I don’t want to sound harsh here, I really wanted to like Blu Burger Grille even though they took the e off the Blue and put it on the end of grill. It’s a local small business and every time I drive by there I feel like Seinfeld did with Babu and I want to help them get customers in the door. It never seems busy and sometimes doesn’t even look like it’s open even though they have a prime corner location in the Summit Plaza.
After a long day of golf I was craving a good burger but short of driving down to Fleming’s I can’t really think of one that is worth mentioning up in this area. I decided to give Blu Burger another shot, the first time I went I remember it being nothing special. It appears nothing has changed 5 years later.
Bustling with biz
I went in at 4pm on a Saturday and I was the only person in there. I sat at the bar and was greeted by a slightly friendly waitress who showed me the happy hour menu (after I asked her for it) which had a few dollars off somewhat expensive drinks and some nibbles like sliders. A martini runs $12 reg. ($2 off HH) which is quite high especially for using well vodka. The shake was gentle so it wasn’t extremely cold and had no mini ice chips floating but at least the pour was healthy and came with a shaker with the rest of the drink.
A staff member sat next to me on the bar rattling cutlery and rolling it up into napkins. I think this sort of thing should be done behind the scenes and not beside customers. You know me, I like my quiet time and personal space.
I reviewed the burger menu and saw lots of specialty burgers but when I want to get a baseline for a burger joint I want to eliminate all variables that could taint the taste of the basic burger. Meat and bun with a side of Heinz ketchup. Cheese and bacon can be added as well when appropriate. My basic “Build your own burger” Black Angus USDA free-range burger with chee ran me $12 with fries. I would give you more accurate prices on add ons etc. but they aren’t found anywhere online and I forgot to make notes while eating. I was too busy thinking about the shiddy round of golf I just had.
As part of their 6 steps to building your own burger one of them is the bun. I ordered a brioche bun, which was ok, and ketchup on the side (at least it was Heinz), medium rare. Step 6 is add-ons like cheese and bacon, each costing extra money of course. They have a large selection of specialty burgers that might be tasty but I’m not sure that I will be back to try one.
$12 Martini ($2 off HH)
My burger came out rather quickly, almost too quick. It was a tasty burger don’t get me wrong, but it possibly had the flavor of a frozen patty… ya know.. like a hospital cafeteria burger flavor. Perhaps the specialty burgers loaded up with toppings cover up the basic lack of flavor in the patty?
The fries were nothing special. They tasted like they looked.. meh. Cafeteria style.
Also, although I was thankful the waitress gave me a glass of water with my meal, I am not impressed at ANY restaurant that uses chemical tasting tap water. If you can’t do the basics and provide fresh clean tasting water for your patrons I have to think to myself “what other corners are being cut?”
I give Blu Burger Grille 2 1/2 stars out of 5. Not horrible. Not great. Probably won’t go back again.
Blu Burger Grille
Summit At Scottsdale
32409 N Scottsdale Rd,
Scottsdale, AZ 85266
Phone: 480-575-8040
Visit website
View on map
