Caliburger, Shanghai
What is Caliburger Caliburger is a burger restaurant that embodies a typical Southern California burger joint, in Shanghai. There has been so much written about what Caliburger did in copying the famous In-N-Out chain, that you’ll be able read much of it from the links below. There was even a private and official In-N-Out event at Sasha, late last year, around the time Caliburger made its announcement. I’ve had a decent burger in Seoul – at Kraze, a burger that might arguably surpass In-N-Out at Five Guys, and I’ve had the read thing. So it was only natural that I had to make time and try Caliburger.
As you walk in, you get a feeling that you might have stepped into a 50′s diner with the checker board tiles. Once you mosey up to the counter to order, the menu starts to look a little funny…
What did the Thirsty Pig eat? Since you’re in Shanghai, you realize that you could order a combo meal with a cheese burger with fries and a beverage of your choice – coke, sprite, milkshake, beer, or wine. Heck you could even get spiked milkshake with bourbon. I do regret I didn’t get the spiked milkshake – after all it was only noon.
So, I had a double, which essentially is the double double (double meat and double cheese). The wait for my food was long, as expected, yet not – since it was kinda empty. I don’t think the staff has the complete In-N-Out system down pat. I didn’t care much for the can of soda, since I liked all-you-drink soda fountains back home in the US.
Once the food finally arrive, I quickly started munching (after I took my requisite 100 photos or so). The burger arrived as if it was made to be shot in advertisements. It looked absolutely perfect – with the bun, cheese, and meat centered perfectly. Taste-wise, it was not bad at all – then again, I’m a sucker for most foods. It really has to be terrible before I will say anything bad about it. The fries were surprisingly good, too. They were the fresh potato cuts ones you find in the US – which might not be bad at all.
The Last Word I should have ordered the Spiked Milkshake. . .or at least a regular one… And one last tidbit, on the french fry tray, it says “always fresh”, which is kind of ironic, since the beef is imported from Australia and the fries are the processed frozen ones. Go figure.
A new announcement just came in today…
Celebrate CaliBurger’s official Grand Opening! As our special guest you will receive a free burger for every burger (of equal value) you purchase and you will be invited to eat, drink and have fun with our beautiful CaliGirls. You will also be eligible to receive prizes and giveaways throughout the day.
Dates and Time: Saturday March 17, 2012 Sunday March 18, 2012 10am to Midnight
Rating 2 Pigs – not bad…I like it and I wouldn’t say no to it Price Range 2 $/¥/NT … kinda pricey for a burger.
Links That’s Mag’s Shanghai, Shanghai Talk Magazine, LA Times Article, Shanghai Talk Magazine Interview, Time Out Shanghai, Sweet Shanghai, Shanghaiist, Serious Eats 1, Serious Eats 2, Knee How Shanghai, Shanghai Expat, Frenzied Palate, City Weekend, Hewlettpa Blog
Caliburger 延平路98号 近新闸路 98 Yanping Lu, near Xinzha Lu +86 21 5239-7728 Caliburger Site Sun-Thu 10am-10pm, Fri-Sat 10am-Midnight
Click here to enlarge the pictures