The Basic Double
Upshur Grill
78.5/ 100points.
Verdict: A Good Burger
A solid choice, but not necessarily a destination.
“Better than it needs to be.”
The Score
PattyShow definition15.5 / 20
Beef flavor, seasoning, crust, juiciness, texture, and doneness.
BunShow definition11.5 / 15
Freshness, structure, flavor, and whether it holds through the final bite.
BuildShow definition11.5 / 15
Cheese, sauce, toppings, and whether every ingredient earns its place.
BalanceShow definition15.5 / 20
The proportion of richness, salt, acidity, fat, crunch, and sweetness.
ExecutionShow definition12.0 / 15
Temperature, melt, assembly, timing, and structural integrity.
ValueShow definition9.5 / 10
Whether the burger feels worth the price.
Return FactorShow definition3.0 / 5
Whether we would go back for it—and how soon.
Total78.5/ 100
A Good Burger
The Report
A neighborhood grill's two-patty cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, onion, and ketchup. It is not trying to be anyone's favorite burger. It ends up better than it needs to be.
The patties are pre-formed and griddled through, so juiciness is limited, but the seasoning is fine and the sear is honest. The cheese melts properly. The tomato was pale on our visit, and the bun is a standard sesame roll that holds but adds little. Nothing is wrong. Nothing stands out either, except the price.
At $9.50 with fries included, it posts the highest value score on the Board. If you are in Petworth and hungry, it is the correct order. We would not cross town for it, and that is fine.