caribbean rum flavors.

Fountain drinks like CheeryCola, VanillaCola, ChocoCola are $2.19 with unlimited refills.  Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Dr. Pepper, Root Beer, Lemondade, Juice and Milk.  But no Coke!

Salads:  Invent your own salad with any combination of free toppings like black olives, artichoke hearts, feta cheese or dried cranberries on a generous spring mix of chopped romaine and fresh baby greens.  Grilled Chicken, Grilled Portobello, and the Cheeburger Cheeburger salad (topped with a quarter pound of beef) are among the specialty salads for $8.99.

Entrees:  Burgers and more burgers.  You can Invent Your Own with the cheese and toppings of your choice.  Start with the Classic, 5.5 oz. ($5.99), the Semi-Serious, 7 oz. ($5.99), the Serious, 10 oz. ($6.99), or the Delirious, 14 oz.) ($8.69).  They also offer turkey burgers, chicken sandwiches, grilled cheese, and of course, build your own wraps as well. 

Sides:  Fresh cut, fresh cooked Onion Rings and Fries come in small ($2.49), medium ($3.49), and large sizes ($4.49) and are served with your choice of four sauces: Creamy Cheese, Zesty Horseradish, Creamy Jalapeno, Garden Vegetable.  Try one sauce for $.99 or all four for $3.49. 

Allergy Note: all fried products are cooked in peanut oil.

Desserts:  If you can still fit dessert in, you can order ice cream sodas in vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, or "black & white" ($3.99).  Or, try a root beer, Dr. Pepper or Cola float for $3.99.  Old-fashioned egg creams are also available for $2.39.

Service:  Wait time for tables can be long on Friday and Saturday nights when the joint is hopping, but servers are quick, friendly, and orders come fast once you sit down.

Signature Dish: The "Famous Pounder," a huge 20 oz. of Naturewell Natural Angus Beef for the ultimate Cheeburger ($10.99).  If you actually finish this monster the staff will take your photo and add it on their "Wall of Famers."  Are you up for the challenge?

Cheeburger Cheeburger (www.cheeburger.com)
Address: 2130 Route 35 South, Holmdel Commons, Holmdel, NJ

Open Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Take out is available (732) 671-5330 or you can order online: www.cheeburger.com.