Caliburger Opens in the University District

Burger lovers unite! CaliBurger opened today in the University District near the corner of University Avenue and 45th. The new eatery offers a variety of burgers and sandwiches, “Cali-style” fries (the classic burger companion loaded with grilled onions, cheese and the chain’s secret sauce), boozy shakes and an abundance of local treats like Stumptown cold brew and Full Tilt ice cream.

Seattle mag food editor Jessica Yadegaran first covered the news about the chain’s opening back in September. In her article, Yadegaran expounded on CaliBurger’s somewhat controversial beginnings, citing that “according to The Los Angeles Times a former manager of the cult-favorite In-N-Out opened the first CaliBurger in China in 2012 and In-N-Out immediately sued the company for advertising a Double-Double burger and Animal-style fries–two of the company’s popular specialties.” And while CaliBurger had “changed its menu names awhile ago,” many similarities to the beloved California fast-food chain remain, such as those “Cali-style fries.”

The restaurant caters to tech-savvy millennials with mobile ordering, wireless charging stations, and–most importantly–a giant game of communal Minecraft. Through simply downloading an app onto your smartphones, you can engage with fellow burger-eaters and boast about your scores as moves are showcased on a giant video wall.

At Monday’s media preview event, I opted for a classic CaliBurger with Cali-style fries–complete with that tasty “special sauce” and loads of cheese–and a bourbon-infused boozy shake made with Full Tilt’s vanilla ice cream. I’m not a huge bourbon fan, but the mix was reminiscent of a grown-up root beer float. I also tried a bite of my friend’s Cali chicken sandwich, which is a great option if you’re looking for some lighter fare.

The Seattle location is the first CaliBurger restaurant in the U.S., a fact that founder and ceo John Miller joked about on Monday saying “it’s possible that CaliBurger is the first [American] burger chain to start abroad and later expand into the States.” Regardless of its unconventional beginnings, Caliburger should be popular addition to the Seattle burger scene.