Bites Nearby: BRGR Brings Famous Burgers, Milkshakes to Cranberry

Overview:

BRGR is a new burger restaurant in the lower level of the Cranberry Mall at Route 19 and Freedom Road. BRGR is known for its gourmet burgers and fun milkshake flavors – with and without alcohol.

Decor:

BRGR is a contemporary bar/restaurant. The bar is smack dab in the middle of the restaurant, with big TVs overhead on four sides.

There are tables with couches, booths and regular tables, and on warm nights, the garage-door-style windows open so folks can sit on the outdoor patio.

We were there on a Friday night and had a 10-minute wait, but it looked like we timed it right because others were waiting before us and looked a bit impatient. We got there about 8.

It is noisy there – if you want a quiet, romantic night out, you are going to want to go somewhere else. If you want a great burger and milkshake at a happening place, go to BRGR.   

Drinks:

BRGR's milkshakes are made with whole milk and ice cream from Dave & Andy’s in Pittsburgh. Yum. BRGR is not looking for low-cal here, folks, but these milkshakes score, with or without alcohol.

I had a Sally Carmel milkshake with bourbon, sea salt caramel sauce and vanilla bean. It was delicious although I couldn’t really taste the alcohol. Spiked milkshakes are $8 and regular are $5. 

My husband had a spiked float – bourbon cherry, also $8, and he loved it. Chocolate and cherry, who wouldn’t?

BRGR also has a full bar menu with a nice selection of craft beers.

Appetizers:

We passed on appetizers because we knew we were having heavier drink choices and burgers, which, after all, is why we went there. BRGR has a variety of appetizers including fried pickles, which I see sprouting up everywhere on menus. You can try nachos, homemade chips, onion rings and fries if you have a bigger appetite than us. Appetizer prices start at $3.

BRGR offers happy hour specials from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Entrees:

Since BRGR specializes in burgers, that is what we chose. I had the “Shroomz,” a burger with caramelized onions, mushrooms and brie. It was outstanding. I must admit I had a bit of a bad moment when it came with a medium-well pick in the top, but it must have been the pick from my husband’s burger as mine was a perfect medium.

He chose a “Fire in the Hole” burger with hot peppers, guacamole and pepper jack cheese and loved it as well. And yes, it was cooked medium-well to his request. 

We had homemade chips at $3 and fries for $4 – you have to order and pay for sides – and they were generous sides and delicious. One side would do nicely for a couple.

Other burgers include the “Tree Hugger” – a vegetarian offering; “The Locavore,” which is a lamb burger; and “Average Joe,” a regular, old hamburger. You can also choose to build your own burger. Prices range from $7 to $14 for burgers.

BRGR also has salads and hot dogs.

Desserts:

There are desserts on the menu, but as you can imagine, the milkshakes and burgers did us in. When my 6-foot-4-inch husband passes on dessert, you know it is a filling meal. A cookie ice cream sandwich and brownie a la mode are on the menu, for $6 each.

Service:

We had a delightful waitress, and when it looked like we were sitting there awhile without being served, another waiter popped over to make sure someone was getting us drinks. Despite the busy night, our waitress was smiling and cheerful, and it looked like the rest were as well. The kitchen was a bit slow, but it was busy and we were enjoying our milkshakes and the warm, pleasant night, so we didn’t mind one bit.

Address: 20111 Route 19 & Freedom Road, Cranberry Mall

Information: http://www.brgrpgh.com and 724-BEEF [2333].  

Hours: 11:30 a.m. until midnight with food served until 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11:30 until 2 a.m. with food served until midnight Friday and Saturday and 11:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. with food served until 9 p.m. Sunday.