Rex's Downtown Grill - Burger with Cheddar (3 stars)

57 E Patrick St
Frederick, MD 21701

Phone:  (240) 651-5278

Website:  http://www.rexsdowntowngrill.com/

 

Single location

Time of Visit: September 12, 2015 at 11:30 am

My Order:   Burger w/ Cheddar

                      French Fries
                      Barq's Root Beer

 

 

Since I was downtown for the In the Streets Festival in Frederick, I decided to take the opportunity to eat at one of the restaurants there.  Since Rex’s wasn’t in the middle of everything, it gave me an opportunity to get out of the “action” for a bit.  They advertise as "Straight up the BEST burger in town!", but I wasn't impressed.

Burger Rating = 3.4 (***)

 

Presentation, Overall Rating 3

This is a fast casual style restaurant and the meal came out in a paper lined metal tray.  The burger was served open-faced with the fries alongside.  The burger was obviously freshly cooked and the toppings looked good as well, but it didn’t seem any real care was used in the assembly.  Everything was neat enough, but it all just looked a bit greasy to me.  I understand it is fast casual, but a little more care in the presentation would have helped.  I’ll give it a 3.

Meat, Overall Rating 3

The patty looked pretty good, browned and fresh off the grill.  I didn’t specify, so I can’t count off for this, but the burger wasn’t cooked all the way through.  Texture-wise, it was actually pretty good and the flavor wasn’t bad.  I’m conflicted as to whether it was juicy or just greasy from the grill.  Overall, I just wasn’t that impressed, so I’ll give this one a 3.

Bun, Overall Rating 5

The brioche bun was on point for the burger.  It was appropriately sized and looked good.  It had a nice toast on it, had a good texture, and held together until the last bite.  No complaints on the bun, so it gets a 5.

Toppings, Overall Rating 4

Cheddar Cheese:  I was a nice slice of Cheddar, but it wasn’t enough for the size of the burger.  It looked like it was placed on the patty as the sandwich was assembled, not melted onto the patty as it cooked.  It did cover the burger well, it just wasn’t thick enough.  I just can’t give this any more than a 3.

Lettuce:  This was fresh and crunchy and there was actually enough to provide some extra texture to the burger.  My main complaint is that it being chopped caused too much to escape the burger as it was eaten.  Still, good enough for a 4.
Red Onion:  This was good, crunchy red onion, but the few rings provided just weren’t enough.  Plus, it was just placed on the burger and I had to separate the rings and try to spread it across myself.  Altogether, I’ll give it a 3.
Pickle Slices:  These were really tasty, sweet pickle slices.  However, there needed to be just a couple more slices, as there just weren’t enough to completely cover the burger.  I was surprised that they did stay in the burger as I ate it.  If there had been enough, this might have scored up to a 5, but the way it was, I have to hold at a 3.
Gulden’s Mustard:  This wasn’t on the burger when it was served, and I put it on myself from the bottle provided on each table.  Thus, since it wasn’t spoiled or anything, I can’t do anything but give it a 5.

Balance/Taste, Overall Rating 2

Too much of the toppings, mainly the lettuce, fell out during the meal, but generally the flavor was good and there was a good variety, although some bites were missing pickle or onion.  The cheese was also lost in the burger and I like to taste the cheese.  Plus, there was nothing special about the sourcing of the ingredients, I can’t give it any more than a 2.

 

Other Notes:

Location and Access

This store is located on Patrick Street in downtown Frederick, so nearby parking is at a premium.  Plus, if you were driving by, it would be real easy to miss.

Facilities

The store itself is clean and comfortable inside.  I only saw a half-dozen tables in the front and none outside, but it seemed like there were more in the back (I didn’t check).

Staff and Service

The service was pretty good and they brought my food out to me in a reasonable amount of time.  Later on, they offered to refill my drink for me.

Sides

French Fries:  Soggy and not crispy at all, does anyone prefer this style?  They were cooked through, but that’s the best I can say about them.

Barq’s Root Beer:  This was typical, fountain style soda, nothing special but good when you feel like a root beer.

Value

The meal cost me $11.93, plus tax.  That’s a little high for a fast casual place, in my opinion, especially since it wasn't an outstanding burger.