Hamburgers are my kryptonite. During my senior year in high school, I vowed that I would not eat red meat. But, lo and behold one day at a family picnic, I stumbled upon a juicy hamburger and caved. So of course when I heard about the opening of Foggy Bottom’s new burger joint, Energy Kitchen, my heart skipped a few beats.
Aiming to serve “fast food, not fat food,” Energy Kitchen offers a menu of goodies that all boast a label of less than 500 calories. The restaurant chain also prides itself on providing its customers with natural beef, whole grains, and fat-free condiments.
Upon discovering Energy Kitchen’s uncommon approach to a familiar food, I wondered if its atmosphere would be just as unique. However the moment I arrived, my stomach dropped. Blinding lime green chairs, posters of burgers plastered to the walls, and nauseatingly bright lights are a few of the things that gave me a headache upon entering Energy Kitchen’s doors.
Trying to remain optimistic about the food itself and preventing myself from thinking about the oxymoronic nature of a healthy burger, I decided to go with the Sirloin Burger with Sea Salt Fries, a side of the Black Bean and Mango Salad, and a Berries & Cream “Smart Shake.” The decision was a difficult one, as the menu is expansive. Originally, I had feared that Energy Kitchen’s guilt-free approach to burgers would limit my options, but to my surprise, the menu contained a variety of dishes such as salads, wraps, burgers (of the steak, chicken, turkey, rolled oats, and even bison varieties), breakfast sandwiches, and numerous sides.
Within a few minutes, my meal was ready. As the waiter approached my table with the tray of food, I noticed that the meal placed before me did not look quite as appealing as the glossy illustrations of the burgers that lined Energy Kitchen’s walls. I tried to remain unfazed, but I started to wonder if my hopes had been too high.
It turns out though that the burger wasn’t bad at all. In fact, it was pretty delicious. Sandwiched between honey-oat buns, the sirloin patty was complemented by lettuce, caramelized onions, tomatoes, and a tangy orange steak sauce. I was surprised to find myself wanting more and more after each bite.
That being said, the high point of my meal was most definitely the Black Bean and Mango Salad. The mango was sweet, the chopped peppers were crunchy, and the cilantro added a nice refreshing kick to an already satisfying flavor combination.
Sadly, I cannot bring myself to praise the Sea Salt Fries and Very Berry shake. While I appreciate the fact that the fries were baked rather than fried, they were limp and lacked ample sea salt. The smoothie tasted like thickened cough syrup, but it was more likely to induce vomiting than cure any illness. Next time, I think I’ll opt for the peanut butter shake.
All in all, I suggest that you take a trip to Foggy Bottom if you’re in the mood for some healthy grub. While it’s no Shake Shack or In-N-Out, Energy Kitchen has a vast selection of meals that are wallet and diet-friendly.
My only suggestion (besides steering clear of the shakes)—if the weather is nice, spare yourself an Energy Kitchen migraine and sit outside!
