Review: Grilled Jalapeno Bacon Cheeser from The Garage Burgers & Beer

Bottom Line: The Grilled Jalapeno Bacon Cheeser from The Garage Burgers & Beer delivers an excellent, fresh-made burger that brings some burn.

There are plenty of places to get a good burger these days, but if you happen to be in the Oklahoma City area (or Arkansas or Nebraska) while craving some beef on a bun, might I suggest a regional chain called The Garage Burgers & Beer? I happened to be in town for my son’s college graduation, and I had visited this place before and rather enjoyed their menu selections. This time, I got the Grilled Jalapeno Bacon Cheeser, and it delivered some burn with the beef.

Here is what that includes:

One beef patty (though you can also choose turkey, chicken, or bison), garlic aioli, lettuce, tomato, onion, fresh grilled jalapeños, bacon, and American cheese on a fresh-made bun (gluten-free or a wheat bun is available as well).

The patty for this burger is not huge (probably one-third pound), but it is plenty beefy with good taste and seasoning. The garlic aioli did not really stand out, but it mixed in with the flavors well enough and brought some creaminess along with the cheese. The bacon delivered some salt, smoke, and a nice kick of flavor, while the veggies were fresh enough and not overloaded on the burger.

But it was those grilled jalapeños that took this already excellent burger to the next level. They delivered a nice roasted taste with a good kick and combined quite well with all the other ingredients. Sandwiched together on that fresh bun, each bite was a savory joy. And those peppers also brought some heat, getting the burger to around Medium on my scale. It may not set your mouth on fire, but it did deliver a nice burn.

Be sure to order some of their crispy, fresh-cut fries to go along with your burger, and for dipping you will want the hot pepper sauce. That has some sweetness and smokiness to it—similar to barbecue sauce, but not as heavy on the smoke—and it definitely delivers on the heat. It gets close to Hot on my scale and had my mouth tingling.

They do not show the calories for their menu items, and that is probably for the best. My guess is that the burger is somewhere between 800 and 1,000 calories, and those fries tack on at least another 300 to 400 calories. Along with the beer or two you will certainly order from their extensive selection, you are definitely breaking the calorie bank with a visit to this place, so just count it as a splurge and schedule some extra time at the gym.

But while the calories are on the high side, the prices are not. My burger cost $9.50, and the fries and dipping sauce added another $3.75. Compare that to national chains like Five Guys or Shake Shack that are asking a mint these days for their food, and you are definitely coming out ahead with a burger that is as good if not better and a nicer atmosphere for dining. This place has locations in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Nebraska (known as Smitty’s Garage Burgers & Beer in some areas), and it is certainly worth checking out, especially if you are craving a good burger. You can check for a location near you on their website.