The Bacon Cheeseburger
The Calvert Room
88.6/ 100points.
Verdict: Worth the Detour
Worth going out of your way for.
“Bacon that earns the surcharge.”
The Score
PattyShow definition18.0 / 20
Beef flavor, seasoning, crust, juiciness, texture, and doneness.
BunShow definition13.5 / 15
Freshness, structure, flavor, and whether it holds through the final bite.
BuildShow definition14.0 / 15
Cheese, sauce, toppings, and whether every ingredient earns its place.
BalanceShow definition17.5 / 20
The proportion of richness, salt, acidity, fat, crunch, and sweetness.
ExecutionShow definition13.5 / 15
Temperature, melt, assembly, timing, and structural integrity.
ValueShow definition8.5 / 10
Whether the burger feels worth the price.
Return FactorShow definition3.6 / 5
Whether we would go back for it—and how soon.
Total88.6/ 100
Worth the Detour
The Report
Most bacon cheeseburgers treat bacon as a line item. This one does not. A six-ounce griddled patty, sharp cheddar, thick-cut bacon, and a brioche bun that is more sturdy than sweet. A bar burger with good posture.
The patty is cooked to a true medium, juicy in the center with a dark crust. The bacon is rendered crisp but still chewy, and there is enough of it to cover the patty edge to edge. Cheddar brings a sharpness American would not. Balance leans rich; a few more pickles would help. The bun holds, though the bottom half was working hard by the end.
$16 at a bar in Adams Morgan is fair for what arrives. Get it with a beer, get it after 10 p.m., and get extra napkins. We would go back on a weeknight without hesitation.