King's Burgers

9345 Reseda Blvd.
Northridge, Ca 91324
(818) 885-6456
$($8 - $10)

King's Burgers is dive burger joint walking distance from CSUN. As far as I can remember, King's has been here since the early 90's and I am assuming they haven't had a remodel since their opening. But I am not going into the particulars on how I would update their restaurant... because, as you would imagine, I am being solicited on a daily basis by the owner.

Bleu Cheese Arugula Burger ($8.99)

The Bleu Cheese Arugula Burger is a quarter pounder topped with mozzarella, seasoned sautéed green apple slices, unwashed arugula, tomatoes, lettuce, and a thin layer of bleu cheese dressing.  I love the salty and tangy flavor bleu cheese crumbles add to burgers, the texture becomes cohesive with the burger patty in a magical way. Unfortunately, there were no crumbles of bleu cheese on this burger, rather, a questionable spread that may have been bleu cheese dressing. The arugula gave a peppery flavor paired well with sour green apples. 

The burger patty itself was thin, pressed, and charred. All the natural juices which should have coated the paper beneath the burger were as absent as the bleu cheese. The addition of the mozzarella would have made sense, had I ordered a Mozzarella Arugula Burger... maybe I am just bitter about the absence of bleu cheese crumbles. 

One corner of the cheese had accidentally met the grill giving it a wonderful crispy texture, kinda like a well done slice of pizza, making me wish the mozzarella was bruled instead of slightly melted. Finally, there was the addition of tomatoes, lettuce and mayonaise, three components which seemed to be have thrown on to the burger "just because." All burgers don't need lettuce and tomatoes, and neither did this. 

King's Burgers is an affordable burger dive near CSUN. The menu is large and, I can only imagine, expanding. Though the ambiance is dated, it's inviting and comfortable. Unfortunately the flavors are uneven and muddled by unnecessary flavors. Their burger was over-done, charred, and, I suspect, originally frozen. An entire meal can be successfully composed between two buns, but there is nothing wrong with simplicity. King's isn't bad, but there are better places to get fat.