Umami Burger
527 Spectrum Center Dr,Ste 216, Irvine, CA, 92618
Umami Burger Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Irvine for healthy meals suggestion.
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Visit below restaurant in Irvine for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
527 Spectrum Center Dr,Ste 216
Irvine, CA, 92618 - Phone (949) 396-1830
- Website https://www.umamiburger.com/locations/irvine-spectrum/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 11
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Brunch
Parking : Valet, Garage
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Drive-Thru : No
Caters : No
Categories
Burgers
Burger or Hamburger is savored as the most desired fast food meal in the United States. A hamburger is basically a sandwich prepared by stuffing ground meat patty, generally beef, between two slices of a bun cut in half. Hamburger is also famous for its seasoning. Most popular condiments used in hamburgers in the United States are mustard, mayonnaise, and ketchup. Besides ground meat patty, hamburgers are also stuffed with lettuce, onions, tomato slices, pickles, and cheese.
Hamburgers are also categorized into two types in the United States. Fast food hamburger and individual hamburgers served at restaurants are two basic types of burgers served in the United States. The individual hamburgers served at restaurants are prepared using everything including lettuce, onion, tomato, and sliced pickles as well as melted cheese on the patty or crumbled on top. American restaurants also serve veggie burgers for those who don't relish meat. Cheeseburgers are also hot favorite in the United States.
McDonalds is the most popular fast food burger restaurant serving different types of burgers in the United States. On the other hand, there are several restaurants such as Burger King are famous for serving the best hamburgers in the United States. Most burger restaurants in the United States often serve hamburgers with French fries and other condiments. If you have a liking for burgers in the United States, then you won't be disappointed. You can easily find the best burger restaurants in your city on our Restaurants Listings directory. Check the reviews and ratings of the top burger restaurants and savor yourself with the best hamburger in the city.
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Greg B.
So many Things going on - too many to count Here are the highlights Perfectly toasted bun Wonderful mustard Juicy burger Savory bite after bite
(5)Jenna D.
outstanding service from Heidi!! we grabbed a table by the fire pit, got the drinks flowing and had an awesome little feast. the onion rings were great with all their in-house sauces and perfect for sharing. tried my friend's manly burger and it was awesome! tried a spicy old fashioned and also loved that. my go-to at the other locations was the especiale with the truffle and fried egg which is now the "sunny" or something--unfortunately it did not hold up to their other locations. the bun seemed like it had been sitting out and wasn't super soft as it should be. just didn't live up to the memory of past truffle burgers at Umami. that being said, I will be back for more fun and grub with Heidi, thanks girl!!
(4)Saree C.
Good quality gourmet burgers for small to moderate appetites and semi-deep pockets. Over $45 for 2 people at this joint is a bit excessive. Might explain why there were only a few people dining in this fairly large restaurant. Portion size of the burger is fairly small. I was able to eat my entire burger and then some at Umami Burger, while at other places, I'm used to taking at least 1/4 of the burger home. The burgers themselves are really good. I tried two of them, medium rare. I preferred the flavors of the Sunny Side over the Manly because I felt the flavors of the former meshed very well together. While the Manly was good, it felt like it was missing something...like barbecue sauce of some variety. Truffle fries, listed as a premium side, were a disappointment. The truffle sauce unfortunately reminded me of a white nacho cheese whose outer layer had congealed without any desirable flavor. Better off getting a small order of regular fries and using the provided dipping sauces. The sweet potato fries were good, appeared to have a light dusting of cinnamon sugar. The small size definitely suffices. Of the sauces, I liked the jalapeno ranch and the garlic. House ketchup is good. Drinks are expensive, and they do serve in a small glass. The tropical green tea tastes essentially like green tea with a lemongrass infusion. The ginger beer they have is also good. Staff is friendly here. I would come back to try their other burger offerings, though not very frequently. There are other burger places that serve up delicious burgers at a better value.
(3)Angela C.
I think this might be the largest and most spacious of all the Umami Burger restaurants! It's located in Irvine Spectrum, right by the Edwards Cinemas, Improv, and Tender Greens. The server told us they also have a place you can order and eat at inside Improv. Umami Burger before a comedy show sounds like the perfect pairing to me! As for the food, I still think their Truffle Burger is the best - so juicy with that subtle truffle flavor. We also shared a mixed appetizer platter consisting of regular shoestring fries, truffle fries, sweet potato fries, maple bacon sweet potato fries, macaroni balls, and onion rings. Some reasons for the 3 stars: - They serve coke in a tiny 8 oz bottle. In other words, no refills and it will cost you $3.50 out of pocket. Yikes. - Their beet salad was meh. There were only 4 thin slivers of beets on a bed of arugula. Seriously? Next time I'll just get salad from tender greens. - Not a fan of their regular fries. I'm already not the biggest fan of shoestring fries, and not only that... but you couldn't taste truffle at all in their truffle fries. - It's so expensive for what you get. I get that this is a gourmet burger place, but I just don't think it's worth the price you pay. Whereas I would definitely pay the premium for Father's Office. - Tap list is pretty sad looking.
(3)Kelsie H.
Is it just me or is this Umami extremely different from the other locations at The Camp and Anaheim? The bun on the burger is usually one of the best parts, their signature bun is so light and fluffy. This one was solid, heavy. I had to eat the burger open-faced there was so much bread. Also, the meat wasn't as tasty or juicy as I've experienced at other locations. Definitely different. You're still going to eat a good burger and fries here, but don't be expecting that solid Umami taste you know and love.
(2)Diana P.
First time at this location. I still prefer the one at The Camp. However, it was still good! I would have it again, but I'll stick to the Costa Mesa location. WAIT TIME. Monday at 1PM didn't have a wait. If anything, the place was nearly empty. That might have killed the hype for me, but it's better than waiting an hour. FOOD. Umami burger. A must. Portion is small. It was my cousin's first time, so I ordered the classic. The patty is amazing as always. Manly burger. It's really good for people who like their meats more. I think I'd appreciate it more if I was hungry because I recalled it being better the first time I had it. Sweet potato fries. Another must with the burgers. Their large portions really are large. Thin potato fries. Not bad but I would get a small size next time. Sauces. You CANNOT enjoy your burger and fries without these 3. (Okay maybe you can but I can't so) There used to be so many more sauces served in Asian soup spoons, but our waitress brought out a mini silver bucket with 3 cute little bottles. They've got my jalapeño ranch though, so I'm gucci. SERVICE. I don't recall the waiters checking up on us much even though they passed us multiple times coming from the kitchen. But we didn't really need anything, so it's fine. PRICE. About $40 for what I ordered that day. Definitely on the higher end side.
(3)Rob L.
There are burger places that every burger lover should try at least once. And Umami Burger is one of those places. But I'm sorry... I'm not impressed. Not that it's a bad burger. It's not. In fact, it's pretty good. But at this price range and with such hype, I'm expecting something a lot better. Like Gordon Ramsay Burgr. Or Bachi Burger. Or something really special. I think even G Burger has a better product. We could taste that the patty was made with high quality meat and it was flavorful. So they didn't skimp on quality there. But it's a grey burger - not flame broiled, no grill marks, not charred, not seared, not burnt. It's a flat burger with no sizzle to it. The umami burger was overwhelmed by ketchup - there was so much ketchup that it even made the bun soggy. It came with a tiny piece of mushroom and another tiny piece of tomato. They were really stingy there. The sunny side burger came with a fried egg sunny side up, arugula, and truffled aioli. The truffle taste and aroma was rather weak but I did like the parmesan frico which I thought complemented the burger well. The truffle fries were meh... Maybe I'm not a fan of these skinny shoestring fries but they got cold, soft, and limp very quickly. It was topped with a tiny serving of truffle cheese which covered only a tiny portion of the fries. The cheese also became cold and hard very quickly. Pretty much a side dish wasted. I would give this place 3 stars and the third star was earned by our server, Huyentram, who was upbeat and helpful. She checked back with us often and refilled our iced teas promptly. Service was friendly and efficient. There are burger places that every burger lover should try at least once. For Umami, once is enough...
(3)Julie K.
So I've come to the conclusion that I'm not that enamored with Umami Burger as everyone else seems to be. I've been aware of its existence for a long time now so I was excited to finally try it for myself. My husband ordered the Cali burger and I got the original. The Irvine Spectrum location is the only one that offers a side of fries with the burger (for a small surcharge). We got the regular thin cut and sweet potato fries. The burgers were good. But they weren't phenomenal and I'd be okay if I never had one again. The dipping sauces for the fries on the other hand - WOW. I loved the spicy sauce and the jalapeño ranch. They should bottle and sell those.The house ketchup was forgettable, though. Service was excellent and ambiance in the outdoor/atrium was a feel-good place to eat and drink. $53 for two burger entrees & two alcoholic beverages including tax & tip.
(3)Christine W.
What in the world happened to the portions here? Did even the sliders get smaller? Sure feels like it. Make sure you pay extra and order more, or you'll be left hungry.
(2)Vina O.
I won't lie, their burgers are really good. But I guess I can't justify the price. The burgers are fairly small, maybe about the same size as a fast food chain. I would think for the size of the burger, the price should be about $8-9, not $11-13. Fries are extra, so you end up paying almost $15-20 per meal, excluding drinks. Sunday is probably the best day to go if you have kids since kids eat free. Favorite burgers are the truffle and the house umami burger.
(3)Anne S.
So, the bf and I got here around 1 but had to leave latest 1:45 in order to get somewhere by 2. We thought, hey, they look pretty empty enough to NOT TAKE FOREVER TO SEAT US AND SERVE US FOOD. OHHHHHH how we were wrong. Maybe we were just rushed, or maybe it was just too cold outside, OR MAYBE THEY JUST DIDN'T CARE. who. knows. But I was pretty disappointed. Literally, there was no one else waiting to get seated, most of the people sitting were already finishing up so the servers weren't even busy at all. We were waiting at the front, hoping one of the four servers who saw us standing there would come and seat us but NO, they just kept walking to an unknown destination. After about five minutes, the host comes to greet us and seats us at the table pretty much where it was freezing and the waiting for our server begins. We're not newcomers so we know what we want and are waiting, yet again. We wait so that we can flag down whoever we see first so that they can get our server to take our order but, no ones anywhere to be seen, seemed like they all disappeared... Five more minutes go by. We're getting antsy by now and finally, someone comes to our table. We quickly order and a few minutes later, the sauce bin comes out. Then, plates and the truffle fries. We're starving at this point so we chow down on the fries which are getting cold from all the wind blowing. BRRRRR.. The fries are about half way done and the burgers finally come and we get right to work. We ask for the check and dayyyyummm, that came fast. Didn't know they had that in them. wow. All the other locations I've been to, the service was WONDERFUL but this one.. the max you will receive from me is a three star. Oh and with my super duper driving skills, we made it to our destination with 3 minutes to spare. yay
(3)Samuel C.
I ordered the Chicken sandwich and got a sampler plate to share that had pretty much all their appetizers. Just off food taste alone I would probably give this 3.5-4 stars. But I give it 2-2.5 because of the following 2 reasons.... 1. Price - I ordered the fried chicken sandwich (now part of the secret menu?) and while it was good, it was $13. That's 2 Chick-Fil-A Combo meals! And I couldn't say if it really was better than a Chick Fil A Sandwich. My wife ordered the Truffle Burger which was $12. Burgers are not that big either. And these prices do not include fries. I understand you pay more for these premium upscale burgers. I've had a few that justify the price but in this case I just don't think so. 2. Drinks - I'm a big craft beer drinker and they had a real sad tap list. I mean I expected way better for a place like this. Best they had was Allagash White and Stone IPA and the rotating tap was a Oskar Blues Pils. C'mon man, Tender greens next door has a waaay better tap list. ALSO another huge pet peeve of mine. My wife ordered a diet coke and out came a 8oz bottle and a cup with ice. Is this a thing now? I expect hole-in-the-wall Asian places to give me a can of soda with a cup of ice, but an american restaurant? I hate it. It's not hard to get fountain soda set up and places like this should have soda with free refills. At least the asian restaurants will give me a 12oz can for like $2. They charged us $3.50 for 8oz. Bullshit. Overall, food was decent, but there are so many other good burger places you can go to with better beer selection and free soda refills. I was filled with regret that we didn't just go to tender greens. In fact not only do they have craft beer but craft soda with guess what...yea, free refills!
(2)Saehee K.
I would've rated Umami Burger at Spectrum 4 stars for their food, but their rude customer service gets them a 2. My co-workers and I often go to Umami Burger for lunch but after today, I'm probably going to take it off our list. Our visit today was spoiled by a very rude waitress. My 3 co-workers and I decided to go to Umami today to get some good burger and great experience. Once we got seated, we were served our beverages and everything was swell. To celebrate a Happy Friday, we did a group cheers and clinked our glasses. A normal tap to express our joy. As soon I tapped my friend's glass, the bottom of the glass completely fell off. She was drenched, the bottom part of the glass fell, and it was a mess. All 3 of us were scrambling to get her more paper towel, checking to see if she was okay, making sure the glass didn't shatter. And we were all looking around to see if our waitress or any staff would come to help. NO ONE CAME. Seriously? Until finally our waitress noticed and came to grab the ice and glass. I told her that the bottom of the glass completely fell off and asked "is this even possible?". Obviously I was trying to keep it light and still be friendly. The rude waitress literally said "well, anything is possible" in the most rudest tone and walked off. As if we broke the glass. She didn't come back and ask if my friend was okay. Didn't even acknowledge that the bottom part of the glass did just fall off...Someone who looked like a manger came by and brushed off the area and put up a wet sign, but he too didn't acknowledge that the glass just broke off. I'm more upset that they couldn't even ask my friend if she was okay. What would've happened if the bottom part of the glass fell on her foot? The least the staff could've done was be NICE and at least fake a concern. Disappointing.
(2)Alice L.
3.5 stars What I like about this particular Umami Burger is its ambiance. The restaurant itself is big with outdoor seating and fire pits, giving it a really nice laidback, lounge-y feel as opposed to other Umami Burgers. Really perfect if you just want to grab a drink and snacks before a movie or after shopping around the Spectrum. As for the food, the truffle fries ($5.50) were delicious and the Umami burger ($11.50) was pretty good as well. The patty was juicy and I liked their unique take on a classic burger with shitake mushrooms, roasted tomatoes, and a parmesan crisp. However, everything's just a bit on the pricey side. I mean, you're really paying about $20 for a simple burger combo, which is kind of a lot. The beer isn't cheap either with most ranging from $7-10. Bottom line, I like this place, but can't see myself coming back regularly. It's a nice addition to the Spectrum and the location is great (movie theatre side next to the Improv), but be ready to dish out about $50 or so for pretty basic dinner and drinks for 2.
(3)Kristin L.
The atmosphere is pretty good including the weird guy playing the keyboard. You can sit in bench seats by a fire pit with comfy pillows and shit.. But the food sucked! They put truffle oil in their ketchup.. So white trash. The bar tender acted like he just did some blow in the bathroom and then forgot half of our order
(2)Walter M.
3 years later now that we all know the word Umami we can still clearly see that most people still don't know what it means. To the public I just give up and call it "meaty", but it's more savory and earthy than that. I've watched them explode all over socal and seen them get too big for their britches and carry unsustainable growth. The reason for that was location. Irvine is well thought out, large and in an established mall, unlike many of their first LA shops with no parking, small and unequipped to handle the crowds. This location has also aligned themselves with The Improv group of theaters, also longstanding in the community. I generally come here before the shows nextdoor and I usually eat outside since the weather is nice in socal usually. The bartenders outside are friendly and make strong drinks, but could be a hair more attentive. They do NOT do subsitutions, but they are also the only place that has a chicken breast offering like standard grilled or fried versions with bacon. My way of getting around the no substitution is to not eat alone and buy each thing I want and kind of Frankenstien it. It's expensive and a bit of a waste, but when in Rome, right? The grilled chicken sandwich special is moist, which is hard for a breast since they tend to be leaner and usually are skinless. The maple glazing sauce counters the natural flavors well. The bread holds up well to the weight since it's probably messier than the beef burgers. The fried version is hefty and the bacon they put on top is delightful without being overwhelming. Country fried steak sandwich-esque. They don't offer the smushed potatoes like at other locations. Truffle cheese uses synthetic truffle oil in the cheese and needs a gravy. House fries are thin. The onion rings have an extra sweetness with the batter. House ketchup is good, not too sweet. The fried cheese adds texture and crunch. Throwback is probably my go to for light fare. Hatch for normal eating and Manly for when I'm feeling extra testosteroney. Medium rare is fine here, no need to go rare or medium well since they use good ingredients, grind the patties in house daily. Eating in the main dining room is dark. Pricing is a little over $20 for burger, side and drink, so the value is maybe not quite where you'd think. It's not quite Slaters sized, but will fill you up. They've got a solid operation and a contemporary décor, but cater to a large audience. I had to deduct a star for the no substitutions. Sorry guys, your not a fixed menu 3 star and your items aren't that refined to not allow some customization. It's good for a fix, but not a destination. I kill time, get dinner, mingle and pre party before the shows nextdoor.
(3)Andrew L.
Every Wednesday night at 9:30pm is open mic night! It's awesome that this improv is FINALLY getting an open mic night even if its actually at Umami Burger instead of the improv. I think it's really important to help cultivate local comics! Of course most if not all of these people are completely new and just getting their routine figured out, but a good amount of them are really funny. It's totally worth checking it out. The host Friendly Frank is also very very funny. I found our this whole night is his brain child so if nothing else come support this man's idea! He totally makes the night even more enjoyable! Bring the kids too, they keep it PG for that reason Foods great too, definitely can not go wrong with Umami Burger, and thier alcohol menu is pretty solid, sweet atmosphere. This was a solid Wednesday night.
(5)Steph L.
This place was super hype and my boyfriend and I were pretty curious about this place do we decided to check it out. We both got the sunny side up because who didn't want eggs on their burgers and also the truffle fries. The burger was well expected and the fries were pretty good, however I felt like the truffle fries was drowned in the truffle and a bit salty. At one point I felt like it was super strong in its sauce the more I ate it and it just made me want to avoid eating the sauce over all. Thankfully, their ketchup covered up the truffle sauce a bit, so I drowned it in ketchup. Overall, this place isn't as hype as everyone thinks it is. The price for our meal probably wasn't worth, especially since I can easily break an egg and put it on top of a burger. Probably won't come back unless I'm feel fancy.
(3)Raymond L.
Yelp 2015 Challenge #48 Umami! The branded burger that is on top of the burger. :D I came here on a Saturday evening with my friend/roommate :3 We were seated outside ( we didn't ask or specify, and I saw seats inside- so I kinda was surprised by that but didn't mention a peep since I was in a rush) and our server came 3 minutes later. I had already read the menu and I knew what I was gonna get. Umami had a chicken breast sandwich which was their special $8 burger of the week, but I wasn't gonna let that get to me. No. I had been to Mick's the day before, and I was gonna try their specific burger at Umami. So of course, the Umami burger. Parmesan frico, mushroom, tomato, onions, and ketchup is what's in there. What? A parmesan frico? Yep. They deep fry or whatnot the cheese so that it's crunchy. 10/10 not the best thing in the world. And be careful, you can't do substitutions. :P Apparently, you "lose flavor" of the sammich. But you know what? To each company, their own. Not even going to ding them on that. Our waiter came with three sauces, a chipotle, a garlic aioli, and a ranch. Oh and ketchup as well! The chipotle sauce was way too spicy, so I used the garlic aioli all the way. The burger - ordered medium rare for me- was pretty good in my taste, and was sweet like a honey BBQ sweet. I loved it :O The cheese however kinda ruined a bit for me :( It was so good that I finished two minutes later, when the waiter came and asked "How are we doing? I'm not gonna ask you how you're doing cuz you're already done :P" Maybe I should eat slower for the Yelp... but is that my style? But here I am, I had golfed down a burger in about 2 minutes ..for $11.50. Yep. $11.50. I think CFA could be that sandwich as well x_X. Truffle fries- way too rich. Like the cheese? INSANELY rich. I had to eat it all cuz it was $4.50 but I wanted it to be gone. Just gone. The truffle oil and the cheese mixed together, for me, was a taste that I could not handle. Of course, I'm not like other people, so if you get it, you may have a different feeling. After all, we all are human and have different tastes. Service was good, but lacking a little but in the middle. tl;dr why two stars? 3 stars for the burger- good but not worth the price and the cheese. 1 star for the truffle fries. 3 stars for the overall service (sat us outside without asking us). Good food, but at a more gourmet price.
(2)Chrissie O.
Umami has to be my favorite burger place. I've been craving Umami for a few months now. Tried to go when they first opened but for some reason they were closed when I saw reviews for the restaurant so it just confused me. I wanted to go back and try to eat here again when I met with my cousins. I really wanted a good burger since I haven't had one in so long. I will drive anywhere for some good food and good company and I drove over an hour to get a good burger. I always order the truffle burger medium. The cheese is so delicious and the burger is sooo amazing. I absolutely love it. Savored every bite until I couldn't eat anymore. I really should try ordering something else but I love the truffle burger. The fries are skinny. I do like their sweet potato fries. Ended up ordering the truffle fries which is great too. Staff at this location is very friendly and nice. The restaurant is large which is great. Normally I expect to wait forever like at other locations. It gets packed at lunch time during the week but I am glad we came a little before noon to get a table. I think this Umami is the closest to me. I wish they would open a location in San Diego but I am glad they are at the spectrum.
(5)Nicole P.
I always hear very highly of Umami Burger, yet I always seem to be a bit disappointed after each visit. My boyfriend and I went to a comedy night at the improv and ordered from the menu to satisfy their "2 item minimum." I decided to get their staple umami burger, but found the flavor combination to be off and and texture of the meat a bit greasy. The truffle fries are yummy, but get weird and hard if you don't eat em up quick. I'll likely return to sample a different burger or maybe just stick to appetizers. It's moderately priced- honestly I'd rather grab a burger at in n out lol. :p
(3)Eva L.
After trying the other location in Costa Mesa, I was super happy when I learned that Umami opened another branch closer to my home! As always, the quality of their food is consistent and not only that but their service is just as great. My bf and I ordered the Truffle Especiale and Truffle fries. The Truffle Especiale comes with a deliciously fried egg, in which the yolk is cooked to perfection and enough to be runny on your burger. The flavors of both the burger and fries were spot on. They do have different sauces for you to try for the fries. There's garlic aioli, ketchup, jalapeno ranch, and a diablo sauce (kind of spicy). Service is great and my tummy was perfectly satisfied. Will definitely come here again! =)
(4)Liz B.
Ehh, it's ok. I prefer Slater's 50/50. The burgers aren't that big, but they're pretty filling. I just wish there were the usual staples like lettuce and tomatoes on them. It was too much carbs and protein. I needed some veggies on it. I got the "Throwback", because I wanted to try the soy pickles. The burger could have used a bit more flavoring, but the condiment sauces were actually really good. The buns are branded, which is pretty cool! The decor is modern and clean.
(3)John D.
I got the Umami "Original' Burger that comes with roasted tomatoes, shittake mushrooms, and parmesan cheese crisp. A nice medium rare pink in the middle made for a juicy interior and a crispy char on the outside paired well with it. I was surprised that there really was a good aspect of umami coming from the combination of flavors! They give 4 dipping sauces: garlic aioli, jalapeno ranch, homemade ketchup, and El Diablo. Each were pretty good with jalapeno ranch being the frontrunner. For sides, the group got truffle fries, sweet potato fries, and cheesy tater tots. The fries were pretty good just your standard fries you can get at any burger joint. The really unique item from the group was the tater tots. These aren't your normal Napoleon Dynamite tots. They are HUGE and filled with gooey cheese. As for dessert, they serve UFOs which are cookie ice cream sandwiches from Coolhaus. The cookies were my favorite part since they were really moist and held up to the ice cream. I would recommend this place to others but the only negatives I have about the place are that the prices can be a little steep compared to other burger joints and the burgers tend to lean on the greasy side.
(4)Marissa L.
I've been to this Umami Burger a couple of times and it's pretty good. Recently I went out to dinner here with a group of friends. We were seated at a partly outside table since the weather was nice. We had a pretty big group of people, almost ten. Our waiter was super nice and all our food came on time. He even gave us crayons to draw with since one of my friends asked for a kids menu, even though most of us are almost 20 years old. The waiter was really chill. Before I went to eat I looked up off menu stuff because I wanted to know if they served anything special here. I ended up getting a protein style hatch burger and off menu cheesy tots. To drink I got a Mexican coke of course. It was chilled and perfect. All our food came out near the same time. The only friend that waited a little was the one that ordered chicken tenders off the kids menu and she didn't wait too long. My burger was cooked perfectly medium rare, it was really juicy and messy, but that always happens with a protein style burger. The cheesy tots were the best part of my meal though. They were fried balls of cheesy potatoes that exploded with liquid cheese when you bit into them. Happy I was in the know when it came to these things. Totally getting them again. Awesome gourmet burger place, it was great for our group of friends.
(4)Brooke H.
The truffle burger here is insane the meat literally melts in your mouth and the truffle cheese is killer.. Also the maple glaze sweet potato fries were also amazing
(5)Ted S.
What a disappointment. I've heard good things about Umami Burger, and was really expecting something special. What I did end up with was something quite memorable, but not in a good way. I ordered the signature burger, the Umami, thinking that it had to be good if it represented the soul of the upscale chain. It arrived within a few minutes of my ordering it, and to be honest it looked quite good sitting there on my plate, with that "U" burned into the bun. Upon closer inspection, I noticed that the patty was all gray and greasy looking. No visible sear, just gray. My first bite was a bit of a surprise. The meat from the patty easily fell away from the rest of the burger, almost disintegrating, and the taste was dominated by their house-made ketchup. This is where it got really bad. The ketchup, which tasted just awful in my opinion, was applied much too liberally. I removed the bun, and attempted to scrape away the excess ketchup goop, but it had saturated the bun, and the bun fell apart with a liquefied paste-like consistency. I gave up on the bun and just ate the meat, which was falling apart on its own. The flavor of the beef wasn't bad, but I couldn't get past that awful ketchup. 1/5 for what I hope was an anomalous burger fail. On the bright side, my wife had their special chili-cheese burger with fries. The burger looked really good, as did the fries. My wife enjoyed her burger and the fries, but agreed with me on the house ketchup. She thought it tasted rancid. I didn't get that impression, but just didn't like the flavor. The other sauces were okay though. They had a spicy sauce that was good, and a garlic aioli that I liked. Service was fast and friendly, and the vibe was very nice, especially with the live music in the bar. I don't know if I'll go back. Probably not. It's hard for me to actually think of another burger that I genuinely dislike. Writing this, I am asking myself why I didn't simply complain at the time. I was happy enough with my manhattan I suppose.
(2)Ben A.
I cant get into it....its good, but for me personally its too bland, tried it 3 times cause the wife loves it....maybe im just an in&out fan....dont eat burgers too often nowadays so i want more heart attack for my buck i guess....but its worth a try for sure
(4)Linda W.
I'm keeping this review brief because there's not much to rave about. I learned about umami from social media. My first time experience was pretty disappointing. The burgers are okay and not flavorful. Fries were so greasy. Their food is something I would not crave and come back for. I think it is overpriced for the taste and portion. Service wasn't great. We only knew our server when she seated us and when we were looking for her for the check. Irvine Spectrum has other great restaurants that will give you more for your buck.
(1)Heather N.
I visited this location earlier in the week and found out that in the month of December that they have a special promotion on burgers. A burger of the week is chosen and reduced to just $8. This week it was the "original" burger (usually $12) and since it was the burger I had been planning to try anyway, it was a great deal. AMBIANCE Brand new location, lots of seating on the patio and inside the restaurant, and overall nice environment. SERVICE The waitress we had was attentive and very nice about telling us about the menu options. COST We both ordered the original burger ($8 each) and I ordered the Thin Fries ($3.50) and my bf ordered Thin Fries Smothered ($6.50). Overall, the pricing is pretty on-par with other less casual, higher quality burger locations. FOOD All of Umami's burgers are cooked medium-rare, which is the default, but you can ask to have it prepared the way you want it. The original burger is very heavily mushroom and onion-inspired. You can definitely taste the truffle oil as well. If you don't like the taste of mushroom, I would stay away. But it's cooked well and it's a good burger. My burger was a little bit too moist from the oil and the bottom bun was coming apart a little bit, but not a huge deal. I've got a weakness for shoestring fries so of course I thought the Thin Fries were great. They also do give you a good portion size for $3.50. The smothered fries were tasty as well - with braised short rib and gravy. I personally prefer to have plain and simple french fries with maybe a bit of seasoning, so it wasn't my thing so much. But my bf loved his serving. BOTTOM LINE Tasty food, casual yet upscale ambiance, good value for quality, and a fun dining experience. I recommend it.
(4)Rudy M.
Found a chunk of broken plate in my burger. I notified the waitress and she was very apologetic and put in for a new burger and told me the manager would be right over. I understand things happen mistakes are made and the 1 star is not for piece of plate it is what happened after. My fiancé continued with her meal as I waited for my replacement burger and the manager. She finished her food I finished her fries because I was still waiting for my burger. Our seats were close to the kitchen door so we watch burger after burger come out of the kitchen. After 30 min without seeing a manager or our waitress I jad to flag down a bus boy.to finally get someone to talk to. The manager said he was" just about to come over" and my burger was on it's way I told him to just cancel it. I wasn't gping to make my companion wait any longer. He goes into the kitchen and brings out the wrong burger. I tell him its not right and he says he's sorry and he is going to take care of my meal. Wait my meal? I didn't even get to eat my burger why would I pay you for it. I like umami but will not return to the irvine location because of the inept management and poor customer service. I mean it was a Thursday night at 6 and you can't make it to the table in less than 30 min. That just shows you don't care.
(1)Lauren M.
I was impressed both by the service and quality of food here at Umami burger in Irvine spectrum. My husband I shared the Manly burger, truffle fries, each had a basic salad. The burger was cooked properly, fresh, and was accompanied with great toppings such as their thick cut bacon bits. The truffle fries were also good, but very rich and a very large portion, so we didn't even finish half. We also discovered there is a "secret menu" that includes a fried chicken sandwich which was said to be amazing. I'd defiantly return here again soon.
(4)John B.
Burgers. Whoever thought to grill up a ground beef patty and serve it on a bun should be awarded a Medal. Umami should be recognized as well. They turned a good idea into something a lot better...dare I say, something "especiale". I like to order my burgers slightly rare so the patties come out very juicy still. The "especiale" tops the burger with a single sunny side fried egg that makes me smile. My burger tasted great. Umami sits in my top 5 burger joints of Orange County. During my most recent trip to Umami for Burger Friday, I really liked the service. Madison took our orders, was helpful, and was really friendly. However, she did mess up an order but quickly came out to apologize and offer to make it right. Service and effort count. Keep it up.
(4)Kimmy U.
This location has PLENTY of seating, which helped our large party because they don't take reservations. We came here around 6 on a week night and they let us choose between outside and inside. We opted for outside, to give us more room but it was a little chilly and the heaters didn't really help. There are quite a few options to choose from, and since we couldn't decide, Christie L. and I split the original and the truffle burger. We also got sweet potato fries and the truffle fries to share amongst 5 of us. -Sweet potato fries: so light and crispy! Goes great with the dipping sauces -Truffle fries: I LOVE skinny fries, and these were the perfect size! Truffle cheese sauce was delicious until it got cold and hardened up, so eat these while they're hot! -Original burger: Reeally good! I love the parmesan crisp, but the burger got soggy fast once we cut it in half, so I felt like I scarfed it down. -Truffle burger: great flavor, but I don't think I could eat a whole one of these.. The truffle could get a little overpowering for me Take advantage of the sauces they have at the table for you! One of them tasted like a garlic aioli--very tasty! The orange sauce was a little spicy for me though All the burgers are cooked medium rare, unless otherwise stated! And like everyone else has said, no substitutions (but you can remove the cheese). It was a good experience, but it wouldn't be my first choice for burger places. It can get a little pricey, especially because you order the fries separately. But I'd come back once in a while!
(3)Stephanie Y.
I've been to other umami locations and remembered the burgers being tasty. I got the original this time and the patty was super watery. It seemed to have diluted all the flavors that were suppose to be there. We also ordered sweet potato fries (still good), string fries (still good) and onion rings (flavorless and no salt). I was disappointed this time. They do offer a covered patio, so it was nice to sit outside but not burning in the sun.
(2)Christie L.
I have always heard really great things about Umami Burger and was excited to see one open at Irvine Spectrum. The food was good, but a bit expensive IMO ($12+ for a burger). The restaurant is big and can accommodate large groups. There is seating indoor and outdoor with heaters, but it is still quite cold outside in the winter. I shared the Original and Truffle burger medium rare. Both were cooked perfectly and each were very flavorful, but I liked the Original more. The Original had this crispy parmesan that added this tiny extra crisp to the bite. The Truffle burger good, but as the menu describes, everything in it is trufflized so it has a very truffle flavor to it. It was good, but I don't think I would be able to finish a whole truffle burger. We also tried the thin fries with truffle which was very tasty. Sweet potato fries were also good. Both had just the right amount of crisp on the outside. Overall it was a great experience with great service and food.
(3)Elle C.
After seeing the long line, limited seating, and counter service at their original location in Costa Mesa, we weren't too interested; however, the Spectrum's location (and full service) was more inviting. The covered patio offered a nice airy atmosphere, with appreciated overhead heaters. We started with the Smother em Fries; nice, thin fries, but I'd have preferred them cooked a little less, providing a more crisp-tender exterior; the short rib and gravy was OK; I'm going for the Truffle em Fries next time! The Truffle Burger topped with a thick, melted layer of cheese was tasty (and having the option to go bunless or poutine style was nice)! The UFO was a great finale to our meal: delicate cookie, nice textures and combination of flavors, and not overly sweet. They offer some reasonable prices on their bottles of wine, too.
(4)Chelsea B.
Food 4/10 Price 3/10 Service 6/10 Appearance 8/10 Satisfaction 4/10 I ordered the Ahi Tuna burger and Maple bacon fries. The fries are good and would order again. Wish they had more bacon. Also, bacon pieces were hard. The burger was messy and fell apart easily. Tuna was somewhat bland. The burger was $15 and was not worth ordering. Service was somewhat slow for the restaurant not being busy. However, the waitress was nice. The overall appearance was pleasing. Lots of decoration. The flat screen TVs were huge ! My overall satisfaction is too low to come back. There's plenty of other restaurants at the Irvine Spectrum that taste better, faster, and cheaper like pieology
(2)Jordan S.
The burgers are great and so are the fries. The soft drinks are in bottles, so heads up on that (no free refills). The service was great and the atmosphere was amazing. We sat in the patio with live music and the spectrum nightlife behind us. A very happening place for all ages. 4 stars because the burgers and fries were extremely greasy. I mean EXTREMELY. Try it out though.
(4)Tamara A.
They have gluten everywhere! Why make a burger with wheat on it? They should think a little bit on the persons with food restrictions. Even the tuna has gluten. I was so hungry that i had a throwback burger and it was pretty tasty! The french fries potatoes with truffle cheese is super good too. I just hope my stomach feels fine later ;)
(3)Adam N.
So, the food was really good. We came here before seeing a stand up comedy show, which is what I am assuming supports 90% of their business. We sat down at the bar and were greeted by a very cold, angry little bartender that was more interested in the, what I can only assume, were under aged girls just off of the bar. Our drinks were made quickly which was nice and he took our order right away. We only had about 30 minutes until the show opened up and suddenly, before we knew it, our food was out!!! Super fast service and a second round of drinks and the check all delivered at once. For two people trying to eat and rush into a show, this was fantastic! The burger was good, but I think it was built up too much for it to actually live up to the hype. We also had a side salad and the pickle plate. The latter of which included beets, carrots and pickles. Everything went well, the bartender even shook hands with us to apologize for his behavior earlier. Nice little dining experience and good drinks. Definitely going to go back before a show again.
(4)Carolyn G.
Best burgers I've ever had! We started off with the maple bacon sweet potato fries which were so good! The candied bacon blended so perfectly with everything! It's a definite must! Then we had the greenbird and the ahi tuna! The green bird had such good flavors, I recommend this over everything!! The ahi tuna was also extremely good, it was really fresh! The customer service was really awesome, one of the best restaurant experiences I've ever had! I can't remember our waiter's name but he was so awesome and friendly and gave my brother and I a free UFO! (Which was amazing btw!!!) Highly recommend this place, great ambiance, food, and service!!!
(5)Olin C.
Cleanness: 9/10 Friendliness: 9/10 Service: quite fast This is the biggest Umami Burger location, compared to Santa Monica and Pasadena locations. They even have Bar area and Karaoke area. Plenty of seatings. Located in front of Edwards theatre and next to IMPROV. Park at the parking structure of Edwards theatre. Foods: very rich. I would suggest to share the foods because it's really filling. Plenty of ingredients inside the burger. I ate a quarter and already feel full. Menu of the visit: *TRUFLE FRIES: the must, warm, melted on your mouth *B-U-B BURGER: 3 buns squeezing 2 beef patties (HUGE)-cut them to eat decently in front of your diner company *TRUFLE SPECIAL: beef with half-cooked egg at the top-be careful not to smear the egg yolk to your shirt Free karaoke 930pm. Art-wall painting. Great ambience.
(4)M A.
Had the truffle burger for the first time today... Only one word to describe it..... YES!
(4)Vincent M.
It's not a bad burger, but for the price and hype I'd rather go elsewhere. I've eaten here a few times, and my experience has ranged from "not bad but a little pricey" to "why didn't I go to Paul Martin's and pay a few bucks extra for an amazing burger?". The buns don't really hold together very well, the patty isn't anything special, and the size of it is less than impressive. Is it better than fast food, Red Robin, Ruby's, Islands, etc? Yeah, I suppose. But at $12+ for not so much meat, I don't really picture myself coming back here. I go to The Counter quite frequently, which is a similarly priced burger that's a lot more consistent.
(2)Joyce K.
Eh. Umami has turned into one of those burger places that has started popping up everywhere, thus making the quality of their food mediocre. I went to the Umami LA location probably 3 years ago so I wanted to try it again since this location just recently opened. Ordered the manly burger (that one was actually really good and juicy), the truffle burger and sweet potato fries which were COLD. The food was average but I wasn't impressed for such a small burger at a steep price ($12-$14 a burger) The presentation of their food has drastically gone down over the years... I remember they used to bring out the sauces in individual soup spoon but now just bring them out in a small ice bucket. Other than the food, the restaurant is a nice clean atmosphere, cool designs, and the convenience of a movie theatre and improv right next door! Overall, overhyped! Would rather go to The Counter for gourmet burgers.
(3)Sara K.
Oh my gosh such a horrible experience! I ordered a burger well done and frys, when the burger came out it was so raw I think it moo'ed at me. I told the waitress and she said sorry and told me they would make me another. Well 20 minutes later everybody is done she brings me my meal and without the side that I ordered. I was so frustrated and wanted to leave. The worst part was before I realized it was raw I ate a bite of the burger and it got me so sick I woke up in the middle of the night with food poisoning. Disgusting place !
(1)Dan L.
My friend and I were starving and heard that umami was a contender for best burger in socal so we tried it out. We went on Monday night and the place was pretty empty. When we got the menu we were baffled because we did not expect the place to be that expensive. To get a burger alone it was around 12-16 dollars. Initially I thought that for that price the burger was gonna be pretty filling but boy was I wrong. I ended up ordering the truffle burger for and also truffle fries. The burger was around $15 and fries were $6. When I got the burger I was highly disappointed cause it was a tiny burger. The quality of the burger was pretty good but definitely not worth $15 IMO. The waitress also seemed pretty off because as we paid I specifically asked to split the check and have my truffle burger and fries on one bill and my friends other burger on the other. She ended up mixing it up right after I clarified it to her. If the burgers were cheaper maybe at around $9-$12 I would think better of this place, but its just way too expensive
(2)Michealangelo T.
Maddie was great... she reminds me of Natalie Portman... the burgers are my favorite... yummy... even my grandma gives it two thumbs up.
(5)Sherri G.
Are the Truffle burgers different here than at the CM location or is it my imagination? Since I've already had the pleasure to have a truffle burger, I decided to have an Ahi Tuna Burger. Overall food: Truffle Burgers had a lot of sauce - more than I remember from my CM visit. Ahi Burger didn't have much flavor - then again, I was counting calories and didn't want to add any sauce. Fries were good - I ate all of them accidentally...oops! Because of the open design, the restaurant is still warm even with the A/C on and seated in the back of the restaurant. I dunno, I really enjoyed my lunch at the Costa Mesa location but this recent experience at the new Irvine location underwhelmed me in a serious way. If you do need your Umami fix often, this location doesn't lack in space...lots of room and no waiting...something not found often at the Spectrum during lunchtime.
(3)Trina D.
New location in Irvine Spectrum has been in the works for a few months. I was excited to finally be able to come here for lunch with my coworkers. I've been to other Umami locations before so I know what to expect as far as food. There are a few reasons why this location does not live up to its predecessors. For one, the cheesy tots they serve are nothing like what they serve at other locations. This is what I was served at their Irvine location: yelp.com/biz_photos/umam… This is a sign of inconsistency. This a photo of what I was served at their Laguna Beach location: yelp.com/biz_photos/umam… Someone teach the chefs what cheesy tots actually look like please. Also, the staff reiterated several times that the burgers take time to cook and suggested we order fries, sides, etc. I understand that but you only need to mention it once. I don't have a problem with them serving the burgers the way they do, with the 'no substitution' policy. But if someone can't have dairy, then by all means remove the cheese for them. They are still in the first month of opening so I'll have to revisit and update my review then. For as much as the sides cost, improve the portions when upgrades are requested, please. The burgers are $12-$16 already and tiny, give us a break on the sides, especially when we ask for truffle or short rib topped fries. It's a huge deal when the rest of the dining options at the Spectrum are full, and Umami is empty. If people aren't happy dining at your establishment, there's a problem that needs addressing.
(3)Charlene T.
I love this location! The wait wasn't so bad as other locations, but that's because it has a lot more seating. Ordered my usual truffle burger and truffle fries. Yes, pricing on the burger may be a bit steep for your usual burger considering the size, but I like to eat good food- so the price was fine enough for me to always order two burgers to be full. They're beer selection is great if you're a beer-fanatic. It was pretty busy, so I understand if service was slow, but that didn't stop my server (Patrick) from taking great care of us. Thanks for making our experience at this location at ease! Keep up the great work!
(5)Rohlin A.
I can't remember being more disappointed with the lack of customer service at any place I have been in recent history. Lets start off with a definition: Flavor profile - The overall attributes of taste and aroma of food products. Why am I starting with this definition you might ask? Quite simply because if I heard it one more time during our meal (speaking figuratively since half of us barely ate anything), I was going to lose my mind! This phrase should be reserved for fine dining establishments and not a burger joint. I have one more definition for you: Empathy - The ability to understand and share the feelings of another. I felt none of this during my recent experience. When the better half and I saw Umami was opening at the Spectrum, we were quite excited. Ryan C. had held a CMYE back in July of last year at their location in Laguna Beach and we both really enjoyed the food. What happened on this occasion may have turned me off to them forever! The entrance is rather nice ( yelp.com/biz_photos/umam… ) and the location is attached to and supporting the new Irvine Improv. Upon entering we were shown to a table with a view of the entrance, because we were waiting for Shawna and Steven to arrive and I was able to spot them when they showed up. Once everyone was seated, drink orders were taken and we started going over the menu. When our server returned with our drinks Shawna ordered the Greenbird, Steven selected the Hatch sans cheese. When my lovely wife wanted to substitute cheese on the Truffle Especiale, the server said the chef doesn't make substitutions because the flavor profiles are very specific to each burger. Same road block when Laina wanted to substitute the meat on the Greenbird. Funny question: Wouldn't removing the cheese from a burger change its flavor profile as well? Please tell me there isn't one person out there (except for perhaps the chef working here) that doesn't realize if you remove the cheese from a burger you just changed the *#$% flavor profile! My wife was gracious enough to compromise and have the Parmesan Crisp placed on the side. I chose the same burger I had at the event ... the B.U.B. Between us we also ordered Tempura Onions Rings ( yelp.com/biz_photos/umam… ), Smushed Potatoes and Thin Fries. Rohlinim: Flavor profile = An excuse for a chef to be lazy! The burgers come out a short time later and really the only burger that seemed up to par was the Greenbird. The egg on Laina's burger was undercooked, which was sent back, but by the time the egg was returned correct, the burger was cold. Not to mention, the burger seemed to be deconstructing after one bite. The Parmesan Crisp she requested on the side was just awful. It takes like a stale cheese cracker and that was the opinion of everyone at the table that tried it. Basically we had also been going back and forth with the manager regarding Laina's fouled up burger and he was completely oblivious to the fact that things were turning extremely south in a hurry. He acted like there was absolutely nothing he could do (other than not charge anyone for there food), to alleviate the situation. What about my burger? Well we are going to do a side by side comparison with the burger I had at the CMYE: The B.U.B. from the CMYE ( yelp.com/biz_photos/cmye… ) The B.U.B. from Spectrum ( yelp.com/biz_photos/umam… ) Notice any difference? Lets start with the flavor and color of the cheese. The one at the CMYE had a great flavor and looks like a cheddar. The one from Spectrum tasted like Cheez Whiz gone bad. The CMYE burger had Minced Onions, Pickles, Mustard and their House Ketchup (you can see it leaking out on the top of the middle bun). I had three bites of the burger from Spectrum and none of these ingredients were on the burger ... guess what that does? It changes the #&$% flavor profile! What was left disagreed with my palate so I stopped eating. I would like to jump back to service. When our orders were brought out, there are three sauces that are served with sides: a house made ketchup, garlic aioli and a jalapeno ranch. Our "brilliant" server grabbed two jalapeno ranch and no garlic aioli. She needed Steven and another server to point this out before she corrected it. But the coup de grace was her "Well thank you for giving us a try." as we were getting ready to depart. I know condescension and sarcasm when I hear it, I happen to be an expert at it, but I don't expect to ever hear anything close to that from a server. I can't remember the last time I didn't leave a tip, I feel servers work really hard and I am usually generous with my tips, but nothing about this meal warranted a tip! Come here at your own peril!
(1)Tom C.
My first visit to umami burger and I was very disappointed. Ordered sunny side burger medium with egg over medium. The burger came out well done with the egg all runny including the white. The beer and iced tea was served warm and my wife's umami burger was covered in ketchup. I think they have the right idea but it was not executed well today.
(3)Damian G.
First time here the service was quick . The menu is easy to read . Good atmosphere there was a one man band out in the patio rocking out covers. The food was ok a little bit on the cold side for me but over all an ok experience .
(4)Jesse S.
First time coming to this location/Umami in general. Service: 5/5. Our waiter was really helpful and did everything in her power to make sure we had a good meal and everything went well. She was really accommodating and made the first time impression a good one off the start. Food: 4/5. I think they have some excellent choices here in their burgers as they all looked so good. I ordered the truffle burger for $12 and that was a great choice. Sizing is definitely smaller than what you would get at any other burger place, but not tiny. If you want a lot of meat this is the wrong place to go. It was messy to eat, however was full of great flavor and texture, certainly a unique a good choice. They had three sauces they also gave to us, a garlic aioli, jalapeño ranch (best ranch I've ever had) and a great but very spicy sauce. We also had a side order of fries but I find these pretty annoying to eat. Interestingly, if you look at yelp pictures people have put up, they look like thick fries right? I guess this isn't a thing anymore. They are very very thin and short, probably as thin as a quarter. You feel as if you're getting more because they give you a lot but that's not really the case. Equally they're difficult to dip and you often need to grab messy handfuls to get anything/use a fork. Id take thick fries that were shorter any day over these, so I'd avoid these again. Price: 4/5 Not too bad but not the cheapest. Almost everything is in the $10+ range, but you are getting quality burgers so it's hard to complain. Overall: a good choice, with some great options and I'd recommend it/go back.
(4)HanaMichael H.
It was our first time at this restaurant and we ordered the original burger with truffle fries. The burger was cold so we were not impressed with it but we loved the truffle fries and the three different dipping sauces. Wanted to try it once and see why the craz was about its ok would of rather bough 10 in and out burgers though. Customer service was ok staff didn't seem to be very happy. We would go back for the fries and dipping sauces but not so much the burger.
(3)Bill B.
Mediocre and Expensive for how long it took. It's not that hard, it amazes me how complicated these upscale joints can make a burger.
(2)Shawna C.
Flavor profile, flavor profile, FLAVOR PROFILE. Get that in your head. It is all that you will hear. A couple of our Yelper pals, Rohlin and Laina, met with us here for lunch. I was all in because I loved my first experience at the Anaheim location. When we got there our pals were already there and seated. It was nice to not have to wait at this time. Our drink orders were taken fairly quickly and we checked out the menus. I was originally going to try something new, but decided that I really wanted another awesome experience with the Greenbird again, especially since I had eaten fairly bad over the weekend. I figured I wouldn't be completely bad. My husband ordered his Hatch burger again like last time, and asked for it with no cheese again like last time. No problem. Rohlin ordered the B.U.B. burger for his second time, but Laina wanted something new. She wanted to go with the Truffle Especiale, but a different type of cheese besides the crispy parmesan. Nope. It affects their flavor profile, and they even specified that their menu says to just trust them. They absolutely refused to substitute the cheese with another. However they were fine with putting it on the side. Doesn't my husband removing the cheese on his burger affect the flavor profile??? So Laina considered the Greenbird, but again, can't switch turkey for beef because it affects the flavor profile. She decided to go with her original burger that she had at her first experience at another location, but then said to hell with it and got the Truffle Especiale. The food comes and we dig in. We had also gotten thin fries, onion rings, and smushed potatoes for our sides. No issues there. I loved my burger once again so I was good. I will also mention that the only reason I gave this a three is because of how good my meal tasted, and because the person who did provide good service the whole way through was the guy who was on top of refills for us while being polite as well. Unfortunately Laina hated her Truffle Especiale. She originally sent the egg back because it wasn't cooked right for her. It did come back perfectly, but she hated the burger itself. I watched it crumble and fall apart as she sliced into it. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to consider it good or bad. Mine was cooked perfectly and it didn't fall apart yet melted in my mouth. The cheese was, interesting. We took a small bite of this flat crispy cheese and I don't know why it was such a big deal to not put something else on it. Rohlin hated his B.U.B burger too as it was nothing like his first experience. The flavor seemed quite a bit off from last time. My husband was disappointed with his Hatch burger as it wasn't as great as his first experience either. Rohlin at this point got the manager and asked again if there was ANYTHING that could be done to change this burger and even add another cheese. Nope. Back to the flavor profiling! Who cares! I mean, I understand that chefs don't like messing with their food, but I would think that you would want to please your paying customers and entice them to come back. I guess I find it odd that you can't choose what you like when you are paying, and Umami isn't cheap. The manager didn't seem concerned but gave us the food free at this point. I was a bit irritated when the waitress said in the words they have to say, "Well thank you for giving us a try." and walking off with a pissed off look on her face, never to return. That crap irks the heck out of me. So for me being the only one to enjoy my food this round, and for the very polite guy who was on top of refills, I will give it a three. Remember folks, flavor profiling. Don't mess with it, but you can remove ingredients.
(3)De'Andre J.
Wooooo!!! I came here having to see what the hype is all about. Burgers are just one of those God sent foods that never gets old, and the quest for the next awesome burger will probably never end! Food So I ordered the Manly burger simply because, bacon! I mean say no more, take my money! But holy crap I wasn't ready for what they had packed in this beast of a burger! It came with this truffle sauce, medium cooked, flavorful patty, bacon that featured in the best balanced way, and I believe it had some onion crisps on there....... Bruuuh! This burger is for sure TOP TIER amongst burgers! If you consider yourself a person that shares a deep connection that's bordering on sensual type relationship with burgers then this is one of those perfect sinful experiences! hahah yeeea!! But in all seriousness... Treat 'choself! Lol I had a side of the truffle fries which is basically how it sounds. Their truffle sauce over a healthy serving of fries. These were pretty good but I wasn't crazy about them. Eat these things quick because once you breathe on these they get cool and lose a lot of flare unfortunately. If you can hold yourself from plowing through the burger to finish these first then the truffle fry experience will be consistent and I applaud you for that will power. Seriously the BURGER is the highlight, let's not forget. Service/Ambience I sat at the bar with Scott the bartender. Overall seemed like a genuine dude and just being natural yet professional. He gave me recommendations and seemed to believe in the product. The ambience is one of those more upscale kind of burger spots but still grounded and casual. The lighting is kind of low at the booths and tables and the lights seem to highlight the bar a bit (no surprise). Price Point/Bottom Line At the end of my incredible indulgence I'm brought back down to reality with the bill. For the burger fry combo with water it ran me about 20 bucks (no tip included yet). This is why I can not give it 4 stars. This IS IRVINE where ppl aren't exactly "hurting" for money but Damn I was a little surprised. I definitely think the burger is worth it but this will not be a regular spot for me simply because of price point. If you've got it like that then I strongly recommend you come here asap. If not then save this meal for when you absolutely need to get rocked by an amazing burger! Either way I'll be coming back... Eventually...
(3)Gillian A.
So this place is associated with the Irvine Improv and I've been many times to the Improv but always ate the wings. This time i ordered the Truffle Burger and truffle fries and OMG, i thought i died and went to Heaven. It was without a doubt one of the best burgers i have ever tasted. Definitely give it a 2 thumbs up!
(5)SSS K.
Burger was sub par . Portion was unacceptably small. Burger had no character. It was dry, salty, and their truffle thingammyjig didn't stay in place--the whole burger just fell apart. $15 burger w no side w just average ambiance and taste? Single, small bottle of diet coke ordered but no refill -- I can accept that at a high end restaurant but we're talking about a mid range BURGER JOINT here. Slow service as well. Wanted to like the place badly; unfortunately, I hate it.
(1)Adam S.
Woohoo! The umami bartenders are amazing! Shout out to Kelly, Erin, Mana and the management team. I have been here many times and will return for many more! These folks make me feel at home and welcome! It's crazy to see all of these derogatory reviews, all of my requests have been accommodated, y'all have to understand that this is a successful chain, they have the menu items as they are for a reason, that's why they are still a running restaurant! The games are always on the beer is always cold you can't beat an outside bar with all of these accommodations! Also the live bands and DJs are a great add on. If you haven't been here yet, give it a try. Burgers are one of a kind!!!
(5)James C.
This place is actually part of the Improv. Atmosphere is energetic and gives a great vibe upon entering thru entrance, not to mention the great tasting truffle burgers.
(5)Kelly P.
This was my second time coming to umami and it wasn't that great. I enjoyed the truffle fries better than the burger. I asked for medium rare and instead they gave me rare. It literally looked like an ahi tuna burger and the bottom patty became soggy. Not good.
(3)Reza A.
I heard this place was really good but unfortunately it was horrible low quality and the food tasted horrific but the Management for the night was very professional and understanding 8/31he handled my complaint very well other than that I would NOT recommend this place. ALSO VERY VERY SALTY LIKE SALTWATER SALTY :(
(1)D T.
Food was okay but it didn't live up to the hype.
(3)John A.
If you have been to Unami you know the deal. Its another solid $12 burger joint but these guys got Truffle oil and other fancies you dont normally find on beef. I live and work nearby and this is the coolest place at the Spectrum right now (which makes me happy), is co-partenered and integrated into the new improve (dont choke on a joke), which also looks super nice and huge and is the biggest, and I do mean big, unami burger in existence w 2 bars. Only have 1 IPA, but its a stone so you pass. Add Skulpin you get 6 stars!
(5)Mare B.
I'm all for trying out new burger joints and Umami Burger was on my go-to list. The hubbz and I came here for lunch on a Saturday and it wasn't too busy. We ordered the Umami Burger, Manly Burger and the truffle fries - all based on recommendations from our server. The truffle fries were sooo good - this was the best part of our meal. My Umami Burger was okay. The bun was soggy and perhaps I just don't prefer the 'savory' taste. The hubbz liked his Manly Burger alright - he said it was filling and pretty tasty. Overall, we may be back if we happen to be in the area, especially on a night with live music.
(3)Christine D.
This place is way overpriced for the size of the portions and the quality of ingredients. I got the ahi tuna burger, which was $15, and it had no flavor. I had to put the habanero sauce on it so it would taste better. Most of the sides were average -- we tried the onion rings, fries, cheesy tater tots, and fried pickles. The fried pickles held well and were surprisingly tasty. And the service was good. But there wasn't anything about this place that would bring me back!
(2)Tara S.
Crazy overpriced for what you get. My "sloppy mama" burger - vegetarian - was $12! My tequila sunrise was $12! I mean, it was good.. and I guess I'm glad I tried it, but I'm pretty sure I won't be coming back. The bill for 4 people and 1 baby was $135. We got 4 burgers, 3 sides, 1 kids meal and 4 drinks. There are better ways to spend your money. Slater's 50/50 comes to mind!
(3)Britta M.
Very slow service. We had to change our order to a to go order after waiting 30 minutes and it still wasn't ready.
(1)Daniela T.
the food was really good but the service was horrible! the waitress was nice and did everything correctly whereas the manager and bus boy were jerks. we had young kids with us running around the table and the manager came stomping at us and practically yelling at us to settle the kids down. also one of the kids accidentally spilled a little water and when the bus boy bent down he mumbled,"these f***ing people."
(1)Sharon L.
These burgers have very little meat in them for the money! I ordered the Truffle Burger & the meat got lost in the bun, sauce & cheese. In & Out gives you more meat than this place, for 1/2 the price! The Byron Chardonnay was delicious however the extremely large glass & 3 oz. of wine in it is ridiculous! At least give me a glass of wine! Too many great burger restaurants, joints & trucks in Orange County to waste your money on this place....I work across the street & I won't eat here again! Service was awful too....Oh...& neither will the additional 4 people I was with, we all agree! The Counter here we come!
(2)Jennifer T.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS LOCATION. It's right beside the Irvine IMPROV! The place is quite large with an awesome outdoor seating. The staffs are definitely one of the best. I had an awesome time EVERYTIME I visited the place.. (Let me see 6x now..) Very well organized and delicious food. The menu is quite simple. Mostly Burgers and Fries... I love all the thin fries... Haha... The place also has a Bar and even KTV (that's interesting). Well, enjoy your time here. It's the Spectrum! So you still can go shopping after your meals.
(5)Will F.
Wow. What can I say that hasn't already been said? Like many restaurants that chain up to increase revenue, Umami has fallen victim to a Major lack of quality control and basic service standards. If you want the true Umami experience, you have to go to one of the original locations, my favorite being Santa Monica next to the Fred Seegal. I've been to about 6 different locations and the Spectrum location was by far the worst experience service wise. Food wise, Umami has mastered a consistent underwhelming burger and tots that is replicated in all the store, except the originals. What I'm furiously disappointed in was the Friday night Latino male bartender, who was absolutely one of the worst I've encountered. From rushed aggressive questions, little to no knowledge of the restaurant or beer selections, food delivered with NO condiments or utensils. I'm blown away how this guy still has a job. If the business was busy it would be one thing but the only other folks at the bar were three buddies of his which he apparently choose to hang out with while on the clock. So after trying to order another round of drinks for me and the few folks I met there we went over to the yardhouse and happily gave them our money. Adam Fleischman you've got some work to do at the spectrum.
(2)Rebecca T.
My boyfriend and I came here tonight and it was such a wonderful experience! We came on a Saturday night around 7/8 pm and we were seated immediately. There was some live music outside and the atmosphere inside was very modern. We were seated at a booth and had a wonderful and very bubbly waiter. Didn't quite catch her name but she was blonde and had her hair in two low pigtails. I ordered the Original burger and my boyfriend ordered the Cali burger. On the side, we ordered the Thin fries with the Cheesy topping. The fries came out extremely fast and they were delicious. It was a small portion but the cheese melted perfectly into the delicate, thin fries. Our burgers came out shortly after and though my boyfriend and I both thought we were going to have to order another, they were extremely filling due to the heaviness of the sauces and meat. Both tasted amazing and we kept saying how it was the best burger we've ever had! We left happy and full. In short: The wait wasn't bad at all, prices are decent for the quality of the food, and the customer service was wonderful (thanks to the wonderful waitress again!). Always happy when a day of shopping at Irvine Spectrum brings me to another amazing restaurant!
(5)Adam C.
Where's the beef? Well I'm not 100% sure I can say its here. Here is the lowdown. I went to Umami with my girlfriend and another couple on a double date. We ordered a Cheesy tots(not on the menu but you apparently can ask for them), Manly Burger, Greenbird, the Original, Fried Chicken sandwich and we all split a UFO for dessert. I will break down my review by location, atmosphere, wait staff, and food. Location 5/5 stars. The spectrum is a fun place with a lot of awesome things to do. Theater, shopping, improv comedy club etc. Great place to go out! Atmosphere 5/5 very clean, music not too loud, able to hear everyone at the table and the waitress, you can be seated inside or outside where there appeared to be heaters running. Wait Staff 10/5 no seriously the waitress and other staff were great. Heidi our waitress was friendly, gave great recommendations and was very prompt in attending to our dining needs. She seriously made the night at Umami, and hopefully you are reading management because she deserves a gold star or whatever you give out, (golden burgers?) Food: Here is the only issue I had and maybe I am being picky because it was only me that had a slightly off meal experience. First however the Tots for appetizer were amazing. Warm crunchy cheesy cylinders of goodness. The greenbird, chicken and original were devoured by my companions and no ill comments were made. The manly burger however, I felt like the burger wasn't the hero (as Gordon Ramsey would put it.) All the components were great, the cheese, bacon, onion strings. They all tasted nice as individual components, BUT they just didn't come together for me. I honestly had trouble tasting the meat amidst the other toppings. I think I will come back, but I am a bit tempered in my assumptions. I definitely upon first tasting like Slaters 50/50, Stacked, and P
(4)Ping P.
Great place! The exclusive chicken sandwich special only at this location was great!! And friendly staff!
(5)Cory S.
Over priced, over salted, over rated. In n out or the flagship burger at any fast food place would have been better tasting and less than half the price. Why does everything have to have too much salt and sugar in it? Salad was very plain and dressing was just bad. Go to either Cucina Enoteca or Tender Greens next door instead.
(1)Rashel P.
This review is strictly on the food alone since my Man and I had their food in the Improv while watching a show. I'm personally shocked that they only have 3 stars. It seems to me customer service is highly complained about. I intend on eating at Umami so I will see how my experience is. I ordered the Turkey Burger and my goodness....that has to be the best Turkey burger I've ever had!!! It was so moist, flavorful, and just perfect. The fries paired perfectly, the crunch was just right. We got the UFO for dessert and that pretty much ended my entire meal with a foodgasm haha.
(5)Ramyan A.
It dose not taste like umami Burger at all, especially if you compare it to the one in Santa Monica which is the best. Also the service was very slow, in fact i ordered an extra cock and I never got it!!
(1)Max D.
I had a tuna-burger and my son had a beef burger. They were tasty and better than what is served at fast-food restaurants. The reason for my low-rating is that their prices, and especially their a-la-carte policy under which you get nothing but a bare burger, are entirely out-of-line with their competitors and the ambiance of their stores. Our meal, for two burgers, a shared side-salad (but no sharing plates offered until it was almost gone) and two glasses of water came in total to $38. It should have come to no more than $25 - the food and service are simply nowhere near good enough to justify that kind of premium. I'm going to vote with my wallet against a-la-carte pricing. A casual-dining meal should include a starch and\or a salad or vegetables and I won't patronize restaurants that try to sneak an extra $15 or so onto my check by charging for cheap sides that should be included. Some places are trying that policy and if they succeed others will follow. That would be a very bad development for we consumers, but we can stop it. Service: Enthusiastic young man, but he kept interrupting our conversation - at least five times. If the place was packed, with customers waiting, I can understand wanting to turn the tables rapidly, but it was almost empty.
(2)Milad A.
Really?? I was actually excited about a new burger place. The place had a cool design but their cant say anything good about their food... We ordered the truffled fries which tasted like truffled fries but nothing special.. Then the burgers came.... They were so small I was almost thinking there is another burger coming... My first bite and I was instantly disgusted... The meat was burnt, bun was soggy all mixed with a sweet taste that did not belong in that burger.. We asked for extra cheese for the truffle fries and was denied by some lame excuse Finally the bill.... $7 for Mexican coke??? I wish someone would tell me that I am not getting a free refill. For two burgers a French fry and two drinks I paid $50 ... Def never going back again...
(1)Elizabeth R.
I will start by saying the ambiance is nice. However, that is where the complements end. The ahi in the ahi burger was very dry and the portions small. The burger was okay, but frankly weak on toppings and sauces, and again small for a burger at $14. God forbid you ask for any changes on your burger (how do they not have avocado on their "Cali burger" is beyond me) because you will get a lecture about the integrity of the flavor of the burger. "The concept of the burger" is apparently more important than patrons simple requests. The wine has a seriously weak pour. Honestly, save your money and head elsewhere, where you will get better food and better service.
(2)Archie S.
Had the BUB burger. Wow... That's all I can say. Came out perfect medium with different levels of flavor. Try mixing the jalapeño ranch with the habanero sauce for a nice spicy kick for your fries. The oat meal cookie dessert is to die for as well. In all great experience. Will be back for sure! Maddie was awesome too. Friendly, knew the menu and very personable.
(5)Vicky G.
Umami burger came highly recommended from our friends and family. It goes without saying, we were very excited to try this burger joint in our area. My husband and I visited this Irvine Spectrum location for the first time this past Saturday. We didn't have to wait too long for a table, in fact, we were seated almost immediately. Our waiter was very attentive and helpful. My husband ordered the Truffle Burger and I ordered the Truffle Especiale burger. I love eggs and even more so on my burger so the Truffle Especiale was a must have! I had forgotten to request for the egg to be cooked over-hard. When it came out as sunny-side up, I had asked the waiter for a separate side order. The waiter said the chef does not allow any modification to the burger. He said he could put in an order for a different burger without the egg. I can't eat two burgers and did not want to waste any food so opted out of getting another burger. I had also asked for a side of fresh onions for my burger, but was also DENIED! As much as I appreciate the creativity of a great chef, but I have to say, a chef with a big ego is just not flattering. I don't have a problem with trying out a dish exactly the way that the chef had prepared it. But after having done so, if I want to add more salt, or more pepper, or add onions, I should have the option to do so! After all I am paying for the food! Man, what is the deal with all these chefs nowadays? Anyway, despite the disappointment, it was an enjoyable experience! If we decide to come back next time, I guess I just have to bring my own onions!
(4)Amanda L.
Food is very good, and drinks are very good and inventive. Great service. Sat at the bar two times, had a little blonde girl who made great drinks and was totally on top of the service. Drinks never reached the bottom before she was right on them, and kept us moving in and out fast to get to the comedy shows next door. Highlight: Truffle burger.
(5)Robert G.
The food was outstanding. However I, like many others, have left with a less than stellar experience because one of the most basic principles customer service is missing. The chef's soup-nazi arrogance really flies in the face of what you expect when you pay a business for a service. I am always surprised by places like this and the playground that think they are doing us a favor by exchanging food for money instead of the other way around. The food is a 5, the waiters are great and have perfected apologizing to paying customers for the lack of accommodation... So hopefully you try it and like it just the way it is. Otherwise you need to bring your own onion, or a portable grill to cook your egg over-hard lest you not want a runny... wet mess between the buns.
(3)Matthew H.
The food was delicious! I ordered a bit off-menu with the ahi tuna burger and lettuce instead of buns, but the sauces and taste were great. My only complaints were the added sugar to the sweet potato fries (they really don't need it!) and their green iced tea is only sweetened. Bummer.
(4)Eric B.
2nd visit to Umami Burger in as many years and just as good as I remember it being. In N Out is my goto burger joint and for less than half the cost, a great option. But the burger here is kind of on a different level. Small for the $ but oh so tasty. And the bun? Don't even get me started. I wish I could get that bread at home. Sauces are also amazing and the ketchup with truffle oil is the best ketchup I've ever had. Period. I just wish the fries were a little thicker. They were so thin and saturated with oil that I didn't feel like I was eating fries but oily sticks. Maybe next time I'll try the onion rings...
(4)Betty T.
I would never come back to this place. The buffalo wings were hard and cold. My chicken sandwich had nothing in it but a piece of super dry piece of chicken in it and some bacon (which is suppose to be their secret menu). The bums weren't that great either. The green tea was OK though.
(1)Gabe P.
Waited for a while to try this new fancy, big location that they advertised in the Spectrum Mall for a while now, and I finally got to do it right before an Improve show. They are now connected and that's a major great thing! They give you a wrist band and you can go back and enjoy more food and drinks (read spend more money) and they will come some 10 minutes before and take you in through the "back door". This helps both Umami and the Improv, kudos for that (they are still working on this feature, this is just the first draft). It's amazing what they did with the place, it looks great left and right, all nice and stuff! They have 2 bar areas, and tables inside and out, great seating options all over the place. That being said - something is off here and it shows the minute you start ordering. Louis was our waiter and he took our first orders and then he took off. Just like that, he never came back, The waitress there was very nice helping us out and making up for Louis' mishap and took care of our orders and food, because they didn't know where he was, literally, he left and never came back. We got to talk to different Managers all through the night and they took care of this in a professional way, even cut our bill in half, but that fixes things only temporarily, they need to do something about this kind of stuff. Also, the burgers didn't taste the same as I've had at other locations. I can read now and I saw other reviewers saying the same, I didn't have that "OMG this is the best buttery taste bun and burger" reaction that I had before. I asked and they said that the buns and the burgers come from the same place or have the same recipe for all their locations, but it surely tasted different to me, even the Truffle fries were very salty. Anywho, they need to iron out some issues here and I'll give them the benefit of the doubt since it's a brand new location and they probably had to rush some things, but I'll come back in a while and I'll have no mercy!
(3)Flora C.
Compared to the one in Costa Mesa, I prefer this location. The restaurant itself is significantly larger; a good thing since that reduces wait time. Another perk is their texting system where you leave your phone number and it sends you a text with the estimate of the wait time. They then text you again when your table is ready. One thing I was not completely satisfied with was my table. I was seated facing the outside and it was extremely bright. The table was under a shed-like thing so it was half outdoors half indoors. Another difference between the Umami in Costa Mesa and the one here is how they give their famous sauces. Here we get it in three bottles whereas at Costa Mesa they pour it out into miso spoons. I prefer the method they have here since it saves the sauces because not everyone will finish all of their sauces. The servers are all friendly and the food is as fantastic as ever. Will definitely be back often.
(4)Nitin C.
I was really excited after learning that Umami Burger has finally opened a location at Spectrum. I have been here 3 times for lunch with colleagues. Usually place is empty for lunch. I have tried there Hatch Burger and Truffle Burger. I liked Hatch better as I thought Truffle was bit on greasy side. Lot of my colleagues are vegetarian so they ordered Sloppy Mami.I tasted it and let me tell you, it is one of the amazing veggie burger I have had in long time. Server mentioned that they serve this burger only at this location. There sauce choices are good and service is good too. Fries are decent enough. It's bit pricey for lunch as you are looking towards average 13-14$ for burger. Fries and drink will cost you extra. Overall my experience was 3 star but I am going to give 1 additional star for Sloppy Mami.
(4)Deborah M.
Talk about unique and delicious burgers! By far the best burger I've ever had and unique! The place is a bit pricey but the burgers are worth it. Just don't order a coke cuz they give you a small 8 oz bottle and obviously no refills.
(5)Danny M.
Best burger in OC, period. Actually, possibly one of the best I've ever had. The only reason I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is because they're kinda on the expensive side, plus they have no refills on soda. A tiny bottle of diet coke is $3. Guys, please bring regular fountain drinks (coca cola) and you've got a permanent customer :)
(4)Don T.
The other reviews are spot on. Heard of the other locations, but never have tried it. While Shopping, we decided to have lunch and try the place out. GLAD WE DID! Amazing burgers! Unique combination of ingredients. I had the Original - Shiitake mushroom and grilled tomatoes. Also ordered the thin fries which came with three different sauces - all very flavorful. Their Green Tea iced tea was a bit too sweet for me, but overall I'd go back again!
(5)Gabe R.
Came here and got the truffle burger and fries, both were delicious. Recommend getting the burger medium rare.
(5)Idiosyncratic G.
So never say never. This place is just tragic. What a great space and what atrocious service. We get seated in the front of an open door. Now ya'll know how hot it's been lately in socal so I sit there and start sweating and ask if we can sit more inside the restaurant. They accommodate and reseat us. I know I said I'd never come back but my husband wanted an umami burger and we went again for lunch yesterday. We're ready to order but no one seems to be serving our table. Everyone in black shirts are running around but none of them seem to be our waiter. After 15 minutes someone finally comes to our table to takes our order and gets us water. This place is not full. But it is busy and it is lunch time. The first 5 minutes were spent at that other table. So in all this time no one gave us water or came by to say Hi I'll be your server today. Burgers come out and YET AGAIN the parmesan crip is NOT CRISP. Get it right folks. I'm not letting my husband talk me into this Umami again. I love the Costa Mesa and the Laguna Beach branch though but this Irvine one needs to get it together. Service is subpar to say the least. Avoid.
(1)Anna K.
Here they recommend that you get your burgers done on the rare side - do it! I usually wouldn't like it that way but it truly gives it extra flavor. I recommend ordering some of their fries, they were delicious! Service is excellent, our waitress Ariana was amazing!
(5)Hailey L.
The only reason I'm giving this place 1 star is because there is not an option for 0. I've been here probably 3 or 4 times, and each visit becomes less and less enjoyable. I always give this place the benefit of the doubt because the drinks and food are decent, but the main reason I am giving 1 star is because of one of the bartenders (we'll call him David Downer). He never smiles, is not personable at all, and it's clear that making sure his customers are satisfied is not his priority. The first time my boyfriend and I visited was around 2pm on a Sunday and the bar was practically empty. We went to the patio bar and ordered drinks and an appetizer from one of the other bartenders. We received our drinks, but they forgot to put in our appetizer. After waiting for about 15 mins, David asked if we wanted another drink. We said "no thanks," as we wanted to wait for our appetizer first. We were waiting patiently with our glasses empty for about 10 minutes before we asked David about our appetizer. He went to the POS system and realized it was never ordered, and said it'll take about 10 minutes (not admitting that it was never ordered). My boyfriend said "if you didn't order it already, it's fine." David asked if we were sure 'cause it will only take 10 minutes. We didn't want to wait another 10 minutes after already waiting for 25 so we said that's ok, and left. If David would have admitted that they forgot our appetizer or apologize on behalf of the other bartender, we probably would have stayed. That was a major turnoff, considering it was our first visit. It wasn't that they forgot our appetizer that bothered us, but the way David handled it. The second and third times we visited, David was once again our bartender. Nothing out of the ordinary occured during these visits other than his pessimistic demeanor. For example, I asked how the Bourbon Julep is and he responded "horrible" (no smiling). I thought he was joking, but he was completely serious. I have worked in the restaurant industry for several years, and have learned that a positive attitude is key when communicating with customers. At least fake it or you will drive customers away. I believe that to be the case here, and quite honestly, I am surpised they have kept him as long as they have. The fourth time we visited was this past weekend. My boyfriend and I went to the bar hoping David was not there. Not only was he there, but much to our chagrin he was the one to serve us (still not smiling). We ordered a drink each, then left our tab open to consider other dinner prospects for the evening. When we returned, we ordered 1 more each then asked to close our tab. David proceeded to search for a couple mins, then said he could not find my credit card anywhere. The manager, David, and another bartender continued to search, and asked what the last 4 digits were, what we ordered, etc. They pulled up our tab on the POS system and said it was closed out (totaling $7). David claimed "the only way this could have happened is if I had my card with me." Prior to leaving my tab open, our total was $22 so there is no way I closed out a $7 tab. I even pulled up my bank statement on my phone, but they had no explanation. David was extremely rude, and kept repeating "well we don't have it!" seemingly defensive and refusing to apologize. Even the manager, who was polite, respectful, and apologetic was telling him to stop talking. The manager then said anything we wanted to order that evening was on the house, which was much appreciated. We ordered another round, and then my boyfriend had 1 more, which David actually had the nerve to charge him for. My boyfriend calmly asked if that should be on the house, per the manager. David continued to give us attitude despite his error. That was the last straw. I will never come back. Again, it's not that they lost my credit card that was upsetting, but the way David handled it. He should be working in the back of the restaurant, not behind the bar. That is why this place does not have any business. This place should have been packed with customers considering it was a Friday evening after 10pm and this is a new restaurant joint with the Improv and live music, but this place is always empty and I guarantee it is because of David. Considering they have made mistakes like these when the bar is empty, it is probably a good thing they are not busier. Save yourself the ordeal and do not eat here. If you do, definitely do not sit at the bar. I recommend PF Chang's or Cucina Enoteca. The bartenders are WAY friendlier and the food is higher quality. It'll definitely be more worth your while. Umami is overrated and overpriced considering its quality of food and customer service.
(1)Erin S.
What a great atmosphere! It's way bigger than the other Umami Burger locations and has two bars which is great for the Spectrum; considering they don't have much of a bar spot. The service was great, Tyler was awesome! He recommended dessert which I never knew they even had. I have eaten at Umami numerous times, and not once did anyone recommend their dessert selections to me. We enjoyed their playlist and will definitely be calling this our new "go to" spot!
(4)BB B.
Umami burger taste pretty good and their services are good enough, but it's just too expensive for burger and fries. Most tables were empty at 1pm on Thursday. If burger and fries with drink cost less than $12, I would go there again.
(3)Anna B.
Hands down, the best burger place in town. The quality is top notch , so is the taste. Great concept, Great Franchise. The truffle burger is a MUST try! As far as locations are concerned, the DTLA & West Hollywood locations are my fave simply because I don't like the concept of dinning at a mall aka the Spectrum.
(5)Colin H.
Pumpkin Spice Burger. Yeah. That's a thing. And for $4 today only?! I had to give it a shot, along with all the other white girls. Just keep in mind that I do indeed enjoy pumpkin pie and other pumpkin-y treats. Our waitress was friendly and attentive, and she recommended the PSB and told my friend and I that it was delicious. So, we both ordered one. It was my friends first time at Umami so I was hoping it would be worth it. We started off with an order of truffle fries, which are always great, but I think they went a bit light on the cheesey, truffley goodness... At least compared to how they do it at the Anaheim location. The burgers came out on time and I think they cooked mine med rare/rare, although I asked for EXTRA rare. The Umami in Anaheim merely kiss the grill when I order my burgers that way. Anyways, the burger itself was awesome. I wouldn't necessarily get it over my usual order, but I would recommend it to my friends. It was a nice balance of sweet and savory flavors with the tempura pumpkin pieces being a great touch. Great service and a funky, awesome burger.
(4)Becca N.
great options! and live band karaoke!
(4)Alyssa S.
You have to get the U.F.O(unidentified fried object) for dessert. I thought it sounded ok, but my friend forced me to get it. It was one of the best deserts I have ever had. The burgers are good, but they could have a little more variety, because all of the burgers on the menu seemed very similar. The waitress was very nice.
(4)Catherine N.
Tried umami burger for the first time. I had the umami truffle especiale. It was delicious and everything I expected. Our server, Scott, had recommended it. He was great with recommendations on what was good especially being that it was our first time. We also had the tempura battered onion rings and truffle fries. For dessert, salted chocolate ice cream cookie and fried brownie. Great service and great food! Definitely will be back and hope to have Scott as our server once again.
(5)K Y.
Went here last week with my wife. I don't know why some here are saying the burgers are too greasy...the two we got (original and truffle) were great. Waitress really recommended the truffle, but we both really preferred the original. Truffle fries were pretty good. We'd definitely come back for some burgers and beers.
(4)Joni Z.
We just finished lunch and it was perfect. We sat at the bar where Scott took excellent care of us; Samples of beers and a full review of their nightlife. Go here and ask for Scott.
(5)Michael D.
waited a long time to try this place, wish i hadn't yumami! had the "royal" the fried chicken & the fires with short ribs/gravy. all outstanding! and the sauces are crack! a little pricy for portion sizes, but flavor delivers on the promise! service was great too! will be back!
(4)J. V.
Great outdoor seating and bar
(5)Daniel R.
I will never be a customer at this Umami. All of their hamburgers include cheese. I don't like cheese. I have enjoyed umami burgers without cheese at other locations. But this location will not allow changes. So I will not be their customer. But that is okay because this Umami does not want me as customer.
(1)Chris M.
I ordered a Truffle Burger, which was good enough. What was crazy is what you get for the money. The burger with a slice of cheese and truffle sauce on a plate so large it helped illustrated how little you got for your money. $12 for just the burger. For what it is, it's way overpriced. I also ordered a diet coke, which came in an 8 oz retro bottle. I was with a group and we shared and order of manly fries, which were also good. All and all I had a burger, 1/5th an order of fries and a tiny diet coke. $19 incl. tip. Seems pretty ridiculous.
(2)Liz N.
Before catching the movie, Lucy, the girls wanted to have some Umami. I was quietly eye-ing Tender Green, which is Herbert the Husky's favorite eatery... Well so went along to Umami. Boy it was worth the try...although, did not care to spend much on something I can get at In & Out... Got the hatch burger protein style, some truffle fries and to die for ice cream sandwiches. My girlfriends got equally appetizing choices such as Truffle Burger, caesar salad with tuna, and turkey burger...with their choices we could have gone to TG, but who cares. Food here is pretty worth it.
(4)Debbie M.
I know most people dig their (beef) burgers but their ahi burger is amazing. I eat a lot of fish sandwiches and this one's excellent. Their patio is awesome and they allow dogs which is a huge plus. Try their mixed drink with Ginger Jack - it's awesome.
(5)Nancy P.
Pros: servers/bartenders nice and helpful. The place itself was nice. The dipping sauces were light and added the much needed flavor to the food. Cons: Managers lacking some social skills (not personable or welcoming, condescending when talking at patrons, not with or to) food was just okay. We were hungry so we didn't bother asking to send the cold food back upon receiving it. This location does not have the Samurai burger, which was our bad for not checking, but a bummer when we discovered the reality. Hatch burger was good if it wasn't cold. The royale burger was okay too. Fries were warm, which was nice. Overall this location is okay. It's new and needs some fine tuning.
(3)Mega B.
Quality of food and service I'd give four stars. As for value, one star. $3.50 for non refillable drink and medium sized fries, just not worth it. Burger, I've had better for much cheaper. Thanks for the experience but I will not be coming back.
(2)Nancy V.
Loved the food! Came on a busy busy night. Wait was going to be 30min but my boyfriend managed to find a couple of open seats on the couches they have behind the bar---as soon as couple seats opened at at the bar (5 min later) we grabbed them order our food and drinks. Got the burger especiale and the oh Henry drink. Burger was juicy and flavorful. The truffle fries were delicious! And loved their jalapeño ranch sauce! Let me add a big mutha fuckin fuck ya!!!!!!!!
(4)Maggie T.
Hands down the best burger I ever had! Umami is one of those places where you feel you only need to come once every few months. I got myself their famous truffle burger - at first I was disappointed my the presentation of the burger because it looked really simple (there was the bun, cheese, sauce, and meat). BUT, you gotta love the quality. The meat was soft, savory, flavorful, buttery...all those good stuff you would say in a well cooked meat. I enjoyed what I could intake; the sauce and meat were really rich together so I got full from just half of the burger (shared the rest with my friend). But still, definitely be the first place I would recommend for a high/good quality burger. What I thought was really unfair were the fries. $3 extra for the toppings and there was only a little amount. NOT WORTH! TAKE NOTE! they have side sauses - take advantage of those and DO NOT ORDER THE DRESSING WITH THE FRIES!
(4)Too T.
Let me start out by saying Kelly at the outside bar is AMAZING she was so knowledgable and friendly!!! We had such a fun time sitting by the fire pit and relaxing, we ended up staying for hours... Drinking! We actually stumbled in here because there was a long wait at a few other places! But were now glad we did! This is definitely our new watering hole at the Spectrum! They also have great appetizers to share! The onion rings are huge and they also have ahi poke which I think is unique to this umami burger! Oh and sauces galore! This location has a full bar inside and outside with tons of seating especially by the fire-pit! The outside bar is open after the restaurant is closed, also our bartender stated that there would be live music on the weekends and that they are the only ones permitted to have live music in the entire spectrum! How exciting! We will definitely be returning!
(5)Hazim A.
I had the truffle burger and the truffle fries, and they were awesome!! The burger was on special which made it better priced than if it wasn't. All in all, great service and great food.
(4)Kristin M.
The Manly Burger... Not just for men! My mom and I shared it, so stinkin good! Amazing cheese and huge chunks of bacon... cannot beat it! Oh, and DO NOT forget to save room for dessert - UFO is the BEST thing EVER!!!
(5)Amber M.
I really loved everything I tried on my first visit here. From the truffle fries to all the different sauces my mouth was exploding with flavor. And I really did love the burger I ordered, I have never tried anything like it before. Our waitress did drop some things at multiple times arriving to our table and the staff should not be so loud on talking about there personal life's.
(3)jeannette n.
I had the truffle burger and it was amazeballs. Truffle and burger together?! Who knew the combination could be so phenomenal. The service was amazing. My server was a small asian boy, I think it was Cookie or patrick. He was very funny, informative, and attentive. I'm coming back for ya ;)
(5)Jade B.
Over hyped. The food was good but over priced. Worth a try however! The servers were nice as well.
(4)Michelle G.
What I got- Cali Burger What to Share- Truffle Fries (SO GOOD) Do they have beer? YES. I got the Fat tire Amber Ale. $6. They don't have many beer choices few on "draught" and a few bottled. :( Pricey? $$$ Yes. My vibe of this place: I am a huge lover of In-n-out so I always compare my burgers to it. The server recommended the Cali Burger because that comes with their special house spread. Not bad! I like the size of meat in there burgers, I hate when meat over powers the entire meal. The buns are very delicious, almost sweet. The one thing I did not like about the Cali Burger was the roasted tomato. They were too strong in flavor for me. The server we had was very nice, this place gave me the L.A vibe. lol I sat outside and it was cold that night but they have heating lamps! This place is connected with the Irvine Improv. My only big dislike that will keep me from coming back is the price. I can never seem to understand the idea of why fries do not come with your burger and you need to order it separately. Oh wait.... they just want to squeeze out as much money as they can. Therefore, a one time taste of this place is good enough for me.
(3)Jason B.
I tried to place a to-go order over the phone tonight but the hostess that picked up (Lupita) told me that they don't take to-go orders over the phone when the kitchen is busy. I asked if I could show up in person and place an order to-go and she said yes. Unbelievable! I think I'm going someplace else. Terrible service.
(1)Brandon L.
Loved this place. Came in for a business trip so money was no object, wanted the biggest burger but was recommended the "manly burger". Ridiculously juicy flavor and the server/bartender was a cool guy who was on top of his work. Would recommend this to anyone
(4)Nicole J.
This was my first time trying Umami and I was so excited that they opened one at the Irvine Spectrum so I didn't need to drive to Costa Mesa to try it out. My best friend treated me here for my birthday, so that was a nice treat! I've been hesitant to try Umami because I've received 50/50 reviews on it from my friends. Half say it's "amaaaaazing" and the other half say it's way too hyped. I thought it was a lot bigger and better than I expected. We both ordered the classic cheeseburger which was very good and cooked medium rate. The Parmesan garlic fries were okay.. The garlic sort of took over and I kinda wished we asked for either less sauce/spread or that we asked for it on the side because eventually we were just digging for the plain fries underneath all the sauced up ones on top. The service was good, our server was kind and helpful. I'll be back.
(4)Ashley D.
Stopped in here the other day with my mom to grab a bite before going to a concert and Verizon Wireless. Waitress was very friendly and attentive and gave us the rundown as it was our first time here. Beer selection was small but decent, food was good. I got the turkey burger, my mom got the non-meat sloppy joe, and we shared truffle fries and a snicker doodle ice cream sandwich with salted caramel ice cream (yum!). No complaints there, however our waitress dropped the check off and informed us that she was going on break. We placed our cards with the bill thinking someone covering for her would pick it up. 5 minutes goes by...okay. 10 minutes...we're getting anxious and need to leave. 15 minutes...we grab a waiter walking past us. He says "I can't touch it," and walks away. Seriously? No offer to help? Spent another 10 minutes asking 4 others for help while the manager practically ran past us like we didn't exist till FINALLY another waitress helped us. So for the food that wasn't crazy amazing and the crappy service from the other staff, they get 3 stars. Nothing to write home about.
(3)Allison A.
Okay, I was super excited about this place! My husband and I went here the other day before heading to Dave and Buster's - regrettably, we just walked right in and sat down before analyzing the menu thoroughly. THE BURGERS ARE AT LEAST $12!!! That doesn't include a side. Are you kididng me? Oh their real deal is the burger + fries + drink for an affordalbe $18.50. hahahahaha On top of that. The food was mediocre. Next time I want a $12 burger with no side, I'll remind myself that that's absurd. On the up side, staff was nice, except for the fact that they seemed to think it okay to congregate and socialize at the entryway. Very unprofessional when you walk up and aren't greeted because the staff is too busy in their own world. The decor is nice and they have a nice outdoor seating area. Will probably not return.
(2)Dennis C.
Ordered the truffle burger and a kids burger tonight. The truffle burger was way overpriced. The portion is pretty small and the taste was plain. The kids burger bun was dry. I mentioned it to our server and he made no attempt to swap or resolve the issue. Just said sorry. The ambiance of the place was quite good though. Not crowded at all despite being friday evening. I guess people who couldn't wait for a seat at the other restaurants next to it were coming here. I would not recommend this place at all.
(2)Jesse M.
This review is actually written by Gregory, an 11-year-old boy I tutor: Umami Burger had great food. The appetizers were delicious - for example, their mashed potatoes. They almost tasted like the best fries I've ever had, especially when I put the special white sauce on them. My favorite burger was the Royale - truffle oil, truffle sauce, and a big fat patty of meat with short-rib on top of that. Warning: You may gain weight after your visit. The place was big and airy, felt very comfortable, especially on the summer day my family and I were there, as we could feel the cool breeze. Umami's unique cutlery - particularly their knife and curved fork - was comfortable and easy to use.The handle had a smooth touch to it and was easy to cut with. Table was a decent size. And chairs were very comfortable; they had curved bottoms so you feel no uncomfortable spots. Next to the table we sat at, there is one big ~70in. TV with sports playing (at least while I was there). The server was kind, got all the orders right, and got them out in about ten minutes. The restroom was luxurious - it smelled and looked pretty clean. Better than a usual bathroom in a restaurant. If you want to eat tasty burgers in a unique setting, come here!
(4)Simon M.
Generally speaking, I am a fan of the burger and the Umami brand is pretty high quality. This review will focus on the Irvine location. The Good: Located at the Irvine Spectrum makes this location relatively easy to access. The Spectrum also happens to be a good and safe place to hang out so that's another win. The restaurant is modern and trendy as you would expect from the brand. Our server, Adrianna, was very friendly and helpful with the menu. She was attentive but not distracting which was great. Also, service with a smile was a huge plus! The Bad: Perhaps bad is a bit overstated but I was not a fan of the Truffle Burger. I thought the house truffle cheese in the burger was overwhelming. The meat was also bland and needed more seasoning. I would go with the Fried Chicken Sandwich at this location. The fries were good but nothing extraordinary, I prefer the cartilage fries served at the Umami Arts District in LA. The Ugly: One word - FLIES. Semi-open patio so I suppose we're at the mercy of the elements but the flies buzzing around and sampling our food and us was not pleasant. Overall I would still recommend this location because of it's location, service and "good-enough" food for casual dining.
(3)Bryan F.
First time here, everyone told me I had to try it. Brought the fam-bam for dinner and a movie. I ordered the Truffle Especiale which is a burger, greens, cheese and an over easy egg ($14). The flavor of burger is off the hook; however, runny yolk dripping from the burger is a bit troublesome. If you like eggs, order it, it's great. The fries are separate, I ordered the sweet potato fries ($4.5), I think they're better than the normal fries. My lady ordered the Truffle Burger ($12) and fries, ($3.5) she loved it. The burgers in general aren't that big so just know to order some appetizers if you're a big eater.
(4)Kimberley A.
Love these burgers
(4)Cindy N.
I really want to like Umami but I just cant. I definitely do not dislike it though. However, I will say that I prefer burgers from In n Out than Umami Burger. They just seem...average to me. Nothing special really. Also extremely messy as well! The times I've gotten their food I found my fingers drowned in burger juices and I try to eat as neatly as possible too. Be sure to ask for lots of napkins! Tried the smotherem fries with short rib (I think) and I was a bit disappointed with the quantity that was given compared with the price. I work at a restaurant of my own and I thought OUR food was expensive, but Umami definitely has us beat. On a positive note, I will say that their sweet potato fries and UFO dessert taste wonderfully delicious. I'd come to dine in just for those two items alone, they're that good. I also like their array of sauces, garlic aioli being my favorite. Most places charge extra for garlic aioli, but not Umami so I love them for that. They also let you sample a beer if youre unsure on your drink, so I thought that was cool too. The real reason for four stars is for the outstanding service I received. My waiter, Patrick, was full of energy and always smiling. He checked on me often without being overbearing and was so friendly that I felt that he was more of a friend than a waiter. He was able to answer any questions that I had and waited on me for every need. Hes truly a fantastic waiter. You were great Patrick, thank you!
(4)Linda K.
For 2nd day opening, great service. The fried chicken burger is really yummy. You have to try it with the diablo sauce. The other burger ordered was the green burger, which was also delish. Another great location for umami burger. ;)
(5)Jodie S.
Umami serves fancy burgers. They are good.. but it doesn't really stand out from other burger places I've tried. I ordered the Manly Burger and a side of the Smother Em fries. I loooved the fries I thought that the meat on top was the perfect touch. I think it was okay since it was just an okay burger for around $12!
(3)Lauren F.
My husband and I both ordered the sunny side burger. Short story it was delicious. My husband called it top ten of all the burgers he's ever had (and burgers are his go to meal). I'm normally not a huge fan of burgers, but I devoured mine within minutes of it being served. I wish there was a larger selection of sides, that would be my only 'complaint.' They serve Mexican coke which is awesome and the ice cream sandwich #5 was scrumptious.
(4)Anna M.
Truffle everything! Truffle burger, truffle fries and onion rings! I especially love my burgers medium rare and they suggest it that way. I love all the sauces and I hope one day they come to SD!
(5)Adinh A.
I was excited about this burger place but the quality is not there. Way too salty and nothing special. In my opinion, it is not worth your money. Will never come back :(
(1)Derren V.
I've been on a journey to find the best burger in OC and so far Umami holds the #1 rank for me. Ive tried every burger on their menu. I live right across the street from this new location so i find myself craving to come here all the time. My favorite burger is the original umami bruger. I love how the cheese on this burger is grilled crispy so it adds a crunch to the juicy patty. The sweet potato fries are great as well. The beer selection is great too if you are into craft beers. The new location is awesome, there is plenty of seating and ive never had to wait to get seated even during busy weekend dinner hours. There is two firepits with surround seating right by an outside patio bar.
(5)Jenn S.
Need a burger with savory flavors and not your everyday deal then umami should be next on your list! A culinary expense of flavor, great customer service (Elizabeth was awesome) knowledgeable of the menu/ beers and a relaxing chill atmosphere! The food portions dont look big but a very filling!
(5)Tannaz G.
Im obsessed with the truffle burger with extra cheese and extra glaze medium rare , best burger ever, just melts in your mouth!! I dont eat red meat but i do here cuz its organic grass fed and soo yummy!! Also, very freindly welcoming and attentive manager . Highly recommended!! My tummy is always happy here :))
(5)Tyson R.
Had the manly burger! Wow! I loved it! I'm tempted to say it was one of the best burgers I've ever had. Loved everything about it..... the cheese (whatever type of cheese was on it), the bacon, the burger, the bun.... The various sauces were great too! What else can I say? I'm a fan!
(5)R G.
Came in here after a movie Sunday afternoon. If you're into mediocre overrated restaurants, this is your place. Hostess looking like she just rolled out of bed and they probably pay her minimum wage judging by the fact that she looked like she got dressed in the dark. The bartender turned server didn't smile once. Came back once to ask "how's everything? " and once again to refill my water without even saying a word. My burger was alright. Cook to perfect. But the cheap buns get soggy and gross before you even start eating. If I'm going to drop $20 on a burger and a beer (fries not included) I at least expect the person waiting on me to TRY and engage and the ingredients to be of quality. But it seems like the only people who know what they're doing are the cooks and the brewery. Didn't even get offered ketchup. Oh and when I asked if they had Jalapeños she dryly responded "we have hashed chilis". ***Insert the Project Runway Blood Orange meme here*** If you don't care about your customer service experience let me know when I walk in so I can take my money elsewhere where at least they smile.
(2)Jay D.
Definitely enjoyed my burger here. Got the truffle burger medium rare with egg! It was so delish, I definitely will be back again to have this burger. Did I mention that the sauces are amazing also!?!?? The service was great the food was great!
(5)Julie S.
I am seriously a person who believed strongly that ketchup is one of the world's most perfect foods. Then I tried truffle ketchup, and now I am ruined forever. Their umami burger was a religious experience. Complex flavors and amazing textures. Truffle fries, also delicious. Had a bite of my husbands egg burger thing-- that's what I'm ordering next. Service was fast and our server Maddie was super friendly and sweet. Cocktails were overpriced but aren't they always? Pricing VERY reasonable for that area..$13-15 for a burger, at this quality totally worth it.
(5)Daniel W.
The food may not have been quite what we were expecting, but the service was great! Lauren just continued to deliver all night with her positive attitude and beautiful smile. We'll come back for more Lauren.
(3)Jen N.
We ordered the truffle burger ($12), the manly burger ($12), the truffle fries ($5.50) and 2 iced teas ($3/each) for the total of $38.34. The food was okay but I would not recommend coming here hungry. The rating is mainly based on the service. Upon arrival of the restaurant, it was pretty empty and we were seated by the friendly hostess almost right away. And our server came to take our order almost instantly. But once we received our drinks and food our server Alexander W. was off goofing off with his fellow servers. He was inside by the bar dancing and joking with his co-workers (with his/their backs against us) being unattentive. Which at first was fine cuz we had everything we needed... But after a long while of waiting for him to check on us or to turn around... We decided to try to get other servers attention, but no one would make eye contact with us. We waited for 20-30mins before he finally turned around and we we were to get his attention, and asked for refills. He came back with a pitcher of warm tea that has been sitting out for who knows how long... Our drinks were boned dry, due to wait, the ice had all melted and he served us warm diluted tea with no ice. It was our first and only refill. We just asked for the check and left... Apparently hanging out with their co-worker was more important than customer service and satisfation. With the subpar food and crappy service, we will not be coming back.
(1)Kevin A.
Just had lunch here with the family and my sister and her HB. We were seated quickly by a friendly hostess and even tho we were the only patrons thus far at 1130am on a Sunday, we were greeted by Dane who was the best server in all of OC! As we were new to this place, he explained the menu and offered his suggestions for our meal. We ordered the nacho special which was delish! All of our food selections came out quickly and was very tasty. I had the Sloppy Mami which was great. The table also ordered the sweet potato fries (perfectly done and not greasy), onion rings (which were huge) and truffle fries (which was amazing). The Manly burger, Green bird, Cali burger were also tasty! For desert Dane suggested the UFO which he wouldn't say what was in it because it was a UFO! It turned out it was......................! You will have to go and order it yourself! The music was a little loud for our taste but the large seating area was nice and they had a large selection of beers also on tap. We will be back!
(5)Joy D.
i went here On friday night dinner. there were a lot of people. we had a 10 minute wait before we were seated. no waitress ever came out to get our order. i have to flag her down. she took our order and didnt write it down. she tried to memorize our order but when she repeated it, she made a mistake. our truffle fries came in first. normally all food goes out altogether. its ok we were hungry. we were patiently waiting for the burger. we waited and waited and waited. we saw other peoples order came in even those who arrived before us. it took forever. service is soooooooo bad. i came here to get a good dining out experience but i never got it because our waitress did not put in our order (which is the reason why it was late). even if the food is good i am never coming back. not worth the exerience. they are lucky they got 1 star. should have been no star at all.
(1)Wing C.
Nontraditional style burgers but quality ingredients and tasty. Fries were good too. A little pricey for burgers though.
(4)Andrew D.
My friends and I frequent various Umami locations, but last night was special due to our server Lauren! She was very attentive and a pleasure to be around. We look forward to going back even if just to say hi.
(4)Arek D.
Great burgers but don't take ur kids there . Very very child unfriendly staff . We were 4 adults and 4 kids . The moment we stepped in the manager was literally pissed off . He was rude to our children even before we sat down . That why we left wen before they prepared a table . Conclusion , don't go with ur kids .
(1)Erin M.
I have heard many good things about Umami burger, and was excited to try it, but felt like it was a little overrated.. I got the Cali burger. It was a good burger; the best part about it being the cali cheese. The meat was fine and the bread was great, but overall i didn't find it that special especially for like $12. My friends got some other burgers which they loved, so maybe it was just the burger I got, but I thought it was definitely overpriced for what you get. Maybe it's just me but 12 bucks for a burger not including fries or anything else is kind of steep. We got a side of fries to split which were pretty good. I would choose another place over this.
(2)Miranda T.
Good food. Great environment. Service was quick and friendly. Heidi made great suggestions and helped us pick the perfect meal.
(5)Sanji S.
Back again. Back again. Jigiddy jig. Ahi poke for the win, Allagash for the pain. Truffle burger for comfort. Highly recommended place if you're a carnivore that likes your quadpedal meal prepared in a tasty way. For the herbivores... They prepare a few items that could convert most into an omnivore. You will devour your meal like a Trex. Lol.
(5)Marcos V.
Looking for something to do on a Friday night going to the spectrum sounded like a fun night but food spots are a must for me and my girl so researching on yelp before we saw Umami and had to give it a try. Happy to say we were both very happy with our experience. The restaurant was newer and had a more modern chill vibe to it with a couple tvs and music playing, we got seated right away (showed up around 6:30pm) and the service was good. Our waiter was Tyler and he was very heplful explaining their menu and options. We started with the thin fries and had them Smothered which entailed a truffle cheese sauce and braised short ribs definitely the right way to start it off as they were delicious we then had the truffle burger and the fried chicken sandwhich. The truffle burger had melt in your melt meat and the perfectly toasted bread was perfect as well as the fried chicken sandwhich had chunks of bacon and was very juicy and flavorful. Like most others we ended with the UFO and were not disappointed one bit. Definitely would recommend anyone to stop by and grab a meal as you can't beat quality food and quality service.
(4)Ryan S.
The only reason I am going three stars is due to price. The service was very good and the waitress was smiling every time she came over. I really enjoyed the burger and fries. I took a couple of my kids sweet potato fries and those were tasty as well. I would definitely recommend people to go try it once but as another review said in and out burger gets the job done at a half the price.
(3)Mrs K.
Came here on July 18th, we had a Cali Burger, onion rings, and fries. Burger had too much sauce and our bread was soggy, onion rings were too greasy, the fries were not very impressive. Would I go back maybe for a drink and the ambiance. Food is not that great.
(2)Holly T.
Came on on a Saturday night at about 8pm for a drink, we managed to find a table in the bar on an understandably busy night. We literally sat there for 20 minutes and and not one employee ever came over to greet us. We promptly left and got excellent service at the Yard House. What an incredibly terrible place for any kind of service, steer clear of you're looking for a drink in under what I am sure would have been an hour.
(1)Taylor M.
Staff is very nice ! Food is very good! I got the Truffle Burger and it was to die for! It's a must go! Natalie was our server and she was awesome!
(5)Frank L.
Ordered original burger and was tasty but extremely small for $11. The poutine toppings on my original burger was very juicy but it was $13. This place was expensive and a family of 4 costed $70. Need to provide more value. Maitre'dummys at the hostess station need to be trained better the servers were awesome!
(2)Kelly C.
I have never written a review before but I decided to download the app on my phone just for this. After we got our food, our server disappeared. He never transferred us to another server or anything. We both needed refills on our drinks really badly but no one came. We waited 15mins before we flagged down a food runner. During the entire meal, NOT ONE person checked on us. Once we were done we were so irritated that we stacked all of our plates hoping someone would notice that we were done. Took about 10 mins before another food runner came to clear the table. Then another 10mins for a random worker to ask if we wanted the check. The most irritating thing about the whole night was watching the manager act like a five year old in the bar. SO UNPROFESSIONAL. He even walked by our table a hand full of times and didn't bother to ask if we needed anything. Food was blah. Hamburgers were mediocre. I could have gotten a better one at the habit or TK burger. The buns were already soggy by the time we got our food and I couldn't even finish mine because it didn't taste right. Food is also very pricey and the service SUCKS. We both got a soda which comes in a glass bottle, and they are $3!!!! So NO free refills unless you want water. No one knows what they are doing here except the food runners. Such a joke. We are NEVER coming back.
(1)Mariel S.
Thought it was over rated! Perhaps because our food didn't seem too fresh. Fries were cold. I asked for a soda water and it was flat. I had the original burger but thought it had way too much sauce on it. The kids chicken fingers were not that great. We did enjoy the onion rings :)
(2)Martin P.
Way too expensive for what they give you. I got the truffle burger, which had a patty cooked with truffle oil and buns... for $12... The burger itself is decent, but the lack of other ingredients is pathetic. The thin fries ($3.50) were bland and mediocre. Suffice it to say, Umami does not live up to its hype.
(3)Joe K.
My wife and I came here for a birthday party, so it wasn't even my decision. We put our name in for 11 people. You know the restaurant is going to be awesome when they look around (and see there are a total of like 6 people currently dining) and tell you "They'll see what they can do", like finding 3 or 4 tables out of the currently 30+ empty ones rivals quantum physics. We are always the first to arrive (being punctual seems to be a curse), so we started with the fried pickles....which were actually pretty good. I decided early on that this is the burger joint for pretentious aholes. My bitterness started here with first noticing that the Diet Coke I was about to order was $3. On the steep side, especially for a burger joint, but whatever. What the waiter neglected to tell me upon ordering my drink was that he would bring it out already opened and it would be in an 8oz glass bottle for maximum douchiness. I don't mind paying for a good meal, but price gouging on stupid stuff pisses me off. IMO, if you aren't serving fountain drinks, it would be common courtesy for the waiter to say, "Sir, just to let you know, we serve the sodas in miniature bottles, so that when people posts photos on Yelp, the burgers look gigantic...and those miniature bottles are $3 each, even though it's 95 degrees outside." I also laughed when my wife ordered a 'house cab' and got a blank stare from the waiter, who also managed to be mostly clueless the rest of the night. I ordered the BUB burger, mainly because it had the least amount of pretentious fluff on it. My wife ordered the chicken sandwich. The burger was not worth $15. It was good, but not ZOMG, I just had a mouth orgasm, good. For the fried pickles, a glass of house cab, a burger, a chicken sandwich and my limited edition Diet Coke bottle, it was almost $60. There are lists of restaurants I would rather eat at for those prices. You'll find me at In-N-Out for a Double Double next time. Free refills. These people claiming 'Best Burger Eva!!' need to get out more. This fad of less-for-more is disheartening. I guess that's what you get for any restaurant in the Irvine Spectrum. I can't describe it better than the 'Hipster' checkbox for ambiance. I did get the last laugh though. I walked next door to the convenience store and bought a 20oz Diet Coke for $2 and came back...because I'm a rebel like that.
(1)Amy B.
Where has this place been all my life and why did I not know that there were other locations!? The "Classic" Burger I ordered was pretty good, The cooks actually followed instructions and cooked the meat medium. BUT, the "Smother em" Short Rib Fries that came out first, were TO DIE FOR. The sauce and meat were such a great combo together. If you like short ribs, you will LOVE these fries. I could have ordered one for an appetizer and one for my entree, leaving a complete person afterwards.
(5)Joey C.
If yet let me do 0 star, I would totally put no star Food is good, but small..... Really small... Party of 7 Saturday dinner time @ 6:45 Took them 45 min to get us a table.... Waited another 5 min to get our waters Took them 25 min to bring us our first fries If you are hungry, do not come to this place.
(1)Douglas C.
Thin fries were great, dipping sauces had great variety (sweet tangy ketchup, tasty garlic aeoli, hot hot mustard). Burgers were good, but not great.. And very messy. Small but decent beer selection. Atmosphere was fantastic.. bar casual, open air, industrial chic, not too loud. Service was good. Pricing was reasonable.
(3)Tanya B.
Perfect date night for casual dining. Love the atmosphere here with the outdoor seating area. Had a great attentive sever who pointed us in the right direction of food. We had truffle fries that were to die for. Then I had a truffle burger that was amazing and cooked perfectly. Just melts in your mouth. My boyfriend had the manly burger and he said it was delicious and must come back!! A foodies dream!
(5)Kay A.
I guess with this place you either love it or hate it. I know some people think it's over priced. Fair enough but I guess since I personally like it so much I am willing to pay for the $12 burger and split the fries with someone. Comes out to be about $15 which to me is the same as ordering a burger at any sit down restaurant I go to. I think if you compare it to just a burger joint, yes over priced, but if you see it more as a gourmet niche burger, then price is about right! Anyways moving on! So each location has a specialty burger. Their specialty is a fried chicken sandwich with bacon bits. I really enjoyed the sandwich. The meat was very juicy but I do think the crust can be improved for more crunch. I loved the crunch from the bacon which helped me get over the lack of crunch of the chicken. I split the truffle fries with a friend ($6.50) and we still didn't finish it!! I also love the trio of dipping sauces for the fries. I like the bread as well. It's not your usual hamburger bun. It's almost like a steamed roll that's toasted? I'm not sure how to describe it but I like it. I also really love the size of the burgers. I know for some they might say it's too small but honestly I don't equate quality to size LOL. I really hate huge mammoth size burgers. I can't taste anything or fit it into my mouth with 2 hands. A burger is not meant for a fork and knife in my book! So yeah I think the size is really just right.
(5)CJ G.
Summary: the food and service here is disappointing. I love the restaurant in Costa Mesa, the bartenders are personable and knowledgeable. It's a cool spot with a nice vibe and great food. drinks: draft beer was good and cold, no fault here. Service: no personality here. Staff talking amongst themselves, no insight or food recommendations. Not terrible service, well there was few people in the place. But no energy. Sat at the bar. food: the thing that worries me about the chain is they claim every restaurant has it's own spin on food. Well this one and Laguna beach are weak in their spin. Tuna Poke, supposedly sushi grade is flat. Highly spiced but no depth . Overly macerated it cld have been frozen and you wouldn't be able to tell the difference . environment: sat at the bar, design uninspired and industrial. Bar looks sparse Take: I should hav tried a burger here, what they are known for, it's new, I will give it some time and go back and order a burger.
(2)SoCalGal M.
We had a party of 7 on a busy Saturday night. The wait was only 20 minutes. Very accommodating host. GREAT food. Fantastic service. You really need to check this place out.
(5)Jessica D.
Very disappointed. Burger was nothing special and greasy.
(1)R. C.
The burger is OK, better than McDonald. But it is not exceptional. And it's way over priced. Granted, everything in Spectrum is costly. Still, the value just not there. I had Umami in other location before, this time was disappointed.
(3)C. C.
A mediocre burger place at best. I had the Truffle Especiale and my fiancee the Original. These were cooked medium rare (per the restaurant's suggestion) and veered toward the bloody side. Despite the bloodiness, which I'm not crazy about, the intended flavors were quite weak--the Original was the better of the two, which isn't saying much, because nothing really stood out about the Truffle Especial (the wafer-thin Parmesan crisp was inconsequential, and mostly I just tasted weakly seasoned meat). Both burgers were quite soggy, due to the bloody meat and other sauces they used. A little hard to to eat, as the burgers were falling apart due to their wetness. When the best part of a meal at a burger joint is the fries, that says something. Since this is a chain, compared to other chains, it ranks below--way below--Smashburger, In N' Out, Five Guys, and Fatburger, and in that order (though Smashburger and In N' Out are practically tied, each striving for a different thing--refined flavors vs. simplicity of flavors, respectively). Yes, Umami Burger is dead last, and also the priciest. Service was also a bit slow and inattentive. Not a deal-breaker, but the food was already mediocre to begin with.
(2)Tori I.
I have been to this place multiple times in the last 5 months since discovering the amazing burger they offer, and spend around $100 per visit between two people. I should've given reviews previously as the food is phenomenal. However the service tends to be average or below, unless you sit at the bar. Every time I have been here I always order the truffle burger. I only know of it thanks to attending The Improv next door. The bar tender talked me into ordering medium-rare as they grind their meat themselves when I normally order medium. I fell in love!! Since that visit I have ordered medium-rare every time. The first time it was rare! And they refired it for me. This last time, 3 friends and I came in on the 4th of July and all ordered medium-rare. They came out well done with no pink. There were 3-5 more tables in the ENTIRE restaurant. There was no reason for all of them to be WAY over done. My friends ate theirs because they were hungry and didn't want to wait for a refire. However, at paying $14 for a burger a-la-carte, I would like mine done the way I ordered it. The second came out the same way. The server finally came back to check on how it was cooked when I was halfway through. I stated it was still over done but didn't want to wait for another and he didn't even apologize or take it off the bill. I've been less and less impressed with this place. It's a shame because I thought I found a cheat day gem! Too bad. If you want a gourmet burger done right, stick to your regular place or just sit at the bar here. I don't recommend the dining room in the least bit. Rather disappointed.
(1)Stacie P.
I've had Umami Burger at multiple locations in LA but this location in Irvine is my first in OC. And it will be my best hands down. It had nothing to do with the food as it is consistently good. But it's all about the company I am with. We all got the original Umami burgers along with two orders of sweet potato fries to share. We also tried all four of their dipping sauces - garlic aioli, jalapeño ranch, El Diablo, and their homemade ketchup. They're all great with the fries! To top it off, our lunch bill was taken care of by this generous couple sitting at the next table. I'll never forget this God-given act of kindness. This will be one of my fondest food memories!
(5)Jackie P.
Today was the first time I have ever been here and right when my boyfriend asked for a table for 2, we immediately got a seat next to a tv. I then ordered a truffle burger and my boyfriend ordered a truffle especiale [same thing as me but with an egg] and a side of fries. The burgers were SOOOO delicious! It had so much flavor and it was very juicy. The sauces on the side were very good too. I recommend combining the ketchup with the jalapeño ranch and dipping fries in there. We could not get enough of it, we highly recommend this place. This place was very busy, but the service wasn't that slow, and our waiter would come to our table and apologize for the kitchen being backed up, but the burgers were worth it. Also, the bathrooms were very clean. We will definitely come back!
(5)Hedi R.
What cozy and cute burger joint! Fast service and good all at once... We ordered Green Bird, Umami & Manly burgers and all three of us were very please with our choices. Just a reminder, this is NOT a Cheesecake Factory with over sized portions, so make sure to order their Yummy Sweet Potato fries. We ordered their Skinny fires and that was little too salty for my taste, I should have asked to hold the salt... Save room for the Vanilla ICS- Ice cream sandwich:) I exactly know, what I'm getting next time- Ahi Tuna Burger...
(5)Haley V.
Try the delicious Truffle Fries or Sweet Potato fries with the garlic aioli sauce. The UFO dessert is to die for as well and is a must-have. Don't ask questions...just order it. You won't regret it. I'm also a big fan of the green iced tea. It's delicious!
(5)Kevin E.
If I could give this place ZERO stars I would. First, when we got there there were number pus tables open on a Saturday night and told we would get seated right away. ( this should be a clue, since every other restairant in the Spectrum had a 45 min - 1 hr wait, that this place was subpar.) After being taken to a table and about to sit down we were told we couldn't sit there and had to wait 5 min for the staff to figure out where to seat us. Next, after ordering we had to wait over 30 minutes for 2 hamburgers and a order of worse than McDonalds tasting fries. Third, when out food came out the order was wrong. I asked for protein style without the bun and was given Poutine style. Fourth, we asked for key chi and that took over 10 minutes to deliver to our table. Needless to say we just sat there while people thought we were just admiring our food. Fifth, the food tasted horrible. My greenbird, aka turkey burger tasted like the meat was processed ground turkey and no seasoning or spices added. Finally, the bus person tried to take our plates away while we were still eating. On balance avoid this place like the plague. I'm thinking Red Robin or Johnny Rockets would be better than this place.
(1)Eric S.
I do not treat myself as often as I should but Umami is absolutely worth it. Everything here is amazing, the sauces, the burgers, the truffle fries, the onion rings. Hungry for a good burger and want to spend a bit more fliff than In-N-Out? Go here.
(5)Mark L.
Can't figure this place out. Very Overpriced burgers that are quite greasy. And small. Lackluster service. Why is it so popular?
(1)M G.
Such a delicious burger! Oh and I had the truffle fries which were even better. I will definately be back here again. They do taste different, but I think that's great. I also am totally fine with not being able to change or customize it, they know burgers and are taste experts, let them do their job. I agree it was a little expensive for a burger and fries are not included but it fils you up and it's worth it. The customer service was great, we sat at the bar and service was very fast despite it being Friday night. I loved it and will definately come back in the future
(5)Kristine C.
Um...well...it's OK. I don't know of it's just that I have been to the Anaheim, Laguna, Santa Monica Umami's, but the burger was ok. It crumbled. I do like the flavors in the Truffle Especiale but it didn't blow my mind. The parmesan crisp tasted a little more stale than "crisp". I didn't ask for the secret cheesy tots but instead when on a whim and got the truffle fries. The cheese that supposed to be on the fries were at the bottom of the dish so by the time we got to it, the cheese was hard and cold. Meh. I will say that for dessert- do yourself a favor and indulge in the UFO. I mean seriously, a huge oatmeal cookie tempura battered and fried to golden perfection served with ice cream and dulce de leche, I'm on! Holy S! Soooo good and put that 3rd star on the board. Service seemed a little short staffed for a weeknight where the table next to us didn't get their water for like 10 mins. And...it's pricey. We spent $51 for 2 burgers, fries and a dessert and a coke. Try for yourself and see, it's definitely worth trying if you haven't been before. Tip: they have bottled soft drinks. Please don't expect refills, get water on the side or order just water. It's better for you. Lol.
(3)Lauren T.
I had a California burger, fries and a raspberry Mojito, all were amazing. I'm not a huge red meat eater but was craving a burger and was very satisfied. The meat was amazing, flavorful, juicy, and delicious. The fries were great and the drink surpassed my expectations. I will definitely return.
(5)Maria C.
My coworkers and I were treated by our manager to lunch at Umami a couple weeks ago. We were promptly seated in the outside patio area, our orders were taken right away, and our food arrived quickly and accurately. I ordered the Manly burger and, oh my goodness, it was to die for! I am extremely picky so believe me when I say it was one of the best burgers I have ever had! Although a bit pricey ($12), it was so totally worth it and very filling! The burgers, thin fries, and beer selection here were great and the customer service was absolutely fantastic. Definitely coming back here again! :)
(4)Tiffany T.
I LOVE umami but today my friend and I had a waitress named Lauren who kept taking away our food before we were finished. my friend didnt even get to finish her burger and Lauren left so fast with it, we didnt have time to flag her down. :( 09/03/2014
(3)Rozie H.
I tried the Portobello burger and it was sweet... Really weird for a burger to be sweet. Their trouffle fries - which was suppose to be great said the waiter...is alright. Lol
(2)Sonja J.
Normally, I love this place. I brought my boyfriend here for his birthday a couple months ago, and it was great (as expected), However, this review is reflecting a Thursday night a couple weeks ago when we came in for their late night happy hour (9-close) First of all, the HH menu is impossible to find. Going in with hopes that this location would have a similar HH to the Costa Mesa one, we were quite disappointed to find no burger-related items. No sliders, no truffle fries. Just a few basic things like nachos, wings, and plain fries. I was sad. We ended up just getting drinks and moving to the restaurant section to have dinner. We ordered our usual, the Manly burger, but decided to switch up the truffle fries for onion rings. Big mistake. The tower of tempura-fried amazingness that seems to drift by you as theyre taken is sadly deceptive. The batter was way to thick and made it difficult to eat with a burger. Too filling for a side, too bready, too bland. Surprisingly, the burgers were also really disappointing. As someone who is quick to defend the high-prices of Umami to all those who question it, I finally started doubting it myself. The burger was sloppily thrown together, cheese only on half (seriously), and the bacon pieces were really dry, to the point where I just took them off. A once loyal customer (and my trust in higher-end burger places to remain consistent) was lost that day. Also, they have realllly loud karaoke on Thursday nights. I can't really get upset about it since it was a late time to be having dinner anyway, but the ambiance of shouting drunk people and karaoke tunes drowning out any hope of a conversation was enough for me to postpone my next trip back to Umami...for a while.
(2)Joel R.
Truffled burger is juicy and mouth watering but I didnt like the white cheese they use on the burger. Definitely get their fried onion rings. They are probably the best ones you will eat from anywhere. For kids, the chicken tenders are made of big white breast meat so highly recommended for the little ones. Unami is never packed lunch or dinner so walk in anytime without a reservation.
(3)David G.
Went to the Irvine Spectrum looking for a place to eat we decided to have a good burger so we came here not knowing what to expect I'm glad we did. Friendly staff and decent price.
(5)Patterson N.
One of the best burgers ever had ..burger Just juicy no condiments needed ....melt in your mouth the tatots are not on the menu but worth it!
(5)John S.
My first time here! It was a fantastic dining experience. The service, food, and cleanliness are all above par. I had the Umami burger, which was a solid, great tasting burger. I thought this burger was good but not great. I like a thick and juicy beef party and you will too when you eat here. Definitely try the Truffle Fries. I will surely be eating at this place again since they have a great variety of burgers.
(4)Grace H.
So I've been meaning to try Umami for yearsss since it's so popular, but I'm not a big burger person, so never got around to trying it. Somehow, I've always had the impression it was gonna be an over-hyped, over-priced place, which I now beg to differ. This location is brand new at the Spectrum across the theater. The place is really big, with mostly covered outdoor seating with several TVs broadcasting sports. There are a few indoor (there's no actual door/entrance per se, but its towards the back) and bar seating that seem more intimate if that's what you prefer. We came here on a Sunday afternoon, with no wait and plenty of open tables. Service was great, Everyone seemed very friendly and greeted customers with a smile. Our server checked with us frequently and our waters were refilled promptly without asking. I opted for the Royale truffle (infused, no actual truffle haha u wish) burger which has short rib on top of the beef patty. I enjoyed it a lot, although I'm not sure I really needed that extra short rib, will try one of the other truffle burgers next time. The bun is super tasty. We also got the smushed potato which looked very plain, but very flavorful and cooked nice & soft the way I like it. They have 3 types of sauces for sides/fries that they give you in a little bucket. The exclusive burger at this location is actually a chicken (with bacon) burger. Sounds interesting but as a 1st timer I really wanted to try their infamous truffle burger. One thing that surprised me was the size of the burgers. I always thought Umami burgers were tiny, and that you leave there hungry, but the burgers today were actually a normal sized burger with a really thick patty! They were mostly $12-15, which makes prices quite reasonable, contrary to my previous preconception. Very glad I tried this place! Next time I want to try their truffle fries and the other truffle burgers! P.S. NO customizations. Burger master Nazi will deny u and u will be disappointed!! Be mentally prepared!!
(4)Karen T.
I've tried all the other Umami Burger locations and sadly this one was not up to par as the other Umami Burgers in my opinion. I'd have to say I've definitely had better umami than what I did when I came today. I got the KBBQ burger and I was disappointed. My burger was sitting in a puddle of kimchi juice when it arrived which also resulted in a super soggy bottom bun. The flavor was lacking in this particular burger. Going off the description, I thought the burger would have a strong marinated patty flavor and a spicy kick from the kimchi but it was bland. All I tasted was watered down kimchi juice from each bite. I was sad because I've had much better umami burger and had higher expectations. I personally don't think I'll be coming back to this specific location.
(3)Brittany E.
My husband and I just went here. It was good but not worth the price in my opinion. I got the Sunny Side burger and he got the Cali burger. Not a ton of flavor but it wasn't bad by any means. I think we just expected more. The fries were good. We shared the sweet potato fries and they had yummy cinnamon and sugar on them. They had great sauces too! Oh and they had a live band outside which was a really nice touch!
(3)Mari S.
Wow! Great burgers, fries, beverages, and desserts!!! We enjoyed them all. The Hatch Burger, the Truffle Burger, the Truffle Fries, and an amazing oatmeal cookie dessert that was so delicious. Don't miss the three sauces at the table - excellent. Also, the restaurant itself is beautiful and really good friendly service.
(5)Christine C.
This Umami Burger is a ton better than the one in Palo Alto, up north. After working up an appetite shopping (me) and working out (him), we decided to stop by Umami to grab a quick bite. It was around 3pm, so the lunch rush was over and we were able to be seated quickly with just 4 or 5 other tables around us. Service was super fast and attentive. I wish I got the name of our server. She has dark hair and a good number of tattoos. She rocked! I got the Truffle Especiale which had a fried egg, parmesan fritto, arugula, and truffle spread and my boyfriend got a Manly burger with cheddar, bacon and onion strings. We also got an order or Truffle fries and Smothered fries. I definitely recommend the Smothered fries. It comes with gravy and shredded short rib on top. MMM.
(4)susan l.
Cali burger, beet salad and onion rings.. Split with my honey. Perfect dinner :)
(4)Nick A.
Cool place to hang out, have some beers & burgers. Outdoor seating with fireplace & cool ambiance. Service is okay & burgers are delicious.
(4)Dominic M.
Excellent burgers, killer fries, great atmosphere! OK service, but the rest makes up for it. Eat here!
(5)Eugene Y.
I ordered "the original" umami burger (because it's my first time there) and the Cali burger for my gf and a side order of the truffle fries. When I go to burger places I usually notice a part of the burger that they compromise to make the rest of the burger more delicious and memorable. Some times it's the quality of the bun is poor and the ingredients and patty are flavorful. I understand it's a business and they need to make a profit and if everything works together I am happy. My personal opinion of umami is they tried very hard with every ingredient including all the sauces and seasonings, and everything is awesome. Except the patty! Wow it was so terrible. The best way I can describe it is it's like biting into a rubber disk (I ordered medium rare). I expect ground beef to somewhat fall apart in my mouth. When sank my teeth into the patty there was a bit of resistance and the rest had no mass. It was weird. It's like the inside of it was held together by a rubber outer skin. I thought it was only mine but my gf's was exactly the same. Regardless, I know things can't be perfect but when the main part of the burger is compromised I can't help but notice. You are gonna be paying for everything but the meat. My total of my order without tip was $38..... The truffle fries were on point tho...
(2)Jessica C.
Service is great, but the food wasn't too satisfying. I got a umami burger and when cutting the meat, it completely fell apart which made my appetite go away. Also, the onion rings had more tempura batter than onions itself. The fries were salty but very delicious. It was okay for my first time.
(4)Mazy M.
Your employees are literally standing around talking while we have sat here waiting to be served and now to pay... Very unprofessional staff and management is flirting with the bartender. Gross. Update: one of your employees just tried to comment on my post "bahahahahahahaha not true". If you take your customers this seriously then it's no wonder your rating keeps going down. Changing from 2 star to 1.
(1)Hazel B.
I've been wanting to try this place for a while and although we have this in the Bay Area I just never had the chance to make the trip out. Our hotel was in Irvine and we were looking for a place to grab some dinner and Umami popped up on yelp and it was only 4 minutes away! I was pretty excited how it all worked out. When we arrived the restaurant was 3 customers to empty and it was pretty huge. The environment is really nice and super clean. My bf and I get seated in a booth and went over the menu. We decided to try two types of fries and get a burger. The truffle burger seems to be their most popular burger but we wanted to try the truffle fries and didn't wanna get a truffle double whammy so we each got a different type of burger. I got the truffle especiale which came with an over easy egg, arugula, and garlic aoli I think? And my bf got the royale burger with short rib. And then we got a side of manly fries and the truffle fries. The fries came out first and then were accompanied by the sauces. The server brings out a pail of sauces that contain jalapeño ranch, their house ketchup (sweeter than usual), garlic aioli? And some spicy red orange sauce I forget the name of. The fries were really good. I'm a thin cut fry gal so I really enjoyed them. The truffle fries contained melted cheese and truffle fondue. It was pretty potent but super good. The manly fries contained cheese, bacon and a bit of the truffle fondue. The bacon on this was so good! Very meaty and crispy at the same time. As for the burgers, this is kinda where it went a little down hill. Although our burger looked very delectable the taste just didn't match what it looked like it had to offer. My boyfriend said his burger was so oily he didn't even enjoy the fries anymore because he felt the oil sit in his gut. My burger was okay but just lacked so much flavor. It sucked for us cause we were just expecting so much more with the presentation and the raves we hear about this place but it totally didn't reach the bar we set for it. It was probably our bad tho since we didn't just play it safe and get the truffle burger. One day we will probably try it again and have a better experience but this time just didn't hit it out of the park for us.. Or even to second base lol. Our server was nice and filled up our waters. It was no where close to busy so the environment was cool and we were content with her service. This location is in the Spectrum center so there is a parking lot designated for the plaza. (Really nice outside mall btw, has almost everything you could think to shop at). Cash and credit accepted.
(3)Christine K.
Seriously?! WTF. If I could give this place a -1 star I would. I knew this place wasn't that good based on the reviews and from what my friends told me but didn't know it was THIS awful. I had a bad feeling when I came in since the hostess didn't even ask where I wanted to sit and by default led me to a table outside. Seriously? What happened to the simple "Would you like to be seated inside or outside?" It's 90 degrees outside, I want to eat inside and it should be OK since your establishment is 50% empty. The hostess scanned the area with at least 5 open tables available. Since she apparently couldn't locate them, I asked if we could sit at the booth. Per the usual, I ordered an iced tea which I told was going to be green tea (awesome!). When I took a sip, I almost spat it out. It tasted like a watered down Red Bull with some type of alcohol (wtf?!) I drank maybe just a quarter and asked for water. Onto the food, I ordered the "infamous" Truffle burger along with the truffle fries. Sounds amazing, right? WRONG. The burger was drenched in a thick, gooey indiscernible white substance that just stated salty and disgusting. The burger patty was underwhelming, over seasoned and didn't taste high quality despite the $14 price tag. The fries were thin cut and covered in another gooey yellow-orange colored substance which just tasted overly salty. There were no distinct flavors from the burger or fries. The only thing that comes to mind is salty, gooey, mushy and nasty. I want my money back! It pains me that I could've gotten 3 burgers at the Habit for one terrible Umami burger *sigh*
(1)Niloufar G.
If you want to have an amazing gourmet burger, then this is the place to go! The menu is easy, simple, and great choices for all. Even vegetarians! Best burger to order?: The Manly and Original are my favs. When you bite into these burgers, it is heavenly and so tasty. You can taste each and every ingreident in the burger, and all the flavors go together so well. Each time I take a bite, I say " OMG!". Yes, the burgers are THAT good. Now they are not big, but they are filling because of all the flavor. The meat is SO GOOD.. Now, sometimes if I do not want the meat, (which is crazy not to), I order the Green Bird which is with a turkey burger, and that is AMAZING!! MMMM Tips: Get the Truffle Fries, they are to die for! I have been to the Costa Mesa and Laguna Beach locations, and this location is super big and has plenty of seating which is not like the other two locations. its perfect for Irvine Spectrum, where the crowds get massive. Great location, great food, and great service! You must go and try it!! YUM!!!
(5)Anfernee N.
Been hearing a lot of things about this place. Burger was juicy and meat was of high quality. But these days it just seems there are plenty other options out there that serve pretty juicy and high quality burgers. Best thing about the place was the bar was sort of outdoors and the location is near the movie theater. Since we were having drinks and waiting to see a movie; it was great that they had the ball game on while we had a few drinks. We decided to get a burger and fries, and as I mentioned it tasted good but nothing really spectacular for the price.
(3)Judy Y.
Umami burger is great. It is sometimes super packed though so the workers will kind of take your order and bring it out really slow. But other times when they aren't too busy it's a great place to eat. Their truffle burger and truffle fries are really tasty, must try. I've tried their ahi salad too it was nice but don't think it was worth 12$. Overall umami is a place you must try.
(4)P S.
I absolutely love this place...cool atmosphere but was very disappointed with ahi burgers... Overlooked .. Had to return the good.. the new One were at least pink.. But the flavor of the ahi burger was not the same as the past & not great at all Bummer.. Cesar salad was fabulous..great fries.. Good drinks.. Not sure I would order the ahi burger again.. I hope the revert to what they used to do..great service ... Great location !!
(3)Lalida S.
There are two things that I can exist purely on in this universe: spring rolls and french fries. The latter (obviously) is where Umami comes in. I've been to both this location and the Costa Mesa location but much prefer this one because they have SO MUCH better parking and a bigger restaurant. It's located right across the street from the movie theater so it's also pretty convenient to find if it's your first time around Spectrum. Service here is pretty average - it is just a high end burger joint after all. But if you're a truffle addict like me at all, come for the truffle burger AND truffle fries. Double the om nom. Unfortunately, this place isn't a regular for me because every time I eat here and go home, my body cries tears of shame because of the calories consumed after my workouts, But every now and then it's great to have a delicious burger, consume an absurd amount of skinny fries filled with truffle oil, and have myself a Delirium.
(4)Elizabeth V.
Came here for Kevin nealon. Service was terrible!!! Server never brought us silverware or app plates. Said that they didn't serve the same sauces as umami but the busser brought us the sauces we asked for. Said they don't carry the same items as umami yet they use the same kitchen! I suggest eating else where in the spectrum before the comedy show.
(1)Anoud A.
Truffle fries and onion rings are awesome.. The burgers were nice but they were thick.. Not to my taste but not bad at all.. Give it a try the truffle fries worth a visit if u r a fried person
(4)Ss2513 S.
I had heard of Umami Burger but had yet to try it. My friend had been to this location about a month earlier and was raving about the truffle burger and truffle fries. When I finally went I was glad I did, the truffle fries and burger did not disappoint. The restaurant was smaller than I thought it would be but the decor was nice. Our waiter was very attentive and friendly. We have gone back to this restaurant a few times since and it's great every time.
(5)Emilie B.
I was put in charge of choosing a restaurant for a lunch get-together with some family. After hearing a few people talking about Umami Burger at the dog park, I decided we should eat there, even though I have a mammal meat allergy (alpha-galactose allergy from a tick bite) and I break out into hives if I eat anything with mammal meat in it. I always look at menus before going to a restaurant, and I was excited to see they had a turkey burger on the menu. I didn't love the toppings, so I figured I could just ask for the "Cali Burger" on the menu to be made with a turkey patty instead. When I asked the waitress for this at the restaurant, she said there were no substitutions allowed, which totally ruined my experience there. If I am paying you money to make me food, freaking use a turkey patty since I know you have them there and can easily just give me the Cali burger toppings instead of the ones that come on the turkey burger. How hard is that?? I ended up ordering the fried chicken sandwich (minus the bacon of course) and I only took a few bites. It was just "meh"... Nothing special, especially considering the price. The only reason I am giving Umami 3 stars instead of 1 or 2 is because their sweet potato fries and fried pickles are super tasty. If I ever end up coming back, which I probably won't because their "no substitutions" policy is elitist and rude for paying customers, I would just order piles of their fries and fried pickles.
(3)Miguel Ileto C.
Awesome place to have dinner with your love ones. We went here yesterday and we loved the customer service. Everybody is greeting you nicely and making sure that you are being taken care of. Keep it up and definitely will come back for more!!!! I just live across the street lol! It's going to be my place to be with my Fiancé. Thank you for awesome food and time! Thank you! Miguel Ileto Carlos Instagram-Positive.Healthy.Happy
(5)Daniel W.
This place was great. Pricey for a burger spot but the quality of the burgers are worthwhile . The waiter was friendly and it was our first time so he explained the menu options albeit there weren't too many options to choose from. I ordered the sunny side and sweet potato fries both were delicious .they serve their soft drinks from the bottle ,no free refills total bill for three soft drinks and two burgers and two sides was over 40.00 side note they have multiple bars outdoor seating and the decor was very modern trendy/hipster , perfect for a sat afternoon
(4)Mark K.
Burger was perfectly seasoned and cooked
(4)Marc Alen D.
I'm a fan of this place only because of the live music that played that night and the drinks. Perfect combination.
(4)Chris C.
When Umami Burger's slogan states - there is no substitution, I was hoping they meant that there's really no replacement for one of their burgers. But, I realize now that they're strictly referring to the establishment's policy of saying NO to swapping ingredients. You can delete toppings upon request, but that's about it. With that being said, you can understand the list of problems related to this rule. The restaurant doesn't want to makes changes in fear of losing the flavor and intended taste of the entree, but doesn't removing an ingredient cause the same problem? I'm confused here by their laziness, I mean logic. As for the intended taste, people for the most part are the same, but each individual can sense the world differently. And that includes food. It's a common mistake to assume that everyone experiences things in the exact same way you do. They just don't. If you have a limited menu or serve one burger, such as the Office Burger at Father's Office, then you might get away with no substitutions, modifications, alterations, or deletions for the edibles. However, if almost all of your bread and butter is based on hamburgers alone, this is definitely going to rub certain people the wrong way. Clearly put, how are you going to deny a person's freedom to choose what they want on their food? Bad business I say, especially from a large chain like this. No wonder the competition, such as the Counter, is rated far better on YELP than Umami Burger. Over there, you can mix and choose whatever you want. Till the cows come home. MOO! I'm all about ignoring the above, but what really got my head banging on the wall was their policy for TO GO orders. The hostess tells me that they don't have that service in place yet. However, she suggests that I sit at the bar, order a burger, and then ask for a TO GO box from the bartender. Are you saying that you won't take my money and do that in the kitchen? Makes no sense. AGAIN. THEIR FOOD IS OVERRATED I really wanted to like this newest location at the Irvine Spectrum. The layout is quite inviting, with a spacious patio and abundant seating. There's even 2 bars, inside and out, a setting designed for a chill time. Even my server was quite pleasant. Still, with all the restrictions, how can I be comfortable when I simply can't be myself. It's something worth fighting for, right? CHRIS EATS HERE in search of the han solo burger
(2)Tika B.
I ordered the truffle especial and truffle fries. The burger bun got soggy from the fried egg, so I ended up eating it bunless. I don't think it was worth $14. The truffles fries were delicious though. I want to go back to umami and just order the appetizers! The service and atmosphere was great, and I loved their music playlist. If you haven't been, at least go for the experience :)!
(4)Ayami H.
My first time having Umami Burger and my experience was pretty good. I had the truffle burger special, well done. Still juicy with lots of flavors. Too juicy though and it made my bottom bun soggy... big minus. I would probably ask them to toast it extra next time. The place was nice and clean but we had fly issues... ick. The waitress was very friendly and nice but we had trouble finding her and it took us a very long time to get out. Might not be a good idea to come here during your lunch break.
(3)Chase S.
Waste of money and time! Burgers are below average, frys suck and service is terrible. The foods is too overpriced and not worth your time. The bar is nice and the beer is good but everything else is a waste!
(1)Timothy L.
Overall 2 stars Umami Burger= Fusion food fast food style "No substitutions" quite literally...asked for eggs cooked a different way, said they couldn't...and server strongly suggested only getting medium rare burger The Good: Great location, nice outdoor patio to enjoy the Orange county weather. Nice decor indoor The Food: The food is pretty overrated. I prefer other burger spots in comparison to Umami Burger, for example in OC we have Mick's Karma burger, the counter, G burger, In n out. I had the truffle burger especial which was really greasy. The meat quality was good but nothing compared to Mick's, needed more seasoning. We had the fries topped with short rib, but it was drenched in a gravy sauce that made the fries soggy. Yuck! Service: Our server was not very attentive. Took our order then never saw him again until we asked for the check. Other servers were the ones that served the food. My water cup was empty for over 10 mins, so no plus points there. Overall: $20 for a burger and fries seemed like quite the hefty price especially when the burger itself isn't that great. Will not return
(2)Emily W.
This is the new location in Irvine Spectrum. I was pretty disappointed their location closed in Pasadena, but this one's pretty good! Overall, the food here is very delicious and very flavorful. The customer service was also very good. Items I ordered: Ahi Tuna Burger 4/5- Order this if you're looking for something slightly lighter and healthier. The portion is very small, and for someone who gets full very easily, it wasn't very fulfilling. It was delicious, but I could definitely eat more after. Truffle Fries 5/5 *highly recommended*- these were super yummy fries! and they tasted even better with their ketchup. Definitely give this location and their burgers a try!
(4)Michael B.
Amazing burger I really enjoy it and will have many many more especially at the Improv. The sauces for pretty good but the burger was by far the best or one of the best burgers I've ever had I had the onion rings and I really enjoyed them this is an excellent place to take a date. That was really cool and has a really nice bar area. The couches are awesome with lots of cushions and looks very relaxing. Inside is really nice with lots of TVs and comfortable booths. The inside bar is pretty awesome also with lots of seating.
(5)Kate B.
Heidi was our waitress and she was awesome. On point and super friendly. We've come to Umami burger many times and she always provides good service and good laughs too. We will go watch her next door at Improv if she decides to do stand up too. :) And the Food is absolutely amazing always! The sunny side burger and sweet potato fries are my favorite! The drinks there are really good as well.
(5)Bara'a K.
Went to go try this place to see what all the hype was about and oh boy! This place is way too overrated. I got the umami burger which the waiter suggested since it was my first time and some truffle fries on the side. There was really nothing special about it. Didn't even like the taste of the burger. Was really disappointed. They have amazing service though!
(3)Laina A.
"Hold the pickles, hold the lettuce, Special orders don't upset us, All we ask is that you let us, Have it your way.. (Chorus) Have it your way!" Oh wait that is Burger King's famous jingle and most definitely NOT Umami Burger's thoughts. Umami Burger is all about "flavor profiles". I have nothing good to say, literally nothing and if I could give no stars or 1/2 star I would. I was so excited to go here, waited all week for a great burger, especially based on a previous Yelp Elite event at Umami in Laguna Beach. I could not get the burger I wanted with a change in cheese... that would change the "flavor profile". The chef doesn't do that. Management also will not override this. I said okay and I'd try the fried parmesan crisp, which they put on the side. Basically it was a burger, with no cheese, the on-the-side parmesan crisp was a gross hard disc and after 1 bite, I started to peruse with my fork my burger contents and strangely, it was falling apart and my 1 bite was not remotely tasty (excluding the egg). Hubby was not enjoying his B.U.B., he said it not only looked different but tasted not nearly as good as the Laguna Beach location. Hubby went off to find management. Management didn't care, and touted the "flavor profile". I had 1 bite, hubby had perhaps 2 or 3 bites and we were not going to eat anymore. The manager did take the bill away completely, including our dining companions. While that was nice, I didn't eat anything, nor hubby. I tried to ignore all of this as we were out for lunch with our friends Shawna and Steven and didn't want them to feel bad or rushed. I'm sure they appreciated the freebie lunch, but even they caught the laissez faire attitude of management and actual sarcasm from our waitress. Side note, I also tried to order the Greenbird that Shawna had with meat instead of turkey, but you know the drill, no substitutions, it will ruin the "flavor profile". I did note that Steven got lucky and was able to get his without cheese...hmmm, you'd think that would also change the "flavor profile". You are forewarned.
(1)Shane M.
In regards to the drinks and service, the bartenders do their job. Not the best experience I've had with outgoing bartenders and service, you can get a better greeting and hustle getting a drink in the smaller arcade bar of Dave and Busters even on a busy night. Their seating arrangements are nice if you're near their fire pits as it is an outside bar and it can get cold for some people, bring a jacket if you're planning on staying late.
(3)Steven C.
I can sum up our most recent experience at the newly opened Irvine Umami in one word, UNCARING! After a nice morning soiree at the OC Fair with some friends of our we had plans to head over to the new Umami for a nice lunch. As we arrived to the facility our friends Rohlin and Laina had already staked out and claimed a table inside. We quickly made our way in and joined them ready to indulge once again on a terrific Umami burger as it had been close to a year since our first experience at the Anaheim location. Our server introduced herself and quickly took the drink orders while giving us a few to look over the menu. During the wait she brought out the various sauces for the burgers but when we asked which was which between two of the sauces (as they were all unlabeled) she couldn't. She initially told us which was which only for a 2nd server passing by to correct her and say that what she brought us were the same (oh boy, I can see where this was headed). We were brought the corrected sauce to the table as we finished looking over the menu. All of us had previously been to Umami before so we all had a pretty good sense of the items on the menu and what they offered. We received our drinks and began to place our respective orders with the server. This is where things got a bit interesting to say the least and not in a positive way. After my wife and I placed our food orders, our friend Laina (wanting to try something different off the menu) placed her order and when requesting a substitution of the cheese on the burger was told this is something they CANNOT and WILL NOT do. Their reasoning behind this is that the menu was prepared to bring out the best "flavor profile" (they should trademark this with as much as it was used) of the dish and that no substitutions would be made that would hinder this. Now I fully understand the concept and what they are attempting to do but people like different things and to see the unflinching and uncaring nature of being unwilling to budge is a bit drastic in my opinion. After a few minutes of arguing Laina relented and ordered the dish as is and hoped for the best. Our other friend Rohlin proceeded to order the B.U.B. which he had previously at a different location and enjoyed. Between the three of us we also ordered the fries, onion rings and smushed potatoes as sides and these were all decent enough. The burgers made it out to the table and we all dug in. My wife's Greenbird seemed to be on point with what she remembered from our previous trip to the Anaheim location but my Hatch burger (which I had ordered before) was far less flavorful than I remember it being. Rohlin did not like the B.U.B. this time around as the cheese spread did nothing for him and took away from the burger. Laina absolutely hated her burger and every person that tried the so called "parmesan frico" that accompanied it thought it was gross. Prior to this she had to send it back due to an undercooked fried egg (which did actually come back perfectly) but the burger simply fell apart at the seems and the meat was just a mushy mess and lacked all consistency a good meat patty should have. It obvious that this was not going to end on a happy note and thus the manager was called back to our table to explain the situation. Rohlin explained the situation with both his and Laina's burgers being subpar and asked if there was anything he could do. The manager continued to preach about the business that this is the way they do things with no concern for the customer whatsoever. I have dealt with some uncaring managers and servers in the past but to see one as unrelenting as this is eye opening and speaks loudly for the business as a whole. After the conversation the manager agreed to comp the entire tables meals but did so in a way that it was burdensome to him. The server when told that we didn't like the food simply said "well thanks for giving us a try" in a sarcastic tone and stormed off into obscurity and never be heard from again. Flavor Profile: the overall attributes of taste and aroma of food products. Remember this as you will hear about it again and again and again when asking questions. I honestly cannot see how substituting something as simple as a cheese that affects their so called flavor profile is unacceptable but that I was able to order my burger without cheese and it is not. Wouldn't removing an item from a burger also affect the "flavor profile" of the dish, I would think so but apparently this is not on the same level as a substitution. Why give our table sauces to add to our food on the side. Wouldn't adding a few drops of these sauces change the "flavor profile" of the dish, again I think so. If you want a good experience, service and food stick with the other locations. Its easy to see why they don't have the service jars in place at this location. It's safe to assume we will not be returning to this location in the future.
(2)Coree T.
Came here for lunch with my dad and boyfriend. I was craving something flavorful so I ordered the truffle Burger. It definitely tasted like truffle and it was delicious. The bun was lightly toasted and buttered and it was a good portion. The burgers don't come with fries so u have to order that separately. We ended up getting a side of onion rings to share. They were tasty but a little on the oily side for me. With 3 burgers, 2 alcoholic drinks and one coffee, our bill came out to be $75. Kinda pricey, so I'd skip out on the cocktails next time. Our waiter, Alex, was friendly and attentive and the restaurant wasn't busy.
(4)Betty H.
Finally got to try this place. Locations are popping up everywhere. Had the skinny fries and original mushroom burger. The fries were normal and they were generous with the portions. The burger was small, but actually really filling. The meat is huge. I liked that the logo was stamped on top of the burger. The meat was juicy, but it made the bun too soggy. Definitely pricey for a burger without any sides. I was surprised this place was a sit down type of restaurant, thought it was more like the Habit. Our waiter was really nice and attentive. The menu should not be paper; makes it seem cheap. The live band and couches are a nice touch. Clean restaurant. We got seated on the outer section of the restaurant and it was too hot because there was no air conditioning, so ask for a seat on the inside.
(3)Karen N.
Had the umami burger cooked medium and I thought it was delicious. I loved all the sauces they provide. Service was good and our waitress checked in on us often ands even have us samples of their beer before making a selection.
(4)J N.
Anyone who knows me knows what a fan I am of In-N-Out but these guys are a close second and others tell me they like them even better than In-N-Out. Since I discovered that it happened to be opening eve, we had to give it a go. Unlike the 45 minute wait at Cucina, we scored a table here almost immediately. Like other Umamis, you can order tater tots (off the menu, think hashbrowns with cheese, must try once!), alcohol (beer and wine) and even watch a game on one of their numerous TVs. You can even make your burger rare if that's your thing. Specials offered here which differ from other Umamis are the chicken burger and poke, but to me ordering anything but a burger is just plain blasphemy. So we ordered both the Royale (braised short rib, truffle aioli and truffled cheese) and the Manly Burger (beer-cheddar cheese, smoked salt-onion strings, bacon lardon) to share. I am not a fan of medium rare so the medium was just perfect for me but if rare is your thing you will be in fresh meat heaven here. I don't think I'll ever order truffles again as it was just too much for me. The short ribs were cold, too, but tasted fine with the burger. The Manly was definitely the preferred choice here! (Who knew I was so "masculine?") *One odd thing about the menu were the burgers labelled "poutine style." This meant you could order your burger "sans" bun on a bed of pommes frites with gravy. No cheese curds in sight, however. This was amusing to learn, especially since I'd just returned from Montreal and Quebec City. It's like asking for your food cooked animal style only to be served with grilled onions. Luckily there aren't too many French Canadians in this area or Umami might have some 'splaining to do. Then again, maybe this was meant to be a compliment to Canadians in the house, especially those who aspired to be FTR. (We won't mention that Umami is Japanese named, but that's another story.) * The service was pleasant and efficient and I will return when looking for a succulent burger a step up from the rest! (Yes, perhaps even before In-N-Out.) Then again, I'd expect nothing less, from the proprietor, Adam Fleischman (co-creator of 800 Degrees, too) who shares my love for writing, ice cream and wine. What's not to love about this place, really?
(4)Rachel D.
We came here for lunch earlier today. Was pretty empty when we arrived the hostess didnt look too cheerful. Our waitress seemed pretty nice though. I've always wanted to try this place so since my cousin and I were gonna be in the area we decided to stop in. We both actually live in San diego. I got the manly burger and she got the umami burger. Between the two I think I preferred mine. Hers had a bit of a sweetness to it that I wasnt too fond of. I'm pretty picky when it comes to mixing sweet with savory. The burger tasted fine but the place is pretty pricey. I mean damn $12 burger and it cant come with fries? Speaking of fries I did get the truffle fries ($5.50). Which I did enjoy but it's pretty much just melted cheese on top of skinny cut fries. Cant go to wrong there. (Not including praying it doesnt give me the runs during drive back to SD, but thats a total different issue). All in all the food was fine for the first time trying it. But its definitely not something I'd crave to go out and eat. Plus the brand on my burger was barely visible...Aww man. How will I ever instagram this and let people know how cool and hip I am? Like buying a Michael Kors bag without it saying Michael kors on the bag.
(3)Bryan Q.
Umami burger is beginning to be one of my favorite burger restaurants. The first time I came here with my girlfriend I got the Royale, which was extremely delicious and tasty. I am a very picky eater so at first I was hesitant to try burgers of this caliber. The second (most recent) time I came here with a group of friends (there were 11 of us) on a Friday night, and we were seated almost immediately (we seemed to have beat the dinner rush). They didn't have the Royale on the menu, so I decided to try the Truffle burger. A lot of my friends who have been here before have also tried it so they recommended it to me and it was even tastier than the Royale. I wanted more as soon as I finished it, and the thin fries complimented the burger very well. The servers were nice and friendly and the overall environment was very relaxing. Definitely would recommend if you're willing to send your taste buds on a journey!
(5)Aliz M.
My boyfriend decided to take me here tonight for dinner and let me just say we were both very disappointed. From the beginning our waitress was beyond rude to us and seemed to not want to serve us. She asked if it was our first time, I had told her it was mine, and she quickly mumbled something then walked away. We ordered the truffle fries for an appetizer which were absolutely horrible. My boyfriend had asked the guy that dropped off the fries if we could have sugar considering my tea was not sweet at all and he said of course and never came back. The waitress passed our table several times and never once acknowledged us or filled our drinks which we found strange considering it wasn't busy at all. The hamburgers tasted great but I feel should be bigger considering the price. I finally got sugar after already starting to eat when the waitress came by to drop off the sauces and tried to walk away quickly. Her bad attitude and small portions of food is totally not worth over $30. Will probably never be back and will for sure be telling my friends not to come here.
(1)Jenny D.
Strolling thru this shopping center, we're looking for a snack so we don't keel over and die from starvation. I've been interested in trying this place out so we're in. They have a two man band going and indoor/outdoor seating. We get a "patio" table in front of one of the TV's. I've inquired about their Bloody Mary's: Do they make their own mix? Negative. What kind of mix do they use? Our server isn't sure so he went to go check on that. (Sorry but I'm kind of picky about my Bloody Mary's! Shit needs to be GOOOOOOD). In the meantime we've decided on an order of the Truffle fries and the Original burger, cooked medium. Could they please cut the burger in half? "You have a knife so you can just cut it yourself." Thankyouverymuch. I realize I have a knife in front of me but it's the little things that count like having the kitchen cut the burger in half for me but I guess they just don't do that here! Fine. I'll cut it myself. So they are trying to find the Bloody Mary mix so NEVERMIND. We ordered the "Oh, Henry" which our server SWORE tastes like a churro. It didn't. It wasn't TOO strong though but I wouldn't have drank it. I got the "Black Raz Mojito" and I thought it was VERY delicious! The fries came out first - shoestring fries with truffle sauce poured over them. Plus a trio of sauces came in squirt bottles on the side, garlic aioli, ranch and a hot sauce. They were all pretty tasty. The garlic aioli was PRETTY garlicky! I liked the hot sauce and the ranch too. Mix them all together!! Plus their house made ketchup. The burger was more like medium well, there wasn't a trace of pink on the inside buuuuut it was still VERY jooooosay! I enjoyed the patio seating and the live music but I definitely wasn't blown away by the food. I won't be seeking this place out again anytime soon to stuff my face. Side note: Boo thang said for the taste and the buck, he'd rather have In n' Out
(3)Anna K.
Ate here for lunch today. I had the Sunny Side burger and it was fantastic. I usually eat eggs for breakfast, but when I read the menu and saw "fried egg" in the burger, I immediately had to try it. It was fantastic. I also had their Maple Bacon Fries, Truffle Fries, and Tempura Onion Rings. They didn't disappoint. Out of those 3, my favorite is the Tempura Onion Rings. The batter was not too thick. It was very light and crispy, which is how I like them. They weren't overcooked as well. They are greasy, which makes them great, so be warned! If you're on a diet, this is not for you...lol! They do have salads, but why go to a restaurant where they're noted for their burgers and get a salad, unless of course, you had no choice of where you were going to eat. Anyways, I would definitely come back here and next time I'm going to bring my husband since he's a burger fanatic. I'm sure he'll appreciate it.
(4)Janet E.
This place has really delicious burgers and lives up to the term Umami (pleasant and savory taste). The burger had a thin patty and was cooked the way I had asked (if you don't specifically mention how you want your burger cooked, it will be cooked medium rare). I also tried their beet salad with arugula and it was really delicious and fresh. Prices were on the high side, but I felt it was reasonable for the quality and taste.
(4)Czarina L.
First off, the place is pretty spacious, so we didn't have to wait for a seat. It's a little cold toward the front of the restaurant, but they have heaters around. The place is also super clean and organized. Unfortunately, this location condensed their menu like crazy and won't let you order anything from the previous menu, so that was kind of a bummer. Sodas, which come in glass bottles, were pretty overpriced at $3 and up. No free refills either. I had their Umami burger, aka the Original. I expected it to be amazing and worth the $11, but I wasn't too impressed. The meat seemed undercooked and the bread got soggy real quick. I had one tiny mushroom in my burger too. I probably could've gone to Ruby's around the corner and gotten a better burger. The fries were good. They were skinny, crispy, and not greasy! The only thing I really liked here was the Diablo sauce lol. Service was okay. Hostesses were chatting away and decided to finish their conversation before seating us. We really only saw our waitress when we put in our order and when we had to pay. She didn't check up on us throughout our meal. Overall, Umami didn't really meet my expectations. Too hyped up! Maybe it was just this location, so I'll probably give Umami another shot at their Anaheim location or something.
(2)Tina H.
It's awesome that you can order Umami while watching a show at the improv. It's so convenient. We had the truffle burger-boy oh boy, it was amazing! So juicy and tasty. Their regular fries are mediocre, but their sweet potato fries are pretty yummy!
(5)M F.
Finally an Umami joint close to home and this location is probably the biggest one I've been to! So nice inside and out! Hubby and I went last night and we were very impressed with the friendly staff and the space! And the burgers were much bigger than most umamis! We had our usual burgers plus the signature fried chicken they offered and it was amazing!!! We will definitely be back! And tip: they're open until 11pm on weekdays!
(5)Hansen T.
Would've given it 6 stars if I could for the burger. It was heavenly. If you want to know what umami means, just dig into any of their truffle burger... Except the royale. Personally, the short rib in the royale destroyed the goodness in the burger. Other than the fact I can't give 6 stars, this particular restaurant would also lose a star for the service. Yes, it's new and the system needs some time to iron out the wrinkles, but the 2 times I've been here since they opened, once seated at the "bar area" and the other in the proper dining area, orders were forgotten, service was slow and servers were not familiar with the menu. Nevertheless, it's one of the best burgers you can get in town.
(5)Zain F.
Great food and excellent customer service. Some of the best burgers I've ever had were served here. One of our burgers (the Original) had too much ketchup, so our server promptly asked if we wanted another one and brought it out quickly. Would definitely recommend this to anyone in the area.
(5)Emily K.
so I mean they only have burgers and some sides and salads but I don't really understand the hype. like l there okay not something I would rave over or crave anytime soon. the burger was really oily and made the buns soggy and fall apart. the food was kinda pricy with having a burger with cheese at 12 dollars and it doesn't include sides so you have to order the fries separately. service was nice so that's a plus. is the food good sure? is it spectacular and something I would go out of my way for? no probably not.
(2)Ananth N.
The Umami Burger was pricey, but definitely worth it!
(5)Truth R.
Came here and dropped $40 on 2 burgers, 1 truffle fries, and 2 iced teas. Bland burgers. Terrible service, some Asian guy named Alex was super busy bro-ing down with his boyfriend with his back turned to the dining area, chatting it up, dancing, and having a good ol time while my date and I sat there like @$$ holes. 1st and only refill of iced tea took over 20 minutes and it was from a stale pitcher with no ice sitting at the bar. We left hungry, pissed, and with another place we hope to have go out of business. Hopefully this place shuts down soon so it can realize the absurdity of what it is.
(1)Andy L.
The Umami burger in LA gave me a bad experience, so I was hesitant in giving the Irvine place a try. To my surprise, this Umami burger joint in Irvine is great. I loved it. The burger, fries, garlic aoli portion were all bigger. I had a Umami burger - patty made perfectly, right amount of juice and chewyness. Poutine fries - amazing with the meat paired in it Over all, I will come back to this restaurant. Another sweet thing is they are also the one that prepares your dinner for the Irvine improv show, that is like killing 2 stones with one bird :)
(4)Catherine K.
Fiancé and I came here for my birthday on the 4th because I do love me a good burger! I'm always on the hunt for a burger as good as some I had when I lived in the Chicago area. Overall, would not go back, but I can see how others would enjoy the food. Pros: *The atmosphere is nice and a bit high end. They did a good job building the space out with ample indoor and outdoor seating with dimmed lighting. Even the flatware had a nice modern flare. *Our waitress was very friendly and stayed to make conversation when she checked on us. *The Mexican Cokes are both a pro and a con. A pro because they taste good, obviously, but a con because there's no free refills. We got 3 or 4 and it added up, so just be mindful. :) *They bring a bucket of their 3 homemade sauces to try with your burger and fries. They were all pretty good, but none of them were labeled so we quickly forgot what they were and got the two white ones mixed up. Cons: *The burger. Yikes! I know, I'm sorry! I just didn't get it. I got the Original burger, and it was just overpowering. All you could taste was truffle. It was soggy, as others have mentioned. It must have been the "house ketchup" that gave the whole burger such an extremely strong taste. I think it must contain truffle oil, but that was not listed in the description on the menu and the truffle is why I avoided the actual Truffle Burger. In my mind, it's like Marmite. You're either going to love it or hate it, so fence-sitters beware. It also was supposed to be served medium rare, according to their own menu and the waitress, but like 95% of burgers I get dining out, it was far from it. More like a medium well. *The Truffle Fries. Alas, they suffer the same fatal flaw as the burger. Flavor is not bad but so overpowering that we could each only eat a few before scraping the toppings off and going for the au natural fries. Maybe we're just too plain Jane. *Make sure everyone likes burgers. That's pretty much the only thing they have besides a salad. My fiance is not a burger person, so he ended up not getting anything and just having a few of my fries. I can see why a lot of people would like the burgers here. They're definitely different from the routine of lettuce, tomato, pickle and onion. But it was just too strongly seasoned for us.
(3)Bryan S.
I have nothing good to say about this place. I can't figure out why anyone would ever go to here even if it was the only burger place around. I gave it a shot with some people in my office and afterwards I can't help but think it was a practical joke. The only burger I really wanted was only available at another store (rock solid idea, not stupid at all), the girl on the phone seemed like I was a burden to her day then I was told it would be ready in 20 mins. An hour later they came back with a slider (not a burger) that cost me $12 and was missing the onion rings that were some other ridiculous price. One coworker wanted a medium rare burger and got one burnt while another wanted well done and got one bloody. For these prices, AT THE VERY LEAST, get the damn order right. I like trying new places and having new experiences but places like this make me hesitant. Just throwing ingredients together and trying to be fancy by stamping a logo on the bun doesn't validate yourself and the asinine prices. All that effort wasted on an act and not the food.
(1)Michael L.
Live Music + Burgers + Drinks = Great Meal. Enjoy a savory burger with live music entertainment. The ambience is really fun and awesome! The improv center is right next door. My server was Vivian T and she was the best. Ordered the spicy bird, which is a secret item and not on their menu. So bommmmb! It's basically a special turkey burger with their chipotle sauce topped with jalapeño and onion crisps. Thanks Vivian for the recommendation! The burger was super tender since Umami makes their own patties. So much flavor and everything just melts in yo mouf: like cotton candy. The truffle fries really complements the burger too because of the cheese fondue. Overall, I give this place a 5 stars because the live music, great servers (Vivian T), and the super juicy burgers. Superb stuff !!!
(5)Wolf G.
I ate here earlier this evening. I have now eaten at all the Umami Burger branches in south Orange County and the taste is awesomely consistent. The Spectrum restaurant is the biggest and most commercialized of the three but it had a good laid back vibe for a strip mall. I went there alone, btw so no line and straight to the bar. Server at the bar was a lovely blonde lady who was nice enough to give me some of the sauces to take home. I hope they start selling those sauces soon. Soo good. Truffle burger and Tempura Onion Rings were superb. I go here only so often because it's kinda pricey but every visit is well-worth it.
(4)Raven G.
Abstract and industrial appearance with an indi-ambiance, I like it. The waitress was super friendly and helpful, didn't catch her name. Tried the South County Cucumber Cocktail suggested by the waitress, it was DELICIOUS. A bit sour and refreshing. The food delivery was slower than expected, there wasn't a wait to sit, but it still took 10 minutes longer than it probably should have. Got the truffle burger, medium. These are smaller burgers, but I was really happy with the taste. BF got the hatch burger and manly fries, he said "hatch burgers good." They give you 4 different sauces that are all good. The ketchup has truffle in it! All in all an enjoyable experience, will definitely come back.
(4)Faye F.
Their special ketchup is probably the only thing I really love about this place. This was my first time at an Umami establishment and I ordered the Manly burger. I had been shopping all day, so I needed to refuel, plus there was a special with the Manly burger (only $8 instead of $12). Additionally, my sister and I placed an order for truffle fries. I like their different dipping sauces but the ketchup was my fave! Unfortunately, I found the truffle cheese to be extremely salty, so I had to scrape it off the fries. Other than that, I love how super skinny the fries are and not as greasy. The Manly burger itself was ok tasting. The bacon bits were far too salty for me, so I left those out of my burger.
(3)Lisa B.
Every Umami location I've been to seems to have issues (Bristol, we had literally probably 5+ ppl checking in on us constantly and it was almost comical - Laguna/now closed, we couldn't get our server's attention at all) and this one was no exception (on 7/26). The server himself was fine and very friendly, but just some things bugged me. My friend and I ordered a salad to share (verbally specified) and two burgers. We were starving and the salad wasn't coming, wasn't coming, and we couldn't figure out why as the place was virtually empty. Until it did arrive, a big salad and two burgers/fries all at once. So we ate salad while our burgers were getting cold. I thought it went w/out saying that the salad would come first but maybe not. And they serve bottled soda early in the meal so that's getting warm (sitting outside on a very hot day) so I ordered a glass of ice. And asked for salt for the fries, also not on the table (sorry if I offended your sense of "umami" by asking for salt LOL). But our server was fine, it was nothing he did, just for some reason that restaurant irritates me every single time and I'm done. (and I got ridiculously sick after eating there but my friend didn't, so I can't in fact blame the restaurant/food!)
(2)On P.
Underwhelming! Came here for the $8 truffle burger special. Apparently they are associated with the Improv so they do not honor any specials unless you ask. The burger definitely had truffle flavor from the oil but dang! Not worth it for me! N normally the burger is $12?!?! Crazy! Sorry Umami! Still love in n out (or Micks)
(1)Guillermo G.
Burger is good but not great. Server asked how I'd like it cooked since burgers here come medium-rare. I asked for medium and it was over cooked. My wife asked for hers as they are prepared and hers was over cooked also. Fries were passable. I like thin fries so these were how I liked them. I heard a lot about this place and I was looking forward to coming here. But I was disappointed. There are much better burgers elsewhere. Price is what you'd expect for a high end burger place. Quality needs to improve given price point. Service was very good. Attentive but not overdone. Just what you'd anticipate from a place like this. Service is their forte since the food was largely disappointing.
(3)Sam L.
"We don't just put tomato on your burger, we put SUNDRIED tomatoes! Not just onions, CARMELIZED onions" We gave stars for the service and the atmosphere. Great service! Sweet staff, pretty attentive. That being said, I would never go there again. I ordered the greenbird, truffle fries, and a manly burger. My greenbird was pretty underwhelming for a 12$ burger. The fries made us gag as they got colder, something about the cheese being a little clumpy. We left hungry, and kicking ourselves for not sticking with red robin or yard house. Save your money for something yummier for your tummy. You'll thank me later.
(3)Toby K.
This place earned 2 stars in my book for several reasons, the first being that it is disturbingly overpriced for the amount of food you are served! The average cost of their incredibly tiny burgers was about $13, and sadly all you get is the burger, no sides, not even the fries! You'll have to order those separately and pay an additional $5. I left hungry and unsatisfied! I decided to order the original Umami Burger and my husband ordered the burger with the egg. We also ordered thin fries with truffle cheese goo all over it! Honestly, it tasted like velveeta cheese that was bleached and doused with truffle oil flavoring. It didn't taste bad, but I definitely didn't feel pleased with myself after eating it! My husband's egg burger had some flavor and was much more acceptable than my original Umami burger, which had one tiny mushroom (I expected more), a few onions, a little bit of cheese, and a sauce that made the entire burger soggy and unpleasant to eat. The bun was drenched, and the burger had no greens or any ingredients that offered a crunch! The beef patty flavor just wasn't there, I think it was masked by the oily sauce. My advice...go to in-n-out, save some money, and leave satisfied!
(2)Xue Qin L.
Not good. I frequent the Costa Mesa restaurant and have come to expect a level of quality and consistency which Irvine is clearly lacking. I ordered my usual Manly Burger and my friend ordered the Cali burger. Strangely the burgers came out and weren't even hot. The buns were tough and seemed stale. The onions straws were hard and uneditable....I pulled them off one at a time, surprised and cofused. The bacon was old and hard. Also, the Manly Burger comes with cheddar cheese.....this burger had some orange looking goop which kept falling off. The burger my friend had, had similar problems. Room temp burger, stale bun, tasteless and chewy meat....not good! The restaurant itself is relaxing and fun but I will never come back to this Irvine location because clearly something is wrong with whoever prepared our burgers.
(1)Joshua S.
My co-workers and I waited anxiously for this location to open, and opening week we took a team lunch outing to try it out. This location is really nice, the full bar is a nice bonus when compared to the Pasadena location. I tried the original burger and it was honestly phenomenal. Great fries and dipping sauces were also a nice plus. My only complaint was when one of my friends asked for avocado the server told him "No we can't do that because it will ruin the flavor profile of the burger." I mean I get it's a fancy pants burger joint, but are you serious? Talk about having your nose in the air... Still it's worth a try!
(4)Randy G.
Very expensive and overprice. Portions were way to small. Don't see what the hype was. Very disappointed.
(1)Olivia Z.
I am obsessive about this place. Generally, I don't like burgers because they tend to be too bland for me. I like to eat well-seasoned food. Umami Burger is perfect in that case because it's got a great flavor profile. I love any and all burgers they have on the menu and I especially enjoy their thin fries with the special ketchup. Would definitely recommend to a friend.
(5)Frances W.
I was not impressed. This place was too hyped I guess I was expecting too much. I ordered the ahi burger, my husband got the manly burger, and our daughter got the chicken tenders, and we all shared sweet potato fries. The ahi burger was too well done, the tuna was pretty much cooked all the way. My husbands manly burger was way too salty. The sweet potato fries were good but you really can't mess up sweet potato fries. My daughters chicken tenders were pretty much the best thing. I would come back for those, super crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. So yummy! Our waitress was super polite and on top of it but she looked really sad the whole night. I wanted to give her a hug. Maybe she just had a rough day. My husband thought she was giving us attitude because she never once smiled. But I think she was just having an off day. I used to be a server too so I understand. But a smile goes a long way! Id like to give her the benefit of the doubt! Plus we were a huge party, and I had two babies with me. I can't remember her name but she had a tattoo on her lower neck, center to where her collarbone is.
(3)Joseph Y.
I liked the small and specialized menu. Service was good. Food was better than expected with flavor, but I asked for my burger to be medium rare and instead got a well done. The truffle and sweet potato fries did not disappoint and the onion rings are huge!
(4)Cat C.
I got the truffle burger. He recommended it be medium rare, which I agreed to against my better judgment. It was kind of gross--way too undercooked for me. Very soft and red inside, more like seared. That just curdles my stomach!! However, I realize that some people love it that way, and thus it was not something they did incorrectly, but just giving you a head's up to order it the way you like it. I would have sent it back if I had time but was in a hurry. Apart from the that, the truffle sauce is tasty. However, it is very small, probably less than 4 ounces. I am going to give the place another try as there is another burger I am interested in, and I appreciate their efforts to create gourmet burgers. I will order it medium.
(3)Myles G.
After hearing so much about it by my friends, I finally caved and decided to visit Umami Burger. I came into the restaurant and was very pleased by the restaurants visual aesthetic, which seemed sleek and quite modern in comparison to other burger places that I have frequented. I had anticipated a long wait but was seated right away after approaching the greeting booth. My host was very courteous and pleasant, which was very much appreciated. Once I got seated, I readied myself for a great meal. After perusing the menu, I settled on ordering the "Manly Burger" with a side-order of "Truffle Fries" and a Coke. When I received my meal, I was very excited by what was placed in front of me, everything looked delicious and it took me no time at all to devour my meal. The burger patty was nice and tender, as well as flavorful. It was truly a satisfying burger, but after finishing it I realized something. Now, the most important thing about a burger is that it tastes good, and the burger that I ate was great, but at the same time you have to think about the price you're paying for your burger. I paid about $12.00 for this burger, and when I finished it, I was happy that it tasted good but I'd be lying if I didn't feel just a bit disappointed that I paid that much money on a relatively small burger. Don't get me wrong, size isn't everything, but in a world where you can get a larger burger of comparable quality for a lower price, this really left me wanting more. With that said, I would still suggest this particular burger, because it was delicious, but just keep in mind that you'll be getting a burger that's a tad on the small side. Also, the Coke that I received was a Mexican Coke, which I would normally be ecstatic about, but it costs three dollars and you only get one bottle so you might want to keep that in mind if you visit here. Overall, I enjoyed my trip to Umami Burger. The service was good and they helped make my experience there a comfortable one. Would I say that this place lived up to the hype that it's been receiving? Well, yes and no. The food was definitely solid but the prices were a little bit steep and whether or not the quality of food justifies its cost is arguable. Still, it's best to try this place out for yourself so you can reach your own conclusions. I can't say that this will be a place I'd visit on the regular, but I'd definitely recommend coming here every once in a while for the solid quality of the food.
(4)Marcella R.
The burger I always get if the Sunnyside burger. it tastes really good it's different, little pricey than other burger places but it's worth it. They have a really big patio with a cool bar and fireplaces in the middle. Sometimes they have live bands playing. The truffle fries are really good if you like truffle. it's usually not too packed so I've never had reservation problems. Enjoy!
(5)Amy W.
I can only review the food portions of the restaurant because we ate dinner at the Improv, not in the restaurant. I thought the food was good. But pricey. And every thing is served ala carte. If I am going to spend $11 on a burger, I would like to have a side dish included. The burger was very good, but throw some French fries on the plate and then charge me $11. The truffle fries were phenomenal. Probably some of the best I have tried. The onion rings were a thumbs down. The batter was decent, but all I could taste is the oil they were cooked in. Would I go back? Yes, but only to see one of my favorite comedians.
(3)Brett N.
Great location, nice interior and patio area, lots of seating, excellent wait staff and a creative and high-quality menu. The reason I gave it only 3 stars is because, despite being there about a dozen times, they never seem to be able to cook my order properly. By default they cook all burgers medium rare. This policy is fine, and I understand many "burger connoisseurs" out there prefer their meat lightly cooked. I personally prefer medium well (just a little pink inside). They say they can cook them to order, but every time my "medium well" burger arrives with blood oozing out of it (to the point where the bottom bun is soggy and, frankly, gross). I once ordered one of the burgers with the "fried" egg on top, but that came off the pan after 5 seconds and was completely uncooked, oozing everywhere and destroying the burger (yes, I prefer my eggs cooked as well). Order it well done and it still arrives bloody. The last time our whole office went to Umami several of us couldn't even eat our meals. I haven't been there in 3-4 months because I just gave up. Sorry guys, I love burgers but just can't eat here.
(3)Brina B.
Beautiful restaurant. I've been to an umami burger about 4 times now. Truffle burger is the best burger I've ever had in my life. I always get it! Though things went wrong at this location. I asked for my burger medium rare. Everytime I've had it at other locations the party would be cooked perfectly. I asked for regular tomatoes because I know they have sundried tomatoes too. When our food came out. My burger was medium well and she forgot the tomatoes. The bidder brought out tomatoes but they were sundried. Though I did ask them to remake my burger because obviously I'm not paying over $10 to eat a burger that doesn't taste as good. I didn't want to complain again about the tomatoes so I just left the tomatoes off. The server brought out my remake and it was pretty good but still not medium rare. There was no pink showing at all. And she was kind enough to remember to put tomatoes on it, but they were sundried when I asked for regular. She could've just told me they didn't have regular. But I didn't want to complain anymore because my server was nice. I think the issue here is to practice on how to prep rare, medium rare, medium well, and well done patties. Granted this umami burger isn't busy at all every time I come to Irvine spectrum, this place is good but it's not as great as the other locations. I'd give it a second try here but cooking my burger twice and not making it right both times seems to be a small issue here. I'm really only leaving this review for the people who prefer their burgers to be cooked to their liking since people are paying more than $10 for a burger.
(3)Gregory L.
The same delicious burgers you've enjoyed at their camp location now in irvine! They have more seating and a large wait staff. They even added a special chicken burger exclusive to this location Make sure you order the cheesy tots. They arnt on the menu but order them anyway.
(5)Austin S.
Went here with a group of 20 and the entire place was practically empty. The hostess, waiter, and even the manager gave us attitude as if we were inconveniencing them with our large group. I give 3 stars because the food is great but customer service was lacking.
(3)Jenn P.
Whenever the Spectrum gets a new restaurant I love to try it out because I live so close. I first went to Umami a couple months back, but I have lagged on writing a review. I have since been here 3 more times. I like this spot. I have never been a huge burger fan, but Umami gets a good rating from me for their food. They really don't have a huge menu, but everything I have tried here has been pretty good. Only con is they are not big on letting you switch or modify their burgers. So if your one of those people that like to alter your meals this may not be the best choice for you. So far we have tried the following --The Truffle Burger- Basically a cheese burger with truffle aioli. Very good --Ahi Tuna Burger- Very good, fresh ahi. A nice option for those trying to eat on the healthier side --Greenbird- I wanted to like this but I just could not. The turkey patty was very dry and lacked flavor. --Manly Burger- Cheddar, bacon, and onion strings on a beef patty. You can't go wrong there. Probably the best thing we have tried thus far --Onion Rings- Not bad but underwhelming. Didn't have much flavor to them --Sweet Potato Fries- Very good. They also serve a little bucket of sauces with each meal. I believe they are ranch, ketchup and garlic aioli. They are a great option for dipping if you get fries or onion rings Their location in the IS is nice and large. They have a huge patio area, indoor tables and booths, and a bar you can sit at. The only reason I didn't rate them a little higher was the service. While nice, the waitresses seem rather MIA most of the time. At one point it took us close to 15 minutes for our waitress to even say hello once we were sat. I get it if your busy, but when your not there is really no excuse. Overall though their food is worth being a return customer. I look forward to trying some other things in the future.
(3)Norman A.
Overpriced trendy place. The food was mediocre covered in nasty sauces. The wait staff was nice but the atmosphere is cold. I get it that is a trendy place in Irvine Spectrum but if you want trendy and a good burger go to the Yard House
(1)Daniel S.
This location is an improv and umami. Their beers are really top flight, and the burgers are high quality. The staff is friendly and hustles. I really enjoy the tastes and sauces that you can't get anywhere else. Definitely a place to return to!
(5)Justin L.
A little bit expensive for the burgers and dessert, although they are tasty, but it is a cool spot to catch some live music or even sing a little karaoke. Be careful where you sit though because the entrance of Improv is right in their patio area and they will line up right next to your table depending on where you sit, which could be annoying having people standing literally right next to you talking, drinking etc. We were unfortunate enough to sit at one of those tables and just moved to another one.
(3)Chris P.
Had their classic and some sweet potato fries. The burger, due to its toppings, just tasted odd (their ketchup lacked any ketchup similarities, the mushroom was near raw and the Parmesan crisp didn't meld in any fashion) The fires were coated in brown sugar. Which would be okay if they were...you know, I don't know when this would appealing. Sure they're better things on the menu...not that I am willing to find out. Edit: I moved the rating up one star because it would be unfair to treat my visit unfairly when they did deliver what the menu stated.
(3)Anna F.
Dangerous place! My husband and I walked by in opening night, and got seats at the bar after about 5 minutes-- not bad for a Friday night! Yard house and cheesecake factory both had 40 minute waits. Not a lot of food options, but that's not a problem because everything is amazing. We got truffle fries, truffle burgers, and the UFO for dessert. ...let me explain the UFO: it's county fair food without the county fair. A deep fried oatmeal raisin cookie topped with vanilla ice cream and salted caramel. Definitely something to share. It's amazing. And I HAVE to mention Mana at the bar. He was super nice, really funny, and has pretty much the coolest name ever... but he also goes by "Big Sexy," and "GD that bartender is fine." Keep an eye out for him; if the food isn't enough to convince you to go back, he will.
(4)Leigh R.
This was my first time coming here. I've been to at least 4 different Umami Burgers now and this is easily one of my favorites. The atmosphere is nice and their exclusive burger, the Fried Chicken Sandwich, was delicious, as was their specialty cocktail--Oh, Henry (my wife's eyes grew with excitement when she took her first sip). I definitely hope to come back here again sometime.
(4)Kelly M.
Umami Burger. Yikes. I can't decide if the food or service was worse. I'll break it down for you. Food: The order was a Caesar salad, skinny fries, a Hatch Burger, and an iced green tea. The lettuce in the salad was brown, soggy, and old. The dressing was bland and oily. The fries were room temperature when brought to the table and cold before I got around to eating them. The burger was medium (though it was supposed to be medium rare) and tasted like cheap beef. Like seriously we're talking the stuff Carl's Jr. would throw away. The bun was dry and grainy. The chilies were bland. The iced tea tasted like slightly sweet water but at $3.50, at least it came with free refills as opposed to the $3 a pop 8-oz bottles of sodas. Are you kidding me? This is America damn it! The sauces provided were pretty good. I used the yummy hot (but not too hot) sauce to make my burger edible. One star for the hot sauce. The service: We were told we would have a ten minute wait, and it was about 10 minutes. One star for that. We were sat and then waited for our server for another ten minutes. She took a few seconds to mumble something about the buns being soft and delicious and the ingredients of the burgers being hand selected for great flavor. We ordered. I was told the iced tea wasn't ready so I said I'd have water until it was ready. That seemed to annoy my server. The salad came out. Then the drinks a few minutes later. Ten minutes after the salad was done, the burger and fries came out. We had to hunt down our server to ask for the bucket of condiments. Before we could finish eating our server came back to ask if we wanted dessert. With full mouths, we shook our heads "no" and she seemingly instantly returned with our check. We paid quickly and hightailed it outta there. Just an all around bad experience.
(2)Eric N.
First off, when it comes to burgers I never met one I didn't like. The burger here itself was decent, although I asked for medium and it came out well done. The sauce itself was flavorful and had a nice aroma. Now combined with the sauce over used, it created a sloppy greasy concoction. And with no other garnishes, it felt incomplete. I still like it enough to give it 3 starts however the empty plates they brought out stank like it was dried with old smelly rags... YUCK. AND the onion rings looked good good but didn't taste nearly as it looked. It was over unflavored batter. Overall I'd prefer a plain burger cooked from a home grill with lettuce, tomatoes, onions and lightly sauced.
(2)T I M O L.
What is the purpose of a burger restaurant if they only have 1 channel on TV the whole time in the whole restaurant. I don't see myself going again. I need different sports on different TV's.
(2)Ross V.
I've been to the umami burger in Costa Mesa quite a few times and I'm usually very impressed. I really wasn't too big of a fan of this location. The burgers weren't as tasty, they weren't efficient in serving food, and they had a massive fly problem on the patio. There were files everywhere. The staff was very nice, although I would probably re-visit the Costa Mesa location in the future.
(3)Anna S.
If you have a service dog, they will sit you in the isolated patio. I have severe spinal issues. Looking around their chairs are made of hard iron. At least the patio benches had one inch cushions. After sipping on my tea, I had to lean over every time to reach for my drink, food, or fries... The table was 2ft tall which was lower than the bench. My back started spasming. When my food came I though, well it might be worth the wait. Sad to say. I wasn't impressed. I make better burgers at home. My pet peeve are soggy burgers, drenched in meaningless flavors....
(1)Dennis N.
Had it right before seeing kevin hart perform at the improv and it was delicious but not the best I have ever had but pretty much order anything truffle there it hits the spot
(4)Richard C.
First Tried this place at the New Irvine Improv, was quite excited, the burger look interesting but the truth is, they are SMALL, OVERPRICED, and GREESY, and SOGGY BUNS! Everything is a la carte, you can spend $20 for a burger and fries, GO To IN-N-OUT! This place is doing a disservice to Burger Joints! Their Bar is cool though, the funny thing is they have their lighting made up of Grolsch bottles throughout the restaurant and guess what, they don't serve Grolsch, that did me in. The food sucks and no Grolsch! The Good: Great location, nice outdoor patio to enjoy the OC weather.
(3)Whitney G.
Went here the other day for a dinner date ! It was actually pretty good. You kind of get this underground New York kind of feel! I'd defiantly go back.
(4)Brittany L.
I realize that I haven't been to an Umami burger in a while. I've been too busy trying other burger places, but to come back to the OG burger place that set my expectations super high was interesting. They just opened at the Spectrum so I think they are starting to get more of a fan base in the OC. PARKING: It's located near the theater, next to PF Chang's and Cucina Enoteca, so park near the large structure and just walk straight out. ATMOSPHERE: Probably the biggest Umami Burger I've ever been to, which explains why we didn't have to wait AT ALL. They have long tables, two bars, one outdoors and one indoors, and small booths and tables for 4. Plenty of space and probably good for a big party or birthday, which is rare for most Umami Burgers. It has a very industrial urban feel with "graffiti" on the walls and then steel chairs and tables and pipes hanging from the ceiling. I actually like this location and I love that there is so much space. FOOD: I always get the truffle burger. The original doesn't have as much flavor as I like and I feel like the truffle is juicier. Also - get medium rare, you won't regret it. I don't know if it's this location or if Umami Burger just isn't as good as I have been remembering it but I have to admit, it wasn't a 5 star for me like it was before. Father's Office is definitely better. The meat was flavorful, but not AS flavorful as other burgers and even though I got medium rare it seemed like it was only medium! The meat wasn't as crumbly as I like it. The truffle flavor and cheese were perfect though, so I guess in the end it was still really good. Oh - and the bun, mine was a little squished when it came but the slight crusty outside and soft inside was still there, I always loved Umami Burger's buns. SWEET POTATO FRIES - they have a maple brown sugar type of topping, which I liked and they are cut more flat, and slightly thick. THIN FRIES - skinny! and oh so yummy, love them. SAUCES - here, they just give you 4 different ones (umami ketchup, jalapeño ranch, diablo and the garlic aioli) in squeeze bottles so you can have unlimited sauces! yay. Overall, still love umami burger and this is a great location because of the size!
(4)Maria K.
The wait was only about 10-15 minutes. They sat us in the back by the kitchen and restrooms on a high table. The atmosphere was fairly mellow. We ordered our burgers, fries, onion rings, salads and drinks. Our burgers came out but our onion rings and fries never came. The burgers were pretty good - but nothing to get excited about. We asked our server where our fries and rings were so she checked on them. By the time they came out, all of us had eaten over half our burgers. We wanted to have our fries and rings with our burgers not after we had eaten them. We ended up bringing most of the fries and rings home. They should have not charged us for them but since our server had not said anything we just paid the bill. But we will NOT be back.
(2)Vladimir S.
Me and my girlfriend had arrived at 6:50pm, no wait. They have indoor and outdoor seating. We chose to sit outside. Ordered the k-BBQ and truffle burgers with truffle fries and sweet potato fries. The truffle burger was was very good. My GF did not really enjoy the taste of KBBQ (kimchi) on a burger and did not feel it was worth $13. The burgers aren't very large in size so it felt more like teasers/sliders. The fries were a good size though. I will return again, might order two burgers instead of one next time.
(4)Warren T.
One of the better Umami locations I've experienced. Located in the Irvine Spectrum mall with other neighboring fine dining restaurants. I came here for a networking event and it was karaoke night. Compared to other locations, this Umami spot featured a stage for musical acts and a semi outdoor patio. I ordered a glass of Allagash Saison, a delicious ale. It contained spice, tropical fruit, citrus flavors. It was reminiscent of an European pilsner. I had already eaten dinner when I arrived and was only meaning to network and maybe have a drink. I decided to order an appetizer, plate of pickles to pair with the beer. I wasn't disappointed with the pickled beets, carrots, beans, and even pickled mushrooms. However, if you don't like spicy food you won't be able to last very long without a good old ice cold pint of beer. I also enjoyed the spectacle as members of different parties sang their hearts out while seemingly intoxicated. I will definitely be back for the weekly karaoke nights.
(5)Jasmine Y.
Came here on a Tuesday night. We got seated promptly. This umami seems a bit more laid back than the other ones. Our server was nice but she couldn't really answer our questions about which drink or burger would be better because she hasn't tried all of them. We started off with truffle fries and two cocktails. The fries were good and I like their ketchup because it's sweeter. The cocktails were also well made and a good portion for the price. I decided to try something new and got the throwback burger. It's miso mustard, soy sauce pickles, 2 3oz patties, onions, and white cheddar. Overall everything on the burger worked well together but the pickles and mustard didn't really have that soy sauce and miso flavor or could have used more. My friend got the manly burger. He enjoyed it but the bacon lardons were a tad bit overcooked and it had no source of veggies on it (but I told him it was a 'manly' burger). I think it's a nice addition to the spectrum and it tastes pretty much the same as other umami burger locations.
(4)Jess N.
BASED ON CUSTOMER "SERVICE" and food Friday night in the bar area. the servers were no where to be found. when they finally did come around they could have basically cared less. blank stare while giving them my order. what the heck!! I'm a human being. I've had better service at McDonald's. the food took an awfully long time to be made. and when it came out it was luke warm. the manager comped the burgers. but the fries weren't hot either. such a shame bc I love umami burger food.
(1)Mel B.
This place was on my bucket list to try at least once. Our table tried the Unami butter, the truffle burger and the one with a sunny side up egg. My truffle burger was plain....no veggies came with it. Bun should have been toasted, imo. Decent taste, but it was a a bit too bare for my tastes and the cost. The other burgers were good, but not great. Maybe it's not fair to have very high expectations, but the price and hoopla about this place warrants it. Sweet potato fries had good flavor. Onion rings had a bit too much batter. Truffle fries were good, but nothing out of the ordinary. Condiments included a spicy diablo sauce, which hits the spot if you like heat. All in all, it was worth a visit. Probably not worth a return for me, I'll probably return to The Counter the next time I'm craving a gourmet burger.
(3)Danielle J.
I LOVE Umami! they are popping up everywhere and I normally don't subscribe to many chains. This is my favorite burger in Orange County. I went again last weekend for drinks and then ordered dinner at the Improv. The new Improv at the Irvine Spectrum is joined to Umami so you can order burgers before the show. I had the truffle burger this time and it was amazing. The flavors of their burgers marry so well and the bun is soft. We also got the skinny fries "smothered" with short ribs. Unbelievable taste! I ate every drop, including what was left on the bottom of the plate with a fork. I love the wine selection too - you can try a taste from several countries. I love the chenin blanc from South Africa.
(5)Jeanie H.
5 Stars for service!!!! 4 Stars for food The burgers were good. They didn't WOW me but they were tasty and filling. They don't come with any sides so you have to order separate. The truffle fries were really good and I'd go back just to have some fries. We went for my husband's birthday and the service was fantastic, friendly, and very helpful! Our server's name was Steve R. and the host that helped me out as well was Tommy. Thank you to both if you for making it a great night! Overall it was a great experience. We'll definitely be back!
(5)Patrick N.
Every Umami Burger location has a unique burger offering. Here, it's a fried chicken sandwich, which I haven't yet tried. But, that's not the only unique feature of this Umami Burger--there's also a stage for live music or comedy performances. The evening I went, there was a girl doing covers on her acoustic guitar. I saw it and I had to try it. The Pumpkin Spice Latte Burger. It was actually NOT disgusting. It was not bad. It was mainly a study in sweet versus savory, with the tempura squash and coffee glaze working with and against the richness of the beef. I liked it, but after this initial time I wouldn't try it again, if in case they bring it back next year. Smushed potatoes, I love you.
(4)Krystle G.
I have been wanting to try this place out and it fell short of my expectations. We ordered the Truffle Em Fries, Tempura Onion Rings, Make Em Manly Fries, The Royal Burger and The Original Burger. It was good, but I wanting some more flavor for the price. THe Original Burger came with 2 mushrooms and tasted ok. We came on a not so busy day and for some reason, our food took a very long time. Our food came longer than the other people who sat next to us and ordered after we did, which was a bust.
(2)Celine A.
We were at Irvine Spectrum deciding where to eat and Umami Burger seemed like a good choice. Large restaurant with plenty of seating and we were promptly settled into our table. Our waitress was super friendly and interacted with our toddler which was a great touch. We decided on the Umami Burger, the Truffle Burger, Kids' sliders, Truffle Fries and some lovely red wine to wash it all down. Everything was very tasty, I especially loved the fries. Burgers were cooked to our liking and very juicy. Truffle burger was on special so the bill came out to be reasonable for what we ordered. We would definitely come back!
(5)Garett M.
Food is great.. If you ever get a chance to order it. The service is awe-inspiring. Awe-inspiringly poor. Three tables of people here, one of which is our's. 12 servers that may as well be fired. Moved tables due to being there 20 mins without drinks being served or asked about. Nope - same deal elsewhere. I don't know if they're training or not and it's great that all of the employees are always smiling, but I think their first priority should be service... Which there is absolutely none of.
(1)Evan M.
We were deeply disappointed at Umami. We asked for all of our burgers to be prepared medium and instead they made them all medium rare. The meat was so undercooked there were chewy red and pink fat pieces in it. Also the Caesar salad was completely drenched with Caesar dressing and no parmesan. The egg on my burger was too runny and there was water on my plate from the bed of lettuce. If management is reading this review, you should better train your day cook or your wait staff. Either the cook ignored our order detail or the waitress didn't take it right. I can't believe that all of us had a bad experience and paid top dollar for it.
(1)Manuel C.
Where did the truffle go? I used to love their truffle burger, but lately it doesn't even have the idea of a truffle flavor, and I have them enough chances, thinking it was just that one time, but now I can clearly say they gotten way worse and they charge the same. No Bueno Umami.
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