Parlor Tricks

If anything can be said about Old Town Orange, it’s that the area’s dining is second to none in all the city. Diverse options-everything from Mexican food to contemporary gastropub fare-can be found in abundance. In the center of this culinary carnival lies Burger Parlor, a humble restaurant seeking to put its mark on an old classic. The restaurant, which opened early in May 2016, is the brainchild of Joseph Mahon, an active restaurateur and Michelin-starred chef, who opened the restaurant’s first store in Fullerton four years ago.

When entering the building, the first thing many notice is the distinct interior style. The left side of the small restaurant houses the order counter and kitchen, resembling a 50’s style diner. The right side, however, seems more reminiscent of a northwestern coffee joint, with its brick façade, square bar tables, and dual flat-screen TVs. Looking at the order board, one may notice the streamlined design of the menu: all burgers are specialties, and cooked fresh to order, boasting antibiotic-free, Omaha beef. The first burger to catch my eye was the Nashville BBQ burger, a twist on an old classic. After sitting down with my savory-looking hamburger, spiced fries, and onion rings, I was ready to experience food Nirvana.

The first and last word in my mind as I ate this burger, was beef. Perfectly seasoned and cooked to a medium shade, it was a perfect complement to the cheese, grilled onions, barbeque sauce, and buttermilk fried onion ring. The fries were no slouch either, packing a nice amount of spice and crispness, which played beautifully with the spiced ketchup. The onion rings proved to be excellent as well, featuring a lightly fried surface and firm onion slice underneath. Thoroughly satisfied, I made a mental note to leave this place with 5 stars on any food review. As I passed the menu once again on the way out, one last item caught my attention. How could I leave without a shake? My shake choice was an unusual one: Cinnamon Toast Crunch. The cereal was nicely blended with the ice cream, and the overall consistency was nice and thick. It tasted as if I was eating a much sweeter version of post-cereal milk.

Since that day, I continue to hold the Parlor in high regard as one of the finest lunch spots in town. At an average of $9 a meal, it may be a bit much for everyday dining, but when compared to any other burger joint, there’s no finer sandwich in all of Old Town Orange. I proudly endorse the store with a rating of 5 stars.