Burger 21 – Crafted Burgers and Shake – UCF Area – University Blvd

Burger 21, a fast-casual “beyond the better burger” franchise concept founded by the owners of The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc., have opened their 2nd shop in Orlando (after the Millenia Mall location) at 11551 University Blvd. near Orlando’s beloved University of Central Florida (UCF).

Locally owned and operated by Daniel Torres, Burger 21 UCF features 21 unique, chef-inspired burger creations. There are 20 listed on the menu including 100% angus beef, turkey, chicken, veggie, and even seafood burgers -like ahi tuna and shrimp – as well as 1 changing featured special burger. Going along with the 21 theme, on the 21st of each month Burger 21 donates 10% of sales to a local charity partner of the month.

In addition to burgers, they serve up hand-dipped signature shakes made with Blue Bell Ice Cream, gourmet hot dogs, hand-breaded chicken tenders and made-to-order salads.

The decor is modern, super clean contemporary-style diner atmosphere with a fun little bar area for milk shakes. Once inside, guests order at the counter and then you are given a numbered disc to take to your seat. There is a creative sauce bar (maybe a cue from their mother company The Melting Pot) where you can gather together sauces like Apple Cider, Toasted Marshmallow (which goes well with the sweet potato fries option), ragin cajun, and Thai ketchup.

I ordered the Tex-Mex Haystack, a tasty, gargantuan burger made with 100% angus beef, lettuce, tomato, applewood-smoked bacon, Gouda cheese, guacamole, onion strings, chipotle-jalapeño sauce, all on a buttery toasted brioche bun. The flavors and textures went together very well, and it really has to be one of my favorite burgers I’ve tried so far. The crispy, thin french fries were also a treat to eat with the burgers.

I also ordered one of their Blue Bell Ice Cream shakes: the strawberry short cake shake made with strawberries and little pieces of real short cake inside. Truly a delicious, sweet dessert treat.

The Shake station at Burger 21

The Sauce Bar

Very unique flavors for the sauce bar

Tex-Mex Haystack, a tasty, gargantuan burger made with 100% angus beef, lettuce, tomato, applewood-smoked bacon, Gouda cheese, guacamole, onion strings, chipotle-jalapeño sauce, all on a buttery toasted brioche bun