BK Whopper Bar: A Burger Joint for the Creative Class

At first glance, this seems like a rather ridiculous concept. Dress up a fast food burger with a large selection of toppings. Throw in some beer and call it a new burger trend. And what with the glut of “We’re Cool Cuz’ we Serve Burgers” restaurants clogging South Beach like so many uncleaned sewers, this didn’t appear to be a venture that was going to fly. But if you haven’t been to the Burger King Whopper Bar on 11th and Washington, you don’t understand why it’s popular.

NOT JUST A BK WITH BOOZE

Most people who’ve heard about this concept think the Whopper Bar is like a bar in a Burger King. Which it’s not. Yes, various Budweiser products are available served at a chilly 25 degrees (the thermometer on the fridge tells you) but this is not a place to go to drink and socialize. It’s a place to go to experiment with burger toppings.

The indoor section of the restaurant has what looks like an over-protected salad bar for you to examine. It features all the BK standard vegetables, as well as 16 specialty toppings ranging from “Angry Onions” (fried onion sections in a spicy Cajun batter) to guacamole to bleu cheese crumble. Above these vegetables sit a selection of burger sauces I haven’t even seen in high-end restaurants. In addition to the usual mustard, ketchup, barbecue sauce and mayo, there’s A-1, Cajun sauce, and BK original creations the mustardy Angry Sauce and original Bourbon Flavored. Combine these with the toppings, and it’s really the ultimate “Have it Your Way” experience.

BURGER KING DOESN’T THINK THEY KNOW WHAT YOU LIKE BETTER THAN YOU DO

Now, does Burger King have the highest quality and best tasting meat you’ll find in a hamburger? Of course it doesn’t. But the meat isn’t what this place is about. The BK Whopper Bar is about creativity. It’s about looking at this unique variety of options, and creating a burger that is exactly what you want. Yeah, they have some original creations you can try, like an Angry Whopper with jalapenos, Angry Onions, and angry Sauce, or the California Whopper with Pepper Bacon, Swiss cheese and guacamole.

But BK isn’t telling you what you like on a burger. They’re not forcing a bunch of toppings on you that you may not like. BK says, “Hey, here’s some cool stuff you can mix and match. Have it Your Way.” Unlike a lot of burger restaurants in South Beach who think they’re something more than a burger joint, BK isn’t trying to make some culinary statement. This Miami institution is letting YOU be the creative one, and in the process creating a great burger without taking itself too seriously.

CREATIVITY FOSTERING MORE CREATIVITY

In addition to the creative fun the Whopper Bar offers, like every other BK it features completely free WiFi. So if you just want somewhere to get work done while you sip down some ice cold beers with no noise or distractions, I’m not sure South Beach offers a better location. I’ve actually written and posted this entire article while looking out on Washington Avenue. And not one hipster with a latte has given me a dirty look for sitting here too long. And not one drunk has pestered me about what’s on my laptop.

Throw in a surprisingly competent, English-speaking and friendly staff, and the BK Whopper Bar is now on my short list of places to eat in South Beach. At the end of the day, yeah, it’s still just a Whopper. But if you’re creative, it just may end up being the best burger you have in Miami.

 

Related Links: • I'll Have a Beer with that Whopper and Fries • BK Whopper Bar? Related Categories: Miami: Food & Restaurant News, Miami: Things to Do, About the Author: Matt Meltzer is a featured columnist at Miami Beach 411. See more articles by Matt Meltzer. See more articles by Matt Meltzer Was This Post Helpful? Please Share It With Others! Tweet

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