Big Buns
4401 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA, 22203
Big Buns Menu
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Address :
4401 Wilson Blvd
Arlington, VA, 22203 - Phone (703) 276-3032
- Website https://www.eatbigbuns.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Accepts Bitcoin : No
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Garage, Street, Validated
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : Yes
Waiter Service : No
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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Nick R.
Very happy to find an actual gourmet burger place in the area. I have been to a few others and they are not nearly this good. I've had the Hop Daddy and the Hot & Hefe, and they're both great. Prices are in line with what you'd expect at a place like this. Don't bother getting anything other than a fountain drink, because they have delicious Maine Root brand sodas, the lemon lime is delicious.
(5)Joseph H.
Very good burgers! I find that this place is better than Rays, even though Rays is more famous. I got a burger salad with all the extras, and it was absolutely delicious. Only reason I didn't give this place five stars is that they don't give enough dressing for the salads and expect you to pay $.50 extra to get more. That's a little bit ridiculous. Also, The fries are a rip off (good, but expensive and small).
(4)Sam T.
A real burger...finally a REAL BURGER!!! After moving to the D.C. area from Manhattan, I was beginning to think that my burger adventures were over. I was settling for the decent, yet unimpressive 5 guys every now and then when the monthly burger craving hit. Thank God I noticed Jenna L's review of Big Buns :) I almost gave up after driving around the Ballston circle area on Wlson & Glebe. Then I parked and decided to give it a walk around, don't give up...it is so WORTH IT! You can smell the grill, the real genuine grilled burgers. Get the beef, go for a classic guac & fried egg (maybe with bacon if you're feeling up to it). Feel free to chose a sauce that you might like, or just go sauceless the fried egg & guac w/ bacon make it work trust me. You will be in Burger heaven. No need for fries, but if you do try the Sweet Potato Fries they're good. I can honestly say that I would have NEVER found this place, but I can't imagine needing another burger spot. That's it, I'm settled in and looking for a parking spot...it's all about Big Buns for me (yes I know, awkward LOL)
(5)Ahmad K.
Best Burgers ever :)
(5)Rachel N.
I didn't eat a burger here but the chicken sandwich was pretty tasty and the onion rings were AWESOME!
(4)Mikel A.
So fitting that I would write a review for "Big Buns".... This tucked-away, minimalist hipster-joint gives Arlington perhaps its best burger. That said, it depends heavily on what YOU order. If you're not accomplished in flavor assembly, try one of their signature burgers - they are reliably great. ORDER THE 'HANDSOME TOM' WITH HAVARTI - you'll thank me. From the modest beer selection to the fries to the top-notch ingredients, this may be a new fav. Bonus points for gluten-free buns and salad bowl options ("do you even lift, bra??").
(5)Paul D.
This is a great burger joint. Burgers are well made, with the right amount of juiciness and bun to meat ratio. This is, of course, subjective. The staff and fixins/drinks put this place over the top. I think it's underrated in a sea of overrated, overpriced burger joints in the area. Don't sleep!
(4)Jenna L.
So happy to learn of Big Bun's existence. It's tucked away on a cobblestone path, so despite how close it is to everything, I'd never seen it. It was only yelping nearby burgers that led me here. For starters, the burgers are delicious. Big and juicy. Tons of fresh toppings. Good bread. And decent prices for the amount of the food. The fries were good, the sweet potato fries were much better. Will for sure be back next time I have a hanckerin' for a burger.
(5)Paul C.
I give it 3 1/2 stars. Have had lunch here several times and usually order a burger and a beer. The burger is always juicy and cooked perfectly. A step above BGR, B7 or even my one visit to Shake Shack. Today, i opted for the grilled fish. Nice quality fish,but it had a little too much blackening spice, so much that it overpowered the flavor of the fish. Next time i will ask for less then a touch of seasoning. Overall, good experience. The service is always prompt and there is a wide range of micro-beers, i believe i paid $4 for a can of DC Brau Public. I don't think you will find a better price anywhere.
(4)Isaac H.
The burger I just had was so good. It was cooked perfectly to medium, had all the delicious toppings I requested, and was ready to go when I showed up. Why one star you ask? They forgot my fries. I ordered 2 items. A burger and a small fry. I agree, I should have checked the bag before I left, but being a young professional with my busy, young professional schedule, I neglected to check. And so, I got back to my desk, and much to my chagrin, I ate a delicious burger with no fries. So, moral of the story is... their food is delicious but their ability to fulfill an order leaves much to be desired. I'll be coming back, I'm just sad this experience wasn't as good as my handful of others.
(1)Meghan M.
The recent review about the bison does kind of freak me out, but I ate here several times over a work trip and had no issues. Here's what I liked about the place: Burger joints, I just like burger joints. I loved that they had different proteins and tons of toppings. I also loved that you could get unlimited toppings on the burgers, and they had some unique offerings here. It was hard not to try them all! I also appreciated their varied beer selection and efforts to offer a few draft selections. You can't enjoy a burger without a beer---or at least some days you can't. I also loved that a fast casual place like this has a happy hour. While staying nearby I stopped in here several times for happy hour sliders, fries, beers, and milkshakes ($2.50 milkshakes? Count me in!). When I dined here they also had a yelp deal where if you checked in you got a cheap beer. Yeehaw! The staff were nice each time I popped in, and I could totally see being a regular here if I lived in the area.
(4)Dimple N.
Chipotle Pesto Aioli was awesome! Thanks to fellow yelpers for that tip! Chicken burger was okay. Sweet potato fries and the veggie burger were great! Love the outdoor seating!
(4)Jonah K.
Really friendly staff greeting you and helping you navigate the menu. They have some awesome choices if you are watching carbs or paleo. The bison burger was very good, and the topping variety and bowl creations were inventive and well done. I'm not sure I'd want to eat here, but I brought it back to my hotel and it was fresh and delicious!
(4)Daniel B.
Great burgers at reasonable prices. I like the variety of stuff that you can add to your burger and the sides are top notch. Tucked back around the corner on a pedestrian area this is a great place to grab a burger.
(4)Will N.
Ok so I came back to try the new line of signature burgers. The Handsome Tom WOWWWW so good. Make sure to grab a few sauces as well! I tried the animal sauce and the one with sriracha and they were both delicious.
(4)Thomas K.
This place is awesome they managed to take an unhealthy food that I'd normally feel very guilty eating and turn it into a guiltless pleasure! Additionally, they didn't sacrifice anything to get there. They rely heavily on fresh and organic ingredients. You can definitely taste the difference and quality. Some of the best burgers I've ever had. The owner cares about his product and customers and it definitely shows. Pro tip: Try their nutella milk shake, you'll get addicted after the first sip!!!
(5)SuperJisan Z.
I forgot to eat lunch today so I was hungry when I went here and this place did not disappoint. I didn't want to make any decision so I asked the cashier what was the best thing to get. She immediately told me to choose between the Hot & Hefe or the Handsome Tom. My friend got Tom and I got here with the Cajun French fries. The burger was greasy but I was totally in the mood for that. I went pretty late and they had outdoor seating and it was an amazing time. They also have bottled cokes which just made my day. I loved loved loved their sauce that came with the Cajun sauce, I'd go back just for that! Love it, reminded me a lot of NOLA. Would GO back there again to design my custom burger.
(5)Jason D.
My wife and I and the 11 year old twins moved to Arlington a month ago. We use our Friday night to explore the family friendly restaurants in the area. Last night we decided to check out Big Buns. You can't walk a block in Arlington without running into a burger joint, so you have to be something special to separate yourself from the crowd. Big Buns fell short of that standard in both food and service. My wife ordered a burger with Bleu Cheese. I had a plain old cheeseburger with American Cheese, pickles and their "Out N In Sauce" One son had a plain burger. The other had a plain Bison Burger. We shared a large fries and a small sweet potato fries. We had three fountain drinks (Fyi, not Coke or Pepsi products, their own brand of sodas with no corn syrup, etc.). This set us back $56, so the expectations were high. You order at the counter, they give you a number, you sit down, then they bring you the food. This is where the meal was ruined for us. The guy that brought out the food didn't know what he was bringing to us. We had two plain burgers. One was made from cow. The other from a buffalo. He asked, "Plain burger?" We point to the one son and he sets it down. "The other plain burger?" The wife and I assume that meant the Bison and point to the other son. "Bison Burger with Blue Cheese?" Uh oh...Now we are in trouble. We explained what we actually ordered (I'm not going to retype it, just see the above paragraph). The guy takes the burgers back. About a minute later, he shows up back at our table and says "We got it right. This is the Bison." He sets one of the plain burgers in front of my son. Then he gives them back the food that was in front of them a minute ago. At this point my son and wife don't know what animal they are actually eating. You can understand how that might put a damper on the meal. A minute or so later, my wife was grabbing some napkins at the condiment station and the manager asked her, "How is your meal?" My wife explained the beef/bison confusion and the manager said, "Oh yeah...We got that order right. The guy that brought it out was just confused." As for the burgers themselves, mine was good. Nothing special that you could not find anywhere else. Sweet Potato fries were good. All in all, just average. At $14 per person and then factor in the bad service I feel confident in saying you could do better elsewhere (Z-Burger up the street perhaps.)
(2)Ron R.
For lunch this is a good stop in Arlington. I tried the Gorgeous Goerge in a bowl with the housemade lemonade and a side of the Parmesan Truffle Fries to go (just because they sounded interesting). The bowls are good portion size and the gorgeous goerge was delicious along with the housemade lemonade - as silly as that sounds - the lemonade reminded me of days on the beach sunbathing - all in my quick work lunch. That in itself is worth going for. The fries are rich - if you enjoy the taste of parmesan and truffles, this will be your cup of tea. It is a large portion of fries with what tastes like possible truffle oil that they are cooked in and then doused with parmesan cheese. delic ~
(4)Connie L.
Loved it! I love places like this where there are different options for everyone! Loved the burger "bowl" option because I'm not a fan of bread or buns lol. Got the bison burger bowl and you get to choose unlimited toppings! I got the salad with black bean mango salsa (I didn't have any mangoes in my bowl though:/), sprouts, corn salsa, tomato, pineapple. You can choose one sauce. I got the sriracha garlic aioli which was good and spicy! Tried friend's chipotle pesto aioli which was also bomb! The sweet potato fries were also really good! Perfectly crispy and went well with those two sauces:) Got a draft stout and that was also really good AND it came in a mason jar. Totally cute and totally hipster:) It is kind of pricey $13 for a bison burger but I think it's totally worth it!
(4)Ann J.
Big Buns is probably the best burger place in Arlington. Unfortunately, the restaurant is a bit hidden which makes it hard to fine. But for us regulars, no lines is always a good thing. There are numerous things I love about Big Buns, but number one is the food. I love all the options. From the type of patty to the toppings, even the different sauces. I usually opt for the turkey burger on a multigrain bun. As for toppings I tend to mix it up just because there are so many options. My other favorite thing about Big Buns: Craft Beer. Big Buns always has a solid selection of craft beer. While most come in bottles or cans, there are always 3 or 4 craft beers on draft as well. I also love how most of the beer offerings are local, giving people a chance to try breweries in the area. So besides the food and the beer, my last favorite thing about Big Buns is the location. Its off the beaten path in a courtyard right near the Ballston metro. If its nice outside I always opt for eating on the patio.
(5)Carla B.
Before I start, I want to clarify that I did not order a burger. I don't remember where the suggestion came from but this restaurant was in my "to try" list. I was in the area and decided to give it a go. I ordered a chicken sandwich with fries. The sandwich and fries were OK, nothing spectacular but the dipping sauce that came along with the fries was AH-MAZING! Definitely the highlight of the meal. I don't know if that's good or bad considering this is more so a burger joint. I would go again but it would probably be for the fries sauce and shakes.
(3)Jennifer D.
This place is FANTASTIC! I enjoyed the chill environment and the food was excellent! After a cursory review of the menu, of which I wanted one of each offering, I settled on the Hot & Hefe. It is a wagyu beef burger with pepper jack cheese, grilled habanero and serrano peppers, pico de gallo, and sriracha aioli. It was delicious! The kind of delicious that is messy and you can't put it down! Part of the not putting it down was due to a bun that just wouldn't stick together and didn't hold up well to the contents of the burger. The burger was delicious but not quite cooked all the way in the center. I think this must have just been a one-off even as my dinner mate didn't have the same issue. She had a regular burger with some fixings and fries and was very happy with both. They have a good selection of interesting brews and I liked the fact that they support their local brewery. In addition to canned and bottle beers, they have a small selection (4) of draft options. They serve the beer in a mason jar and their burgers on a metal pan with paper topper. If you need it, they offer gluten-free buns, bunless burgers served over greens or quinoa, Omission beer, and cider. I also noted a portabella mushroom 'burger' on the menu. Lots of choices for all types of needs. Overall - I will be back when I need that burger fix.
(4)Josh L.
Online ordering: + Back alley drive up and they bring your food out: + The burgers here are really good. They have lots of options to customize and most of the choices seem pretty good. (2 different kinds of bacon? ++) Every time I've gone they've delivered the goods. Is it the best burger ever? Nah. Want a burger that's a cut above the norm and not stupidly overpriced? This is it! And get some gouda on it!
(4)Stephen C.
Food - 5. Service 4.5. Cleanliness - 5. Happy Hour - 5. Food is great. Ordered a burger salad. Covered in delicious fresh topping. All veggies are fresh and firm, nothing wilted or soft. Burger cooked to perfection and taste great. Serving size is plenty, almost too much for one person. Service was great. Cute girl to take my order. Very polite and initiated the conversation. They bring the food out which is nice so you can get set up. I nicked them on .5 only because they forgot the sprouts in my salad but overall they nailed 11/12 components. They also don't forcibly put a tip line on the receipt since. I appreciate this since its not a sit down place. There is a tip jar if you feel the service was good, which it is. The restaurant is very clean and everything is tidied as customers leave. No complaints at all. Happy hour is fantastic. $3 craft beers, $2.50 natty bo's, $3.50 wine, and $2.50 sliders. Really cant beat those prices. Hours are 3? 4? To 6:37. I paid $13.20 for an above average burger salad and what would be a $6 beer elsewhere. I highly recommend coming here.
(5)Ron S.
Excellent service and great food! You can get healthy chicken, turkey, lamb, tuna, bison... or even Wagyu Japanese beef... or regular Angus beef. I love the way customers have choice of whatever toppings they want at no additional costs. The custom make your order very quickly and are very customer friendly. The 3-7pm happy hour is great for reduced cost sliders and, loaded fries, and drinks. I would highly recommend this place.
(5)Quantona B.
I had a classic club and added jalapeno peppers with it.. Its was good but need a little salt and pepper.....
(3)Juan R.
Pretty good burgers. I got a it in a bowl with some toppings and chipotle aioli. Service is ok, they're friendly most of the times - you get in order and get your food right out. I would come back and try An actual burger.
(4)Lena P.
I can't believe it took so long for me to drop by this place. I ordered a nutella milkshake (it was half off because of happy hour, which is held until some weird arbitrary time like 6:37), regular fries, and signature beef burger on an original bun, with pepper jack and a ton of toppings, with chipotle pesto aioli and sriracha garlic aioli on the side. I tried the chipotle pesto because of some of the yelp reviews mentioning it...didn't like it at all. But the sriracha garlic was on point. I'd recommend getting that instead. As for the toppings, in comparison to other burger places Big Buns has some fun ones, like black bean & mango salsa, roasted corn salsa, and pineapple. And they are unlimited. Yum! The burger itself was very good...but for whatever reason the burger was lukewarm when I started eating it, a couple minutes after getting it. The fries were also very delicious, fresh-tasting and not over-salted. And the nutella milkshake! This was probably my favorite part of the meal. I'll definitely be back for that in itself. As for the other things on the menu, they serve a decent variety of beers for cheap. And the happy hour prices are very nice...I'll have to try out their sliders next.
(4)Bill S.
I have definitely been converted. I was contacted by the management and told they took my comments seriously, and made some changes based on them. I was invited to come back to see how they did. Tom (who sent the email) was working, and took a minute to talk to me about everything. I ordered the Collaboration again, and this time they knocked it out of the park. Great juicy burger and more of the toppings, without them overpowering the meat. The sweet potato fries were again awesome, and the homemade berry lemonade wasn't overly sweet. The staff is super friendly, even before they knew I was "that guy". I'll definitely be going back soon!
(5)Bill S.
Lotsa mixed reviews for Big Buns, here's a review from someone who's just passing thru. I love Big Buns and I can not lie! I dug this place the second I walked in, lots of beer choices, lots of burger combinations, lots of choices! I ordered the lamb burger with the tzatziki sauce on the side. When I told my server about the tzatziki sauce, I guess I threw her for a loop. She just referred to it as sauce. It's all good, my lamb burger was nice and juicy. French Fries were cooked nice and firm and to sit outside in November was a treat. Enjoy something different folks for lunch than the regular fast food burger.
(4)Linda P.
Ordered a burger medium rare on a sesame seed bun with small order of sweet potato fries and Siracha garlic aoli sauce. Food came out quick and juicy!! That was one big ol' burger cooked just as I asked!! Big Buns offers a multitude of free toppings and sauces to add on your meal. Sweet potato fries were crispy and not greasy or limpy!! Enjoyed my lunch today!! Food coma is coming :)
(5)Danny V.
It's your way, every way, everyday! It's satisfyingly scrumptious and sinfully sensational and I guarantee that if your burger were a beer- it'd been bottoms up, baby. Yum-to-the-yes when Ms. Sweet Potato Fries met Mr. BBQ Sauce and hells-to-the-yes when my blue cheese buddy did the tango with my totally tasty turkey burger. When I topped that thrilling turkey burger with a little tantalizing turkey bacon, my tending towards timid and tenacious tummy exclaimed, "totally and terrifyingly titillating!" I rarely review burgers, but this Big Buns has me buns over feet. Whether you're looney for lunch or dangerously dying for a dinner, pull up and park your posterior end on a bench, buy your badass self a bitchin' Big Bun's belly bustin' burger and glue yourself to the ground, for your gullet is gonna go gaga for this good ol' gorge-worthy goodness. Get ye buns to the Best Bun's Ballston.
(4)Jen W.
Meh. We went to Big Buns tonight based on the reviews and were not impressed. The French fries and shake (only $3 during happy hour) were great, but that's just not enough to carry a burger joint. I had a turkey burger and it was not good. Much to my surprise it was a patty that obviously came to the store frozen; it looked nothing like any other burger I've had. Definitely the worst turkey burger I've ever had. My husband had a bison burger and apparently it was decent. Truly the worst part about this place was the price. $35 for two of us to have burgers and small fries (my hubby drank water) is a bit much. They charge as if they are a sit down restaurant with table service but instead you stand in line and bus your own dishes. We could have had better burgers for less money across the street at Ted's Montana.
(2)Darshi L.
This place is very hit or miss for me. When I come the food is either amazing or just greasy and lacking any sort of flavor. Everyone that comes with me always like their burgers tho, so I'd say go and you'll either be highly satisfied or let down (since their burgers are a bit pricey).
(3)Ali B.
Great burgers in a hidden location. Clean premises. Perfect for takeout (order ahead). Think if it as Five Guys for hipsters. Go for the: - wagyu burgers - parmesan truffle fries (really good)
(4)Evan P.
Sometimes I need to satisfy my cravings for a juicy, cheesy burger, but what puts Big Buns into the five star echelon of culinary success are the fries. Now don't get me wrong, the burgers are fantastic, but I've had similarly tasty burgs at places like Boston Burger Company up north. Having the opportunity to scarf some properly crafted sweet potato and truffle-parmesan fries with a number of tasty sauces is the reason Big Buns gets elevated from 4 stars to 5.
(5)Brian T.
Okay, so here's the update...I tried the wagyu beef, and that all natural burger goodness has replaced the lamb as my second favorite burger (after the almighty Bison) for rich taste. Did it hurt my wallet? Damn right it did, as Japanese import beef should. As a person who tries to eat real food as opposed to some ersatz facsimile grown in a laboratory that will do nothing good for me, I can really appreciate anyplace, especially a burger place, that's willing to take the risk I'm delivering an actual quality product even if it does cost more. Now as for the Nutella milkshake, which my friends have gotten me addicted to at the same time that I luxuriated in the Wagyu, that is another story...
(5)Benjamin L.
I love hamburgers. I've been to a lot of places and had a lot of really good burgers all over the world. This place consistently has some of the best hamburgers I've had. They're not the absolute perfect hamburger place in the world (that distinction goes to my spot in Buenos Aires). But they are a very close runner up, and they're in my view the best in the area. Aside from that, the service legitimately spectacular, the beer is superb, and the atmosphere is pleasant. These guys go out of their way to accommodate you. Cheap wine, great food. I really, really love this place. I'm so happy they exist. Please eat here. You will be so happy you did. Therere all these over the top hamburger places that are trying to be something fancy and forget what hamburgers are all about. This place, while happy to indulge your extravagant demands, never forgets that it's serving up delicious meat. It never forgets its roots and it, frankly, is far better than most of the fancy restaurants in the area for a fraction of the price.
(5)Amber G.
Your middle of the road, standard burger fare. Nothing outstanding, nothing inedible. I've been a few times, and found their regular build-it-yourself burgers a little lacking in flavor. The patties are not huge or juicy, but are acceptable. They recently added a line of "signature" burgers. For now you can find these on a small menu by the cash register, as they haven't been added onto the menu sign yet. The "Handsome Tom" is really good and I'd recommend this burger if you're going to have anything at Big Buns -- Brie cheese, steak sauce, and caramelized onions. It's probably the tastiest thing they have. I also tried another new signature burger, The Collaboration (bacon jam, cheddar, pickled red onions) - this one wasn't nearly as tasty, and the flavors oddly didn't seem to mesh well. Fries are ok. Thicker cut, but not enough salt on them. They require one of the many special sauces that Big Buns offers. My favorite was the Out-N-In Sauce (a play on In-N-Out's delicious thousand island type sauce), but honestly I just wasn't impressed by many of their sauces. The sriracha garlic and the chipotle pesto were just ok - probably wouldn't get those again. I feel like Big Buns is a spot where, if you're hungry, everything is pretty good while you're scarfing it down. But afterwards, nothing was memorable. Looking back on the meals I have had here, I'm just not that impressed. Everything is cooked ok and it's hard to pinpoint what exactly is lacking, but there's something def lacking. I won't outright avoid this place, but I'd probably try other burger joints around before returning. Tip: If you're indulging, try the Nutella milkshake. Yum!
(3)Mark E.
This is hands down one of the best burger joints that I've ever been too. Great for lunch or dinner. The beer selection is good and the sweet potato fries are a must. The sauces are also worth it. Don't pass this place up if you're nearby.
(5)Kathryn P.
Three and half stars. We were on the hunt for a good burger and wanted to try some place new. Did the yelp search and found big buns and were enthusiastic to try. The burgers were solid but I still like shake shack better. The bright points of the meal were actually their pb and Nutella shakes and the Parmesan truffle fries. Also, it should be noted their staff is super accommodating. We ordered right before they closed and got there a bit late and they still served it with a smile. They have a ton of offerings so we will probably try again before sticking to the other burger joints we love.
(3)Anabel L.
I'm going to have to disagree with the hype. This is place is average at best. Received my burger and it was sopping wet with sauce and the meat itself tasted like a five guys burger. Granted, five guys is a decent choice with their "fresh" culture but Big Buns' price tag is unjustifiable. The fries were straight up not good, just a few steps up from McDonald's fries. And I don't need to tell you how those taste. Of course, I'm a little peeved about the price to enjoyment ratio right now, but if you're just looking for an average "high-end" fast food burger, then perhaps you will enjoy this place.
(3)Pablo R.
This is my new go to place for burgers in Arlington! High quality ingredients complimented by an extremely helpful and professional staff. I ordered a burger and it was cooked perfectly. A minor honest mix up with my order was resolved by the manager remarkable quick, politely, and well above and beyond what was needed (go Aaron!!!). Big Buns can serve as an example to other establishments in the area when it comes to customer service. I'll definitely be a customer for life! The chipotle sauce on my burger was a great choice this round. The truffle fries were delicious as well, and I want to put whatever sauce it came with on everything I eat! My girlfriend had the veggie burger and said it was one of the better veggie burgers she's had. Sweet potato fries on point!
(5)Joe L.
Full disclosure: I was here for a fixed-menu beer dinner put on by Hardywood Park brewery, so I didn't actually sample their regular menu. That said, if the food they cooked for this event was any indication, this is probably a pretty good burger joint. The restaurant itself is nothing fancy, the standard open layout and neutral colors of any quick service restaurant. The menu above the counter is written in big letters and organized to help you understand and choose from the plethora of options you face in terms of meat and toppings. The list of milkshake flavors alone (sea salt caramel, nutella, peanut butter) makes me want to come back on a regular day. The food at the event was very tasty, starting with garlic-parmesan tater tots with sriracha aioli and moving through three burgers made of bison, chicken, and beef cooked in duck fat, all with delicious toppings like pesto mayo and bacon jam. There was really nothing not to like, and everyone at my table scarfed every bite of every course. I'm almost never in Ballston, but I'll keep my fingers crossed that Big Buns expands into a DC location soon. I don't know if it would be king of the hill in terms of DC burger joints, but it would definitely compare favorably with the best of them.
(4)Marie W.
Big buns really do offer the works when it comes to burgers. Tucked away behind the Westin hotel it's worth wondering around for. You can either choose one of their burger creations or make your own from a selection of patties, toppings, cheeses and sauces, you can even choose your bun type! Awesome because I got to have a gluten free bun! Everyone can be happy. They do regular fries and sweet potato fries both are delicious! Definitely get the Rosemary and thyme salt on the regular fries as it is yum! Friendly staff ready to help and give advice when creating your burgers for the first time! Will definitely be back!
(5)Mojdeh S.
How I heard of this place: My smart phone! Each time we would use the map application, when zooming in on our apartment building, we would see "Big Buns". Type of cuisine: "Simple, American food, created with the highest quality ingredients and gourmet inspired recipes, offered in a modern, fun atmosphere. It may sound like a lot to ask, but for four years this was our inspiration behind the first Big Buns Gourmet Grill, a place where you can custom build whatever you're in the mood for at that very moment. It's a place where we want to eat, and a place that we think you will too." Ambiance: Set around a fountain-clad courtyard, Big Buns is a bright and very green, alive space. The glass door, with floor-to-ceiling windows set across the small front entrance gives way to a large, rectangular space of green walls, cream-colored walls and light birch trim. A half-wall with chalkboard, a white arrow indicating the order line, designates the cafe/seating area from the long hallway leading up to the ordering counter. Light varnished, birch tables with matching wooden chairs are evenly and adequately spaced throughout the seating area, flat-screen televisions set atop varnished wooden planks hung on the walls above. Interspersed are black and white photographs, printed in large squares, also set against matching planks. To the left of the entrance, and at the windows is bar seating, where passerby can oogle over the gargantuan culinary creations being devoured. The birch-colored half wall along the left wall lead into more bar seating and the restrooms. Above head, industrial pipes are painted in the same vibrant green, with metal lights hanging down from the ceiling shedding brightness over the tables and establishment below. The menus are set prominently above the cashier and kitchen area at the far end of the space, where last-minute splurge items, such as cookies and chips can be purchased. Fountain soda beverages and iced tea are served at a smaller counter, directly opposite the kitchen, where condiments and plastic eating utensils may be found. Green, plastic containers, doning the sign "Tips Warm MY BUNS!" are obviously noted at the front of each register, bringing smiles to our faces, as employees happily and warmly greet us, explain the menu and animatedly pose for pictures from the kitchen. What I ordered: I began with an Angus Beef Burger ($6.49), seasoned and grilled, sandwiched in a freshly baked bun, topped with Cheddar cheese (for an additional $.49) and the unlimited toppings: pickles, jalapenos, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, grilled onions and mushrooms and avocado slices (additional $.79). We chose some special sauces and dressings to accompany our burgers: Big Buns Honey Mustard and Chipotle Pesto Aioli (which also came with the fries). At the recommendation of our cashier, I selected the Sweet Potato Fries ($2.49). My husband went with the Angus Beef Burger, doubled up (2 patties) in a bowl, served on a bed of fresh mixed greens with Pepperjack cheese (additional $.49), grilled onions, mushrooms and grilled pineapple, as well as Applewood Smoked Bacon, from the Premium Toppings (additional $.79) menu. His dressing of choice: Chipotle Pesto Aioli, Potato Fries ($2.19) and a thick, handspun Strawberry Shake ($3.99). Our friend chose the seasoned and grilled Angus Beef Burger on a Wheat Bun (additional $.29) with Swiss Cheese ($.49), shredded lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, mushrooms, pineapple and a side of Sweet Potato Fries. On a return visit, July 5, 2012: I selected a wheat bun with Angus beef ($6.95, plus $0.25 for wheat buns, each), topped with grilled onions, grilled mushrooms, Swiss cheese and fresh jalapenos. My two dining companions also enjoyed the Angus burgers on wheat buns, with lettuce, tomato, roasted red peppers, mushrooms and lettuce, tomato, bacon (additional $0.79), red onions. Each ordered fries, one sweet potato ($2.49) and one regular ($2.19), as well as one, small fountain soda ($1.59). What I loved: I loved the regular fries over the sweet potato ones. I love the plethora of options and the ease of ordering. I love the huge patty of meat and the large size of burger, which fills up even the most hungry diner. The fresh jalapenos, several of which I had to remove, were the highlight of my evening burger! The thick strawberry shake perfectly balanced the spicy with the sweet. Why I loved it: Simple. Order exactly what you want. Make it your way. The perfect opportunity to be creative even when you are not the chef. Cost: Average ($6.39-$7.59 per burger, toppings and sides extra)
(4)Kris W.
I do not recommend this restaurant. I ordered a Diet Coke but when I went to the soda fountain it was Mexicana Cola products NOT Coca-Cola Products. Once the burger arrived it was raw not medium as I requested. I would have been better off going to a chain fast food restaurant.
(2)Martin K.
Found this little gem through Yelp when we were in DC to celebrate Independence Day, and after reading the reviews we decided to check it out. The restaurant is in almost hidden location in a courtyard, we would not have found it by chance. Since it was a cool night we got a table outside, very nice in the shade. We got three different burgers from the menu and a kid's meal - all were great with Tom's being a particular favorite - try it!
(5)Dana Z.
I like Big Buns and I cannot lie! Okay, I'm sure I'm not the first person that's made that reference. I have been wanting to try the burgers here for a while. I finally was over in the area and decided to stop for lunch. I thought the customer service was great. They wanted to start on your order before you even got up to the counter so you don't have to wait too long. Plenty of options... KIIIINDA expensive.... I mean, for what you get. I thought the fries were sooo good. I wanted MOOOREEEE!!!!! I'd recommend it to anyone in the area.
(4)Stacey V.
Best burgers we've enjoyed in a very long time. They're huge and filling. Sautéed onions had a rich, caramelized flavor. Mushrooms were cooked to perfection, as was the burger itself. All ingredients were assembled within the bun so that they stayed there when you bit into it - again and again. Both the regular and sweet potato fries were excellent - just the right amount of salt. The woman who took the order over the phone recommended the chipotle sauce, but I feared it would be too spicy, so I ordered another kind instead. When my husband came home with the order, she had tossed in a small cup of the chipotle sauce, I guess so we could try it. So kind! Ordering over the phone and delivering to the car curbside is what sold us on dinner with Big Buns. Parking in Ballston is horrendous, and it's awesome that they bring it to your car. We will most definitely return!
(5)Debbie S.
The burgers here are delicious! They're perfectly juicy and better if you add one of the sauces to your burger. Love the fries - crispy and salted! Sweet potato fries are nice as well although you can't eat too many. Do not get the truffle burger - it is overpowered by the truffle taste! They offer a great beer selection and happy hour prices are quite a deal.
(4)Jennifer W.
Can I live here? I mean, right here in this restaurant? OR can you build one in Dallas? I had a bowl with grilled fish (it was a Lenten Friday, what can I say?) I had it loaded on a spring mix with avocado, pepper jack cheese, tomato, roasted corn salsa, and grilled onion. Holy Cow, Batman! How can something so simple be so yummy? My dining companion had the bison burger with bacon and he said it was really good. I stole a couple of fries and they were pretty good - nothing spectacular but still solid. Overall, I could have a bowl like the one above every day, there are lots of options and I love that it's build-your-own. I'll definitely be coming back the next time I'm in town.
(5)Brian M.
Came here for lunch. Be warned if you come during the week this place can go from dead to a line out of the door. I ordered a turkey burger in a bowl mixed in with the chipotle pesto. The turkey burger was surprisingly good with very solid flavor. I actually think my turkey burger tasted better than the beef that my wife ordered! The pesto was amazing and worth paying for an extra side of it! I shared the onion rings (there is more than enough to split) and we also had a Nutella malt that was also amazing good. Overall the food is worth the price and was packed with good flavor. In many ways this place reminds me of a burger version of Chipotle. I would come again and def recommend trying it.
(3)Sung Min K.
Good burgers! But in the expensive side but may or may not be worth it depending on your burger tastes. Great service. Wife loves the truffle fries.
(5)Jacquelyn V.
Maybe they had a bad day, but when we ordered burgers at this place, they were not good. I had the Handsome Tom burger but I barely ate it because the meat itself was so salty that I couldn't taste the aioli sauce. My husband's chicken sandwich was no better, very bland and you had to pay extra to get the wheat buns. The only redeeming part of the meal was the sweet potato fries: they were perfectly seasoned and crispy.
(2)P F.
I don't say this lightly: this might be the best burger in the DMV (even better than Ray's!). The menu is extensive with the choice of meats (beef, bison, fish, chicken, turkey...), cheeses, and toppings. It's the endless combinations you can make that won't make this place get old anytime soon. I had a beef burger on a sesame seed bun with smoked Gouda, sautéed onions and mushrooms, onion ring, fried egg, tomatoes, and pickles. I had an out of body experience eating that thing it was so delicious!! All the ingredients are super fresh and high quality!! Almost forgot: they serve alcohol!!!! The craft beer list is super extensive and they have enough beers to satisfy the snobbiest beer connoisseur. Solid 5 star burger joint!!! Now they just need to add a location in Bethesda!!!
(5)Matt L.
About a month ago, Big Buns added a Designer Burger selection to their menu. The designer burgers are various proteins (Beef, Bison, Lamb, Turkey, Chicken, Tuna) all designed with choice toppings that come from the flavor profiling minds of the owners. The 'Hot and Hefe' which is Wagyu Beef with a mixture of spicy toppings was my choice of the day. An awesome burger experience that had the right amount of kick but not to the point of looking for milk. Although I couldn't distinguish the Wagyu beef from their normal Angus beef, the patty was perfectly cooked. The Pepper Jack Cheese was a great compliment, and the mixture of the Sriracha Aioli with the grilled habaneros and serranos were the icing on top. A healthy forehead sweat is the consequence, but this burger may turn into the destination burger of Arlington!
(5)Zach S.
Love this burger joint. The only problem I usually have is how messy my burger gets, but that is 100% my fat kid tendencies trying to put as many toppings as possible on there. Burger does not travel well as I'm about an 8 minute walk away and if I carry out its almost always soggy. Don't forget to look to the left to find all the "secret" stuff on the board.
(4)Daniel T.
This place has great burgers. One of the best burger places in the area. The location is near Ballston mall. There is limited parking on the side street as this place is at the bottom of a office/residential building. They have plenty of sides, including corn, salsa and guacamole.
(4)Anne W.
I don't really have too much to say about Big Buns. I think that their burgers are all right for the price that you pay. I don't think that they're mind blowingly wonderful or the best burgers that I have ever had. In a pinch however when you are really craving burgers then Big Buns will do. I would not go out of my way to seek it however.
(3)Craig M.
By far the best burger place in Arlington. If you're incensed that you can't get a diet coke here, try going to McDonald's- where I'm sure you'll fit right in. Try The Collaboration burger and the mixed regular and sweet potato fries. It's like traveling to Saturn on a Unicorn on a rainbow skyway... With aioli sauce.
(5)Jenn M.
Dangerously too close to work and I am afraid I may over indulge myself here! Didn't pack a lunch for work the other day and Big Buns was bookmarked on yelp for a while now so I decided to venture here for lunch. For a Wednesday around 1:30ish it wasn't busy at all so I'm glad I didn't have to waste time trying to fight through a lunch crowd. I got the turkey burger on wheat bun with tomatoes, onions, and roasted corn salsa. Of course, I had to get a side of regular fries. The entire meal was exceptional. Turkey burger was juicy and flavorful, can't go wrong with that. The roasted corn salsa was messy to eat because it kept falling out of my burger! But nothing a spoon can't fix. ;) Food was fresh and made to order. I love build-your-own burger places. The staff were incredibly nice. I can't wait to return to try other stuff on the menu!!!
(5)Daria Z.
One of the best burgers I have ever had! I hoovered it so fast sorry i didnt even take a picture. The owner was at the register- super nice, super efficient! Wine is great, cheap ( from $3 to $5.5 per glass), beer choice is awesome! Its cozy and nice in winter and I can't wait for the summer to hang out on their patio!
(5)Christina R.
Love big buns! Staff is awesome. Menu offers tons a varieties! Clean environment! Always please with my burgers when I go. Only reason why I don't give it 5 stars is because it is fairly pricy for a burger; however, it's worth it! Treat yourself to some big buns if you're in Arlington you won't regret it!
(4)Helen Z.
I'm a huge fan of the customizable food. Big buns offers a wide selection of toppings, buns/salads, and toppings. I love that the veggie toppings are unlimited - too often do I go to a burger joint and feel underwhelmed by a thin slice of tomato and soggy lettuce. I ended up ordering the grilled fish on top of the organic greens - it was delicious! I was impressed at the size of the salad and how liberal they are with the toppings. My friend had a double bison burger and the quinoa salad. He seemed pretty pleased too. I can't wait to come back and try some of the other options too, and maybe even one of their creative milkshakes (cinna-bun flavored?!). Side note: I found it hilarious that the wine menu is presented as "cheap", "solid", and something else I can't remember. After all, what else do you need to know about the wine? :P
(4)Edward P.
Waaaaay over priced for a mediocre burger! Menu was confusing. Little selection on beer. Everything is ordered in a Chipotle restaurant setting. Gratuity is expected after paying for a 20 dollar burger?! No thanks, I will not go again.
(2)Asa B.
The Lamb Burger was incredible, between the original bun, sauteed mushrooms & pepper jack with my choice of toppings the flavor combinations exploded on my tongue. My Fiance had the veggie burger and after demolishing it when we asked what was in it we were offered by the server for the chef to come and tell us himself. He was busy ! But she gladly told us that the compliments to the lentil, spinach, brown rice, Bermuda red onions & quinoa falafel like burger was well 'received. You want burgers? Go nowhere else.
(5)Jennifer C.
Totally disappointing. Staff was clueless and multiple questions about gluten free yielded uncertain answers. Paper states fries are gluten free but cashier says oh well we cook them with onion rings. So not gluten free after all. Gluten free bun was available, so that was good. Menu selection and toppings seemed good. Good took a long time. Seating area was not clean. Very disorganized. Burger tasted good. Gluten free bun was too small for burger. Regular bun looked fine though. I wouldn't come back here.
(2)Laura H.
5 stars delicious burgers! yo can choose what you want on your burger so no tomato will ever ruin your dining experience here. It takes a little longer that Mc Crappy's but thats because its cooked from fresh and tastes it. This is my new happy place I just want to sit quietly in the corner eating all the burgers.
(5)Meg D.
It's a solid burger and they have really great sweet potato fries-I will have to say Ray's Hell Burgers is like my burger heaven so I feel like I judge other burger joints a bit more harshly. Docking off a point because the burger didn't seem that hot when I got it. Sometimes even after waiting a couple of minutes, a freshly cooked burger is still pretty hot, but this one wasn't the case. But maybe I'll partly blame winter for that too. Highly regret not getting bacon on the burger. The bf did and I was just eyeing it the whole time (to me, it looked better than the bacon at Rays)
(3)Julito C. S.
These are the best burgers I've ever had, the restaurant is a bit dim but the food makes up for it. My only regret is not taking a photo of my burger and posting it on here. :)
(5)Amber H.
Really great atmosphere and the burgers & shakes are definitely good. I think I'd still prefer a couple places (i.e. Five Guys) more, but Big Buns is so close to my apartment that we end up here a lot. Love the happy hour and I think they have a big variety to choose from to make your fully customized burger.
(4)Brian F.
Really good burgers and local craft beer selection. Definitely recommended. I had Japanese Wagyu burger with smoked Gouda, roasted red peppers, corn salsa and spiced balsamic dressing. Delicious, four napkin burger; and will return. It's tucked in across from Westin, with a nice outdoor sitting area.
(5)Le L.
We decided to give this place a try after reading so many great reviews about it. We were craving for some greasy burgers at the moment and this place was close enough to our area. I knew this place has no parking lot but street parking isn't hard to find on a weekday with no payment after 6pm or 7pm ( I am not 100% sure on that). We arrived around 8pm and we didn't have to pay for parking. On weekend I believe finding parking will be very difficult so I would suggest go on a weekday for dinner or lunch time if you work around Arlington, VA area. We were new at this place so we asked the cashier to help us the menu and she was really kind and explained to us. She took us step by step on the menu and explained everything to us to make sure we understand what to order. I ordered a beef burger starts at 6.99 and next step i chose regular sesame bun (white bread, you can choose wheat if you want). then I added (unlimited) toppings, I had lettuce, pineapples, fried onions. They have a lot of toppings like jalapeño, pickled fried tomatoes, pickles, etc, at least 10 different toppings, very cool custom built to your own flavors ( SOME TOPPINGS REQUIRED EXTRA ADDITIONAL MONEY ON THAT) Next would be the cheese section but I skipped on that since I am not a cheese person at all. Next step would be sauce with the burger, you can either ask for separate sauce or put it in your burger, I had it on separate since I want to use it for fries also (same with sauce, extra $1.49 for additional sauce). I had buttermilk herb ranch (it was really good, literally, please try this one). My boyfriend ordered the beef also and he had white bread sesame bun. For his burger, he added fried eggs ($0.99) with his burger and also he had other toppings and honey mustard sauce with his burger. I do liked his choice of sauce also. We both had it on separate since we ordered sweet potato fries with caramel waffle shake. They have shakes happy hours on weekdays from 4pm - 6:37pm ( I think that's the weird time to end, but oh well it said on the board). The shake was really good and it was thick enough for their flavor also. I didn't like the sweet potato fries much, that's why I only give this place 4 stars. It was hot but the fries wasn't fried enough, it was kind of soggy when it was out in front of us. I didn't enjoy much on the fries, but overall everything was good. This place is like grab and go eat kind of place but they definitely have several tables for dine in also. We sat there for around 40 minutes for dinner and I noticed some employees actually walked around and checked on us. They even asked us if everything is okay and if we need anything else. I mean they didn't have to do it since it was just like a fast-food restaurant. The price is kind of overpriced for burger (in my opinions), if you add those extra toppings, cheese and etc, it can compare up to a gourmet burger where you dine in in a fancy burger restaurant. We ordered two burgers, sweet potato fries and shake and total was around 28 dollars and I believe this is too much for not a fancy restaurant. I was shocked when I saw the price also. I would definitely recommend to try this place if you happen to be around the area, but I wouldn't come back since the price is pricey for burgers and I can definitely find this price burgers at fancier restaurants.
(4)Chris S.
I absolutely love this eating establishment. Create-your-own burgers, great milkshakes (even a milkshake HAPPY HOUR - enjoy them at half price), friendly staff, and best of all: the beer dinners. I've been to two of Big Buns' beer dinners (both featuring Hardywood brewing co.) and have thoroughly enjoyed the food, beer, and atmosphere of both. While the burgers normally are slightly on the pricier side, for the fixed-menu beer dinners you typically get 3 highly creative and delicious sliders, unlimited appetizers (could be sweet potato fries with toppings, tater tots, chili fries, who knows!), a generous pour of beer from the brewing company (different for each course), and a dessert all for about 40 bucks. A steal considering you can typically ask for more of almost any of the beers and the apps. Plus the events are very casual, fun, and lead by reps from Big Buns and Hardywood who both love what they do and the food/drinks they make. Adding contests for participants to win swag and beer makes this a fun night with friends any day of the week. Big buns puts forth some great food options and hosts plenty of fun events. It's tucked behind the Westin around Glebe and Wilson, but once you find it and try it you'll never forget where to go for some delicious milkshakes, custom burgers, and fun events.
(5)Long N.
Just had my first experience at Big Buns yesterday! They have a ton of toppings, some that are not so traditional, and so many mouth watering sauces that I had a hard time choosing. I ended up picking the siracha garlic aioli and it was delicious. The burger itself was cooked well, nothing too special about the patty or seasoning. Overall had a great experience and will definitely come back again.
(4)Bennett J.
I had been craving a burger recently and decided to try a new place in the area. After reading the reviews I felt good about my choice and I was not wrong. The burger was so juicy and the buns tasty and firm to keep it all together. The bacon was crisp and the topping selection extensive. Good beer list and happy hour specials but other than that a bit expensive. I'd go back next time I'm close.
(4)Bee H.
Pricey lunch. But the burger is great and you have have it ontop of a salad. You also get to pick your toppings and dressing.
(4)Jeremy P.
This is a pretty cool burger place. You get to create your own burger with choices like bison, fish and others (obviously beef is a choice). Being able to add avocado and guacamole on the same burger is definitely a plus. Bonus points for sweet potato fries.
(5)Alex L.
In my mind, this is the best burger in town. But wait? How can you say that when Ray's is right down the street?!? Well...I mean it. I really don't think that Ray's and Big Buns are comparable. They are in two different classes. Ray's is the big, meaty, rare, ridiculously juicy and messy burger that I can only eat once in a blue moon. Big Buns is a classic 'all-american' type burger joint that is a consistent winner any day of the week. They are both amazing - but on any given day, ill hit up Big Buns. The food is great. I can only speak to the burgers but the meat, huge bun, and slough of toppings are awesome. It is a high quality burger, nuf' said. I've had the sweet potato fries and they are darn good too...personally, I like regular fries though. The seasoning on these fries and the homemade ranch dressing (order on the side) is bananas. Bananas is good. The ambiance is super relaxed and the place is always clean. This is another perk that BB has over Ray's. It's never overly crowded (probably due to the fact that its not directly on wilson and a bit of a hidden gem) and the staff are cool folks. Dollar fifty PBR cans and cherry+vanilla syrup at the soda fountain for real Cherry Coke is another great touch that makes this place my favorite stop if I'm hankering for a burger.
(5)Naomi W.
Love this place... Best Milkshake around.. i have tried milkshakes almost at every diner and place that offers milkshakes around the area and nothing compares to a big buns milkshake. sweet potato fries AWESOME burgers are good and made to order.. nice staff and condiments selection is very good! burger is very good as well. But i have to admit I am a fan of Z burger over a big buns burger.. So i would get a milkshake from big buns and a burger from z burger!
(4)Barnaby J.
I had the grilled fish sandwich with a bunch of the toppings. The mango salsa and the black bean corn salsa were both delicious. The sweet chili vinaigrette was very good as well. I'll definitely be back to get the same again, and also to take advantage of the $1.50 cans of PBR. Something else that looked cool is their syrup bar, which lets you make your own vanilla coke or Shirley Temple or any combination of flavored beverages. Pretty cool idea. The people there were also very friendly. Bunch of nice guys who seem to enjoy hanging out with each other. The only thing that stopped this place from getting 5 stars was that their fries (regular fries, not sweet potato) were very mediocre. I hear the sweet potato fries are better, but next time I go back I'll probably get a bag of Doritos instead of fries.
(4)C S.
We went here and it was my version of 20 questions. How do you make this, what is in that, what about the grill, spices, condiments, and everything else that goes with ordering something. The person taking the order was able to answer all the questions, or quickly get the answers. He also had a card that had all the menu items that contained gluten and/or soy, so which items were automatically out of the question for me. I ended up with an Angus burger in a bowl (so on a bowl of lettuce instead of a bun), with cheddar cheese, avocado and tomatoes. The burger was medium well, there was plenty of avocado and cheese. I could have gotten a second patty, but that is because I tend to need a lot of food.
(4)Travis D.
Friendly staff. They kindly cooked the veg burger on a separate pan for us. The toppings (at no extra cost) were excellent and fresh!
(4)Cathleen N.
You guys are gonna leave there with a happy stomach! The burgers are so juicy and flavorful and you can add a variety of toppings from mango salsas to avocados. They are marvelous. They also offer "burger in a salad" if you'd like to opt for a lower carbohydrate meal. Their mahi-mahi burgers are also fabulous and a great alternative that you can't find at other burger joints. The fries are also very good. The only issue you might run into is parking, (all parking in Ballston is iffy) but this is easily accessible from the Ballston-MU Metro station. But if you work in Arlington near here, it's worth a walk. In the summertime they have a nice little patio that you can enjoy the rays in on nice days.
(5)Chamonix K.
Excellent in its category. I was visiting from NYC and staying at the Westin in Ballston. This place is literally next door - super convenient. I got the veggie burger which was really well constructed. Fresh veggies and lentils made for a great patty. The option to get your burger over a bowl of salad was great; I highly recommend the roasted peppers and corn and black bean salsa. You can tell the corn is fresh because the kernels stick together like they were shucked off a cob. And the fries (sweet potato and regular) were fried perfectly. A great option if you're in the area, but wouldn't drive here just to eat at the restaurant.
(5)Emily K.
I live right around the corner and absolutely LOVE Big Buns. The menu is basic (chicken, beef, mushroom or mahi mahi) on a bun or in a bowl, plus an array of excellent toppings and delicious fries and other sides. Big Buns is fairly priced (you'll spend about $10 for your burger, drink and side) and the atmosphere is great. Friendly staff and nice ambiance. Would definitely recommend!
(4)Mai S.
The toppings were scarce i.e. grilled onions and pickles. The lettuce was bruised. The burger was ok until I put sweet chili sauce on it. The bun and sweet chili sauce were the best part. The strawberry milkshake tasted like water. I don't know why because you don't add ice to milkshakes. I was going to order the fries until I found out they were frozen. If you are a burger joint with a limited menu, take the time to make homemade ingredients.
(1)Andy M.
One of the owners is a William and Mary grad, and it's through a fellow alumni that I was introduced to this place. It's located in the yuppiest spot in Ballston right next to the wine shop, the Westin, high-rises, and a fountain. The ordering is a Chipotle-style process in which you choose the protein, the bun or bowl, and the fixings. The burger is excellent - definitely the best burger in town before Ray's Hell Burger started making even more upscale burgers. It's not difficult to do a good burger - don't overcook it, use the best ingredients you can find - and that's pretty much what Big Buns is about. You can't go wrong with the beef burger (I always skip the bun and go for the bowl), but the mahi steals the show here. My vegan friend is also obsessed with the portabello burger such that she sometimes gets it multiple times in the same week. They also have a pretty delicious house beer that's $11 for a pitcher - an unheard of value for this area. I think the beer is actually an established beer of a microbrewery, but Big Buns just calls it their house brew. As a bonus if you care about this sort of stuff, this place is really environmentally conscious. For instance their heating comes from the floor instead of the ceiling vents, which is apparently far more efficient. The place is big on sustainability and the ingredients and facility reflect that.
(4)Scott S.
Where to begin... I gave this the as good as it gets rating because the burger, fries, location (for me), and price were, well, as good as it gets for burgers and fries. Let me say that I can't stand Five Guys, I don't get how a greasy, bland, boring burger gets so much praise around here. I equally love the burgers at Ray's, however, I don't like its location or atmosphere as much (plus you get good fries or sweet potato fries here). Its the ideal burger restaurant, the best parts of the best burger places (in the area anyway). The burger was well cooked and seasoned as well as quickly served. The chipolte pesto aioli was probably the best chipolte, pesto, and aioli I've had with a burger or fries. You can also get upto a pitcher of beer (they make their own for that, or you can get it by the bottle) for less than 11 bucks, I might have to take them up on that in the future. To summarize, this is a burger place, so its nothing out of this world, but if you're looking for a burger, well, I think that its as good as it gets. I'll have to try the chicken and mahi mahi in the future, its nice to have options.
(5)Lefteris H.
If I'm hungry and want a great burger in the neighborhood, this is the hidden gem. tucked away between a hotel and some office buildings, this place offers really nicely prepared burgers without the trendy crowds found at other burger places.
(4)Will B.
Hands down one of the freshest burgers I've ever had! In a city that craves burgers and cupcakes, Big Buns rivals the best.
(5)Yomi O.
This place is amazing. Great pricing for a gourmet burger joint with tons of great toppings and sauce options. I love that they have the bowl option instead of just dumping the meat on a piece of lettuce. I would prefer more "natural" sweet potato fries instead of the ones with added (I assume) soy and corn starch for crispiness.
(4)Kristin W.
Love the food and that you can design your own anything.
(4)Raquel L.
This is probably the best place to go for lunch in the Ballston area. I go to Big Buns every once in a while with my coworkers, since it is a little off the path from where we work. If it weren't so much of a walk we'd probably go more often. The atmosphere is super fun - I like how they yell out everyones orders. Everything here is freshly made. and I like that they give you the choice of either a bun or a salad (since I'm trying to be somewhat health concious). The burgers are always really juicy and both their regular and sweet potato fries are delicious. I'm a big fan of the chipotle pesto aioli both as a dipping sauce for the fries and a spread for the burger. They also have a soda bar which is awesome. Anywhere that I can make my own vanilla coke is amazing in my book!
(5)Krissy R.
Holy yum-oly! This place is good good good. I love the burgers (beef is the best way to go...don't try to get the fish!), love the sweet potato fries, and love the fact that it's so close to my office. Points of contention: The setting isn't so awesome. The atmosphere is cold, the chairs are uncomfortable, and the temperature in the restaurant is always cold as well. Bring two sweaters if you are going here to sit inside and relax. The service is sort of strange. I ordered a wheat bun and the person ringing a customer up next to the lady assisting me yelled something that didn't sound like English to me while laughing. I think he was saying they didn't have many wheat buns left...as if that would persuade me to go with another kind? Who knows. I stopped trying to figure people out a long time ago. Either way, I got what I ordered so I was happyl. The people who take your order are nice (no American Express is accepted), but the food runners always are acting confused and have trouble finding your number when they are delivering food (you are assigned a number to place on the table while you sit and wait). You will find yourself flagging them down to make sure your food doesn't walk past you.
(4)Ben P.
This is a solid place for burgers. Due to poor planning, every time I have come here I have been starving. By the time I leave, after having eaten a burger, sweet potato fries, and usually a milkshake, I am full and satisfied. The large portions may be a too much to handle if I didn't arrive here very hungry. That being said, the food tasted great and the burgers were juicy and served relatively quickly. I have come here many times and never ordered the exact same meal. Between the mahi-mahi, beef burgers, and the wide selection of toppings, each visit has been thoroughly unique. (Spicy, bbq, chipotle...) The atmosphere is enjoyable and even when the restaurant begins to fill up, it never feels crowded. I've been living in the Ballston area for the better part of a year now, and this is one of the few places that I consider worthy enough to regularly go to. With such a wide variety of choices and other themes in the area sometimes I just crave an excellent burger with my friends.
(4)Marianne H.
Ugh. Worst. Burger. Ever. This place is terrible. Advertises "seasoned Angus burgers." Well, they might be Angus, but they're far from seasoned. They taste like cardboard. I've had two -- both terribly bland and overcooked. They have an extensive list of toppings, but nothing (including bacon, blue cheese and grilled onions) helps the tastelessness of the burger. The sweet potato fries looked delicious....but alas, they were bland as well. They offer chicken and fish, too; but because of the two terrible burgers I've had I won't bother going back to try anything else.
(1)Tiffany M.
This place left me unimpressed overall. In the never-ending search for the best DC-area burger(s), I came here not knowing what to expect. The name intrigued and delighted me. I appreciate the playful atmosphere and simple menu. A plethora of unlimited free toppings and the interesting choices of mahi-mahi and portobello sandwiches (cheap too!) were majorly appreciated. I went with the traditional cheeseburger though, of course. The meat left much to be desired- the typical frozen patty that could be found in any grocery store freezer. And the wheat bun (which cost extra) was stale and dry. I split a milkshake with my companion (strawberry), and I'm pretty sure that it did not, in fact, contain any ice cream. It was more like a smoothie, but even if it had been more accurately billed as such, it wasn't that tasty. I will admit, however, that the sweet potato fries were amazing! They are not often found at burger places and they were mighty tasty. I would only go back to try the mahi mahi and to eat the sweet potato fries.
(3)Ravi N.
Upgraded to five stars after visit on December 15. Burger was consistent with the last visit but the sweet potato fries tip this from 4 to 5 stars ... and they quantity was excellent compared to the last time. On last visit when I had a burger w/regular fries, the fries were on the side of the burger, not a huge quantity. Today, I received a huge basket of sweet potato fries. I saw other people having regular fries with a huge basket as well. Excellent! I'm starting to almost prefer Big Buns to Ray's given the much more mellow environment.
(5)Shannon H.
Went to Big Buns at the suggestion of a friend while staying at a hotel very close by. We were very pleased with the selection of patties they have--salmon, turkey, chicken, beef, etc. I had a turkey burger on a whole wheat bun with egg and cheese since I was running a half marathon the next day and needed to load on carbs and protein! The guy who rang us up (can't recall his name) was friendly and helpful. When he brought our food out, he asked about our race and shared one of his wife's recent race experiences. On our way out, he told us to bring by our bibs after the race and he'd give us a beer on the house! He was good on his word the following day!! The food was delicious and the staff was as friendly and attentive as it gets. Pass up the chains in the area for this local flavor!
(5)Mickey L.
***3.5 Stars*** Big Buns is like a Chipotle for burgers instead of burritos/tacos--generous, delicious big burgers (or chicken, mahimahi, or portobello) or salads with lots of fresh toppings. I like the mahimahi bowl with every unlimited topping and chipotle-pesto aioli. As their T-shirts pay homage to Sir Mix-A-Lot, I can't resist =D "I like Big Buns and I cannot lie." ... You burger lovers can deny. When you walk into this itty-bitty place You'll want to stuff a big round bowl in your face. You get sprung. Wanna pull up tough. Cuz you noticed those buns get stuffed Deep with toppings and dressing wearing I'm hooked and I can't stop staring. Oh, baby I wanna eat ya And take your picture My homeboys tried to warn me Because with these lyrics I got makes me so corny Ooh, rumple smooth aioli You say you wanna get in my G.I. tract Well use me use me Cuz you ain't that average meaty sac. Baby got back.
(4)Brendan J.
3.5 stars I feel like I've been eating too much red meat lately, so I'm not sure why I ended at a burger joint. I had heard good things about the portabello burger though, and gave that a try. Big Buns is right - the bun is ginormous. With the addition of toppings, it was kind of unpossible to eat without everything falling out. Eating as a burger didn't work, cutting in half didn't work, cutting in fourths didn't work, so it turned into picking up individual components and putting in mouth. In their defense, part of it may have been that there were a lot of toppings. It was pretty tasty though. The real winners were the sweet potato fries - so crispy and delicious! - and the milkshake. Mmm the milkshake. I sure could go for another one of those.
(3)Michael M.
Everything was great. Had the beef burger, fries, and a shake. Tasted great. I'd put this in my top five burger places. They also had kid's meals and my son finished all of it (he's a burger lover too). I just wish I had gotten one of the shirts they had for sale.
(4)Marco S.
I liked the heck out of this place. No non-sense, easy to read menu. Great selection of toppings. Nice, big, juicy burger. I am very happy that this joint is attached to my work building. Will be going back soon!
(4)Cody G.
As far as gourmet burgers and such go, this place is hard to beat. Although it isn't as cheap as Five Guys or even Ray's Hellburger, you do get a lot for the money. Pile on plenty of additional items to either Mahi Mahi (my fav), premium beef patties, or even a portabello mushroom sandwich. Sweet potato fries are some of the best around and the milkshakes are O' so thick and delicious. Parking can be a major pain if you don't elect to park at the Ballston Mall, but it's worth the very short walk and super cheap garage fee (never paid more than $3).
(4)Tim S.
I like the concept of customizing your burger with 'gourmet' ingredients, as well as being able to purchase an inexpensive beer (or two) with said burger. My burger was oddly juicy (greasy?) on the outside, but dry in the middle. It was very tasty and nicely spiced. Sweet potato fries were very, very good.
(4)Ethan K.
Great for lunch. Huge selection of toppings. Sometimes limited setting though and not the best deal in town.
(3)sassy f.
Very good quality burgers! I had a regular beef burger and you can tell they use good quality beef. Wide selection of free toppings. They do charge extra for cheese though, which is kinda weird b/c you can get grilled pineapple as a free topping (you'd think pineapple is more expensive than cheese...but whatever). Interesting selection of sauces too. I'm not a big sweet potato fan, so I went with the plain old regular french fries which were fine, nothing out of the ordinary. i'd pick big buns burgers over ray's hell burger or five guys anyday!!
(4)Chris B.
Great place in a terrible location. I had been living in the area for over a year before I found this joint. But I'm glad I did. I highly recommend the grilled fish sandwich with the Chipotle Pesto Aioli. The food is reasonably priced and they have a lot of different toppngs to chose from. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Peter D.
A very good neighborhood burger place in an area that's certainly not hurting for burger joints. The burgers here are consistently very good. Not the best you've (likely) ever had - not a Ray's, for instance - but very good, nonetheless. In addition to the burgers themselves, they have a nice selection of toppings, including some you won't often find on the menu of a burger joint. And if you decide you're not in the mood for a food coma, they have turkey burgers, portabella mushroom "burgers", and even a tilapia "burger." I tried the latter recently and it worked nicely, especially with the (free) black bean salsa and pineapple toppings. The fries may be the star of the show. I've mostly gotten the sweet potato fries, and they are consistently amazing. They always come out hot, crispy, not greasy, and nicely, lightly seasoned. I mean, they just don't miss with the fries, which is unfortunately something I don't know if I've ever been able to say about a burger place I've frequented. A nice bonus here is the syrup bar which, as other reviewers have mentioned, allows you to make your own concoctions started with a regular fountain soda (Coke, etc) base. Getting to do this always makes me a little unreasonably happy. I've only gotten a milkshake twice (most times, I don't have room!) and it's been a mixed bag. A peanut butter cup shake had me wishing I'd found room to try their milkshakes sooner, while a recent tryst with a coffee shake was completely underwhelming. Overall, a place I try to stop at whenever I'm in the area.
(4)Gigi V.
Love it, just wish they would let people who call in their orders skip the line to pay and pick up. Taking payment by phone or on-line would fix this.
(4)Brooke S.
Big Buns is burger heaven for condiment whores. - Woah - that sounded so wrong. But it is (heaven) and I love condiments, toppings, and choices! It's true what they say: BBs still can't tip the Five-Guys-Scale, no matter how much chipotle aoili, but I think they hold their own in burger country. It is a GIANT bun, no doubt, but it's totally necessary for the massive amounts of toppings and sauces you're going to end up with. Hey, you are in Arlington, in businesspark/condoland, not wine country, so this is pretty good for under $10 and not being Subway. It's not a destination, but I'd hit 'em up again for another topping-smothered burger if I'm in the area. More like 3 1/2 stars.
(3)Ryohei K.
Burger was generously proportioned and sweet potatoes were alright. I got burger with jalapeno and alioli sauce (plus standard burger veggies). The burger was cooked very well and seasoned well; it was very juicy burger. If I'm going to drop 10 bucks for burger, fries, and drink, the mind as well as come here to have a good burger. In-N-out still rules, though!!!
(5)Tommy L.
The burgers here are very good but not quite five star material. However, there are two things very notable about this place: 1) The outdoor seating! Best in Arlington! Quiet plaza away from traffic in a nice setting with a fountain, flowers and shrubs. 2) Choices, choices, choices! You can get different kinds of patties -- portabello, mahi mahi, etc. There are differents kids of sauces. All kinds of toppings. You can get regular fries or sweet potato fries. Great place to bring the kids! Nice decor too. Kinda reminds me of Chipotle.
(4)Juju J.
Maybe I like this place because I'm picky and bossy and like things my way (sometimes)? Regardless, I was happily surprised how much I enjoyed Big Buns. I didn't have a burger like a lot of reviewers on here, so I can't tell you how they rate compared to Ray's. I did, however, have the mahi mahi in a salad bowl and it was delicious! They give you a very generous piece and let you choose to have it on a bun or in a bowl with lettuce. The fish was very nicely spiced. There's then close 10-12 free toppings you can add. This meal was filling, healthy and very reasonable. I think it was a little less than $7.00! I tried my friend's chicken and that was also really good. I also like how they have a condiment bar and a syrup bar to mix your own flavors into the soda. The decor is nothing special but the staff was really nice and accommodating. I tried my friend's sweet potato fries and they were delicious! If it wasn't in Ballston I would come here more often. Note, it's kind of hidden away in some buildings (near Vapiano's), so you might need to search around for it. I highly recommend coming here for a healthy (if you decide to go down that route), delicious and cheap meal. Too bad they don't have one in DC yet, but I hear through the grapevine they're planning to open up one in Foggy Bottom in Fall 2010. How can you not like a place that encourges you order "My Way!"
(5)Julia S.
A great place to stop for a bite to eat if you're in the Ballston area. It's especially great if you want to avoid Ballston Mall. It's in a great courtyard next to a wine store with a nice outdoor seating area. Here's how it works: 1. Pick your meat: burger, chicken, mahi-mahi, or portobello mushroom 2. On a bun (wheat or white) or on a salad 3. Pick your toppings Great variety with healthy and not-so-healthy options can please pretty much everyone. They also have awesome sides (try the sweet potato fries!), milkshakes, and beer.
(4)Clara L.
I've been to Big Buns a couple times, but have only tried the angus beef burger on a bun. I like the Chipotle-esque set up where you can pick and choose out of so many options of what to top your burger with. I think I've only tried the pepper jack and the cheddar cheeses. And lettuce, tomatoes, grilled onions and sprouts. Some sort of combination of those toppings in my previous burgers. The burger itself was pretty good, but it was lacking something. I'm not sure what. However the sweet potato fries are really good! I wouldn't pass on those at all. I guess I was just left underwhelmed by my burger, the few times I've been here. Perhaps I'll have to try some more toppings on the beef burger or try the chicken or something else. Or splurge for some bacon and avocado next time--- everything tastes better with bacon and/or avocado.
(3)myra f.
It doesn't get better than this. Sweet potato fries, burgers, burgers with no bun, portabella mushroom burger, I could go on and on. Always fresh food and good service. Just a fun relaxing place to have causal lunch or dinner.
(5)Michael S.
Sure it's just a casual burger joint, but this place gets it done. The burgers are juicy and tasty, the value is really good. Burgers are supposed to taste like something and Big Buns delivers. Beat a path to this joint and you won't be sorry.
(5)Marcus L.
Consistent and reliable neighborhood burger place. And the shakes are pretty amazing too
(4)Jess R.
It is definitely comparable to Ray's Hell Burger. When I don't feel like dealing with the crowds at Ray's, I'll go here instead. Pros: You can totally customize your burger, they have a frequent buyer card after 10 burgers you get one free, the sauces are great, the cheeses are great, the fries are great (you can easily share a regular with 2 people), they have shakes/malts, they have a soda bar where you can add syrups and flavors to your drink, there's plenty of seating, the price is very decent, it's by a metro and a movie theatre, the air conditioning is great, and the staff are friendly. Cons: You can't order your cooking preference like at Ray's Hell. The parking absolutely sucks and driving through Ballston is annoying. Final thought: It is like the Chipotle of cheeseburgers, but I haven't had a problem with it yet, so I'm happy!
(4)Henry S.
I've been there twice now, but overall, I can't say I like it better than Five Guys. Here are my pluses and minuses. +They have beer; I think the draft is either Kilian's or Leinenkugel, and they sell it for $3. +The gourmet condiments are good, but can make the burger messy +The fries are really good, and they season them with salt and pepper, which adds a little kick. In my small sample, they've been more consistent than Five Guys. - The bun is huge, which is good to hold the condiments, but doesn't have enough substance to not fall apart. -The burger itself isn't as good as FG; it's thinner, and mine was a little dried out last time. -Parking in the area is a big challenge; I've ended up having to park in the building where Ted's is located, which is a pain to go and get a fast casual burger. -They aren't open Sunday night, which is a time I'm often in a mood for a good, quick burger.
(4)John W.
Great burgers, a little over cooked but good burgers. Tons of toppings to choose from all are great. Never been disappointed. Takes a little while for the food to come out and its a little pricy usually about $14 for a burger drink and fries. Soft drink foundations are also flowing great and you can mix your own vanilla, cherry, raspberry mixes in. Parking is an issue so we usually walk from Ballston Metro about about 8 minute walk. Worth going.
(4)Mike I.
Pros: Big, juicy burgers. Excellent list of toppings. Sweet potato fries. Cons: Parking in the area is absolutely horrible. If you take it to-go, fries get soggy quickly.
(4)FL B.
We headed out of our hotel and around the corner to see what was around. "What is that smell?" "Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm!" Wow! We've never come across such good smelling burgers! So in we went and placed our order. We liked the seating outside although the end of December was too cold to sit out there in the evenings. It was nice enough inside. Good that they brought our orders to our table. Our burgers were great, and so were the fries. We were a bit surprised by the slice of cheddar on the burgers. We were expecting melted cheddar. That must be from previous places we've frequented. Overall...this beat out Five Guys for us! Our former favorite place for burgers.
(4)Eve R.
I'm very surprised to see how highly rated this place is. I've lived basically next door now for about 4 years and have tried it 3 different times-- each time REALLY REALLY wanting to like it. The first time, I tried the burger (this was a few years ago) and was super disappointed. The meat was bland, flavorless, and highly processed. I did like all of the fresh toppings, so that was a plus. Because I liked the toppings so much, I figured I'd try the fish (this was also a few years ago). Again, I was disappointed with the quality of the fish. Tonight, I decided to try the turkey burger. Again, the meat was of poor quality, overly salty, and highly processed. A minimal step up from the quality of meat you would get at Burger King. The fries were also highly processed. Although they looked like legitimate fresh cut fries, after my first bite, I knew they were not the "real" fries, but rather the ones that are ground up potato, salt, and starch that are then shaped to look like a fry. It is surprising how poor quality the meat and fries are, because the toppings are fresh (you can get avocado and sprouts!) If you are into meat quality though, I recommend Joe's, Ray's, or Holy Cow.
(1)Brandon H.
Great burgers! reasonable prices. Fries very satisfying. Definitely recommend it! And has tv's showing some great NFL games
(4)Andrea W.
I visited Big Buns on a Saturday afternoon. I must say the location is the worst. Its in a courtyard type area. I wasn't sure where it was but based on the map, I just got out and started walking and saw a sign for it. I went with a friend who wanted to try the place out, so I wasn't really in the mood for a burger. I ended up getting the Fish Burger with Swiss cheese. I wasn't sure about the sauce to go on it, so I got the Sweet Chili Vinaigrette and the cashier added the Chipotle Pesto on the side because she knew I was apprehensive about the Sweet Chili. That was nice, and I actually ended up liking the Chipotle better. I got my fish burger on the wheat bun. I must say I love the idea of a wheat bun, but good lord that thing was super dry. I was not a fan of that. I had to pile on the sauce, ketchup whatever else just to get the thing down. Toward the end of the burger, I could no longer eat the dry bun so I started to eat just the fish by itself. The fish was pretty good for the most part. I will probably be back on occasion to actually get a burger, but I feel like its more expensive than I want to pay for a burger for lunch. I got the fish burger, on the wheat bun, with swiss chese, fries and a drink and it was $13.20 for everything. Not crazy expensive, but more than I want to pay for lunch on a regular basis.
(3)Emily M.
Big Buns = Big Blah. Great concept, mediocre food that's a waste of calories. Way too much extraneous bread (it was trying to be brioche, but it really just was not even remotely there), bland proteins, over-salted fries & dips...I can't even bring myself to write a longer review, it's just one big long "meeeeeehhhhh."
(2)Justin C.
***** 4.5 stars ***** On the 286th Day (of the year) a Man created a Burger, and It Was Good. Someone declared September 18th to be National Cheeseburger Day, so of course we Yelpers immediately decided there was only one course of action to take (besides actually checking if above fact was true): eat burgers en masse. We had a very nice turn-out for a "day-of" event posting, and it looks like our burger eating bunch will be quite strong. Seeing the event early in the day pretty much cursed me to designing the perfect burger on Big Buns website for a good portion of the day. There are many options to choose from here, and even some non-beef if you're feeling like being lame that day. You can even get your burger in a salad bowl, if you want to have your 2500 calories in a healthy manner. As for toppings, there are a lot for free, and the "premium" toppings are cheaper than at other burger building shops. When it finally came time to make the ultimate decision I went with a burger topped with tomato, fried onion rings, bacon, jalapenos, mushrooms, bleu cheese and a chipotle pesto aioli, all on a whole wheat bun. Some doubted my ability to eat this monstrosity in a suit and tie, but as always I prevailed. Not to say it wasn't a delicious mess, but after years of making a mess of myself I have learned how to avoid the dreaded grease splat. This was a damn good burger, and I highly recommend Big Buns if you don't want to make the drive to Ray's. One final comment I would like to make is that Big Buns has probably the best sweet potato fries I've had. They come in thinner strips than you usually find them, and are much more crispy, a very nice change from the soggy version most places put out.
(4)Steve G.
We, the mini-platoon of eight Yelpers, had a very successful sortie into what was (mostly) unfamiliar territory. Thankfully they were friendlies at Big Buns as we executed a non-congressional approved burger "action" and not a formal declaration of patties. Brigadier Ben led us safely into the trenches and we scored 8 successful kills---not a burger piece remained across the condiment-stained battlefield landscape of our two tables. Grease-besotted we were, grinning from our communal conquest of meat, cheese and, oh, yes, those Big Buns. The buns really are good. They are large and shiny on top, flaky yet more than substantive enough to support a burger with any number of bits and pieces and sauces sluicing over the rim and into the green basket below; your very own grease trap! I like the OCD approach to ordering: they lay out step 1, step 2 etc, each on a separate panel above the registers; each a step in building the perfect burger; a choose your own adventure heart attack of a meal. Actually, the burgers manage to be juicy without too much grease. Most of the mess is the result of one of several special sauces you can put on your burger: things like corn salsa or sweet chili vinaigrette. An interesting side is sweet potato fries, should you be yammering for them. Overall? Good experience here. I like the concept, and the burger, while not cheap, is not exhorbitant, either. For a well-dressed cheeseburger and a draft beer, I spend right about $10. No sides. $2 Yuenglings during their extended happy hour from 5-8 PM. Go wrap your lips around some BIG BUNS!
(3)K S.
I held off on reviewing the burgers here until after I tried Ray's...but, I can safely say now that Big Buns pretty much rules the Arlington burger hierarchy (I say "pretty much" because if you are looking for a grease bomb, you'll want to go with Five Guys). The burger tastes fresh-grilled (because it is), and the wide variety of toppings let you customize it perfectly. But...my standard order here, and the real reason for the rave review, is chicken. I don't know of any place that does a grilled chicken sandwich this well, this cheaply. I like mine with romaine, roasted red pepper, grilled onions, and chipotle pesto aioli (OMG that stuff is amazing). I only order fries or sweet potato fries when I have someone to split the order with :) Chocolate shake - a bit of a disappointment. They need to use chocolate ice cream, not just syrup. But even more fun than milkshakes - the soda bar, where you can use syrups to customize your drink (raspberry iced tea? cherry Coke?). Woohoo, chemistry project! The staff is super-friendly and helpful, and food comes out quickly for being made-to-order. They have happy hour beer specials and outdoor seating - seriously, what's not to love about Big Buns?!
(4)gail b.
Love my neighborhood burger place! I used to be a Five Guys fan, but I've totally converted. Shake Shack and BGR can't compete with Big Buns. I always get a beef burger with a wheat bun, then mix it up with the assorted toppings like corn salsa, roasted red peppers and more. Sweet potato fries are a must, best in the Ballston area and in my research so far, northern Virginia. I also like how you can create your own soda with the flavored syrup options. The owner is really friendly and always goes above and beyond to make sure you have a good experience.
(5)Jeff W.
A pretty solid burger for not as high a price as some people make it sound. Variety is king here with several choices of meat (beef, mah mahi, chicken, portobello) followed up with a wide selection of unique toppings and sauces. I really like how much stuff there is to choose from, even including options for regular bun, wheat bun, or no bun at all. Quality wise, the burger was ok. I could've used slightly bigger and juicier, but I didn't leave starving. I actually felt good afterwords, and not like I had just ingested a mountain of fat and grease. All the burgers the group had appeared to be cooked medium well, which is disappointing. Maybe I should've tried asking for it to be cooked more on the rare side. The bun was definitely the big sore spot. It looked like a delicious brioche, but it ended up being very dry and even brittle. It even started falling apart towards the end. For only $11 I got a burger with cheddar, a bunch of toppings, an order of fries and a Yuengling. I'm not sure how that's overpriced, but it is more than fast food so don't go in expecting it. If you load it up with premiums like avocado, bacon, onion rings, etc. the price can start to go up but it's not hard to get a well equipped burger for under $7. I'm a pretty cheap miser and even I can't complain about that! I'll definitely return if I'm in the area to concoct a different creation to try.
(3)Autumn B.
I like Big Buns. My friends and I usually go there on lazy Sunday afternoons when we feel like grabbing a good quick bite. The ironic thing about this place? I don't like their buns! The buns are too big and too hard. I just get my burger in a bowl. They fill it up with plenty of vegetables, other toppings, etc. I also like the sweet potato fries. VERY VERY GOOD. EVERY TIME! What I like most about this place is that the food is consistent. Not the best burger in DC but it's very good. It's always what you expect. I'm never disappointed. And they NEVER get my order wrong (I hate when that happens especially at a quick bite place, because it'd take more time explaining what you ordered versus what you got, etc.) And I like the service here. Everyone on staff is always friendly. The place is always clean. Never too crowded (then again, I only go on Sunday afternoons). I call this place my 'feel good' place to go. :)
(4)Anson P.
Today, or so I've been told, is National Cheeseburger Day. Really though, who cares if it's made up. Who better to celebrate dead cow goodness than the Burger Brigade? So I ordered up some Mahi Mahi. Yeah right. If I had done that, any member of the Burger Brigade would have had to kick me in the nuts. Anyway, got me a burger...on a bun (as opposed to a bowl). Ordered up some lettuce, tomato, onion, cheddar, and some corn salsa toppings. Sauced that bad boy up with some buttermilk ranch. Sided it with some sweet potato fries. Washed it all down with a Yuengling. The burger was nothing special. The bun was ok, it held up and didn't break off. The burger patty itself was really not all that different from a quarter pounder from McD's. It was a puny little patty. Wimpy wimpy wimpy. The fries get a resounding meh. Not the best sweet potato fries, not the worst. I was still hungry after I left. The meal cost about 11.50. The actual restaurant is difficult to find if you don't know the area. It's in the courtyard located near Vapiano. If you can't find street parking, or if you're like me and don't have the patience for street parking, just go park in the Ballston garage. It's a dollar between 6pm-12 pm. Don't end up driving around looking for a space only to end up in the Ballston garage like some Carnivore Crew members who shall remain unnamed. The ordering procedure consists of you going up to the counter and ordering what you want. They give you a number that you set down on your table and then they track you down. The happy hour consisted of 2 dollar Yuenglings. They have a syrup bar next to the fountain drinks which is marked, as Ben pointed out, by a sign that says "Syrup Bar". Now, the obligatory shout out to the Burger Brigade. Members I already knew include: Jeff, Pui Chi, and Karman. New folks I met today were Ben, Cadence, Justin, and Steve. Good meeting all of you. If you're hungry and live near here, then this place might satisfy you. Otherwise, just head down the street to Ray's Hell Burger.
(3)Grace J.
My sister gave me a livingsocial coupon to use at this place so I decided to try it out. I got the chicken in a bowl and a burger in a bowl and they were fantastic! I love that you have a variety to choose from. The only reason I took off two stars was cause I saw one of the cooks using his bare hands to put the cheese on the chicken and the burger while he opened a variety of things and touched other employees, which grossed me out. However, I will definitely be coming back again for more!
(3)Billy D.
Ask anyone who knows me well and they'll tell you - I'm a buns guy. The bigger the better, so long as they don't overwhelm the overall sandwich and make it start to look out of proportion. I typically go with the chicken ("CHICKEN!") on a bun ("ON A BUN!") with perhaps some swiss and another topping or two. On occasion I'll splurge on a burger. As for Big Buns v Rays v 5 Guys v Good Stuff Eatery... I'll leave that for another post. Honestly, I don't think Big Buns runs in the same circle as those other places. The downside to this place is that you leave having laid down over ten bills and all you got for it was a chicken sandwich and some fries. And don't forget the fries - preferably the sweet potato ones. CRUCIAL.
(4)Next G.
FANTASTIC! We went on a rainy saturday afternoon and it brighten our day. The burger was very good, beef was seasoned well. The sweet potato fries were tasty. Not overly salted like most places. Got a soda and was surprised that you could add your own flavor syrup at the syrup bar. Extra points! Had the intentions of getting a shake to share because they looked great, but was too stuffed. One of the best burger places I have been to.
(4)Patrick H.
I was quite pleased with Big Buns. The name alone should make you happy. I had the Blackened Mahi Sandwich, with Mango Black Bean salsa while my dining partner in crime had the Chicken Sandwich. The Chicken was nice, but nothing out of the ordinary... but the Mahi Sandwich was really good. Fresh, hot and tasty! Sweet potato fries are a must! Friendly service, too.
(3)Anna M.
Went here cuz I had a groupon. i love groupon.... First off the service: Excellent. Everyone is very nice and energetic. Very helpful when trying to navigate my groupon app and the menu. The guy at the front had a wonderful smile and was a sweety. Basically u go in then figure out what protein u want (I chose beef of course) then select the type of bun (i got wheat which was extra) then the cheese (pepperjack YUM) and toppings (i dont even remember what I got, but i did get grilled pineapple on the side) and sauce (honey mustard i think is what i got). Totally customizable burgers and a ton of choices for the topping too. The burgers came out quickly and were very tasty. My only gripe: I wish u could pick how well done the burger is. I prefer mine medium but all our burgers came out well done. It made the meat dryer than I woulda liked. The sweet potato fries were awesome tho! HIGHLY recommended! Some of the best fries ive had. I like the burgers and would go again if in the area but prob wouldnt drive out to Arlington for the sole purpose of going here
(4)Sam G.
Big Buns is great if you want a quick lunch with good food and little variety. First, you need to know how to find this place. It's actually hidden away in a courtyard behind Vapiano's. So, if you don't know where you're looking, you'll never find it. The menu is simple and is very similar in style to Five Guys, where you make an order and then tell them all the toppings you want. The grilled chicken sandwich was very tasty and the bun, which was quite big (pun intended), was excellent too. I was tempted to try the fries but was in more of a healthy mood so I skipped out on that. I wish they had some more healthy sides, or anything, for that matter, besides fries. I know that's blasphemy for some of you!
(3)Rachel P.
I also have to admit I didn't get a burger here. and the boy got a chicken sandwich - we're not big beef people. We are, however, Big Buns people, as of today. Rent must be cheap there, location is terrible! We'd heard about it so we went hunting it, but it's not a place you'll just wander into by chance. But the food - I got the mahi mahi "in a bowl" (meaning over romaine lettuce instead of on a bun), with havarti cheese, tomatoes, black bean & mango salsa, and grilled pineapple. The topping/sauce I chose was the sweet chili vinaigrette, on the side. The sauce was good but the bowl really didn't need anything beyond the salsa and the pineapple - delicious! The mahi mahi was cooked perfectly. The boy got the marinated chicken on a wheat bun, with swiss cheese, pickles, grilled onions, black bean salsa and mushrooms. He got the chipotle pesto aioli, which neither of us were a big fan of, but the guy at the counter assured us it was a fan favorite. I just don't really like smokey flavored things. However, his sandwich also was delicious without any kind of sauce. And if you want a little something on it, they have a whole line of condiments you can add yourself. We split an order of sweet potato fries - it's a big serving, perfect for sharing. I'm pretty easy to please when it comes to sweet potato anything, but these were actually above my expectations - perfectly cooked and nicely seasoned, didn't need to dip them in anything - but they were delicious dipped in that sweet chili vinaigrette! The counter service was very good - we told him we were first timers and he happily gave us recommendations on toppings and sauces. Can't wait to go back this summer and try a shake or a float, and next time I'll try a beer with my burger.
(4)Dean R.
Big Buns is horrible. "But it's gourmet!" No, it's not. It's expensive take-out. My patty was both burnt and raw. As I was eating it, I could hear the voices coming from Grand Cru warning me of e-coli. It's ok: I've got a restraining order against that virus. No, Big Buns can't call itself gourmet simply because it's expensive - the quality needs to be there too. And a tiny burger, a "pesto aioli" of questionable color, and one-step-up-from-cheez-wiz ain't gonna cut it. "But they have sweet potato fries!" No, they don't. What you get instead are hacked off sweet potato limbs, skin and all, just thrown into a deep frier for 10-12 hours. I don't need my fries to be uniform, but I need them unburnt. Is that too much to ask? In the end, the four of us all suffered from upset stomachs and dashed hopes.
(2)Kristal V.
I like burgers, and I like Big Buns. The bun was indeed big, but the burger was a nice size and well seasoned. They have a nice selection of toppings to choose from, and I also like that you can get non-beef options like mahi mahi (although now that I have had the burger it will be hard for me to order anything else). Best part: sweet potato fries. Not enough places have them, and these were perfect; crisp and just the right amount of salt. I will definitely be back.
(5)Pui Ying S.
Nothing special but when in Ballston people think this is mind blowing. It's not, the bun is bleh, meat is overcooked. Sweet potato and regular fries are substandard, overfried and not very appealing. Ray's is much better.
(2)Chill D.
First off, and somewhat off-subject, I would like to say this: upon skimming through the other reviews for this establishment, I've noticed that people fancy that they have vegetarian options. Rad. What is incorrect, and should be taken back to ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, FOLKS, is that some humans are OMNIVORES. Most humans are not CARNIVORES. Remember when you learned about dinosaurs in fifth grade? Velociraptor? That dude is a CARNIVORE because he can be described as "primarily feeding on other animals". Ominvores eat both plants AND animals. Silly. Okay -- that said, Big Buns really didn't blast my ass off. I've had the mahi mahi, and where the aforementioned is, by far, my favorite fish, it was pretty bland and definitely didn't satisfy me. Today I tried their angus burger, and whereas it was good and filling, it had nothing on the HELL BURGER I had at Ray's earlier this week. I will say that their method of moving a line is efficient enough and I like being able to see all of my options on a large board in front of me. Contrarily, the kid at the counter who rang me up had a bit of an attitude and warrants the title "lil d-bag".
(2)kevin k.
That's right, I'm a fan. I not a huge fan of burgers, but I do crave it once in a while, and when I do crave burgers, five guys burgers usually doesn't do it for me. I think it has to do with their limited selection of toppings. That's where Big Buns scores big in my book. You can select on a different selection of meats, cheeses, sauces and condiments. You can actually eat burgers everyday of the week and have them taste completely different. Not that I would do that.....but you get my point. Anyways I had the angus burger with swiss, L,T,Rosted Peppers and Mushrooms and chipotle-pesto aoli. How can I not like it when I choose all the ingredients for it!! Make sure to get those sweet potato fries for the extra .30cents. Well worth it.
(4)Jeannine B.
We've been on the burger eating circuit for the past few weeks. We tried Joe's, Elevation and now Big Buns. Each has their good points and bad but Big Buns is delicious. Pros: delicious fresh beef on a great big bun that doesn't squish into nothing, fresh toppings and so flavorful I didn't need the bbq sauce that I usually love on a burger...no cheese either! The regular fries are medium thick with crunchy exterior and come with a dipping sauce that is FANTASTIC. Kind of like mayo with A1 mixed in. I am not into dipping sauce but this one is outstanding. They also have a kid's burger meal with a drink with a 4 oz burger and fries. That actually would have been the right size for me...I couldn't finish my 8 oz $6.00 burger! Well, being honest, I definitely could have finished everything on my plate but would have felt like a PIG! Oh, and they have a syrup bar where you can make your sprite a raspberry or other flavor drink. YUMMY! I will definitely go back!
(4)Nicole L.
Since I had a chicken burger on my visit today, I might not be qualified to make this statement, but I think Big Buns is better than Five Guys. The toppings seemed fresher and a bit more out of the box. The fries were awesome-- thick, salty, not at all soggy-- and served with their spicy chipotle pesto aioli. Another fun element was the flavored syrup bar-- pretty random, but what's cooler than making your own vanilla coke? I'll definitely be back-- it's definitely one of the better lunch spots in Ballston!
(5)Empress Miko E.
Omg! I must tell you the lobster roll is a must...hands down its the best i've tasted thus far. The fries are also on my best fry list...
(5)Collin N.
Overall, the food was good, but minor problems subtracted some points. First, they seem to have cooked the bison burger for the same amount of time as the beef, which led to a drier burger, given how much lower the fat content is with bison. Also, they forgot two of my group's fry orders, with the third arriving late. To his credit, though, the manager refunded what we had paid for the fries, and gave us a voucher for two free fries at our next visit. Finally, they forgot the onion rings I ordered on my burger. Plusses- both members of my group who had the beef burgers loved them, and the chipotle pesto aioli on my burger was great.
(3)Erin M.
Best burger joint in the area. We go here almost every week because we can not get enough of their angus beef burgers. Was at one point being more bread conscious, and got quinoa- which was also cooked very well & not too dry. We were upset when they got rid of cajun fries, but still did not send us away. Highly recommend. Very pleasant staff as well.
(5)Lia M.
I love a great chicken sandwich and am always on the search for one. Big Buns doesn't have one, unfortunately. Their sandwich is fine, but not great. I think the chicken is always a bit dry and lacking in flavor. Also, the rolls are too thick for my liking, and overpower the sandwich. I do like the fries--I've tried both the regular and sweet potato, and like the sweet potato ones with the sweet chili sauce. But I probably won't be returning, since it doesn't quite fit the bill.
(3)Franco C.
One of the best burgers in town! I love the angus burger with all the fixings and their shakes rock! I always get their sweet potato fries and buttermilk herb ranch with my burger.
(4)Lauren A.
I want to like this place. But I don't. The sweet potato fries are good, but every time I get a burger, it comes out soggy and kind of gross. And it's expensive! There are much better places in the area. I'd rather go to BGR or Republic for their sliders if I'm craving a burger. But that could just be me.
(2)Stephanie V.
Seriously good burger! Juicy and messy just like it should be. Sweet potato fries were good too. My husband and I arrived right after opening. Everyone was friendly. We both ordered the beef burger. They were both cooked the way we like it. I want medium rare and he wants medium well. I had a ton of toppings and they were all good, including crunchy cucumbers and nice grilled mushroom and onions. We will be back.
(5)Jash P.
Big Buns really do have big buns--if you're not digging the whole carb overload, I'd stick with the option over a bed of greens. The angus beef patty was juicey, especially with the chipotle aioli sauce! It's definitely fresh! I paired my burger with sweet potato fries. I'm usually not a sweet potato person, but yay, they had some much needed CRUNCH that I was missing the other day! I'd go here a little before/after the lunch rush. However, if that can't be avoided, the line does move quickly--you just may be pressured to figure out your order with a line behind you. It's a good burger place but a little on the pricey side. My meal was roughly a bit over $9.
(4)Mickey R.
The burger was pretty good and they accommodate for people who have gluten allergies. 4/5
(4)Daniel W.
Amazing burgers, especially their salads and beers. I always get their burger salad with sweet chili dressing. The portion and taste is unbeatable in that area of town. The owner Tom is funny and friendly. I would recommend this place to anyone!
(5)Lisa G.
Love this place. Great burgers and portabella sandwich. Great toppings and size. Slightly expensive but worth it! I made my husband take me here for valentines day.
(5)FU Y.
There's a lot to like. I just had a Veggie and sweet potato fries. Filling and tasty, especially since I didn't really add any condiments. The menu is diverse and creative. I will be back here - as great as a place like 5 Guys is, this has all that in a "smaller" restaurant package. Nice seating too. A bit hard to find, but worth seeking out.
(4)Rob L.
Seriously love this place. In an area like DC that often has a lack of empathetic customer service, coming to Big Buns is like an oasis in the desert. A brilliant manager who clearly listens to his customers and serves out quality burgers. My buddies and I will definitely continue our cherished tradition of trekking through the snow on snow days for a burger and a beer. Only one suggestion, Big Buns folks: you guys clearly make great burgers... How about giving us what YOU think is a good combination of ingredients, in addition to the mix-and-match style you focus on? I'd be more than happy trusting you to come up with tasty combinations.
(4)Nicholas C.
I really enjoyed this place! Burger joints are a dime a dozen, but I felt like this place was like a Chipotle for burgers. We had a coupon, so we saved a lot of money! I really loved their fries. The burger was juicy and with the ability to personalize your own burger, you really can't go wrong. Granted, I went a little crazy with everything I wanted, so my burger kind of fell apart near the end. Delicious and solid burger place!
(4)Crystal Y.
Got the veggie burger with at least half of all possible unlimited toppings (black bean and corn salsa, lettuce, tomato, banana peppers, roasted red pepper etc.) with small fries. The burger tasted great, the only downside was the patty itself sort of fell apart. As for the fries, they're the reason I'm giving this review a full 5 stars, because as someone whose a bit of a connoisseur with french fries, these fries were literally the best I've ever tasted: perfect texture, size and saltiness; they didn't even need ketchup.
(5)Warren J.
Had to update my review from 4 months ago. The burgers and fries are always great. Juicy flavorful burgers with great toppings and awesome fries with the Chipotle aioli sauce. By far the greatest place for the best burgers and fries I've ever had. So I decided to try the grilled chicken sandwich and sweet potato fries and the result was the same. Excellent!!! This place is THE REAL BURGER KING.
(5)Theresa W.
NUTELLA MALT. Life changing. Go get one now.
(5)Amanda K.
My husband and I ordered food to be delivered while drinking at World of Beer. After ordering the food it came within less than half of hour right to our table on the patio I ordered the turkey burger on mixed greens with a nice variety of free toppings. I ordered my dressing on the side which was chipotle pesto avoil. Delicious sauce!!! My husband ordered the angus burger on a wheat bun with large fries so we could share. The large fries we not enough for two people to share but super good. The food in general was good but no silverware, napkins, etc. Now lucky for us World of Beer was able to hook us up with silverware,napkins, salt, etc but what happens if we weren't there? Bad delivery practices but good cheap eats
(4)Pegah Y.
My boyfriend and I decided to get some take out and Big Buns was close by, so he took me there. We each ordered burgers and shared fries. I got the angus beef burger with guacamole and hickory smoked bacon on top, smothered in chipotle pesto aioli (excellent!). It was a perfect combination of burger goodness. What I especially like about this place is that they give you a large selection of types of meat, toppings (both unlimited and premium), and special sauces. They also give you the option of getting your meal in a bowl or as a salad. Big Buns is definitely not my favorite burger place ever (when you have the likes of Shake Shack, The Counter, and In N Out to contend with, it's tough competition), but the burger was pretty solid and I enjoyed it.
(4)Shana K.
The variety here is fantastic! You can build whatever type of burger you're in the mood for. My husband learned the hard way that you only get a double patty if you're ready for a food eating competition. The single patties are big enough. They have all sorts of options for vegetarians, as well as beers and wine. It's in an out of the way location, so you need to go searching for it in the courtyard off the street, but it's worth checking out.
(4)Evan H.
Maybe it was an off night, or maybe they just don't put much energy into the veggie burger in an essentially carnivore enclave, but it was TERRIBLE. The veggie patty was cold (almost icy), wet to the point of mush, and topped so haphazardly with stuff (including a bit of corn cob) that it was impossible to eat without knife and fork. And I'm not even dwelling on the taste, which was less enticing than a half-frozen potato pancake covered in relish. There was no sign that *anything* in my sandwich had been anywhere near a flaming grill. But -- on the plus side -- the fries (both regular and sweet potato) were quite good. And I cannot comment on the "regular" burgers, but others in my group seemed to like theirs. If you're a vegetarian, I suggest you try the grilled portobello instead.
(2)Andrew B.
Like the sign says. Damn good burgers. Also turkey burgers, gluten free buns and bowls (salad, or quinoa). 4 beers on tap, served in mason jars. Lots of good burger toppings and sauces. Very casual, butcher block top tables. Small place, seats about 60. A bit loud, not somewhere you'd go for a real conversation or to linger. But damn good burgers.
(4)Dj S.
I gave Bug Buns 5 stars because for the style and setup of this place, it's an excellent burger. The wheat bun was very good, and all of the toppings made it even better. I will be back soon!
(5)Prashant N.
What is not to like about Big Buns? They make real burgers!! I've pretty much had every burger on their menu with buns/Salads and am completely satisfied. Try their sweet potato fries, french fries and shakes. If ordering a salad, try their dressings, especially their sweet chili vinaigrette, it is out of this world. As a customer who has been eating here ever since they started, I really hope they bring their home made sauce, "My buns are on fire" back. That sauce was simply incredible!! The staff is very well informed and very, very friendly.
(5)L. H.
This place is literally the best burger place I've ever been to not just because of the flavors, but mostly because they cater to paleo eaters, vegetarians, fish eaters and meat eaters! Plus they offer gluten free buns!!!!! It's so refreshing to find more places that are open to what is becoming a mainstream like - gluten free and paleo options. I ordered a bison burger bowl and topped that baby with pickles, green tomatoes, yellow peppers, red peppers, cucumbers, mushrooms, and cilantro like ving. Seriously TO DIE FOR. Try this combo! I did the power mix lettuce too and got some kale. They also have large portions of regular and sweet potato fries, a variety of homemade desserts and shakes (Note to the owner - offer coconut milk and use coconut oil instead of veggie oil in your brownies to attract more people to them, plus it's way better for you), and tons of craft beer and wine at good prices. This is a great place with a great patio for a casual night out or a larger group! It's hard to find though because it's in a plaza and not actually on Wilson. I wish there were bigger signs on the road. Check it out!
(5)Kent R.
A far better-than-average burger in with decent beer choices. It's an oasis in an otherwise office space wasteland. Go if for no other reason that to keep it alive
(4)Claudia J.
:::4.5 STARS::: -Reasonable -Delicious -Burgers, chicken or fish... on a bun (white or wheat) or in a bowl (pick what you want in your salad) -Great fries and sweet potato fries -Delicious Shakes A must try...love.
(4)Kevin B.
I'm updating this review to 2 stars. It's not horrible but it could be so much better. Don't get me wrong the employees are great but the burger concept sucks. Difficult to get the food, quality is sub-par, and taste just doesn't do it. They need to cater better for to-go orders.
(2)Ariel E.
The sweet potato fries here are like crack! I live near here, so I come here pretty frequently. The chicken is juicy, the burgers are savory, and the fish- just wow! I always get mine on the thin bread or the salad bowl.
(5)Darren R.
Sorry, I don't get the other reviews, the burgers were just mediocre at best. Went there with the wife and kiddos, nobody was particularly thrilled. Fries weren't even very good. My daughter got a salad with chicken...still so-so
(2)Polyphemus S.
Burger quality was great. Kids hot dog was burned and the chicken burger was above average. Is had great toppings a fresh flavor but the chicken was a little dry. At the end of the day it was a little more expensive than I hoped but I would definitely go back because the burger was insane and huge.
(4)Andrew S.
Very good place to grab a burger at. Their list of toppings are amazing. You can't go wrong if you want to grab a good quick bite to eat. Their location is horrible as they are on the back side off the main street. A lot of people probably won't know they are there unless you are looking for them. I'd go back for another round.
(4)Ashley D.
This place is awesome!! We are not local, but today was my husband's birthday and he wanted his favorites. A good burger washed down by a great beer. And that is what he got. The burgers are juicy, a little greasy, tender, flavorful. Everything a good burger should be comprised of. He ordered his with the chipotle aioli which is amazing, a fried egg, smoked bacon, and gouda cheese. He got a local porter, Port City, that was absolutely fabulous as well. This place is set up a lot like 5 Guys, but it absolutely puts 5 Guys to shame. I got a standard Angus burger as well, but with onions, avacado, and ranch. It also was great. We had the salted caramel shake and large fries. It was so much food we couldn't even finish all of it! It is a little bit difficult to find, but once you locate the Mazda dealership, look diagnolly across the street and you will see the sign. And a tip. The parking garage does $1 parking after 6pm. The customer service was excellent as well. The owner/manager delivered our food and a beer on the house for the husband's birthday, and the girl running the register, Jasmine, was awesome also. She came over to check on us and helped us with the ordering process. Great place. Glad we went.
(5)Gail E.
The turkey burger was close to inedible: thin, tough and tasteless. I ordered it in a bowl with a spring mix salad. The menu board clearly advertises Spring Mix with baby lettuces. What I got was romaine with plenty of the tough outer leaves. There was even a core of a head of romaine in the bowl. I almost never complain or send a mediocre dish back to the kitchen but this time I thought it was a mistake. The young, inexperienced person taking orders tried to tell me that they mix the lettuce and put in SOME spring mix. I insisted on a bowl of spring mix. She took it back, then brought me a bowl of romaine again and said that was what they served. The people I was dining with seemed satisfied with their burgers but I will never go back to this inferior place.
(1)S. Paul L.
Just putting this out there ... Big Buns has some new beers (DC Brau, Oskar Blues Brewing, etc)they and I also noticed some new burger options. Solid.
(4)Kimberly K.
Yes, their burgers are good. But their Mahi Mahi burger is even better! Step 1: Do you want an Angus Beef Burger, Chicken, Mahi Mahi, or Portabella Mushroom Patty? Step 2: You can choose to have your burger on a bun or in a bowl w/ lettuce. Step 3: Add cheese (40 cents extra) and Unlimited Toppings (Free). Some toppings include red onions, roasted red peppers, corn salsa, mushrooms, grilled pineapple, sprouts, etc. Step 4: Choose a sauce for your burger. They are free. Choices include: Sweet Chili Vinaigrette, Chipotle Pesto Aioli, Honey Mustard, or Herb Ranch. The Chipotle Pesto Aioli is delicious! Definitely try this one. The Mahi Mahi was delicate and seasoned well. The burger bun was lightly buttered and golden. Their sweet potato fries are awesome. Warm, crisp, and slightly sweet. A definite MUST TRY when paying a visit to Big Buns. Their Peanut Butter Cup Shake tasted just like a Reese's Peanut Butter cup. Big Buns is doing it BIG alright.
(4)Abegail A.
*****3.5 stars***** When I came on a Sunday evening, the restaurant was empty. Is this good or bad? Hmmmmm. As soon as I approached the counter, I saw that I was five steps away from eating my burger. It was my first time at Big Buns, so I had to look at my options. Within 10 seconds of being there, the cashier asked if I at least knew what protein I wanted since they still had to cook it. Okay fine. But after that, I felt pressured into ordering and ordering quickly. I decided on an Angus beef burger with Havarti cheese, lettuce, tomato, jalapenos, red peppers, and mayo on a wheat bun. Total cost of my burger was $8.07. I also ordered large fries to share and a Nutella malt. The burger was pretty good. Cooked and seasoned well. Juicy. I'll probably ask for a smear of mayo next time around. The toppings were fresh and I enjoyed the Havarti cheese. My whole wheat bun, which was dusted in oats, was nicely toasted and made my burger taste even better. The fries were fine. Not burnt at all, which was a plus. Portion wise, I thought a large was super small. Maybe they gave me a small instead of a large? If the size was correct, definitely don't expect a Five Guys portion of fries here. The large is not enough to share with another person, especially if you're a french fry lover. Wasn't a fan of my Nutella malt at all! Tasted more like vanilla with a hint of Nutella. Took forever to make too because I overheard the guy say that he didn't know how to make it. That should have been my first clue to switch to something simple like chocolate. I also saw him make another customer's shake. I guess he made a mess, it was all over the cup, and decided to wash the cup under the sink. Yikes! I'm not sure if it was better that he didn't know how to make my Nutella malt or that I didn't get that shake that just got washed. Service was okay. I wish I wasn't rushed to order. It also would have been nice if the cashier told us there was a list of burger favorites on the wall to our left. The restaurant itself was clean and fairly simple in design. Parking was somewhat difficult, but after circling around the block once, we managed to snag a spot relatively close to the restaurant. I'd be back if I was in the area. I'd be interested to try out one of their fish burgers, a bowl, or some of their other toppings on a burger.
(4)David S.
Waited 23 minutes to get a burger and fries during lunch time. Quality is great, but lunch service can be slow. Order ahead..
(3)April B.
Their burgers and sweet potato fries are really yummy! Their Nutella milkshake is pretty good, too. If you dine outside, they are nice to bring your food out to you so you don't have to wait for it inside.
(4)Sandra L.
WOW! Now, this is a 5-star burger! Had the beef patty Big Kahuna Style, sweet potato fries were great too! Definitely worth a try if you are in the mood for a gourmet burger. The cheese selection was great!
(5)Michael B.
This place is the most dog friendly place ever. Not only did they let us come inside from the rain with the dogs, but gave us towels to dry them off. Few beers, few sliders, fantastic! Good quality ingredients and craft beers on tap. Not to mention $2 natty bohs. Dogs like the burgers too btw.
(5)Andrew P.
Tasty burgers, good selection of toppings and sauces. Service was excellent! Very friendly and outgoing staff
(5)Kayla R.
If you haven't tried this place yet, get your tush up off the couch and drive yourself over right now. They even do curbside pickup! No need to get out of the heat! The food has always been great and I'm always happy and full when I'm done! They offer a variety of build-your-own burgers and delicious milkshakes! The peanut butter cup malt is my favorite! There's a great topping list and lots of "premium" toppings to choose from too! If you're craving Ray's Hell Burger, but missing the easy ordering and "quick casual" feel since they moved in with Ray's the 3rd, check this place out. The burgers really are good enough to satisfy that craving and they're big enough to fill you up! The other awesome thing is the sweet potato fries! Try them with the pesto aoli stuff and you'll be in heaven! As an added bonus, it doesn't matter how good food is at a restaurant if the staff is rude, but I am always impressed by the team working each time I'm in. They are VERY helpful! Especially since your first time can be kinda confusing ordering!
(5)John N.
New Job means New food. And when there is new food, you know there is going to be new burger joints. And when there are new burger joints, Its like the mothership calling me home. Dont know what it is but a good burger is all I really need. So this place is called Big Buns.....(Insert Comical Sexual Innuendo here). I mean Sir Mix-A-Lot could have a field day with this places name. This place is a solid place for a burger. They have a plethora of toppings and apparently you can even get your burger in a bowl?? That to me just seems sacrilegious. The burgers are pretty big and they give you tons of fries if you order them. One of the best things about this place is they serve Boylan's Cream Soda. I used to have to order this stuff on the internet cause I could not find this brand of cream soda anywhere. So imagine my surprise to find that they have it here. Burgers are made to order and they are hot and juicy...(Insert more Comical Sexual Innuendo's here). Anyways, worth a look if you are tired of eating potbelly's all day everyday.
(4)Rosie A.
I have to say this is one of the best burger spots I've been to. If you haven't been gone to this place yet, your missing out! Everything is great!!
(5)Kathleen K.
If you can't make it out to a better burger place, this is a great little gem in Ballston. They don't tell you how they think you should eat your burger, its just a bunch of "proteins" and toppings and many, many beers to choose from. Outdoor seating is nice and the prices aren't too bad. I do wish they hadn't asked me THREE times before I was ready what protein I wanted. The cashier was truly befuddled when I started with "a grilled cheese." The response was, "Here we start with the protein. So, what protein do you want?" All in all, the burger and fries were very good, but I wish they wouldn't make it so hard.
(4)Mark L.
I got the regular hamburger and it was pretty good. Sweet potato fries were also pretty good. Took awhile for my fries to come out which was annoying. Would go back
(4)Charles H.
The name lives up to the billing as the burgers are huge with big buns! Given my intuition I decided to order my burger on-line for pick-up since Ballston has a busy lunch hour. Upon arrival I skipped the back of the line and went straight to the front with my specialious coupon. The burger, sweet potato fries, shake and co-worker's salad was ready for pick up. The coffee shake was well kept and flavorful since it was stored in the ice cream cooler. The burger was warm and reminded me of a typical backyard grilled burger cooked well done with fresh toppings. .Likewise the fries were delightfully crispy with no excess grease. My verdict on Big Buns is the same as other yelpers have stated...A - OK.
(3)Yujin M.
They really make full use of the "buns" pun in this restaurant. But I didn't come here for the comic relief. I usually start burger reviews with a disclaimer that I don't really like burgers, but with my growing fondness for burgers, I may have to remove that caveat. Perhaps it was because I was super hungry, but I really liked Big Buns. As Donald P. mentioned, the burgers aren't gigantic, but yes, it they are big. And naturally, it gets increasingly bigger as you load your burger with free toppings. We shared one beef burger with havarti and a good selection of toppings between us, and with a side of sweet potato fries, we were satisfied with a full meal. And this was when I was absolutely starving. The toppings are fresh, the jalepenos are spicy, and the chipotle pesto aioli sauce is really good. I appreciated that the sauce came on the side, as the juice from the burger was already running down my arm and dripping onto my phone as I feebly attempted to take a picture. Although, I did mistake the sauce for a dip for the sweet potato fries until I came home and browsed further through the pictures and reviews (and here I was, thinking that MM was being innovative by putting sweet potato dipping sauce on his burger!). I agree that the sweet potato fries are among the best I've had. They remained crispy throughout our meal, and weren't overly sweet. I'm intrigued by Donald P.'s observation that the serving of sweet potato fries is larger when you order your burger in a bowl--reason enough to go back and order a bowl! While the sweet potato fries save my overall rating from a three-star review, there were a couple of things that kept the burger itself from being a solid four-star burger--they say the buns are freshly baked, but they're certainly not freshly toasted--in fact, our bun was downright cold. Also, we weren't given an option for how we wanted our patty cooked, and it came out well-done. The patty was thin enough not to make it completely detrimental (it may have been too thin to have a legitimate pink "center" at all), but it did take away from the burger.
(4)Todd M.
This spot is the bizness! Great burgers with lots of options. The location is pretty non-descript and faces inward in an office plaza, so you may have to look a little for it. However, Big Buns is a real treat and I'd recommend it for any burger lover...and I have to admit I am one of those.
(5)Harold D.
I ordered the regular cheeseburger with sautéed onions and fries. It was pretty good, but I should have requested my burger to be cooked medium-well though instead of letting them cook it well done. Good beer selection and happy hour. The cashier was really nice. I told her I liked Red Ale's and she offered a sample to me when I received my order. Kind of hard to find if you're not familiar with that area.
(3)Gina D.
Honestly I have had way better burgers like Shake Shack for example. The OK bun and overcooked beef didn't do it for me. Oh yeah, the onions rings were undercooked. Chipotle pesto gives this place the extra star. Haven't tried their shakes but don't know if I'll go back after this experience.
(3)Melinda C.
The avocado they put on my burger was hard. The easiest way to put me in a bad mood is to give me avocado that doesn't taste good. I want to stop my review here because I think the avocado being hard is the only thing that really matters, but the following also went through my head while eating my burger: The whole wheat bun reminds me of a softer version of whole wheat bagels, specifically from Panera Bread. Only about half of my burger was juicy. The other half was rather dry. I did like the fries, they were very simple, and not overloaded with oil or any other ingredient, and they made me think that I was eating a simple baked potato.
(2)David C.
We had a good lunch here. It's a burger and beer place. Ironically the burger would've been amazing if the bun was better. Burger was cooked perfectly, all of the toppings were very fresh. All in all good burger.
(3)Valerie O.
Don't waste your time! Staff is RUDE and inattentive, not worth the time, can get a burger that's just as good at so many other places....
(1)Cameron L.
These burgers are incredible! I can't say enough about the choices and taste. Best burger I've had in the area.
(5)Michelle W.
Holy cow Big Buns was amazing! I recently travelled to Big Buns with my parents who were visiting me in Washington DC. We all ordered burger bowls (because they are the Paleo diet) and had one of the most enjoyable lunches that we had throughout our entire trip. FOOD: I ordered the power mix greens with the portobello mushroom, almost all of the toppings, no cheese, and the lime cilantro vinaigrette. My parents pretty much ordered the same meal, but with either the mahi mahi burger or the regular beef burger. We all loved our burger bowls and it was obvious because we they were all wiped clean by the time we left. We also ordered a large sweet potato basket. The fires were perfectly salted and did not get soggy as they sat out throughout our meal. My mother and I ordered 2 beers each because our cashier referred their delightful Running Dog Bloodline Orange Ale. This beer paired perfectly with our burger bowls. It was super refreshing. My father ordered a root beer float that he enjoyed and finished before his food was even delivered to the table. ENVIRONMENT: The restaurant is the perfect size and has a great feel to it. It feels as though you are definitely at a burger joint but a bit more upscale. They have a large variety of sauces to top your creation with, which includes Sriracha for all of you fans (like myself). Big Buns also provides outdoor seating that is pleasantly placed in a small square next to a hotel. We spent about an hour and a half at Big Buns becasue we didn't want the meal to end and we enjoyed sitting outside in the shade so much! Big Buns is a fabulous weekend lunch restaurant if you are a tourist, native, or just looking for a great meal that doesn't make you feel horrible afterwards. Overall Rating: 4.8
(5)Henry F.
What can I say? "I like Big Buns and I can not lie" This is a pretty good burger for the price. I like mine with sharp cheddar cheese and bacon, and fries. I think the burger I just described (with fries) was $15. It was a pretty descent size burger. They have great sweet potato fries. They have several choices of sauces to add to the burgers. I like their Chipotle Pesto Aoli sauce the best.
(4)Mike T.
I like to think that am an aficionado when it comes to burgers, as I visit burger joints all across the country. For my money, Big Buns is the best burger joint in the DMV! I've tried the angus, chicken and turkey burgers so far, and all of their patties are large in size and well seasoned! The oat bun in perfect, as most burger joints dont give enough respect to the importance of the bun. But big buns offer a hearty, health option to compliment the full array of toppings you will choose from. The array of toppings and sides means you will never get board with this place. From the cheeses, to the veggies to the sauces, all of the ingredients are quality and serve as excellent compliments to the protein you choose! Some have suggested that this place is pricey, but imo it isn't any worst than any other burger joint using the quality ingredients that they use here. You get what you pay for, and imo BB is worth every penny!
(5)Ashay R.
Agree with Kathy B'review here. It's a cool place in a nice area and the burgers are good too - Mainly because of all the fixin's However I didn't necessarily find the actual hamburger meat to be that wonderful. It was decent quality but not the juicy, covetous, invites you in the middle of the day kind. I'm new to the area so not sure what the general level of quality is around here, but IMO, a 'gourmet burger' needs to first be a burger and then gourmet. Fancy smoked Gouda is a poor substitute for the rightly-done patty. Beer selection is great. If u r into it, you can try and pair a beer with the kind of burger u ended up building. Worked for me
(3)Corry W.
My husband and I tried this place out for dinner on a quiet evening. I had a turkey burger in the bowl with good salad greens and toppings, including the bacon (it costs extra). The burger was beautifully cooked, tasty and juicy. The bacon was great, thick sliced and smoky, yum! And the chipotle pesto aioli was great on top. Very tasty. We split a sweet potato fries, and they were just out of the fryer--hot, thin cut, and crispy outside/creamy sweet inside. I also tried the Brooklyn chocolate stout, a good muscular brew, delicious. My husband also enjoyed his beef burger. Recommended!
(4)Rachael J.
Great burgers and fries. So many good toppings and very reasonable prices. Wish I lived sooner--I would come back all the time!
(4)JT H.
4.5 stars. Factor in the quality, ownership, and price and this place is awesome. So many great options at Big Buns. Burgers/sandwich options are solid but what sets them apart is the toppings. Best around. Great salads, fries, and beer selection as well. Friendly staff and great owners. Their DC beer dinner and burger competitions are some of the better events that I've attended in Arlington.
(5)Michelle N.
For whatever reason I bought a Specialicious deal to check this place out. Maybe it's because I am currently on a huge burger kick but I rarely hang out in Ballston. Just days before the deal was due to expire my guy and I planned a date night revolving around using this deal. First of all, it's a little hard to find. According to my iPhone map it says it's on the corner of Wilson and Glebe. Nope. Then it says it's at the hotel. Nope. After walking in a giant circle and down a very stinky alley, my guy and I finally found the place. It's tucked away in a courtyard of an apartment complex (or also the hotel?) behind Vapiano. It's definitely hidden. Upon entering you're greeted by the cashier and this is where things got confusing. I started ordering my custom burger but he stopped me after I added my meat, asking my guy what protein he wanted. Then back to me for toppings and such, then back to him. Shouldn't he let me order my burger THEN my guy's? Not both at the same time? Stuff like that makes me frazzled and forget things. I almost forgot my chipotle pesto aioli! Despite the confusion at the register our food came out fairly quickly and boy was it tasty! The meat was perfectly tender and seasoned and I loved the fries. A perfect amount of salt and pepper and nicely crisp. The chipotle pesto aioli was all kinds of wonderful. It was a little thinner consistently than mayo so be careful when spreading it on your burger. I ended up just dipping my burger and fries in the container. The atmosphere was pretty nice -the place was hoppin' so obviously the burger joint is doing well. There are also plenty of TVs which provided great entertainment. If you drink soda they have syrups you can add to them to mix it up. Would I come here again? Yes, if I'm in the area and am jonesin' for a burger. Would I go out of my way to come here? Probably not.
(3)Tierra H.
I had a Specialicious deal here, so I decided, in pursuit of an amazing burger without trekking to Black Squirrel in Adams Morgan, I'd come here. My boyfriend and I arrived at 7:30 on a Wednesday night. Parking is a bit of a pain. We parked at the mall in their lot. Hell, it's only $1. The ordering process is pretty confusing. There is a woman who asks you what you want even before you get to the counter. I found out that this was so the burger could be cooking while someone else was at the register. A time-saver, as everything is cooked to order, but it was still a little confusing at first. This isn't a cheap burger joint. At all. We ordered 2 burgers, both with cheese, regular fries, sweet potato fries and a soda and a shake. $27. I would not have flinched if the burger was on point. But it so wasn't. My burger was super salty! I asked boyfriend if his was the same. He told me his was bland. I tasted it and it was. He tasted mine and agreed that it was insanely salty. Also, the bun falls apart. I have extreme hate for burger buns that go to pieces. And as expensive as this burger was, I sort of expect the bun not to mush up and crumble in my hand. My sweet potato fries were ok. Nothing to write home about. Boyfriend had the regular fries. They were tasty. All in all, I'd skip this place. Perhaps I'd swing back by for a shake (it was coffee-flavored and yum yum yummy!), but the fact that parking sucks probably would prevent that from happening. I just don't see what was worth $27 that the meal cost. *shrug*
(2)Dominique F.
Came here on a whim after having read some Yelp reviews. You basically pick your "meat" and create your own burger/salad bowl. Got the fish bowl and it was delicious. I just wish I would have added some more toppings. Would definitely be back!
(4)Carrie W.
Good burgers and beer selection. Bonus points for good sweet potato fries and a great happy hour. I've gone after work and we practically had the place to ourselves! Will be back for sure. Only gripe (and it is a minor one) is that the shakes are all made with vanilla ice cream. Would be nice to have at least a few flavors to choose from. But otherwise great all around!
(4)Meredith B.
This place is a must go if you like good burgers and beer! There was good selection of toppings as well as sauces, and the staff is extremely helpful and nice. We got a pitcher of beer, which was inexpensive and really good. The seating area outside is very nice, so sit there if you can and make sure you don't leave without getting a brownie!
(5)Karen S.
We are from Los Angeles where we have Fat Burgers, In and Out and a The Counter. After everyone got settled we decided to get something to eat and ended up here. I must say, the burgers were good. I had a mushroom Swiss and the patty was a little than the bun, there could have been more mushrooms. My sister had the same burger with a skinny bun, they just cut part of the bun off. My brother and mother had turkey burgers and the patties were a decent size. All in all everyone enjoyed their meal.
(3)Carla D.
I came here with 2 little people who are more discerning in their tastes than I am. They loved it. The kids got mini burgers and ate them all. I got a bison burger that was juicy and flavorful. Very good burger. We got the sweet potato fries and they were delicious! The place was super accommodating to the kids and even came over to give them some printer paper and pens to draw while we waited for our order. I thought that was a nice touch. I must say their beer selection looked impressive, I want to come back here for a Fri night dinner and sample a couple :)
(4)Marcus W.
Burger was extremely juicy and cooked to perfection. it was great, the unlimited topping were great. Only reason I'm giving a four star is that it needed a bit more seasoning and there was tad bit of char
(4)David H.
Decent burger, great selection of toppings. Will go back to try more, but I'd skip the egg next time, waste of a "premium" topping
(4)Laura S.
Big Buns is hands down my favorite burger joint in the area. I'm a gluten-free diner, and BB has really stepped up its GF game! From the (really delicious) GF buns to the fries in a separate fryer (gluten-free fries FTW) to the Omission Lager/Pale Ale to wash it all down, I was in gluten-free burger heaven. Although I was bummed I couldn't get the mushrooms and onion topping, I was so glad the cashier warned me that they had a soy-sauce based dressing and saved me from getting glutened. The atmosphere is relaxed, casual, and laid back, and the food is always MTO and piping hot and delicious. From burgers to fish to mushroom to chicken, you can have anything you want and will not be disappointed by your choices. Thanks to Big Buns for giving this gluten free girl a great place to eat!
(5)Food L.
My burger was amazing! I don't think it was cooked to the exact temperature as I asked for mr and saw no pink, but the flavors were delicious! They also offer skinny buns which is a way of cutting down on the carbs but still providing the bun which is great on this watching carb intake. That being said ... Get the sweet fries! Also two people in my party had salads which looked amazing as well. This is an order at a counter type of place., no servers. If you have been to the Counter, I feel like these burgers taste similar but are cheaper in price. Definitely a place to check out.
(4)Joyce D.
First visit while waiting for our burgers we noticed neither the cook nor the person wrapping and bagging the orders are wearing gloves. When asked about why they were told to out on gloves and all they did was complain. Too bad. The burgers were good Not sure why the manager didn't catch this. Saturday. 2/1@1:30 the order was placed
(1)Emma D.
I came with a friend after we got off work. We barely made it as they close at 8:30 on Sunday. The other nights of the week they are open much later which is good. I got a mushroom burger (the veggie patty they serve is not vegan). The 'shroom was excellent and they have lots of delicious toppings. You can get as many as you want of the regular ones and then they have some premium toppings too. There are many sauces I got chili vinegar which was awesome. You can get your burger on a bun or over a bed of lettuce. That is a really nice option! My friend and I each got a bowl of fries, and we shared the sweet potato and regular. Both were excellent. We got cups for water and they have lemons at the soda area. They have a great variety of beer and wine and they have soda and tea and some other drinks. I will definitely be back here!! And the staff were really nice, friendly and helpful. They let us stay and eat even though it was after 8:30. We really appreciated that :)
(5)Justin W.
I would most definitely come back here again. Mmmm to have a Big Bun's nearby. I had a delicious beef burger on their normal bun with sweet potato fries and a peanut butter Nutella milkshake. it was all dominant. It would be easy to share a burger, and maybe even a normal size fry.
(5)Ty S.
My first visit to Big Buns Gourmet Grill and I was impressed. They offer all types of burgers. I got off my normal burger routine and went with the crab cake special. Since it was mouthwatering delicious I felt I made a pretty good choice. The crab cake was the most delicious and delicate I have ever had. I will be back here next time I am in Arlington. I like Big Buns and I can not lie. You other brothers can't deny.
(4)Tim M.
OVER-RATED! (clap, clap, clap, clap clap) OVER-RATED! (clap, clap, clap clap clap) OVER-RATED! (you get the idea). People only say it's good cause they're fat gov't employees and they can't walk more than 2 blocks for lunch.
(2)Christine S.
AMAZING burger - I avoided this place for so long because I've found "similar" joints, like Shake Shack and Burgerfi, to be fun in ambiance but somewhat lacking with regards to the actual food. Well, my friend suggested Big Buns for takeout lunch and I was impressed! The burger itself was generously portioned, tender, and they did not skimp on the toppings. I will be back!
(4)E Spencer A.
When you walk past this place, you are overwhelmed by the smell of cookout smoke. In DC, lawyers will put you out of business for this. Apparently, they are too highly paid to have to put up with the olfactory urge to eat. Thankfully, these types legal of species typically exist in mass in DC and not the Ballston apartment and office park area where Big Buns resides. Like most burger joints today, Big Buns keeps it simple with a 5 step ordering process: 1)Choose your burger (Angus beef, turkey, chicken, fish or portabella); 2) specify whether you want it on a bun or in a bowl; 3) choose your toppings; 4) add sauces or dressings; 5) choose your side and drinks. Burgers in a bowl are served on a bed of fresh mixed greens (nice touch. Not that iceberg stuff). For toppings you get unlimited choices from a fairly eclectic list plus 6 different kinds of cheeses. To add some variety (should you need it) you can add sauces such as honey mustard, chipotle pesto aioli or sweet chili vinaigrette, to name only a few. And to keep with tradition, you can get regular fries or sweet potatoes fries. The big differentiator separating this place from the other burger joints is that they do their burgers on a flame grill rather than a flat grill (that's where the cookout smoke comes from). This, along with the seasoning they use on their burgers produces an interesting and pleasant flavor. I must admit, I've only had the beef burger. It is indeed quite tasty. But because of the flame grilling, sometimes my burgers have been over cooked and dry. Flat grills cook burgers in their own fat. Flame grills allow the fat to drip away. It's kind of hit or miss but usually they are pretty good. I didn't ask, but I estimate the size of the burger is likely about 8 oz. This is my only problem with it; could be a little bigger. But overall, this place makes a good lunch or early evening bite option.
(4)Thai T.
It was about 3 months ago when I visited but I have been meaning to go back! Sweet potatoe fries and whatever burger I got, were amazing! Plus, I think there is a deal/promo if you check in on yelp when you are there so make sure to check in prior to ordering so that you can redeem! Staff were helpful and pleasant, and my friends all enjoyed their burgers there!
(4)Mattie C.
I've been seeing signs for this place for years but had no clue where it was located. Big Buns and Grand Cru are kind of tucked away in a back alley. Finally came here the other day when I was craving burger and actually spending a couple nights in the Westin (long story) next door. Verdict: pretty awesome! It was easy to figure out how to order, and I actually got kind of a burger salad, no buns, attempting to make the meal a little healthier. I loved the huge list of toppings and was pleased to find that the end product is enormous - they don't skimp on the toppings or burger size. Nor do they skimp on the fries - and those were absolutely delicious. I couldn't finish my meal and it wasn't that expensive so I had good leftovers for later and felt like I got good value for the money. I also thought the soda bar was so cool! I didn't notice it until I had already ordered and paid, or I would have gotten a soda and tried it out. I thought that was a really nice touch. I definitely would like to come back sometime, and am definitely a fan.
(4)Sadia S.
This place is awesome! The burgers are very good and the fries are delicious as well. I have had the chicken and the beef burgers and they were both great. The list of toppings is impressive as well.
(5)Angel W.
Upgrading my previous review to 5 stars for EXEMPLARY customer service!! I ordered a gardenburger online through Big Bun's ordering site, grubhub.com (which is awesome btw, cause you can win free food. For instance I got an instant $5 savings off of my second order through Grubhub). Even though I ordered a gardenburger, in the special instructions I indicated that I did not actually want the gardenburger patty (just the bun and toppings). I included my phone number on the order form and the staff from Big Buns called me instantly to confirm the specifics of my order. Then Joe, the Manager, called me since I had not indicated what type of bun I wanted. He also mentioned that they were going to wait 5 minutes to put in my order so that everything would be extra fresh. When I arrived, they knew exactly who I was, gave me my receipt and also gave me a .50 cent refund for the gardenburger patty, which was completely unexpected and appreciated! During checkout, Joe, the Manager, chatted me up and I told him I prefer to order online since parking is so difficult and then he walked me outside and showed me where I can safely park for 10 minutes without getting towed. How thoughtful! And as I was leaving he said ''thanks for spending your money with us!"..um...SURELY! And I will continue to do so! It's rare that I get one second of an employees time, so Big Buns really outdid themselves with the VIP treatment! ... The food is really good. The sweet potato fries are excellent hot, warm or cold. I have only tried their honey mustard sauce (as far as sauces go) and it's amazing!!!!
(5)Melissa G.
Try to walk past this place when you are starving... I dare you. Big Buns sucks you in because you can smell the mouth-watering burgers from the Westin. I have eaten here a few times in the past, but was on the way to check out another cafe when I got sucked in. Granted, I was taking a 1 o'clock lunch and I was starving! I was super impressed with all the customization options from the type of patty, type of bun or if you would rather have your burger in a bowl on a salad instead of having a bun. I ended up with an Angus burger with blue cheese, cucumbers (healthy of course), avocado, lettuce and black bean and mango salsa. My burger was cooked to my specs in no time at all and it was DELICIOUS! As a side note, I also noticed they have a relatively large selection of beers on draft. I'm not exactly sure how that works since I didn't see a bar any where, but I will have to stop by for Happy Hour if they indeed offer that. Big Buns is a Best of Arlington in the fast food category, for sure.
(5)K K.
I'll be back. I travel to Ballston for work at NSF. The first several times I sort of missed out on what was a yummy place to grab a bite, when I'm tired from a flight into town. Besides two fish options, they have a portabello AND veggie burger option. I will be trying both, and I'll let you know what I think. I got the mahi mahi with mango and black bean "salsa" and some other fixins. The fries (small) were small for the price. I actually kind of felt it was a rip-off, but I was full when i left. The chipotle pesto aoli tasted like baloney. I usually don't eat meat besides fish, so this was a strange experience. I know it's a favorite, but next time, I'll stick with the herb ranch, which was excellent, not just another ranch - by far. And the craft brews in cans: icy when you pour it out - awesome. NOTE: one thing that is a bit off with the Yelp profile: this is definitely $$ NOT $. A meal with one beer came to $15 without any discount, fyi.
(4)N B.
In a region that is absolutely packed with decent burger joints, Big Buns is really holding their own. I've lived down the street for about 3 years now and walked past this place probably a thousand times, but just went in for the first time a month ago... it's been a regular staple since. I generally get the bison burger with some cheddar and hickory smoked bacon, with their chipotle aioli... it is amazing. Service is quick and friendly, food is great. Highly recommended.
(4)Gary Z.
Underwhelming, especially compared to Ray's and even Five Guys. The burger I received was unseasoned and overcooked. The fries were good, but overly salted. For nearly $30 I was expecting much better. The 5 star reviews are deceiving.
(2)Trisha C.
First, I LOVED the name. How can you NOT think of Sir Mix A Lot & want to booty shake while you're waiting in line to order? Or maybe that's just me... I purchased a Specialicious voucher and had $20 to spend. After my BFF & I ordered two burgers with almost every extra you can think of, plus an order of fries (half & half is the SH*T!!), we only spent $1.40 out of pocket. Most of that was probably tax. The price was really reasonable for the amount of food, and I love the endless options to customize your order. The staff was hilarious (did he seriously say we should be spokesmodels?! lmao) and did a great job keeping our uber-complicated order on point. We will definitely be back.
(4)Sam E.
I love this place! The staff is so friendly, and so patient when it takes you awhile to decide what you want. I love all the options they have, and everything is delicious. They also have a decent beer and wine selection for being a fast casual burger place.
(5)S K.
Best vegetarian burger I had. The sheer variety of sauces and toppings makes me go there frequently to try out all! Price: $12 (includes drink, taxes, tip) Food: Great! Self Service
(5)John H.
Over all great burgers. I believe I've had the hang over twice now and it was awesome both times. My girlfriend had gotten the portobello which was very tasty. Good portions, definitely leans towards the pricey side, especially given it's just a burger, but it's worth it for the occasional amazing fancy burgers. Their Nutella, chocolate and peanut butter cup shakes are pretty solid too!
(4)M B.
Wasn't that impressed. I would choose shake shack given the choice. Was overpriced, especially for counter service. The fries were okay. I didn't think my burger was that amazing or even great. I did like the honey mustard sauce. Oh and the cherry syrup. Seriously though, go with shake shack.
(2)Lisa R.
Loved the toppings, and the peanut butter cup shake. Super delicious! Customer service was great, and the sweet potato fries were yummy, but the beef itself could be better. I'll chalk this up to the fact that I came in late, but my patty was way over cooked (not quite hockey puck solid, but close). I definitely recommend this place if you are in the area and want a massive burger. I am seriously full! Wouldn't go out of my way to get here (parking is a pain), but in general the place is pretty good.
(3)Nikhil S.
I've lived in NOVA for two years and I've never been here until now. I was missing out for sure.This place has the biggest best burger for your money. They have a large variety of toppings and excellent sauces and sides. And the caramel waffle shake is delicious. Seriously, go here. Get a burger. Enjoy.
(5)Dave F.
Went on a Saturday night since it was so close to the place I was visiting. Good choice of burgers, but the toppings add up, especially the pre-assortment list they have on the wall of speciality options that they list. Burger was tasty with the fried egg and other speciality items on it, but not sure if its worth the premium price over say a place like Five Guys. They have a unique milkshake that takes a Moo-Moo beer and lets you mix it with vanilla. It was not as good as I would have thought. The Moo beer is a bit more bitter than one would have expected (its a malted beer btw.) Something different, but not sure I'd get that part again. The sweet potato fries we got were really good and there were plenty. They also appear to partner up with a local brewhouse once a month for a $39 pricetag (or close to it.) May be worth checking out...
(3)Stephen J.
Excellent burger, excellent atmosphere, excellent staff. Decided to go to this place based on yelp reviews and a coupon in the map we picked up at our hotel on a recent trip to DC. Location was a little hard to find, the Ballston restaurant is tucked away in a courtyard between hotels and apartments but once found was a great experience. Most definitely a better burger than five guys, and a much more relaxing experience. Trendy music, subdued lighting, and widely spaced tables all contributed to a nice evening. I ordered the beef burger which proved to be a good quality burger, and my fiancé ordered the veggie burger which was also moist and tasty (a hard ask for a veggie burger sometimes). We would definitely go back
(5)meriam c.
second round of a 5 star review. Burger was fresh as usual. so delicious and juicy. One of the best spots for gourmet burgers. Check it out
(5)Sarah D.
The cravings won't stop!! So I no longer live in Arlington. I'm worlds away in Florida and my cravings for Big Buns won't stop! If you're searching for a totally indulgent, juicy, hunk of deliciousness beef....then go here and throw your diet in the trash. Big Buns works similar to Five Guys (with a few more options.). You choose your meat (chicken, beef, fish), bun or no bun, your toppings, your sauce, your sides (fries or sweet potato fries). Then you get a number, go find a table, and when your order is ready they come find you. Indoor and outdoor seating. Street/meter parking. (like everything in Ballston is). Not too far of a walk from the metro. Now let me tell you about the food! Well, I can't really comment on much. The first time I went I got a hamburger and regular fries...it was so good I never tried anything else! So I promise if you order that than you can't go wrong. It is, after all, a hamburger joint not a seafood restaurant. The hamburger was juice, giant, mouth watering, totally fattening, and worth every last calerie! And the fries are made delicious by the Chipotle sauce that comes with them. So there's my review. Great hamburger. Easy dinning. Casual. Not too expensive. Worth trying...you might just love it like me :)
(5)Jessica M.
I am a huge fan! Tastes incredible without feeling too greasy. It is hard to find much to dislike about this place and I love the happy hour. But I do wish there was some kind of discount program for frequent guests or a day of the week when some of the more expensive items, such as crab cakes, were discounted.
(5)CYNTHIA C.
I really wasn't in the mood for burgers but was talked into it so I had to find a good burger joint as it was getting kind of late on a Sunday night. It was a toss up between Big Buns and Z Burger. Since Big Buns was closer but closing soon, we made it 11 minutes before closing. In all, our party ordered 4 burgers. 4 were Angus burgers with various toppings and the other was a Turkey burger. It was unanimous. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their burgers. I have to admit that it was way better than Five Guys. The turkey burger, I was told, was flavorful and delicious. Way to go, Big Buns!
(5)DeAngelo V.
Overall Ok. I am not sure what all the rave is about with this place. I felt like this was a nicer version of fudruckers. Service was good, fast. The food was good overall, just didn't find it to be as good as some of there other burger options around town.
(3)Jonathan B.
I go to Big Buns for lunch. Their burgers are really good. Also, they have a good selection of other stuff and toppings. They do fish, veggie, chicken, and crab cake. They also serve different types of beers and shakes. The place is great! Also nice employees work there
(4)Thomas N.
This is a great burger place. It was hard finding the location at first since you cannot see the restaurant from the street. They have a lot of nice toppings for you to select from, even the choice of having your burger with regular buns or a bowl. In my opinion, no burgers should be eaten in a bowl but the option is there for those weird people. The beef patty was nice and juicy. The fries were hot and delicious, with a good portion size. I ordered an Angus burger, lettece, tomatoes, mushrooms, and jalapenos with the aoli sauce on the side, with regular fries. It came out quick and at the same time as my friend's food. Great service from the staff. We came around 830PM and stayed and enjoyed our meal until they closed the door. The disappointing part was watching customers enter the place after 9PM and was turned away due to the kitchen being shut down for the night. I wish the place would stay open until 10PM or later like the wine restaurant next door. Overall, I cannot wait to get another juicy burger from Big Buns.
(4)Bruce A.
As somebody who tries to eat low-carb, I often feel like a second class citizen at burger joints. They let me order with no bun, but I just get a sad piece of meat, and maybe a single tomato or slice of lettuce. Here, when I order a burger with no bun, not only is it 29 cents cheaper, but I get a ton of mixed greens to go with it. They serve it to you as a salad in a giant bowl. It was delicious.
(5)Tyler R.
So I would give this place maybe 3.5 stars for the burger. The meat and toppings were great but the bun itself tasted old and stale. I thought they made their buns here but it was super dry and crumbly. There is no way what they gave me was fresh... would've been better off with some Wonder Bread or something. The 2 stars is really because of the service. The guy taking my order was pretty much a complete a$$. I was the only person in line but the way he acted it was like I was holding up a line out the door. There are a lot of options on their menu and I guess because I didn't spit my preferences out at lightning speed he got rather short and unpleasant with me, like I was inconveniencing him. So regardless of a decent burger (minus the bun), I probably won't be coming back here.
(2)Ideen S.
I had the Portabello mushroom on a bed of greens, and a side of sweet potato fries. Both were really tasty, and thanks to a voucher/deal, me and my buddy were able to eat great food on the cheap. I'll definitely be back!
(5)Kathy B.
I came in for Friday lunch with some co-workers it was just okay. I just wish for the money I paid for would just give me a nice juicy burger. So for $11.24, I got an angus burger on wheat bun, cheddar, and a small regular fry. I didn't say how I wanted my burger cooked and I suppose that was my demise. My burger was so well done it was like eating dry gristle (I don't know if I spelled that right). I filled up on my small fry becaues I was hungry, but not that hungry for the burger as I threw it away :(
(3)Doug A.
We've only known about this place for two weeks, but we've gotten it three times. The employees are very friendly. The burger and fries are delicious. I ordered a milkshake from here when I was at world of beer and it tasted like plastic, most likely because of the plastic cup. Still, everything else is awesome.
(5)Lily Z.
The problem with Big Buns is that its so close to Ray's and there's no reason to come here if you are already in the area. Big Buns does a solid burger with ample topping and sauce choices. Their sweet potato fries are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and would have been even better with some kind of caramel/cinnamon flavor sauce. They even have a self serve syrup bar for the beverages. All of these frills were very nice, but ultimately when it comes down to the burger, it is still mediocre in comparison to Rays. The beef at Big Buns was lower quality which is why the burger was cooked all the way through. The corn salsa topping was basically cooked corn with no kicks to it. The mushroom topping was just plain sauteed mushrooms and the grilled onion was not grilled at all (lightly sauteed with no caramelization). If this place was close to where I live, then I would frequent it. However, since it is located on Wilson, I have to say Big Buns can't compete with its neighbor.
(3)B B.
This place has alot of options. Had the salmon burger twice and it was great. Had veggie burger and it was awful. Looked nothing like the picture. Was lentils mixed with spinach and greens. I love lentils but not whole lentils as a sandwich base, try beans maybe because lentils are too small. Vanilla shake tasted just like ice cream. Small fry portion was like a kid portion. Next time will stick with the salmon.
(3)Gwumpykid D.
It was not a bad experience for a first check in! We were a bit confused with their menu. However despite of the off start we had when placing our orders, the food when served looked just perfect. Anyway the grilled fish on a bun was kind of leaning toward the cold side when served on a freezing tomatoe slice! The regular fries were awesome. The best fries I had for a long time. The mustard sauce was excellent. Also, I got a free small soft drink for checking in on yelp! The place is so clean and was almost empty for a Sunday. Actually we were the only ones there! The staff are friendly. The food is cheap. I will def check in again to try their burgers!
(3)Turki A.
Everywhere I go, I look up the best voted burgers in town. I can definitely say that Big Buns is the best burger I've ever had in the DC area so far and I'm really picky by the way. It beats Shakeshack, Five Guys, Rays Burger, BGR, Good Stuff Eatery, Elevation and Smash Burger.
(5)Abby N.
I went here with my family, and we all loved our orders! This place is very customizable, with lots of (unlimited!) vegetable toppings available. I got a delicious veggie burger, I think my bro got a bison burger, and my mom got a chicken burger. All were delicious. We also got some sweet potato fries, which were some of the best that I've had. Firm, not soggy or overly-oily, and they held up to dipping. My only suggestion: don't get the low cal, half bun option. There was a negligible difference in the amount of bread in my order, and it just ended up looking less appetizing than everyone else's. Go big or go home!
(5)Vishal S.
I love burgers and am a big fan of Big Buns. It is in the top of my list of awesome burger places. Burgers are good in size and will fill you up. Like the chipotle sauce and sweet potato fries.
(4)Anna L.
I like Big Buns and I cannot lie....first time yesterday and I'm a fan. The Angus burger was delicious - moist, cooked perfectly, well seasoned and tasty - not to mention huge! Great variety of toppings - most free. The chipotle pesto sauce was a nice topper. The fries were crisp and not the least bit greasy. Parking was not a problem Saturday at lunch time, but I can imagine it would be an issue during the week. I am looking forward to trying the chicken next time.
(4)A C.
I don't understand the hype for this place. I have been here twice, and the food has been awful each time. The first time, I got a turkey burger. It was clearly a frozen, pre-made patty. It was tough and flavorless. Today, I got a burger on a salad - guac, jalapenos, corn, and balsamic. Nothing tasted like it had any seasoning on it. It was meh. Add in a coke and it was $11. No thanks.
(1)Patricia O.
We decided to check it out - we've walked by a few times and finally decided it was time. Unfortunately, it was just OK. We both felt our angus burgers were overdone. My guy got a fried egg on his burger - it was cooked so much that the yolk was solid. We had some half and half fries-- half potato, half sweet. Chipotle pesto aioli was delicious, and we enjoyed the fries. Nothing out of this world, but good. Overall, we thought the ingredients were of good quality, but were just disappointed it was so overcooked. We might go back to try it again, but wasn't the best.
(3)Kimberly M.
I love Big Buns! I'm always 100% satisfied with my burger. The freshly made, build your own burger concept is great! This is by far my favorite burger joint in the area. A must try!
(5)Steve L.
1.5 Stars Just got back from lunch here and used my Groupon. Wow that wheat bread was stale and hard! Maybe it came from a special Groupon bin. And the chicken that was once plump, juicy, and well seasoned is now flat, thin, and not so seasoned at all. The burger is put together in a very messy fashion and overall it sucked. The best part of my meal was watching the little old lady with a walker drink her Sam Adams before 12 PM on a Wednesday! Rock on!
(2)Min Sae C.
Great to go for a burger craving. Decent prices and friendly, quick service. The cooks got my burger toppings mixed up with my buddies. No big deal, the cook was apologetic and quickly fixed the error and didn't make any excuses. I kept it simple for my first time with just traditional toppings and condiments. Wanted to taste the burger and it was flavorful and juicy. Not on par with Ray's Hell Burger but a very good place on it's own.
(4)Donald P.
Thanks Big Buns and Groupon. Great exerience. Burgers live up to it's name although I was expecting something on the order of colossal...an obvious effect of watching too many of those Food Network shows. The burgers aren't small, they aren't ginormous...just big...exactly as advertised ;) I guess the size of your burger will also be determined by how many toppings you put on as well. My recommendation is that if you want to throw on ALL the toppings...get your burger in a bowl, because you'll be using a fork and knife to eat it anyway. And I noticed 'toni's order of fries were much bigger than mine....since they serve the fries in a separate tray when you get the salad. If you order it with the bun, then they just put the fries on the same tray so less fries fit on. But either way, it's a lot of food. Price-wise it's pretty competitive for "restaurant" burgers. For a sit and go kind of place, it may seem pricey, but still competitive I think.
(4)Takiyah D.
The hubster and I love this spot. It is #1 on our burger list. We always go when there is hardly anyone there so I can't speak on service when they are busy. Our experience has always been good. We get the Angus burgers which are seasoned and grilled. The flavor of that burger is simply awesome. The fries and sauces are also good. Love, love, love
(5)Jelli F.
Worthy of the hype. Paid $14 for a burger (with extras for cheese, avocado, bacon), a fountain soda, an order of fries (half sweet potato and half potato). Excellent.
(4)S P.
Alright, went back. Again, the burger itself and the toppings were top notch. Get a couple of the sauces on the side, they are really great. But the bun, good Lord, the bun. It's too big and just not interesting enough. It's a big dense mouthfull of bread, if your burger happens to slip to the side whilst eating. Beware. I don't know why they don't maybe toss them on the grill or toast them or something. Perhaps that can be requested. Next time. Also, though I am no fan of french fries, their sweet potato versions are quite crispy and nice.
(4)Drew S.
It's a wee bit confusing to get in here, especially if you're not familiar with the Balston area already, and parking is a pain in the butt. But we come here with our kids because it seems like one of the better burger joints that also has other items for younger ones. Sweet potato fries: my boy can't get enough of them, they are very good, and the sauce that comes with it, I keep it for myself (ketchup is good enough for my boy anyway). Toppings: just a few different ones you don't see elsewhere. Love avocado and so does my boy, as well as the corn. Fish: this is what my wife orders all the time here and it's great how they do it. Again another kid friendly item (kinda see where this is going?) Burger: this one is tricky for me. Even with all the great things it offers up, if it was just a straight up burger compared to a 5 guys burger, I would have to give the edge towards 5 guys. But it's still a very very good burger, and because of all the accoutrements that makes it easier to have my son eat, we'll keep coming back.
(4)Kyle U.
Very tasty self-constructed burgers, with a wide range of ingredients to choose from (not to mention a unique selection of several sauces). Although the burgers were good, the milkshakes are where it's at. The Peanut Buttercup Malt is the best shake I've ever tasted; that's what's going to keep bringing me back to this joint. I ordered the pineapple once for my burger and it was diced. I wished it were whole because it would fall out before I could put my mouth around my burger.
(4)Trevor F.
I have been here twice and lucked out with the lines both times during peak lunch hour. Regardless, I really enjoyed my burgers here. A tip: the kids meal is a great option if you don't want to be stuffed the rest of the day. It's two reasonably-sized sliders that are so delicious. Also, the egg is a surprisingly nice addition.
(4)Barbara J.
The beef burger was sooo good! It was juicy and cooked to perfection. The mushrooms were great, and agree with other reviews on the chipotle pesto aioli sauce and sweet potato fries. My reese's peanut butter shake was just meh, though. I would definitely come back!
(5)Anna D.
After not coming here for three years, it's disappointing to say that everything has remained the same. I stopped by for an order of sweet potato fries and a strawberry shake. Again, the fries were salty and the shake was sour. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. I don't think I'll ever come back. If I do, I have to remember to try something else... like their chocolate shake.
(2)Jen F.
Big buns is very convenient for those who want to grab lunch at work and not spend a whole lot of time doing so. My team would come here quick lunches all the time. The first time I came here I got the portabella mushroom on a wheat bun. It was alright, nothing special. About a half hour after eating it, I got a really bad headache. (and I never get headaches) I ate here again I couple of days later and decided to change it up- I got the chicken on a bed of greens. The chicken not good. There were 2 bites where I had to discreetly spit it into my napkin because it was fatty/gross. The salad part and mix-ins were good but it's pretty hard to screw that up. Again, after I ate it, I got a headache. Coincidence? Not sure, but I think it must dehydrating me or something. I started bringing my lunch.
(2)Lia C.
I love burgers and have tried almost every burger joint in the Clarendon area. Big Buns rocks my world. I can't decide what to rave about more: - the burgers (flavorful and awesome) - the fries (crispy and awesome) - the milkshakes (slap yo' momma good) - the cheap beer prices (who does pitchers of Fat Tire for $13?!?) and to top it all off.......they have a soda bar. Vanilla syrup in my root beer? Yes please! I freaking love this place.
(5)David L.
So this is another variation on the "better burger" concept. This one is all about choices and customization. On the meat alone you have to choose between beef, fish, chicken, or mushroom. Who knew you could have a fish burger? Then you have to choose whether you want it on a bun or a bed of romaine. And this place is true to its name. The buns are quite big, so much so that the bun/meat ratio isn't optimal. Then there are the toppings - so many toppings, and they're pretty interesting - like grilled pineapple or a fried egg. I only wish they had some suggested groupings, because the decisions get overwhelming. Then there are some pretty great sauces, and finally potato or sweet potato fries and shakes. The traditional fries are hearty and very well seasoned. The shake was unimpressive and had little ice chunks in it - like a frosty.
(3)jenn w.
I liked how you could totally customize your burger, but as far as taste goes, Big Buns fell short. But the burgers are a pretty decent size, and I didn't feel gross afterwards so they're probably pretty healthy as burgers go. It's back to Hellburger for me!
(3)Austin S.
veggie burger is excellent. ordering in the bowl is essentially ordering a salad, and their toppings and dressings are excellent. will be back to get after a "real" burger.
(5)Jessica H.
Hard-to-find burger+shake place across from Ballston mall. Lots of toppings, cute attitude, but burgers are bland and often require knife and fork. Service is excellent. They also take pride in their LEED-certified building. The entrance is in a small courtyard set off from Wilson Blvd behind Vapiano's. All orders are pick-your-toppings; no pre-set menu combinations. You pick a burger, chicken, mahi-mahi, or portobello, one of five cheeses if you want, however many of the unlimited toppings, and any of the "premium" (aka pay-for) toppings, which include avocado, fried egg, bacon, and guacamole. And to top it off, there are four "special sauces" you can choose from. This all sounds great, except that many of the toppings, and all of the sauces, are so wet that the burgers become hard to eat. Maybe the buns fall apart too easily? I don't know where exactly the problem is, but it's frustrating to have to resort to utensils to eat a burger. The shakes -- peanut butter, vanilla, chocolate, coffee, mocha, strawberry -- are nice and thick. The fries must be ordered separately, but are excellent, especially the sweet potato fries. It's not usually too busy; lots of open tables, not a long wait to order or get food. For burgers, I still prefer Five Guys by far, but my husband likes this place better because of the more-extensive topping list and shakes, so we come here sometimes. I don't always even bother with the burgers here, I just get sweet potato fries and a shake.
(3)Ethan B.
Big Buns has been on my list of Ballston lunch-time places to try and while the food was decent the overall experience left much a bad-taste. When they saw two people come in with Check-In offers from Yelp they should have known...right? (Note: I was Anyways, the prices are decent and $7 for a "gourmet" burger isn't too bad but the fact that they don't even include cheese in their base burger price confuses me. Anyways we ordered separately and sat down together and waited...and waited... Finally Tom decided to get up and figure out what was going on. It had been 25 minutes by this point and everyone around us, who arrived after us, had their food. He eventually came back with my food which he said was sitting at the front, his food came a minute later and was wrong. Needless to say we were hungry so he kept and ate on. I guess there was confusion with the way the numbers were plugged into their computer and thus not getting to our table with different numbers so there is your reason. Either way it took too long. The turkey burger was very good but very filling and made me feel sluggish for the rest of the day. The sweet potato fries were good but not great. IMO sweet potato fries are good no matter what I can't say you should rush here for them unless you need to fix a craving. I do like the numerous toppings they have (grilled pineapple, yum!) but there are plenty of other great lunch options in the vicinity that I won't be rushing back. In the end our experience was Meh hence the 2 stars. Tom pointed out that he could go across the street to Ted's and get something plated with fries included (and a pickle he lamented) for only a dollar or two more. He is very right and next time I crave a burger I will heed his advice and hop on over to Ted's.
(2)Marco P.
first couple of times i went there it was great. third or fourth time, everything was just kinda runny...there is definitely a difference between juicy and runny.
(3)Windi L.
I seriously don't know what the hell happened to this place. My first time here - the burger was a solid inifinity stars. The 2nd time (about 6 months later) a solid 4 stars, but now - about a year from my original date here - this place sucks. The burgers are now bland and tasteless and they fall apart after a few bites. Not sure why that happens but what's the point of eating a burger if you have to use a knife and fork. Sad to see the quality of this place go. I really did enjoy it but now it's just a total fail.
(2)J L.
What a great place!! You can customize absolutely every aspect of your burger -- I highly recommend the tilapia burger, so so good! Can't believe I live next door and always thought this place was a bakery.
(5)Ashley B.
I've been here a handful of times and it's truly delicious every time. If you want a good juicy reasonably priced burger this is the place to go. Also whatever sauce comes on the side-- dip your fries in it and it's truly heaven in your mouth. I've started asking for extra so I can smother my fries in it. I also have to comment on the exceptional service we had today. Three of us really wanted to eat outside since it was beautiful out, but they only serve to a handful of tables, all of which were filled with customers who had eaten their food and just chatting (cue the death stares). One of the employees noticed us standing there and he set up a table for us on the side! I couldn't thank him enough that he went above and beyond! Will definitely go back many times as I work a couple block away!
(5)Anne C.
I walked across to Big Buns, anticipating JUST that! A-Okay! I had read the amazing reviews on yelp, but also had spoken to my bf who said it was "Eh" from his first time a few months ago. I urged him to try it again due to the good reviews so that one, maybe he'll change his mind, and two, I might love it! Big Buns has a really cute concept - I loved that it was extremely simple to order the burger with type of meat, option of cheese and toppins in order. My boyfriend got the Angus Beef Burger on a wheat bun (trying to get him to eat a LITTLE healthier), pepperjack cheese and a ton of toppings. The type of and amount of free toppings is pretty awesome I have to admit. Also, top that with a little bit of chipotle aioli sauce, we're good to go! I ordered the mahimahi in a bowl (i know, I'm a wuss) without any cheese and get this - ALL the free toppings they had listed, I had in my burger/salad. lol top THAT with a little bit of balsamic vinagrette and it was good to go! A side order of sweet potato fries and a vanilla milkshake, we felt that we were ready to thoroughly try out this place. This place is one of those things where while you're eating, you're like hm this isn't bad, it might be even really good....and after you leave and you REALLY think about it and you're not necessarily distracted by say, starvation or just those yummy red peppers screaming at you from the salad and you're like...actually...it wasn't that great. Looking back at it, the angus beef and the mahimahi were both cooked well BUT flavorless. If you can't get your basics perfect, then everything else just fails. It doesn't matter how many goodies you put on it to try to cover it up or make it look good. A similar analogy would be like putting as much makeup, the cutest clothes, the best designer bags on a supremely naturally ugly person just won't cover it up completely. The extra sides (all of them really) in my salad was really delicious and fresh and the balsalmic vinagrette helped to add some flavor to my fish. Again, can't cover up blandness completely with just sauces and sides! My boyfriend's wheat bun was HUGE (yay big buns) and again, the chipotle aioli sauce was amazing and the sides were fresh, but we needed a lot of coverings to help boost the blandness of the meat. The sweet potato fries were different in that they were thin and crispy (yay positive), but personally I don't like too much salt on them and there was too much. Next time, I should know to just not put any salt on them but this is just a personal preference. The milkshake...ahh..the milkeshake...no one ever would've thought a vanilla milkshake could've been anything but perfection...but oddly enough, I really didn't enjoy the milkshake. The icecream base of the milkshake...was not as creamy tasting as I would've liked and I had an faint....almost sour taste to it. It' shard to describe, but this was not the best milkshake... Overall, I might only come back because it's across the street, but even then I might just go to Ray's a few neighborhoods down!
(3)Michael E.
Maybe its my own fault for getting blackened fish at a burger joint, but the food is very much...ok. Nothing negative, but nothing remarkable either.
(3)Robert S.
Delicious burger. Delicious fries. Good experience. Bad location (not factored into the rating). Four stars. The first thing you need to know about this place is that it cannot be seen from the surrounding streets (Glebe Rd., Wilson Blvd., Fairfax Dr., and Taylor St.). If you see the Vapiano, just know that it is on the other side of the building from it in the courtyard area that features a fountain. After finding the place on foot (I feel bad for anyone who has to find parking around here), I made my way in. The dining area is very casual and modern (think Chipotle, except replace the metal with wood and maroon with green), not to mention clean. I was pleasantly surprised with the selections on their menu, especially their inclusion of different salsas and roasted red peppers. They have a simple build-your-own-burger approach (type of meat or none, bun y/n, free toppings, extra toppings like cheeses/sauces/bacon) along with a selection of fries and shakes. I chose the angus beef burger, on a bun, with roasted red peppers, roasted corn salsa, pepper jack cheese, and the chipotle pesto aioli along with their regular fries and a soda. If you choose a soda, make use of their syrup bar! I made a vanilla coke, then a cherry coke (they also had raspberry and cane sugar syrup). The burgers are cooked medium well to well done, which is almost exactly how I like it. It had a nice flavor that went well with the toppings. The fries are exactly how I like them: crispy and mildly seasoned. Nothing blew me away in particular, but I enjoyed the fact that everything was well made. The meal size put me between satisfied and stuffed. All in all, I had a good experience. I will be back for more (I have to try out their milkshakes)!
(4)Jon W.
Jon- Big Buns hits the fundamentals, my friends. An oversize, thick and juicy beef patty that tastes like BEEF. Good fixins and the chipotle pesto aioli was pretty darn tasty. Fries were crispy on the outside, mealy on the inside. You bite into this heavy hitter and you know you're eating a hamburger, not some limp hockey-puck sized loser burger. You can go on forever with all the options they have- turn your burger into a chicken burger, a fish burger, heck a portabello mushroom burger. Lettuce? Tomato? Mushrooms? PINEAPPLE? Whatever you want, bro. But when it comes down to it, the fundamentals are what count. And Big Buns has 'em in spades!
(4)Jennifer S.
The burgers and sweet potato fries are good here. Serving portions are very generous, especially with the fries. The unlimited toppings are great. For the soda, they give you flavored syrup to mix yourself. I like the Gr There is outdoor seating. This is a good casual place.
(4)Sara K.
Great selection of burger choices! The salmon burger is a must try! They have a great beer selection
(5)Benjamin T.
A no-nonsense burger place with a lot to offer. Multiple patties, cheeses, toppings, and sauces to choose from (including 2 vegetarian-friendly burgers). There is definitely an option for all! Great fries, and a solid beer selection.
(5)E L.
I visited big buns on 9/28/2012 around 6:30pm. I ordered the pulled pork sandwiches - I was told by the cashier it come with fries, side of coleslaw and choice of buns, cashier suggested the hoagie bun. Cashier was very nice and patience with my orders :) My friend ordered the burger with double protein, the cashier add the extra protein but the register didn't charge us the extra $3.79. I didn't find out till the very rude, unpleasant, young manager came to our table and told us "we didn't charge you for the extra protein, do you still wanted the extra protein? I responded "yes", then manager responded "you need to come and pay for it", I don't mind to paying for the item, but the manager was so rude to us. When I got my pulled pork sandwiches, there was no french fries, no hoagie bun,(the sandwiches was served on a regular hamburger bun), the slaw was smothered in between the pulled pork. Pulled pork was very chewy!!! I noticed the young manager was very friendly with everyone except us, may be because we used a specialicious coupon, pay $10 for $20 worth of the food. I want to ask the owner, if your manager is so rude to the customers used coupon, why are you selling the coupon to the public..... I told many friends about this place. After this encounter, I don't think I will recommand this place to anyone and I will spend my money in other burger joint. One suggestion to the rude, unpleasant, young manager - "Word Of Mouth. The Most Powerful Marketing Tool"
(1)Nadine F.
3.5 stars I had a very enjoyable experience at Big Buns. The moment I walked in, I could tell I was going to like it. It's clean and well-lit, the menu is easy to understand, and there's ample seating indoors and outdoors. This is in contrast to a very famous burger joint in Arlington that the President of our fine nation has been to, but will go unnamed in this review. The teenager working the register was really nice. In trying to figure out whether I wanted a regular or wheat bun, I asked if I could look at both. He was more than happy to get some from the kitchen and show them to me, and I didn't see even a hint of eye-rolling, when I really wouldn't blame him if he did roll his eyes at my ridiculous request. That guy gets five stars. I started off with some sweet potato fries in various dipping sauces. They were disgusting in spicy mustard. They were OK in ketchup. They were delicious in honey. But the gold mine was the chipotle pesto aioli. Oh they were sublime. I could eat an entire basket of them, and I did. If you're ever passing by Big Buns, I highly recommend getting a basket of these or a bag to go. Get at least twice as much as you think you'll want to eat. The chipotle pesto aioli was really something special. It had just the right amount of kick and creaminess to it. I give four stars to the sweet potato fries. The prices are pretty reasonable for the amount of food you get. The burger is big and juicy. I love that they give you unlimited toppings and special sauce for the same price as a plain burger (plus extra for cheese or "premium" toppings like bacon or egg). So why does Big Buns only get 3.5 stars? I can't quite put my finger on it, but the burger was a little disappointing. The meat just didn't taste meaty enough. The bread wasn't bready enough. The toppings were good, but I felt like something about the base was just lacking. Yeah, I'll say it: I liked Ray's Hell Burger better. If I lived within two miles of Big Buns, I could easily see myself walking there a few times a week for sweet potato fries and maybe even a burger every now and then. Sadly, though, I live five miles away, and I'm just not sure if it's worth the trip.
(3)Matthew S.
Quintessential average burger with an interesting mix of unique topping options that not many others offer (such as sprouts). Better than Ray's, worse than some of the others. Might be one to watch as they mature and change. Overpriced and somewhat bland in many ways. Impossibly hard to eat as the sandwiches are not stable. Problems that plague many of their peers remains, such as super tough/thick tomatoes that you might as well pull off and eat separately. Incredibly slow service at this location in off-peak hours. Cannot recommend going here unless you go during more normal times, having gone later in the evening after a class I felt like an unwelcome intruder.
(3)T L.
In the early afternoon, the place isn't too busy. It is difficult to find though. It is in the middle of a couple of tall office buildings and apartments. The forest green sign for all of the businesses in the complex does not differentiate Big Buns' name. Keep a good lookout for it once you're within the vicinity. We all enjoyed our food. I had the marinated chicken in a bowl with bleu cheese, tomatoes, grilled onions, roasted corn salsa, mushrooms, grilled pineapples and guacamole. Try the sweet chili vinaigrette. I had fun with the syrup bar and made raspberry cola.
(4)Vonetta Y.
Good God Almighty, this is a big ass burger! Haaaaaallelujah! Okay. Sorry 'bout that. Beef excites my soul. Anyways, Big Buns is just what it says: a big ass single patty burger in a big ass bun. Looks like everyone else is comparing it to Five Guys, so I guess I will too: I adore my Cinco Hombres, but Big Buns was waaaay less greasy, the vegetables [lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, & mushrooms] were fresher, and the fries are way tastier *and* less greasy. Brilliant. I almost felt healthy after eating it. But--call me crazy, but is the bottom bun smaller than the top bun? I mean, I know it's supposed to be, but that sucker disappeared long before the top bun, so it was kind of annoying to eat once I got toward the end of it. Eh well. It's a damn good, big ass burger and I will indulge again very, very soon.
(4)Kia R.
I love the distinct taste of their burgers and whatever you get make sure you get it with their chipotle pesto aioli sauce...totally worth it!! definitely recommend this place.
(5)Daniel Y.
One of the very best gourmet burger joint in this area, in my opinion. Their fries are cooked perfectly and I absolutely love their turkey burger. Great food for great price!
(5)Hoon C.
This place is really tucked away from any major roads. It's set in a courtyard of what it looks like an apartment complex and office buildings in the heart of Ballston. You'll want to google map the location if you really want to find it. Their menu is set up similar to Chipotle where you choose one item of meat, buns, cheese, and the fixins'. I went with the burger and it wasn't bad. It wasn't great. The bun was dressed with what I think is butter and kept things a little too greasy. Depending what you get on the burger, it can get very messy and it certainly kept me reaching for more napkins. They offer regular fries and sweet potato fries which is a plus. They have shakes but ours tasted bland. There wasn't any rich flavor to it. It almosted tasted like frozen milk. Overall, it was just okay.
(3)Qwerty -.
FIle under used-to-be-yummy. Really, REALLY yummy. But I've been repeatedly disappointed on return visits. Oh, Big Buns. I remember when we first met. It was bliss, love at first bite! I admit, I was reluctant at first - seven dollars, for a burger? But you wouldn't take no for an answer. First, you courted me with your mahi-mahi with black bean mango salsa (throw in some pineapple & that stuff makes me melt). Then you showed me your sweet potato fries, hearty but not greasy! And the fountain drinks, which you let me mix and match with flavored syrups! We spent countless steamy summer nights sipping cremesickle sodas amid the plant beds on the patio--what a patio! Best seat in all of Ballston. It's shady, surrounded by vast planters and strip gardens. What with the ebullient fountain frothing a few feet away, it really is an urban oasis. How many happy memories we made in that secret garden! Soooooo good, yet so long ago. Why, Big Buns? Why? Is it because I stopped seeing you during the winter months, when it was too cold to enjoy the patio? Is it because I once used a--gulp--Groupon? I admit, I wasn't there for you like I used to be...but don't blame it all on me, Big Buns. You let yourself go; you stopped caring. The black bean salsa grew bland, and the mahi mahi kept shrinking. I knew it was over when you served me a sloppy piece of tilapia--and charged me the same as mahi mahi!! Plus, your service was slipping--what happened to the old crowd, and why are all the new employees so sullen? Big Buns, baby, we had a good run. But you threw it all away...
(2)Meg R.
When I can't make it to Ray's Hellburgers, Big Buns is where I go to cure my burger cravings. While the burgers are a bit smaller and the buns much bigger than at Ray's, this place has AMAZING sweet potato fries and delicious milkshakes. It also has a soda bar and a decent beer selection. Big Bun's is definitely the best inexpensive place to eat in Ballston, so if you're in the area head here instead of one of the other numerous chain restaurants.
(4)Krystle B.
My rating is 3.5 stars. I actually got the chicken with the mixed greens. The chicken was tender and juicy and their balsamic vinaigrette was delicious. I added the avocado which was nice and ripe not hard like another Yelper described. I also ordered a Fat Tire to wash it all down. I would definitely come here again. The only reason why I didn't do 4 stars was because the bathroom was freaking disgusting and it wasn't busy when I went.
(3)Taylor G.
I had lunch here recently and it was pretty good. It was kind of expensive. I had the portobello burger, which was good and the sweet potato fries. The fries were just okay. I have def. had better sweet potato fries.
(3)Jim C.
The Price is reasonable for Arlington standards. $12. for burger fries drink. The food: I've had the beef, chicken and fish. They are all on point. Try them all!! They have a portabella veggie option which looks good but if love meat too much to try. the fries (both regular and sweet potatos fries) are really good. Cant go wrong with either. What I thought was a nice touch was the fountain soda options. They have addtion syrup options you can put in your drink. Cherry, Rasberry, Sugar Cane.....awesome. Bottom line: this place is really good but not better than Ray's Hell Burger just up the street.
(4)Ryan W.
Ever since I first heard about Big Buns I wanted to give it a try because I had heard that the owners are fellow William & Mary alumni. The location is tucked away on the back side of an office building in Ballston, and I guess it was the lack of visibility that was the reason I hadn't visited sooner. I like a couple of their concepts: 1) A burger place that isn't strictly limited to burgers: you can also get portabello, chicken or mahi mahi. 2) Nice selection of toppings to customize your burger. 3) Choice of bun or not 4) Choice of specialty sauces 5) Sweet potato fries, in addition to standard fries. However, there were a number of things that I didn't like: 1) Burger was dry - I understand they're probably using a higher quality beef with lower fat content, which is fine, but then they need to be careful not to overcook it. 2) The bun was indeed big, and also a little dry. 3) The don't dress your burger with some of the standard condiments: mayo, ketchup, mustard, etc. It was really the overcooked burger that turned me off the most. I'm perfectly capable of overcooking a burger at home on my grill, thank you very much. On the the plus side, the fries (both regular and sweet potato) were excellent. All in all, I'll probably give Big Buns another shot, but since it's tucked away out of sight, it'll also probably be out of mind for awhile.
(3)Anthony I.
Super fresh, consistently good food in a cool friendly casual atmosphere. great burgers and salads, have also had the ahi and portobello burgers, great as well. Great place, shakes as well, everything a burger place should and it is so so so not greasy!
(4)Lesley S.
Best thing about this place is the toppings. Burgers are OK, as are the fries. Definitely have had way better sweet potato fries. Definitely good variety of burgers as well, but if you're looking for a great burger, go to Rays!
(3)Allison K.
Excellent burger with the most epic sweet potato fries! I wish they offered a half burger with an order of the fries actually. The burger was MASSIVE and so tasty. I didn't get any of the extra sauces or that but loaded the burger up with grilled onions, tomato, lettuce etc. for no extra cost. They also serve bottled beer here making it easier to wash everything down. I'm almost concerned about this place being so close to my abode. I can see myself easily abusing their services too oft.
(4)Christina K.
I haven't been back to BB in a while, and haven't had their sweet potato fries since one of my fist visits here about 2+ years ago. Well let me tell you, we got them today for the kids and my husband and I have taken over the sweet potatoe fry basket and have given the kids the reg fries. They are the best we've ever had before. They are topped with a dash of sea salt and they're not over done making them oh so good. Highly suggest them on your next visit. I haven't been back to BB in a while, and haven't had their sweet potato fries since one of my fist visits here about 2+ years ago. Well let me tell you, we got them today for the kids and my husband and I have taken over the sweet potatoe fry basket and have given the kids the reg fries. They are the best we've ever had before. They are topped with a dash of sea salt and they're not over done making them oh so good. Highly suggest them on your next visit.
(5)PC W.
Big Buns....the healthy alternative to Five Guys? Big Buns is a great little burger joint tucked away in the courtyard behind Vapiano in Ballston. I would never have known it was there if a friend hadn't raved about it and his claim was corroborated by yelpers. Ordering your burger is a four step process. (1) Angus Beef, Chicken, Mahi Mahi or Portabella Mushroom (2) Bun or Bowl? (3) Toppings (4) Special Sauces I got the Angus Beef on a bun with cheddar, bacon and mushrooms with a side of Sweet Chili Vinaigrette on the side. The burgers are a good size and everything tastes so fresh. I also got a side of fries which were okay but vastly improved by dipping into the Sweet Chili Vinaigrette. I also had a deelish vanilla shake. Not bad for a grand total of $12. Service was just as good as the food. There are so many ways to customize burgers that I'll keep coming back until I develop my perfect Big Buns burger.
(4)Dian C.
"I like BIG BUNS and I canNOT lie" With such a name, it makes it fun just to say where you are going for dinner. They even sell shirts with the above quote. Big buns I actually did not have, but I did have very unique grill mahi mahi "in a bowl." To the bowl of lettuce, I added on roasted red peppers, grilled pineapples, corn salsa, and tomatoes (just to give an idea of the types of toppings available). The fish itself was grilled with a very tasty seasoning so it didn't need much dressing at all. Now let's talk about their shakes. Just the right consistency (who wants to EAT a shake with a spoon?) to be sucked through a straw, my strawberry shake was one of the best I've ever had. They have a variety of flavors (and malts as well) and I've heard their peanut butter is the best on the menu. I disagree with the other review in wishing the burger was slightly bigger. The other diners in my party had burgers and they definitely looked big. I have a LARGE appetite and I was sufficiently full after my meal. Now if you're looking for the pure protein quantity of a Five Guys burger, then obviously this may be the wrong place for you. The sweet fries were the only slight disappointment, as they were a little shriveled than I usually like. Big Buns' staff was very helpful and warm. They brought over the food to our table when it was ready and were happy to accommodate different requests. The cook even asked us what protein we were having while we were standing in line so that he could start the grill for us before we paid. Looks like they've worked out their system! It's a great delight to find a place with so many options for wonderful food, including items that will actually be a healthy meal.
(4)Margaux P.
One of the only things I miss about working in Ballston is this place. I unfortunately only got to go a handful of times before I left but every time was good. I always got the portabello burger with sweet potato fries. Always very good. I like that they have options besides beef burgers since I do not eat beef and having non-beef options that are not veggie or turkey burgers is refreshing. The portabello is a good size too since sometimes you get a portabello sandwich and it is the size of a silver dollar (I am looking at you Chef Geoff). If it was not totally out of my way I would go back to this place more often.
(4)Nicole A.
I've been watching this place for the past couple of months, as I live really close to it. I've seen the signs go up, the ovens go in, the light fixtures hung, and the interior cleaned up. The website was up long before the doors opened for business, thus making me want to get my hands on a big, fat burger long before I was able to. I went to Big Buns on a Saturday afternoon. Their hours that day were noon-9, and I noticed they were going to be closed the following day. I noticed there were a few tables outside for al fresco dining, which I thought was a nice touch on such a lovely day. When my friend and I walked inside, I could've sworn I was inside Chipotle. A tall wall-like structure clearly funnels customers toward the front of the restaurant, where you place your order. Also like Chipotle are the signs hanging over the counter. The signs instruct you, from right to left, how to place you order. But instead of picking a burrito, fajita burrito, tacos, or burrito "bol," you get to choose from chicken, a burger, fish, or a portabello mushroom cap. Chipotle would then tell you what salsas are available. Similarly, Big Buns tells you what their free toppings are: bermuda onions, sauteed onions, pickles, roasted red peppers, black bean and mango salsa, corn salsa (like Chipotle! :oP), lettuce, tomato, etc. They have "premium" toppings which will cost you $.75 apiece, if I recall correctly: avocado slices, guac, bacon, and fried onions. I think any selection of the five or six cheeses costs a buck more. Big buns also has a selection of different sauces, including honey mustard, buttermilk herb ranch, chipotle pesto aioli, and sweet chili vinaigrette. At the very end you can tack on french fries or sweet potato fries and a drink--soda, beer, milkshake. I opted for marinated chicken on a bun (not in a bowl as a salad, which is another option you have), cheddar cheese, bacon, pickles, sauteed onions ('cause they didn't have fried onions yet...sad), and lettuce. I got corn salsa, buttermilk herb ranch, and chipotle pesto mayo on the side. I supplemented it w/an order of fries and my trusty bottle of water. My friend got a chicken sandwich (not as fancy as mine) and a soda. W/tax and whatever other charges were included, our total was $16 and change. This is less than what you'd spend at Fuddrucker's. Also, the chicken and burger were comparable in price--I think the burger was a nickle more than the chicken sandwich. But I digress... To prevent people from waiting on line for their food, Big Buns gives customers a number and a sign to place on their table so their food can be delivered when it's ready--a la Fuddrucker's. Food is clearly made to order here: when someone orders a chicken sandwich, the cashier yells out, "chickeeeeen!" I could see this getting annoying. After about 10ish min. of waiting, our food was delivered to our table. It arrived just as ordered, and my requests for so many things on the side were indulged. The sandwich was served on a large, fresh-tasting bun that fully accommodated the tastily marinated chicken breast. The bacon was plentiful--not just a measly, floppy strip--and crisp. The lettuce was full leaves and bright green (none of that white shredded crap). A thick slice of cheddar was melted over the top. The onions were sweetly caramelized. I cut my sandwich in half and tried out the ranch and mayo. The mayo was the clear winner--but I love pesto mayo to begin with! I smeared it on my burger and I dipped my fries in it (it actually came inside the basket w/the fries). Now, about those fries... Well, eh. I'm a french fry whore. Love 'em. These fries were clearly cut in-house. They were thicker fries, like the ones you'd find at Five Guys. Unlike those at Five Guys, however, these fries were limp. There was no crisp to be found. The fries were jacked up w/some sort of spice combination that was inoffensive, but it didn't do anything to make the fries a standout. I absolutely love fresh-cut, fresh-fried fries--they're my favorites. If Big Buns figures out how to get their fries crispy on the outside but soft and tender on the inside, I'll be a believer. But for now, I'd rather take my sandwich home and accompany it w/some fries from my freezer. The staff here is great. They came by to make sure we liked our food and were genuinely interested in our feedback. When I had leftovers, they gave me a paper-lined sheet of foil to wrap up my half-sandwich (there are real carryout cartons for to-go orders). When they realized I had a sandwich and some sauces to take w/me, they gave me a bag to throw it all into. A condiment bar has a few types of hot sauces, vinegar, olive oil, ketchup, mustard, salt and pepper, and some other stuff. This place advertises their environmental consciousness--a sign explains this. The trays and drink cups are made out of corn! Out of space...but I hope to see this place improve its fries and become a great neighborhood food option!
(3)Hass L.
Appropriately named establishment. Excellent buns and choice of toppings, as well as an efficient ordering process like Noodles & Co. However, the patty is pathetic - tiny and lacking taste compared to the high quality buns and diverse accoutrements one is bound to add (since all but cheese and certain gourmet add-ons are free and unlimited). While an excellent name with good branding, I still wish they would have called it "badunkadunk".
(3)Brenden J.
Big Buns makes a very good burger. That much you probably should know off the bat. But they have several little things that make me happy besides this: - Sweet potato fries, cooked perfectly. - Syrups to make your own Cherry Coke and other concoctions - Blue Cheese for my Burger
(4)Aaron B.
This is a better than average "gourmet" burger place. Not nearly the best burgers I've had, but the system of choosing your mix and the selection of things to add was quite good and fast. Angus burger with mango and bean salsa, havarti, and bacon with ordinary french fries. It was tasty and the fries were nice and thick and well seasoned. I would come here again, but I'd also consider exploring other burger places around.
(4)Carolyn S.
Their grilled chicken is flavorful and freshly grilled, unlike some other places that could very well have drawn char marks on the meat with a brown marker. There is a spicy thai/sweet-and-sour sauce that is spectacular on the chicken sandwich, and even better when used as a dipping sauce for the sweet potato fries. If you're looking for something lighter than a burger but don't want to feel like you're missing out on the tasty party, this is it.
(4)Todd J.
Burgers here are excellent - big, juicy and very tasty. I enjoy the whole unlimited topings make your own sando approach; Very simply and straight forward. But the chicken sandos here are equally as good - don't sleep on the chicken sandos here. 3 guys I work with all had Big Buns for the first time today and universally applauded the chicken sandos they got. BE WARNED - parking here is a catastrophie, as is most parking in Ballston. Burgers here not as good as Rays Hell burger (what burger is?). But I believe Big Buns is better than both 5 guys and Burger Joynt. I think this place is a very fair value at around $8/burger or chicken. I also recomend the sweet potato fries and the corn salsa. the bbq sauce they make here i s good, but very smokey.
(4)George V.
1. Great chicken sandwich - add onion straws 2. 2 minutes from my house 3. $1.50 PBR Overall = nice local neighborhood place, adding some character to Ballston
(4)Kira M.
I absolutely LOVE this place!! I have never had a bad meal at Big Buns! I have tried a burger, chicken sandwhich (a little big for me) and a chicken salad, all were great. Everyone should try the Peanut Butter Milkshake, it is sooooooo good :)
(5)M F.
This place is amazing! I can't believe they don't have five stars. They make the all time best chicken burger I have ever tasted. My fave (you can't go wrong): chicken grilled onions tomatoes lettuce pesto chipotle aioli wheat bun FRIES!
(5)Carter K.
Taste Burger with a casual atmosphere. Dined here only once when co-workers took me out for my birthday. Don't know if I'd ever really go back since it felt more like a sit down and eat in place. But if you really like your lunch breaks then this is a great place. Burger was moist and full of great flavor.
(4)Faith F.
Pros: Tons of choices Good food Huge portions Fun space Cons: I'd rather have quality a bit higher and smaller portions Messy to eat, really really messy. The burger didn't hold together well Pricy, you do get a lot, but I don't want that much. It was $15 for fries, a burger and a shake. Parking is a Shannen Doherty
(3)Brent S.
This place is awesome. Like everyone else has said, it's like Chipotle with burgers. The burgers themselves are really good, but the toppings and sauce selection is really good too, and pretty unique. In addition to beef burgers, you can also get a chicken burger, mahi mahi burger, or portabella mushroom burger. The quality of the food here though is better than Chipotle (not to knock Chipotle though, I love them). Everything seems very fresh and prepared just right. The fries here are some of the best I've ever had. The shakes are really good too. This is a great place to get lunch or a somewhat quick dinner. I've seen other reviews comparing this to Five Guys. For me Big Buns is in a completely different league, the food is so much better here. Five Guys is good, but the burgers and fries here at Big Buns are much better. Plus you have a bigger selection than Five Guys.
(5)Rocky A.
A great, relatively cheap burger place tucked into a courtyard in Ballston. It works much like Chipotle - pick a meat/protein, bun (or no bun), toppings and a dressing. They've got an overwhelming array of topping choices. I had a burger with roasted peppers, grilled onions and pepper jack cheese. Yum. They also offer shakes and cheap beer. ($2.50-$3.00) The courtyard offers quite a few tables to hang out and eat and enjoy a nice day. Although it feels like a chain, it isn't.
(4)Brad S.
With all of the burger places around in the DMV area, it is hard to find any one that stands out among its peers. Luckily, there is Big Buns Gourmet Grill in downtown Arlington to solve that problem. With a friendly staff always eager to serve you from the moment you walk in, my experience at Big Buns was second to none. The options presented to you may at first seem to overwhelm (because there are so many!) but the easy to understand 5 steps will guide you to your perfect burger (or fish or mushrooms or chicken). There is so much to choose from and having the ability to have a sandwich or a salad (in a bowl) really adds some variety. You can go here many, many times and not once get the same exact thing, and every time it is going to be delicious. You can tell the cooks and staff here actually take their time to prepare your food for you. And not only are you going to get a great meal, it's also at a good price. All in all, if you are near downtown Arlington or just in the mood for a truly excellent burger, head to Big Buns Gourmet Grill. I live in Silver Spring, MD and have gone out of my way several times just to eat here. If I had the choice, I wouldn't eat a burger anywhere else. As their signature catch phrase states - "I like Big Buns, I can not lie"
(5)Doris T.
Who wouldn't like a place that lets you customize your burger (with or without bun) and with a choice of beef, chicken, mahi or portobello? I wish there were some ready-made recommendations for topping-sauce combos because some are clearly more meant for one filling than another (fruit salsa with beef? no thanks). You can also customize your drink with a variety of flavored syrups, and the happy-hour prices for beers are a deal. One word of warning: Don't mix up the number of your table tent. It will confuse the people trying to bring you the delicious grub.
(4)J C.
I didn't even know this place existed until I read the yelp reviews. Since it's only a block from my apartment, I figured it wouldn't kill me to pay a visit. First, let me say it's a little tucked away. It really isn't off Wilson per se, more like it's tucked away on the opposite side of Vapiano, in the little nexus where the office building, hotel, and apartment building meet. So I get there, and there's only one other person in the joint. Great, I don't have to wait in line! I was greeted with a hearty "hello!" as soon as I walked in. You choose from among a beef burger patty, mahi mahi, chicken, or portabello mushroom. Then, you choose whether you want it on a bun or in a bowl. You then proceed to pick your toppings. I chose a burger on a bun with bleu cheese and bacon. They have a wide variety of toppings to choose from (I was almost gonna go with a southwestern motif... pepperjack cheese, bacon, and guacamole). They didn't ask me how I wanted my burger cooked, so I'm guessing they do medium well as a default, and I don't know if you can request it more on the rare side. I got it to go, and promptly headed home to enjoy. And enjoy I did! The burger tasted nice and fresh, so I'm guessing they don't freeze their meat. The bacon was nice, firm, and crisp, and the bleu cheese was yummy! The minor quibbles: I kinda wish the burger was a tad bigger. Don't get me wrong, it hit the spot. But if it was a touch larger, I'd be happy. Also, I could have used a bit more bleu cheese on the burger. It also took me about 15 minutes to get my food, even though I was the only person there (while I didn't see them making my food, I'm guessing they grill it the old school way, and not like at Fuddrucker's, where they have a machine that cooks both sides at once). But these are all minor quibbles, and wouldn't make me shy away from coming back. In fact, these might be growing pains that will be remedied as they become more established. It's definitely a "higher-end" burger joint (if burgers could be considered to be high end). You wouldn't compare this to McDonalds, but it's comparable to Fuddrucker's or Five Guys. I've actually never been to Five Guys, but if I had to compare it to Fudd's, I'd give Big Buns the edge on taste, but Fudd's wins in the size category. The verdict: Big Buns is a welcome addition to the area, and I'll definitely be back. It was also nice to see the staff having a lot of fun while I was there, like they were really happy to work there. I'm just hoping their out-of-the-way location doesn't hurt 'em.
(5)C. W.
It seems that this place draws a lot of comparisons to Ray's. I think it's because they both serve "hamburgers." However, this is like saying that two restaurants that each only serve one type of steak are both steakhouses. But the two could be very different in actuality. Such is the case here. I can see that a comparison is warranted, but it must be a very carefully made one. To use an architectural metaphor, Ray's is like a 5000-square-foot McMansion in a gated community with granite countertops, stainless appliances, and a screened pool. You run down the list of features that today's buyers jump at, and they're all there. But it has no character. No soul. There are 100 of them in that neighborhood alone, all identical. Ray's is the same way. Fresh-ground prime beef? Check. Foie gras and marrow? Present. Cave-aged cheese? Of course. Rare burgers? How daring! This place is just a laundry list of cliches that catch the attention of self-proclaimed foodies. But none of this requires any special knack. There's no personal touch or dining experience to be had. Hell, there isn't even a sign. Big Buns, on the other hand, is like an old craftsman bungalow. It doesn't try to be anything it isn't. No flash here. But with both the house and the restaurant, the details are what make the difference. It has a unique feel all its own, and you can tell that thought and work were put into bringing the entire package together and wrapping it up into one cohesive unit. This is where this place shines. Big Buns scores big with me for flawless execution. The patty is made of normal meat, like you would find elsewhere. It is cooked to one temperature, I would call it medium-well. Their selection of toppings is extensive, and they all sounded appealing enough that I just told the cashier to leave off the three or four that I didn't want, rather than the dozen that I did want, to save time and effort. The cheese selection is fine. Nothing imported. Let's be serious here, is cave-aged whatever really going to taste that good soaked in beef fat? But offering havarti, now that's genius. Love it. And restaurateurs take note: if you want to get five easy stars from me, memorize these two phrases: "black bean and corn salsa" and "chipotle aioli." Side dishes include normal fries and sweet potato fries. And they have beer. Like any real burger place should. I'm not usually picky about ambiance, but this place maintains a very good, clean, modern atmosphere which makes it an enjoyable place to savor a good burger. Big Buns does what it does and makes no claims to be anything more than what it is. But they let the food and the dining experience do the talking, and that's fine with me.
(5)Phil B.
From the moment you walk in, this place makes it well known they're eco-friendly. While its nice I don't really think of it as a top priority in a burger joint. For the burger lovers out there don't expect a nice meaty medium burger. Think more like frozen patty or five guys, at least that's my impression. While the sweet potato fries are good upon subsequent visits I just stuck with the mahi-mahi which is actually decent. On the plus side they do serve beer but with rays hellburger right up the street I don't see a lot of reasons to go here.
(2)Glenn B.
Baby Got Back! In the less than 1 month since they have been opened, I have been multiple times. This locally owned restaurant is great. The food superb, the beer amazing, the service even better. Anyone that doesn't want big buns, big hips, or big cones definitely should check out Big Buns for options in high-quality food. They have healthier options than just a burger... try the portobella or the mahi mahi. Both are GREAT.
(5)Bill M.
Friendly folks and "green" atmosphere adds positively to the fact that they make good food. Hiding in the inner courtyard of 4401 Wilson Blvd (NE corner of Wilson and Glebe - same building as Vapiano), Big Buns gets most things right [except my order last time]. Good burgers [also chicken or portobello option] with a good selection of free or premium toppings. Great regular and good sweet potato fries. Some cheap beer, some flavored syrups so you can make your own iced tea/soda concoctions, and that's really all you need from a neighborhood restaurant. Like I said, the last time I went there, they got my order a little wrong (gave me blue cheese instead of cheddar), which wasn't that big of a deal. But when I took it back up to make sure they didn't give me someone else's, I kept the wrong burger and the guy gave me a "free burger/fries" g.c. for my trouble. Burger, fries and soda for about $10, and you don't feel like you have to purge and wash your face with degreaser after you eat. Welcome to the neighborhood, Big Buns.
(4)Kate R.
Fun build your own burger/salad place ala Chipoltle. Good fries, soda bar where you can add flavorings. Its a regular on our list for lunch. I like Mahi on Wheat with grilled pineapple, onions, and the sweet chili vinagrette.
(4)Miguel A.
Pretty damn good. Ordered a burger with bacon, avocado, pepper jack cheese, chipotle pesto sauce along with the usual toppings and it turned out excellent!. Price wasn't too bad either. $13 for a very filling burger, sweet potato fries (which were excellent) and a soft drink.
(4)E M.
This place definitely gets points for it's soda syrup counter, but mainly I was just disappointed in the available burger options- you can't even get a burger medium rare? It definitely felt like a cross between a McDonald's and a Chipotle. Expensive fast food with a gimmick.
(2)Adam G.
This is my favorite lunch spot in Ballston and I don't even eat burgers. Definitely try the sweet potato fries.
(5)Dan B.
Quality food and nice outside seating but a bit pricey for mere burgers. Try the sweet potato fries though. Worth every penny!
(4)Jessica D.
I really liked the mahi mahi burger-- I recommend cheddar cheese, red onions, grilled pineapple and the sweet vinaigrette as toppings.
(4)Fred A.
Had a chance to finally check out Big Buns this past Sunday. It's nestled away in a courtyard between buildings off of Wilson, near Ballston, making it suitable to eat outdoors without inhaling exhaust from traffic nearby. The food: Tasty burgers, customizable. They offer ahi-ahi and portobello options to "burgerize" for the non-burger folks in your life. The burger itself was just greasy enough and cooked evenly. In fact the only disappointment is that the buns themselves at BB are surprisingly plain. And the milkshake did not disappoint. Burger lovers have another option to put on their rotation. The staff was also attentive and interactive, which isn't necessary as long as they do their job well, but nice.
(4)Ana R.
I came here with friends who love burgers and we left a little less than impressed. Pluses: love the topping options and I recommend you add the fried onions to your burger- some of the best I've tasted. The sauce options are awesome- loved the chipotle aioli- and even better that you can order them at no extra charge. I ordered a plain bun but I like that they offer wheat or no bun as alternative options. Very cool and casual atmosphere. Minuses: If it weren't for the toppings, it would have been a very bland and dry burger. My major complaint is that no one in our group was asked by the person taking the order how we'd like the burger cooked. Mine was way too overdone for my taste. The patty wasn't too flavorful and the extras (cheese, avocado, fried onions and the other fancy ones) can add up quickly. My burger was $12 after the fancier toppings! Not surprising though for the area. Overall cute place, good food but with a little improvement in customer service and meat flavoring/temperature, could be stellar.
(3)Steve L.
You know what you are getting into with this place. A customizable burger and a clean friendly atmosphere. The flavor of the burger is kinda lost in the array of toppings that you feel obliged to add. Personally I am a huuuuuggggeeee supporter of the toppings and the sauce, and I think that is why I continue to return. That and sweet potato fries.
(4)Colin S.
Great price and quality burgers with diverse and fresh toppings.
(3)Ben D.
First impression was rather "meh". Had the regular burger with cheese and for a place with "buns" in its name, the bun itself was stale and didn't complement the burger very well. Wide selection of toppings was nice, but service was a tad bit slow and inattentive. Will try again though, based on the reviews it looks like I may have caught them on a bad night.
(2)Seth D.
Great burgers, generous toppings, bombastic sweet potato fries. Yes indeed, healthy (?) and delicious. Perfect lunch spot. Which sums up my thoughts on ballston altogether.
(4)Nikki F.
I really wanted to love this place. It's good but not something I would crave every day. My chicken sandwich was A-OK but the mushroom burger was better. I wish they had some set styles of burger. I feel too much pressure whenever I order because I can't figure out what would be good together. My favorite part of BB is the soda bar...lots of flavors to add to your soda.
(2)Christina S.
Love the Mahi burger and sweet potato fries! And a great mix of toppings. Fast too.
(5)Sarah L.
In my mind Five Guys is the epitome of the perfect burger. So when a friend lured me to cheat on my beloved, while promising something better, I was intrigued. Could somebody really outdo the best? Big Buns is located outside of the Ballston Mall shopping complex. It's not immediately noticeable from the metro, and it takes a few minutes of walking to find it. The inside of Big Buns is painted a cheerful apple green with a setup comparable to Five Guys. You order at the front, receive a table number, and wait for someone to bring you your food when it's ready. There's an impressive condiment selection to choose from: malt vinegar, hot sauce, BBQ sauce, and Dijon mustard are among the offerings. Ordering at Big Buns can be a little confusing. The menu is divided up by steps that move from right to left. Step one: Choose Wisely (grilled angus beef burger, chicken breast, mahi mahi, or portabella mushroom); Step Two: on a bun or in a bowl (brioche bun or bed of romaine lettuce); Step Three: top it off (cheese and toppings); and Step Four: sauces and dressings (buttermilk herb ranch, honey mustard, chipotle pesto aioli, and sweet chili vinaigrette); Step Five is where it gets good: fries, drinks, shakes, malts and floats. When I went I ordered the burger on a bun with cheddar, shredded lettuce, tomato, Bermuda red onion, and a side of honey mustard, French fries, and a Yuengling for about $12. The burger came out in a ten minutes, and I was almost on my second beer. When my meal came it looked gorgeous. As the name correctly indicates the buns are big and so are the burgers. The burger reminded me of a restaurant burger. While good, it lacked that juicy greasiness that makes Fives Guys as sinful as it is. French fries are also better at Five Guys, but the sweet potato fries at Big Buns were excellent. It was my first time trying them, and I definitely will do so again. I still love Five Guys more than anything, but trying something different proved fine too. The burger and fries were worth their price, and it's evident that the ingredients used are quality. What makes Big Buns is that they serve beer on draft and in a bottle. From 5-9 Monday through Saturday it's happy hour. A bottle of Yuengling was a mere $2 and the non happy hour beers were still only $3. I thought Big Buns was a good place to stop into before heading over to Rock Bottom for happy hour. Don't worry Five Guys, you're still my #1.
(4)Ross R.
This burger joint kicks the snot out of Ballston's other burger place, BRGR. The staff is friendlier, their burgers and shakes are bettter, there is more seating and I loved the syrups for my Coke.
(4)Gerry P.
Like everyone before has said, these burgers are big. But beyond that they are very well cooked and unique. The variety of combinations in all there different selections make this place fantastic. I got a burger, with cheddar cheese with a lot of their other toppings (the more the merrier) including a fried egg. The fries are just OK, but they do have a bunch sauces that make up for that. Even the drinks and shakes can be altered to your liking, with different flavors and syrups. Great customer service, went a Saturday which wasn't busy at all, I'm guessing this place is busier during the workdays. In the end, I looked at the menu and saw more toppings and sauces I will like to try in the future.
(4)Ann H.
LOVE IT. MISS IT. When do I ever get all the way out to Ballston anymore though? Can we please open another, say right next door to my apartment and/or work? Thanks! OK, love the simple menu and cheesy jokes that come along with saying I'm eating at Big Buns, I love Big Buns, let's go grab some Big Buns etc etc. Their burgers / portabello burgers are good but what I really want to rave about getting here is.....1. sweet potato fries (mmmmm!!) 2. Mahi Mahi or chicken in a bowl - it's unlimited toppings people! Talk about getting a nicely filled salad w/o having to pay for each additional topping past say, oh three, like other silly salad places! Grilled pineapple is a topping? YES. get it on your salad and you'll love it. Same goes for the black bean and mango salsa. With so many toppings you hardly need any dressing but might as well since it's included - so grab some chipotle pesto alioli - it's soooo delicious! Oh yeah and as an added bonus they serve beer! Can't beat that!
(5)Ryan C.
Great high-quality burgers and consistent service. Based on the other reviews, I'd have to say you know what to get. The beef burgers and mahi-mahi burgers on whole wheat buns are so good! My only gripes are the meat always comes pretty well-done, and parking is impossible over there. But there is no place around with more interesting toppings, they also have sweet potato fries. My favorite is a beef burger, whole wheat bun, lettuce, tomato, the crispy onion straws, and their honey mustard. I wish they would open more of them because they are so much better than 5 guys, and a lot less annoying than the crowd at Ray's.
(4)Scott S.
I've always loved this place, and recently had the chance to compare it to it's better known competitor Ray's Hell Burger. And there is no comparison! The burgers are cooked as you like, and the fries are nice and crispy. The staff is always helpful and customer-service-oriented, unlike the competition. I especially love the sweet potato fries! This place is a little hidden gem and you never have to wait a half hour for an awesome burger. I hope the politicos will stay away and keep this a great place for everyman!
(5)Bruno C.
it's all about the special sauces and the choices you get at Big Buns. Great quality, delicious and simple. usually pretty fast service and affordable (although not cheap). Highly recommended for those that want a hamburger with some originality added to it....oh yea, they serve beer as well.
(4)Adrian B.
As another reviewer has said, this is like Chipotle for burgers--just replace stainless steel with green drywall and you've got Big Buns Gourmet. Pick your meat (Angus beef, chicken, or mahi mahi), decide on bowl or bun, and pick your toppings. They've got regular French fries, sweet potato fries, and chips. They've got beer on tap and a selection of import and domestic bottles that top out at $3.50/bottle. The burgers are ~$6, the fries are ~$2, and the fountain Coke products run ~$2...so you're looking at ~$8 per person or u could split the fries and take it down to $7. I got the Mahi Mahi for my son and I was astounded how big it was for $6ish--I've been to other restaurants where it costs twice as much, but you get half as much. They can either grill it or blacken it. As someone who HATES sweet potatoes, I actually liked the sweet potato fries. They were wonderfully cut and fairly shoe-stringy (is that a word?). With McDonald's fries as a benchmark, the regular potato fries were a little thicker than McDonald's fries and the sweet potato fries were a little skinnier. I suspect the difference is the result of different cooking times required to get 'em a little crispy. Lastly, there's a dipping sauce they've got at the counter that you MUST get if you go there. I'm not sure what's in it, but it went VERY well with the regular fries. It also was great on my burger. If you're looking for a comparison, I think it's comparable to Ray's Hell Burger plus French fries. If you find yourself in the neighborhood, it's worth hunting for a meter to park.
(4)Leslie B.
Something is afoot a Big Buns. I don't know what has happed to this place. A few months ago their burgers were super freaking awesome. I mean really, really good. I don't know if the staff has changed or they are using poorer quality ingredients, but the burgers have been incredibly bland the last three times that I have been there. Like, special dietary requirements at a retirement home kind of bland. I don't know if it is the time of day that I a coming in (weekdays around 4:00) or what, but I am about ready to give up. Yesterday, I had to drowned the hamburger in hot sauce and ketchup. Also, the man at the register got my order wrong because he was too busy talking on the phone to hear me. This place has one more shot before I completely give up on it. I *really* hope after the next visit, I can report back to yelp that their burgers are back on track.
(2)David H.
I am in the middle of a personal journey to find the best burger possible. After reading all the good reviews of big buns I had to give it a try, and it just didn't hold up. The bun is too big and distracts from the taste of the burger. When I did get a taste of the meat it was ok, but nothing special. Most reviewers seem impressed by the number of menu options, but I am not. It is just another distraction. A burger place offering fish or chicken is a compromise. Look at places like Ray's, Five Guys, or Elevation Burger, you eat a burger or you don't eat. This is pretty much the way a burger place should be. Big buns is not that way. They are made to fit in the trendy metrosexual neighborhood in which they are located. They compromised their idenity as a burger joint and instead of becoming something more like they thought they would they are something less.
(2)James M.
Quality burgers here. I love the sweet potato fries, too. The wait was a little long, but it was worth it. Great alternative to Five Guys.
(4)David H.
The chicken's pretty decent. The burgers are exceptional. (I just don't get the 'shrooms and the fish, guess it's just not my thing in the context of this genre of dining.) The fries and the aioli are probably the standouts of a meal here, though that burger sure does give them a run for their money. The volume of food is abundant. The used to have onion straws as a topping option; now they have onion rings. They should really go back to the straws. (They should also offer them as a side dish as an alternative to fries/sweet potato fries.) That's probably the main reason I didn't give them 5-stars... yes, I'm fickle. Go back to onion straws and I'll make it a 5, okay? Never tried their shakes, but I blow the calorie budget at this place going for real Coke with both cherry and vanilla syrup added. (They have four syrups just across from the fountain drinks.) When I get tea, I sometimes add the cane sugar syrup as a sweetener. I figure if I'm eating a burger and fries, there isn't much hope for that day's nutritional intake anyway, so why not enjoy it. I'll have to go for complete dietary meltdown and have a shake with my meal sometime...
(4)Jay R.
My favorite burger babe and I checked this place out, based on an article we read in a local Arlington newspaper, about the best burgers in town. I also checked out my fellow Yelpers reviews, and thought that an average of four stars was promising. Folks, are you all on drugs or something? This place isn't four stars. First, the name of the place kind of says it all...Big Buns, but folks, where's the beef? The taste of the burger gets completely masked by too much bun. O.K., so you take a bite of the burger, without the bun, but the meat has no taste. My wife and I were looking at each other, wondering how the burger can be so tasteless. I guess that's why they offer so many different free toppings; they hope you'll order a lot of them, so you won't notice that the star ingredient is just plain blah. So far, for my burger buck, the best I've had anywhere around NoVa is Five Guys.
(2)David K.
I'll give it 2.5 stars. I've tried their burger and it was decent. It was tasty, but nothing to rave about. I also tried their chicken in a bowl, which in my opinion sucked. No flavor, no seasoning, no real direction. I understand the chipotle concept, but at least with chipotle the items that i put in the bowl have flavors. Next time i'll stick with the burger and fries.
(2)Jamie M.
My friend and I wanted a casual place to meet up for a quick dinner. From the other reviews I was afraid this was going to be really hard to find but it was pretty easy, just keep your eyes open for the green sign. There were only a few other customers around at dinner time so we got served super fast. I ordered the mahi on a bun with chipotle aoili, tomato, sprouts, and black bean & mango salsa. I thought my mahi was really tasty, considering it was a fast food joint...I'm actually craving another one right now. My friend also ordered the mahi with a ton of their toppings (note to the wise, the more toppings you add, the harder it becomes to eat the burger with your hands). My friend got so distracted by all the topping choices that she never made it to the final step - sauces! So make sure to finish all the steps ;) I was surprised that I really liked the sweet potato fries, I always thought they came in big soggy wedges but these were nice and thin and crispy. They don't have a good method of packing up your leftovers, no take out boxes, just foil that you can wrap your burger up with. Neither of us finished our food and were pretty stuffed about halfway through.
(4)Amy G.
Big Buns is great! I have a weakness for sweet potato fries and they serve some great sweet potato fries. Aside from the choice in fries (regular or sweet), variety is the theme at Big Buns. You can pick what type of bun (regular or wheat), what type of "burger" (beef, chicken breast, mushroom or fish) and choose from a bunch of toppings and sauces. The toppings range from mushrooms to grilled onions to black bean and corn salsa. The food is consistently good and fresh. I think their beef burger is one of the best around. Although, I am partial to the mushroom burger, too.
(3)Phillip C.
Awesome burgers and sandwiches, and you can't beat the sweet potato fries. My favorites are a beef burger on a white bun with pickes and grilled onions, or the chicken sandwich with corn salsa and guac. Great stuff.
(5)Pug s.
Great modern fast food burger joint. I've tried the chicken, burger, and mahi mahi. All are great, but the Mahi mahi sandwiches are a refreshing change to the normal run of the mill chicken and beef. I like that they have wheat buns. For those who like them, they also have sweet potato fries in addition to regular. I'm not a fan of the sweet potato though. The chipotle pesto dipping sauce that they serve with the fries is to die for. Just the right amount of tangy and spice. THe first time I went there, I had a problem with the whole wheat bun being way bigger than the mahi mahi that was in it, however, I believe that they've increased the size of the mahi mahi portion to fit into the bun. Milkshakes, I forgot to mention the milkshakes! Thick creamy goodness that makes the perfect pair with a burger.
(4)Molly L.
I went there on Sunday super excited about sinking my teeth into a juicy burger but left feeling disappointed. I was surprised this was a gourmet burger joint and they didn't even ask how I wanted my burger cooked. I'd say it's a step above 5 guys but that's not really saying a lot. Truth be told, I'm a huge In-N-Out junkie and really I'm just trying to find something remotely close to the awesomeness that is In-N-Out. Big Buns, despite the great name, was a let down. It's not horrible but the $10 burger did not blow my mind.
(2)too s.
I don't get what the hype is all about. The burgers are far below average of most places in the area (even places that aren't known for burgers). My burger was dry and tasteless. And the bread, which some others rave about, was a complete distraction. The bread is too big and has a weird texture. When I buy a burger, I buy it for the meat and don't want to be distracted by a huge dry roll like those served at Big Buns. As for the fries, the sweet potato fries are ok, but both they and the regular potato fries come from a frozen bag (I'm guessing most people don't realize this). At a place like this and for the prices they charge, I'd expect the fries to be fresh cut. Unfortunately, I watched the cook pull my order of fries from a freezer drawer. I'll give them props for the chocolate milkshake. It was darn tasty and had a unique flavor twist that I can't describe; it was definitely worth trying. Overall, the burgers are bland, boring, and overpriced. A far superior burger (I'm talking 5 times better) can be had just across the street at Ted's Montana Grill (the bison burger there is juicy and sooo flavorful). I'd put Big Bun's burgers way behind Five Guys, Ray's, Elevation, Whitlow's, etc. Don't believe the hype.
(1)Amanda B.
Reviewing this based on The Husband's visit for a lunch recently. The Husband describes this place as "exactly like Chipotle but a burger place" so take that for what it is worth. He describes the food as really good and mentioned that there are a ton of options -- from salads, burgers, and chicken. There are tons of toppings to choose from and the sides are great (especially the sweet potato fries!).
(4)Ash G.
Excellent, fresh options for a neighborhood dominated by chain fast food. Great salads, many low carb options, and all cooked food is made to order. The shakes are pretty darn good too!
(4)Glaciala A.
I love the portabello mushroom burger and the sweet potato fries. I think it is one of the best places for a real burger as well. I love the idea of being able to mix all different types of toppings. One of the faves.
(5)Sarah K.
Hands down, Big Buns is my favorite burger place in DC. The service, quality of food, and prices are all AMAZING. The chipotle pesto aioli that goes on the burgers and fries is out of this world. The only thing is, if you don't want a soggy bun opt for eat-in rather than take out.
(5)Jason D.
I have to second Jim's comment, it's good, but I'd rather go to Ray's for practically the same price. The burgers at Big Buns are tasty, but smaller than Ray's (maybe 8 oz. v. 10 oz.) and overcooked (medium-well to well done). Also, the buns ARE big, too big for my taste. That said, the toppings are delicious and I especially like the pesto-chipotle aioli. It's nice that they have chicken and mahi-mahi for more options, but for a pure beef burger it's all about Ray's.
(3)DC H.
Hey, this place is good.
(4)kevin d.
Great burgers and lots of condiments
(4)James P.
This is the worst of any of the gourmet burger joints I've tried. In the WIlson Blvd corridor alone, it's definitely a cut below BGR or Ray's. They take the name a bit too literally, with a huge, dry bun that makes the burger difficult to eat and will end up being discarded by anyone not in the mood for a loaf of bread. The meat itself wasn't especially flavorful, and my medium rare burger was seriously undercooked; the center was not even warm. (Contrast to BGR, which provides a consistent hot pink center to their MR burgers). Also, despite offering onion rings as a topping on one burger, they apparently don't have rings available as a separate side. This place, with its emphasis on huge size over quality, reminds me of Fuddruckers more than the new crop of upscale burger places.
(2)Renan B.
Big Buns is fantastic. The level of customization for the burgers is great, with a lot of more interesting options than Five Guys (wheat bun, corn salsa, different sauces, etc...). While I prefer the beef, my friends appreciate having chicken sandwiches and other things to choose from. The customer service is extremely helpful and eager to make your visit a good one, often going out of their way to make sure you have everything you want. The place is a bit hidden, but is worth going to seek out.
(4)John M.
This is a hidden gem in Ballston! It is an especially great place to grab a burger. And yes, it is far better than Five Guys. Great selection of toppings and the burger is freakin' great. Very good taste and full of grease. Also, the place is clean, well-lit, great staff, and outdoor seating. I only shy away from 5 stars, since I think it is over-priced for the atmosphere and crowd the owners seek. Burger, Fries and drink will cost you a little over $11.00.
(4)Jamalo T.
Everything was excellent. The cashier has got a serious drug problem. and for a place to be named Big Buns I was expecting better bread on the burgers
(4)Jeff L.
My favorite burger joint in the area, it's kinda like 5 guys but with a larger variety of customization options like grilled pineapple. The burger was juicy and cooked to perfection, and the buns lived up to their name. My only complaint was that the fries were oversalted. The outdoor seating is right next to a wine bar (Grand Cru) so you can feast on burgers with ya homies after downing a couple of glasses of pinot. The manager was really friendly, and he even let us use the computer in the kitchen to send an emergency email. Props to the manager.
(5)John B.
Great burgers! Nice and juicy and tons of condiments to choose from. Plus, pretty cheap beers and a nice relaxing dining area to sit in.
(4)Mark B.
If you didn't see what was on the menu, you'd swear you walked into Chipotle Mexican Grill. Ordering at Big Buns turns out to be a similar process as well. There's lots of options and, admittedly, the first time I went, I was a little overwhelmed and unsure of what combinations would work well. Fortunately, the folks behind the counter are extremely friendly and patient. Very helpful. Big Buns definitely seems to care about the entire dining experience from the time you order to the time you leave. I am impressed. The hamburgers are of very high quality. If you've never been, the place is tricky to find since it is at the back side of the building in a courtyard area. Once you find it, the courtyard area is nice and is a great place for outside dining when the weather is good.
(4)Steven R.
Awesome spot in Ballston for a burger. The concept is like Chipotle meets gourmet burger experience. Great burgers (other meats available), tons of topping choices, and awesome fries (both kinds - we got the half and half). The guy who took our order was VERY friendly and helpful in making selections. Our food came out pretty quick and tasted great. We were lucky to snag a spot on the patio in the evening and really enjoyed the whole experience. I'll be back. Thanks Big Buns!
(4)Berdi P.
Really wanted to try this place.....bread tasted dry and stale. Meat was tasteless. Service was very slow, and there were only 4 of us in the place. I plan to try Rays again, but so far Burger Joint is still my favorite. The draft Beer was good and cold.
(2)Peter K.
Delicious. I think this place just opened up a month or so ago where they had some kinks in the beginning but the service has gotten much faster since it first opened . Every time I have gone I've had a great experience. Though this is completely new restaurant, you would never know it from the layout. The burgers in my opinion might be the best in the area... and they also have mahi, chicken breast and porteblla with unlimited topping options if you are looking for something on the healthy side... though its hard to stay away from a killer burger. The service has always been great and they serve their own beer for very cheap... $2.75 I think. Its a little tucked away in the courtyard behind Vapianos but well worth the trip.
(5)e c.
I go here often as it's literally 100 yards or so from my place, but thought I should finally write a review in light of the fact I referenced Big Buns in my Ray's Hell/Butcher Burgers review (long and short of it, I like Big Buns better). The location is slightly hidden unless you knew to look for it. The interior is nice and they have outdoor seating. The burgers are huge. You have your choice of several proteins, a glut of toppings (mostly free), a few cheeses (not even close to touching Ray's on this front), and on a bun or in a bowl (salad), with some random sauces. You can also get chips or fries (regular or sweet potato). They have beers, sodas, milkshakes. I found the meat to be good quality. Seasoned perfectly. The fries are good, if the serving size is a little on the small side. I wish they were open on Sundays so I'd not have to go to Ray's or Five Guys to get some burger loving. (Soon enough I'll hit up Top Chef's Spike Mendelsohn's Good Stuff in DC.)
(4)Charles P.
ok - this place is superb! hands down better than most burger places especially 5 guys. First off they offer a great variety and an enormous selection of toppings. You could go there for a few years and create a new sandwich each time on their delicious buns or bowls of fresh lettuce. I've tried the burger, marinated chicken, and the blackened mahi - WOW! all three were excellent. I'm telling you these guys do it right - and I have been all over. The burgers are slightly spiced to perfection with your choice of at least 5 cheeses. Seriously after eating here - I will probably never return to 5 guys - they seem like another Wendy's burger after eating BB's delicious grilled burger. Definitely more flavorful and the fries both sweet potatoe and reg skin potatoes were crispy and tasty. The marinated chicken and tuna were also out of this world - I'm not a portabello mushroom guy, but my girlfriend gave it a big thumbs up. I finished my last meal off with a chocolate malt - real ice cream and it hit the spot. I have read thru some of these reviews and I can't fathom why I would read any negative remarks - soggy fries, etc. ???? no way - these guys have done a fabulous job and the service is friendly and warm - in any event if you don't think your fries or sandwiches are prepared to their expected quality then let them know and I'm sure they will accomodate your request. Again, these guys aim to please and I can't imagine them not getting it right 99% of the time. Take my word once you try the BB menu u will be HOOKED!! oh and the price is super reasonable for the quality and service. BRAVO to Big Buns!!!!!!
(5)Stephanie D.
I like Big Buns and I cannot lie. Seriously. I have tried all of the proteins (mahi mahi, burger, mushroom and chicken) and like them all, but the chicken is my favorite. I know they have great sweet potato fries, but I LOVE their regular fries: crispy on the outside, soft on the inside and a great dipping sauce. The staff is friendly and efficient and I love how they scream out your order ("BURGER!") before asking what you want on it.
(4)Jon K.
I am always on the lookout for a great burger joint. Unfortunately, this place didn't hit the mark. The burger was decent; there was nothing wrong with it, but it was nothing special. If I were to rank the place based on the burger alone, I would give it three stars, i.e., average. I can't ever imagine craving one or thinking, "Hey, we definitely need to go to Big Buns!" Unfortunately, the two-star rating is because of the fries. I love french fries more than any person I know and love them in all kinds of varities. The regular fries at Big Buns were loaded with so much salt that you could barely taste any of the potato. Not tasty. At all.
(2)David B.
Big Buns is great. You select your protein, bun, and toppings. The topping list is large enough for anyone to find something they want on their bun. Usually I end up picking too many. The service is quick and the food is still fresh and great. The sweet potato fries are great.
(5)Stuart V.
I went here one time and they ran out of hamburgers during the lunch rush. How can a place whose main focus is hamburgers run out of them? That's like DQ running out of soft-serve ice cream. Anyway, they redeemed themselves in my book when I went back there and had an excellent chicken sandwich - I got this corn salsa on it which you could definatley tell it was cut from a corn cob - all their toppings seemed incredibly fresh. The burger my coworker had looked amazing too.
(4)Gening L.
I tried this place last night after the recommendation by fellow yelper Peter K. Like stated below, it's like a chipotle for burgers.. which is brilliant cause i LOVE burgers! I ordered a portabella burger and added avocado, blue cheese, fried onion straws (two premium toppings!) and a bunch of the regular stuff like lettuce and tomatoes. Unlike the yelper below, I really enjoyed the bun. It was nice and soft, not too bready, and was nicely grilled. I got two generous pieces of portabella, which were marinated and cooked really well. The whole burger/sandwich in all was delicious! Anything with avocado, blue cheese and fried onion is a winner for me. The sweet potato fries, I thought were good. I really want to try the regular fries next time though. A couple things I would suggest, are to include a real vegetarian patty on the menu.. something about a veggie burger patty that you just can't get from portabella or another vegetable disguised as a patty. And maybe if they offered the onion straws as a side or had onion rings. I definitely would have ordered that.. yum! But all in all, great place, right in ballston, clean and relatively speedy service. I'm definitely planning to go back.. possibly next week!
(5)j d.
great burger. decent fries. good onion rings.
(4)Danny M.
I live across the street and was anxiously waiting for this place to open. Let me say that it was well worth the wait. Big Buns is amazing. The staff is extremely friendly, the food is great, and they have their own beer which is also good. Leinenkugel brews up a nice amber ale for them that is only $2.75 with pitchers going for $8.75. They just opened last week and still don't have all the kinks worked out so I can only imagine how good it will be soon.
(5)tracy n.
I have been to Big Buns 3 times now each time has been consistently tasty. The day I took the GRE, I decided I needed to have fish because it's brain food. Usually I fear fish steak sandwiches because they tend to be dry and bland. I ordered the mahi-mahi with lettuce, tomato, sauteed onions, roasted red peppers and the black bean and mango salsa on a wheat bun. Even though there was a pretty decent crowd, my food came out fast enough that it didn't add to my stress (however I feel like the timing has been inconsistent across my visits). I ate my sandwich upon arriving at the testing site and was delighted to find the fish to be nice and juicy. The black bean and mango salsa definitely added to the moisture, making it a little messy, but altogether delicious. It was so good that I temporarily forgot any feelings of impending doom. Overall, very tasty, great value, nice people, and good atmosphere. I echo the idea that it would help if there were some suggestions for combinations because it can be overwhelming trying to figure out what will go together in the tastiest way. Also because I feel gluttonous standing there and listing off 7 toppings (all complimentary!).
(4)Loulwah M.
Great turkey burger! Love the fact that you can choose to have whole wheat buns as well.
(4)Amina M.
Update: the Arlington County health inspector called me to say that the bison meat seemed to be stored well enough, but that he noticed the employees were not particular about handwashing. However, when they saw him watching them, then they became more particular. So, he said he spoke to them about the importance of handwashing. Just... gross. Health inspector also said to call the county right away when a problem occurs so they can see evidence closer to time. Lesson learnt. One more thing: the restaurant offered me coupon for the cost of my meal. I've lost $500 in IVs and doctors appointments and medication and lost work days. One meal coupon, even if it's for another restaurant, is a joke.
(1)D B.
I was in town visiting for business and as I like to do, I tried to find a local establishment to patronize. This place fit the bill. I went after lunch so there was not much of a crowd. The girl at the desk was helpful, advising me that the Angus beef was more flavorful than the Wygu. Other than that, she let me build my own burger without any other advice. The service was prompt and my food was ready within five minutes at most. The sweet potato fries were hot and tasty. I also like the large selection of beers, however I was not able to imbibe. Overall, a good place to grab a quick bite at a reasonable price.
(3)Marc L.
I was working at a client site, and this is one of the closest restaurants to work, so I ate here maybe 10 times in a 2-week period. I love this place. It's fast, particularly if you call in an order (I tried online ordering and didn't have a good experience). The choices are amazing. I am a non-meat eater and so I tried both the vege burger (meh) and the grilled fish burger (Mahi Mahi), which was fabulous. French fries and onion rings both very good. Amazing array of toppings, I tried a bunch of them in various combinations, and all are fresh and good. Great selection of cheeses for toppings (two words: Smoked Gouda!). People behind the counter are friendly and fun. I ate here once or twice while off duty, and tried a beer. They didn't have the draft selection, and they had a cheap happy hour special of tasteless Natty Boh for cheap. A wider selection of drafts and more imaginative happy hour specials would have me in regularly.
(5)Sara M.
Returned to find that they changed their menu up - they now charge extra to get your burger as a salad, among other things. Lost a star from me :(
(3)Eric T.
I tried to take my time eating and enjoying my bison burger, but I couldn't stop stuffing it in my mouth. I felt that they had crafted my burger using the best produce, meat, and bacon. Crafted is a weird word when describing burgers, but it looked like they took extra time to perfectly choose and place the tomatoes, pickles, etc. After dinner I got a peanut butter cup shake. It was awesome! If I ever make it to this part of town again, this place will be on my "must eat here" list.
(5)Dalia L.
I'm vegetarian, and get the veggie burger as a salad bowl--it's delicious! Ingredients taste fresh and homemade. Good place to go with burger friends if you need a staple veggie option :0)
(5)Jeff C.
The music is loudly playing and from the chic contemporary decor, I am expecting a scene from Pulp Fiction to play out. As i enter, i am promptly greeted at the register. It is nice to order at the counter. Like others have said, you make your selections in sequence. It was easy enough. I ordered a beef burger with well done fried egg, blue cheese, veggies, sweet potato fries, special sauce, and a brownie shake. The food is not delivered in fast food fashion. So sit tight and wait. I am iced tea snob, so when I sampled the tea... I was disappointed. It was either old or the new was mixed with old tea! This is an all too common phenomenon in northern Virginia. People! Wake up and sample the tea! Being a maroon state doesn't mean you forget where you came from. So, I tried the Coke. Yes, the CO2 mix was off which left a less than a full bodied refreshment in my cup. The sweet potato fries were fine. The special sauce was extra, but I wanted to try it. It tasted like Thousand Island dressing with horse radish mixed in. Now you are probably wondering, "Hey dude, how was the burger?" Well, it was good. It was flame broiled and juicy. It was flavorful. The wide array of add-ons to your burger seem endless. From the taste of the cucumber, onions, and pickled tomatoes; I believe that the temperature in the kitchen may be off. The crispness just wasn't there. The brownie shake was okay. It had very tiny pieces of brownie with a moderate chocolate taste. So, cue the loud, hip music. Now, let's back out through the front door. We've got to jet! This place was just okay. Do a flyby, but don't make a special trip.
(2)Christina Y.
We're originally from the tri-state area, and they have a lot of burger joints. So I'm glad this place is actually conveniently located AND well worth its money. The sauce selection is amazing, and you can't beat the unlimited toppings if you're like me. I preferred their sweet potato fries over the regular fries though.
(4)Kelly B.
Tried out big buns for the first time last night, and was not disappointed! The line - super quick. The burger - off the chain. The truffle fries - epic. The shake - just, don't miss it. Had the curious craiggers (ahi tuna burger) off the designer menu, and it blew my mind. All in all, big buns is well worth the trip!
(5)Mark W.
Came here on a chilly Sunday night for a burger. The menu is a little intimidating at first, with many different options, some that were free, and some that cost extra. I ended up with a regular angus burger on white with smoked gouda, bacon (extra), chipotle aioli, grilled onions, and jalapenos. I also ordered a large order of sweet potato fries, with a extra order of their honey mustard. The burger was very juicy, and delicious. It was a little small compared to Ray's, but overall I believe it's better for the price, and better tasting. All the toppings were done well, and I even added a little bbq sauce, which was very good, to the burger. The sweet potato fries were very good as well, and definitely worth the extra $4. As I am now a permenant resident of Arlington, I feel like I will be coming back soon. Four stars for one of the best Arlington burgers I've tasted. (Also, they offer fish burgers for you non-meat eaters)
(4)Nicole M.
Very interesting concept they have going here. Props to them for validating parking in Ballston garage and offering curbside pickup (I know that sometimes I will avoid a restaurant like the plague if they don't have good parking). The service was stellar and the menu goes beyond a typical burger joint. I asked a few questions before ordering and opted for the Mahi Mahi burger, because it is a whole fish filet (they told me the Salmon comes frozen in patty form and I wanted something fresh). I got the "burger" on a salad with some toppings and a side of regular french fries. The taste was good, but for salads, the topping portions are skimpy. Think about it: a burger is only so wide, so the toppings would be perfect for it, but when you expand the radius to a salad bowl, you need to double or triple the toppings to make them stand out. The fries were average and I wish I had more of them (They were your average "value menu" size) which is funny because I usually complain that portioning of fries at burger joints is too large. For my sauce, I had the chipotle pesto aioli which was awesome-just enough 'kick' spiciness wise. The restaurant was clean and the beer selection looked good. The condiments bar was also clean and well-appointed (malt vinegar, lots of little containers with lids, etc.). The overall taste was certainly good, but it did not knock my socks off. Will I be back? Yes. Will it be a 'go to' spot for me that I rave about to my friends? Nope. Update 2/11/14: Went back here again for lunch with some friends and had a cheeseburger and fries. The rating still stands at 3 stars.
(3)A B.
Great food great atmosphere great service.. The manager/owner was more than welcoming. Boyfriend bought an extra burger to go. And the fries are to die for
(5)Patrick G.
I gave it another try and had a much better experience. My burger the second time around was awesome. I feel like they made some changes to the menu, but I'm not positive. Definitely will try it again to make sure my most recent experience wasn't a fluke.
(4)Eugene V.
Nah, not worth it, at least not the Bison burger. Tastes previously frozen and overdone. Too expensive as well! At least the toppings are fresh. If I come back here, I'll have to try the beef burger. May have a better chance of being tasty. And not nearly as pricy. Fries are OK. Nothing magnificent, just OK. Skinny bun is a very nice idea -- SOME bun, but not too much. Much more favorable burger-to-bun ratio!
(3)Kyla W.
Food was good, just wasn't amazing. My hamburger was.. OK. (Angus burger with pickles, pickled tomatoes, ranch, My Oreo shake was pretty water, and my fries were alright. The atmosphere seems nice but it didn't have a "WOW!" Factor to me.
(2)Rosi E.
This place is awesome. They have excellent burgers. I love how you can customize your burger and they often bunless options as well. They even offer Havarti cheese! That's not something you see all the time. I work in Arlington and this is the only place I will go when I am craving a burger. The girls in the office and I love this place! The sweet potato fries are delicious and do try the chipotle pesto aioli!
(5)Joseph F.
Gotta get me some o' those juicy BIIIG BUUUUNSS :). In all seriousness, though, Big Buns is a wonderful, and affordable place to grab a bite with a very pesce-veggie friendly and chill environment. From the moment you walk into the restaurant, the modern, relaxing, inclusive environment surrounds in you in a wonderful feeling. Not only does it feel like an old diner that has been remodeled for the modern age (with very chill music), the dietary inclusiveness of the restaurant is obvious. TWO TYPES OF VEGGIE BURGERS, and TWO PESCETARIAN BURGERS. WHAT?! HEAVEN! Now, lets talk food. Both times I have been to Big Buns, I have ordered the fish burger with fries. The fries were crispy on the outside, soft on the inside: just the way I love them. The portion size was average (nothing monstrous, but I wouldn't have complained if there were a few more fries). The fries are served with some great aioli dipping sauce. It makes the fries really stand out. What about the fish burger you say? AMAZING. I've had a salmon burger before, made by mashing up salmon sort of like a burger. This fish burger is more to my taste, however, as its a blackened fillet of amazing. OF AMAZING. The restaurant, like many these days, has the "build your own" format. You choose a patty, a bun, cheese (which is extra, so its vegan friendly because you have to pay for cheese if you want it), veggies, sauces, etc. So, each time my fish burger was a bit different, but each time it was perfectly cooked, with a wonderful combination of flavors. My personal favorite topping is the black bean & mango salsa. It compliments the fish so nicely. Overall, this is an awesome restaurant and I highly recommend eating here. Its conveniently located very close to the Ballston Metro. It is quite affordable (think chipotle-esq prices) and filling. I can't wait to try their veggie burgers and their happy hour specials!
(5)Boris S.
Angus Beef Burger $8 (5/5 NOMs) I like big buns and I can not lie! Its build your own burger place. Always so excited to make some crazy burgers. You just can't pass their Fallow some very simple steps to great one of the most nomnom burgers in town. Step 1: select your meat craving. Step 2: bun or bowl, its big buns, so BUNs! Step 3: pick your cheesy goodness, free crazy unlimited toppings and some very nomnom premium toppings + 0.99c like fried egg and onion rings. Step 4: special saucy goodness like amazing chiptle pesto aioli and herb ranch. Step 5: desert and sides. Step 6: BITE INTO BURGELICISNESS!!!! They just pack that thing. You must try these burgers. Onion Rings $4 (5/5 NOMs) Only secret agents can get this off their secret menu. Super crispy onion ringy goodness. Make sure to ask for their super nomnom Herb Ranch sauce that will make every dip heavenly. French Fries & Sweet Potato Fries $4 (5/5 NOMs) No burger can go without these fries! Bets way to enjoy this frie goodness with half and half. Many places claim to have best sweet potato fries, but sadly not many can deliver. Big Buns delivers and then some. Excellent french fries and sweet potato fies. You don't even need any ketchup or sauce, but raise the nomnest with their super delicies herb ranch. Make sure to try them on your visit. Nutella Milkshake $4 (6/5 NOMs) Secret agent eat off secret menu. White Nutella milkshake? Who cares! ITS DELICIESLY AMAZING! Extremely rich with Nutella flavors and yet not too much. Its so rich and thick that I just switched from a straw to a spoon. Oh yea I totally spooned it! This is a must try for sure! Make sure to ask for it, you won't find it on the regular menu or online.
(5)Justin W.
My wife and I ordered two burgers, two small fries, a milkshake and a beer. The total was $43 but after a few bites I realized why! Each part of the the meal was the best in its class: the bison was extremely tender and juicy, the milkshake was dense and creamy without being too too sweet and the local beer was a powerful dark IPA. In the middle of the meal a member of the staff passed around samples of Peanut butter and jelly milkshake and its simply the best milkshake I've yet had. The only problem with the place is the setting which is warm and inviting until the front door opens and all the cold air floods in! Seating is also an issue but a staff member said they are building an extension on the place. This is the first place I will take out-of-town guests to and is easily my favorite burger joint...ever.
(4)Travis H.
Pretty good basic burger. It looks/sounds like it's gourmet, but in the end it is a burger joint. No traditional soft drinks, fairly crowded and very good service make up for just a basic burger. 5 guys is better.
(3)Brian A.
Big Buns is a great burger place. They do burgers. They do them right. I have had many, many burgers here, and have generally been very satisfied.
(5)Mark C.
Awesome Burgers in a hole in the wall office park. Try the Onion Rings as the premium topping; won't be disappointed
(5)Roger F.
I've been here a couple times now, and I'm ready to say that this is my new favorite burger place in the DC area. They go far beyond most other burger places, and even include items that one wouldn't typically think of as burger material. First, I'll start off with the disappointments. I have to say I wasn't all that impressed with the buns - considering it's part of their name, I expected to be blown away by them, and they just seemed like standard buns to me (I tried both the original and the whole wheat buns, and they were both meh). Also, my friends know me as a milk shake fiend, and I was not a fan of their milk shakes, but then, that might just be because I was already used to another, unnamed DC-based burger joint that offers 75 flavors of milk shakes. Nonetheless, what really hooked me about Big Buns was the sheer variety of meals you can assemble here. Proteins include beef, turkey, bison, grilled chicken, grilled fish, crab cake, veggie burger, and portobello mushroom burger (yes, more than one vegetarian option at a burger place). I like that a number of those options are healthier, and you actually feel like you're eating a gourmet meal rather than a burger that costs less than $10. Speaking thereof, I thought the prices for the burgers were very reasonable for the amount and quality of food that you get, though it should be noted that the prices can escalate markedly if you add sides, shakes, alcohol, etc., but that should come as no surprise. One side that was definitely worthwhile was the quinoa salad - it's just as satisfying as ordering fries, but much healthier. I also love their location, tucked away in a pedestrianized courtyard with garden seating near the fountain. There are plenty of tables both indoors and outdoors, although I did see it get pretty full on a Saturday evening when the weather was nice (but there were still tables available even at its busiest). The one drawback about the location is that I live in Maryland, and their only location (for now) is in Ballston. Hopefully they'll decide to expand!
(4)Cindy S.
Went here today because I purchased a deal on Specialicious a few weeks ago. Location was kinda confusing and looking for parking wasn't that fun... But it was all WORTH IT!! I ordered the Angus burger with: American Cheese, lettuce, grilled onions, mushrooms, fried egg and fried onion rings.... and it was DELICIOUS! It was sooo good and BIG that i could only eat half of it. Sweet potato fries are yummy too! I also ordered the orange soda float which was reallly goooood!! After eating half of my massive burger, I had to go wash my hands. The women's was nice and roomy and VERY CLEAN which is always a PLUS!! Staff was very friendly! Will definitely visit again if I'm in the Arlington area! **TIP** If you "Check-in" on the Yelp App, they'll give you a free small soda! Wee!!
(4)Mirela T.
My boyfriend found this place on yelp and we decided to try it out. We were pleasantly surprised by how nice this place was. Not really in an ideal location...seems like most of their business is drawn from the offices in the surrounding Ballston area. It was a quick and easy concept to understand as their were steps to guide you through your ordering process. I had the Italian Stallion burger which had provolone cheese, banana peppers, lettuce, tomato and balsamic vinaigrette. I thought it was well cooked and the different flavors went very well together. The burger meat wasn't anything spectacular, but i enjoyed the different topics suggested on the suggestion wall. My boyfriend had the Smokey Joe, which had smoke gouda, chipotle pesto aioll, smoked bacon, grilled onion and mushrooms. He thought it was very salty and greasy but the meat was cooked fairly well. It is not something he would recommend to try. We both also had milkshakes. I had the nutella shake which i thought was delicious. I do love hazelnut, so i am a bit bias in this case, but man it was certainly on point. My boyfriend had the strawberry shake, which he said it was standard. Overall i thought it was a pleasant experience and if you're looking for a bit of an adventure on your burger i'd give this place a try.
(4)Sherri D.
Huge burgers, unique selection of sides/toppings, AWESOME beer selection, AMAZING sweet potato fries, and extremely friendly staff. If you're close by, come by and try them!
(5)Robert K.
When someone asks you how you want your burger cooked, you know it's gonna be good and it was delicious.
(4)Charlotte M.
Vegan or gluten-free? You can eat here. Meat eater? You can eat here. Beer? They've got it. Tee-totaler? Here too. Want salad? No problem. My crazy dietary needs were accommodated without hesitation. The food was quick, yummy and (mine) was healthy. It was convenient to Ballston, had curbside pickup (in the alley) and had outside seating to boot. The ingredients were fresh & I wouldn't hesitate to go back.
(5)Sam L.
Exactly what you expect a burger to be. Nothing more, nothing less. My buddy and I stopped by Big Buns based on glowing reviews on Yelp and we wanted nothing more than delicious burgers and beer. What we ordered: 1) Turkey burger w/fried egg, sprouts and one of their recommended sauces, wheat buns, regular fries, ginger ale. 2) Grilled fish burger, skinny wheat buns, fried egg, sprouts, red onions, regular fries and a DC Citizen draft. As far as ingredients go, they are definitely better than fast food restaurants, but not better than a mid-level restaurant. The buns are good, but not special. And the fries were crispy, but not special. The meat was cooked like how you ordered, but not special. At the end of our meal, nothing really stood out. Recommendation: For the price, it's not that cheap when you start adding premium toppings, fries and drinks. A burger may start out as $6-8, but fries are at least $2, and a drink can vary from $2-$4. Premium toppings are $1 each, and cheese is also extra charge. Just know that to get a true feel for what you can add to your burger, fries and some good drinks, you'll at least shell out $14-$16 per person in the end.
(3)Grand Y.
The best thing about moving from Clarendon to Ballston is that I can get my Big Buns fix 3 times a week. At least. I can't believe this place doesn't have a solid 5 star rating. Anyone who visits me comes here. This is the FIRST place I take any visitor. And he or she is an immediate convert. Why I am a groupie: you can get a fully rare burger, and not get sick. Sign of quality beef. You can get a crazy amount of toppings. Included. Fresh jalepenos and red onion (I'm now abstaining), grilled corn off the cob, pineapple, sprouts, lettuce, they have you covered. The employees are awesome, and I say that having no affiliation to any of them. Happy hour every day. Lagunitas IPA for $3, 4 til 7.
(5)Hank C.
Best burger I've ever eaten. Whether it's wheat or white, with cheese or without. Sweet potato fries with the chipotle aioli is a must. Shakes aren't bad either. Service is pretty average, but the burger is a 5/5.
(5)Chelsea K.
Amazing. Everything is amazing. I love this place. I came with a friend and he ate one and then had to order another. Just so good and so reasonable.
(5)Emily B.
Food was delicious with great menu options from healthy to far from healthy. Great happy hour ($3 16 ounce craft beer, $2 sliders, 1/2 off milkshakes, $3 loaded fries). Peanut butter milkshake was very good!
(5)Saara Z.
Big Buns is a great burger joint for the yuppie burger lover. They have tons of topping options and an assortment of cheese and sauces. I am giving the place four stars because I think they have one of the best Turkey Burgers in the area. It's juicy and flavorful and makes me forget that it's not a traditional burger. The place also gives you an option of getting a wheat and/or a "skinny" bun that's sliced thinner. They also have an option where you can get your burger on a bed of greens. All great things for a carb-conscious burger lover. Overall: Come here if you are craving a burger with an assortment of toppings but would like to avoid red meat.
(4)Allison Z.
I found this place 2 weeks and ago and since then have been back 4 times!! By far my favorite burger spot in the area! I highly recommend it. There a ton of different toppings and different sandwich options. The burger was good but I loved the chicken! Not to mention all the delicious toppings and options, the restaurant is beyond accommodating. They have gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, etc. their corn salsa and guacamole are a must try. All their dipping sauces are all well made as great flavors. I love the sweet potato fries!!! The price is a little high but I think it is worth it. They have an incredible selection, friendly and knowledgeable staff, and gluten friendly! It is evident the owner puts his heart into this restaurant. He takes a minute to talk to everyone and never stops ensuring their service is A+. My only negative is their regular fries are not recommended. The portion was very small, they were not crispy, and not very flavorful. Definitely get the sweet potato fries or onion rings
(5)S S.
So we were looking for a good turkey burger and decided to try Big Buns based on Yelp reviews. Well that was a made move. We ordered turkey burgers, fries, and vanilla shakes. 1. The turkey burgers were good, but a little on the dry side. 2. The fries were HORRIBLE. They had a ton of salt and pepper on them. No one could eat them. We even went through all of the fries and wiped them down by hand and they were still so salty that we couldn't eat them. We also ordered large orders of fries, but we received what looked like small orders. 3. The milkshakes were also HORRIBLE. They taste like frozen milk with no flavor. We took a couple of sips and then poured them down the sink. 4. They also had a dog or cat (couldn't tell) in the place when we picked up our order (think it belonged to one of the employees), which I personally have an issue with because in my view dogs in a restaurant where food is being prepared does not mix. Overall, we were not impressed and will not be going back. For almost $40 we could much better meals. GROSS!
(2)Wu K.
I am completely sold. Absolutely top notch burgers. If the food was not enough to win you over, the staff is as good as it gets. Friendly, convenient, accommodating and very courteous. I will continue to patronize this joint on my red meat days.
(5)Jon D.
Owner contacted me after my first visit to apologize for the mix up, and asked me to come back and give em another shot. Went in today during the snow day and everything was perfect. Got the bison burger on a bun this time and it was really good. I highly recommend the blue cheese and pickled tomatoes. My order was spot on this time around. Chatted to the owner a bit while I was there and he explained that my first visit was on a day when they were changing their menu around a bit, so they were working through the kinks. Makes sense, and it shows that when they are firing on all cylinders this is a great place to grab a solid burger with a ton of options at a really good price. Went for the Nutella milkshake and it was really good. Not quite as good as the carmel waffle, but the camel waffle sets the bar really high.
(5)Long S.
I went to Big Buns for the first time a few nights ago and the food was quite good and they really have a good beer selection, which even during non-happy hour times is quite reasonably priced. The reason I did not give 5 stars is that the service is extremely slow!! I will go back to Big Buns again sometime soon and if the service is that bad again I will downgrade them to 3 stars, but if the service is better I'll bump them up to 5 stars.
(4)Joe M.
I split two burgers with a friend: an Angus beef burger with blue cheese and bacon on a wheat bun and a marinated portabello mushroom burger with [extra] mushrooms on a white bun. The beef burger was cooked to a perfect medium rare, and both were delicious. The sweet potato fries were slightly overcooked, but very good. Having recently been disappointed by an overcooked Blue creek bison burger at Ted's Montana Grill - with the same toppings - I was pleased to have the same burger ordered here, cooked just right, and costing a little more than half the price. One of the little things I liked about Big Buns is that they have lemon wedges, which I always enjoy with my water. My only complaint with this place is that all the tables are bolted to the floor, so it's not a good place to go for a group of more than four. The six of us crammed around a table in the back, but it was rather challenging, given the inherent messiness of eating burgers.
(4)Sondra D.
I really wasn't impressed with this place: They messed up my order (although they did fix it promptly); it was pricey for what we got; and the worst part--the buns were cold! Come on, you should at least toast or warm the bun! My fiance and I wont be going back.
(2)Leon M.
One of the best places in Arlington to get a burger! Be sure to get their sweet potato fries
(5)Austin P.
Definitely a fan of Big Buns. Work right nearby and always thought about trying it. Good thing I did. I really enjoy the aspect of creating your own burger with unique toppings. They go above and beyond with the options. Few faves are the fried egg, roasted corn salsa, and red peppers. Fact that they have turkey burger as an option is also very appealing. SWEET POTATO FRIES ARE LIFE CHANGING (minor dramatization) Fun atmosphere inside. The owner is a very nice guy that goes out of his way to make you feel welcome. Service is prompt and everything tastes great. Cons: Pricey for a burger joint. You definitely get what you pay for but a dinner for two can get up there pretty quick.
(4)Sean B.
Tasty, affordable, lots of topping choices. Very clean and friendly service. I really can't think of any negatives about the place. I've been here a couple times now. One of the better places to grab a quick meal in the Ballston area. Burgers are quite flavorful, and the chicken is moist and juicy. $6.29 for either one, can't really complain. Portabello Mushroom burger is 10 cents cheaper, and Mahi Mahi fish is 20 cents more expensive.
(5)Danny H.
They have what they say they have - big buns. That being said, I hope you like filing up on bread and starch. Hard to believe a place that serves nothing but meat in bread, is too excessive, but Big Buns fits that description. A lot of distraction and diluting from the fact that the food is kind of mediocre there. You can have about 6-7 different condiments, three different syrups to mix into your soft drinks, and they also have 5-6 different beer selections. Okay, but how's the food? It presents beautifully - the grill lines on the burgers look awesome. But the taste of the beef, that is, when you can taste it beyond the large portions of bun that comprise of their namesake, was kind of flavorless and bland. The bun feels like stale foam, and doesn't taste that great. They boast a good variety of fixins, but that's just another sign of excess. The thought of a "bun-less" burger seems kind of ludicrous to me, but I guess if you don't want to fill up on bread, it's a safe alternative. Chicken and fish being offered seems like a desperate reach out to cater to the dates/guests of hamburger fans who don't like burgers themselves. Bottom line - Big Buns is too excessive, too gimmicky, and too far away from being a good hamburger joint. I'll stick to Five Guys or Elevation Burger, instead.
(2)Ariel L.
Sooo good! Their burger will fullfill your satisfaction. Get their sweet potato fries!! It's to die for!! It's aca-awesome!
(5)lilibet m.
I had my first big buns experience last week. I had the beef burger with cheddar, lettuce, tomato and bacon. I thought it was great! The burger was done perfectly and the fries were great. I saw the sweet potato fries go out a few times and will have to try them next time. I also had a chocolate shake and it was great! The perfect thickness. I can't wait to go back again!
(4)Kevin L.
After totally porking out last night at the Carnie Crew convention (who am I kidding, I've been a total glutton all weekend, hello... three dinners on Saturday night), I had lunch plans to meet up with a friend at Big Buns and felt a little unky about even more gut-growing grub. Fortunately, Big Buns offers more options than the typical burger on a bun! So I ended up with the Angus burger in a bowl, with lettuce, slices of tomato, and grilled onions. I kept it relatively simple so I could actually try out the meat, and the honey mustard dressing paired well with the meat and fresh greens. We also shared a basket of their sweet potato fries. Burger... thoroughly enjoyable. Cooked well, although slightly more done than I like. Definitely still juicy. I liked the grilled onions on my bowl/salad. Next time, I'll have to try out their fried onion rings instead. That's what my lunch buddy got on her mahi mahi bowl, and it looks delicious. Truth is, not the most amazing burger ever, but for the price and the speed, definitely worthwhile. If you come here, do not - I repeat - do NOT miss out on the sweet potato fries. I like my bottomless basket of fries at Red Robin, but these blow those fries out of the water. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, seasoned just a little bit, but you can still get at the natural sweetness of the potato... absolute perfection, with or without condiments. And yes, I did just dedicate an entire paragraph in my review to their awesomeness. Cute, clean space, incredibly efficient ordering process and turnaround (face it, you're getting a made-to-order burger, it's going to take a handful of minutes to grill up). Plus, you're supporting local biznass. And, they have Leinenku... er, "Big Buns Brew..." on tap. What's not to like?
(4)E E.
*3 stars for food 5 stars for service* Craving a burger while running errands around Ballston area, I stopped by BBGG for a double angus burger topped with blue cheese. I was surprised that the amicable and garrulous cashier didn't ask me for my temperature preference on the patties, and I inadvertently forgot to request a medium rare due to my ravenous hunger. The buns are HUGE. I mean so huge that I think I tasted for bread than the burger. I did what most Atkins fans elected to do with carbs and discarded the top bun to balance out the flavors. Since I like to top my burgers with every topping in sight, I requested jalepenos and pickles on the side so my mouth and jaws won't suffer after the chowdown. The burger was pretty good, but not fantastic for a burger only joint. The double patties were a bit dry and over cooked; the grilled onions were so huge that they overpowered the patty. Their hot sauce is fantastic, however. I did leave satiated after scarfing down a double burger, sweet potato fries, and a coffee milkshake. I think the best part of the dining experience was the service. The staff are so happy and friendly. They truly appear to enjoy their working environment, and it is so nice to be around such happy people. I must stop by again when I am stressed by work.
(4)Derek H.
Big Buns is the best addition to the little Ballston Quick Dining Scene in a long time. The owner, Craig, is a legitimate dude who knows what it takes to run a good business. Consider this place like "Chipotle... With burgers and chicken sandwiches" as previous reviewers have claimed -- but that is exactly what they were going for. You can order any mix of toppings on a bun or in a bowl; ranging from a burger, chicken sandwich, even a mahi mahi fillet. But unlike Chipotle, you get a Corner Bakery-like number and actually get your food delivered to your table. Also, unlike Chipotle, Big Buns usually has at least one nice microbrew on tap (come here on a friday before going out and get a few nice pitchers with a burger -- definitely a solid investment). In the warmer months, Big Buns has a patio area with a few tables in the Ballston Courtyard between office buildings. It's a nice spot and fills up quickly during lunch; you get a good breeze and view of the fountains and so on.
(5)Matt F.
The scenario. The journey. The arrival: Girlfriend buys Groupon from place called Big Buns, we look it up, check out Yelp (obvi) and decide tonight is the night. We jump in the car (literally, running start, windows down, feet first), click it, put the car in first, pedal to the metal, and we are out to Ballston. Check the address, check Wilson Blvd. Check the address again, look out the window to WIlson Blvd. Eh... Well, this is embarrassing. We couldn't find parking, we couldn't find Big Buns, and somebodddddy forgot how to parallel park. Too close for missiles, we switch to guns, decide to park in the mall deck and do the rest of this on foot. We find it nestled next to that Vapiano's place (sp?) and pretty much hidden away like an Ewok fortress. Finally, we reach the desitnation... Let's do this. Ordering was pretty easy and devoid of "rules" (coughHellburgercough), which makes the first timer at ease. (for sake of comparison you will probably read Hellburger a couple of times in this review) You start by picking your meat, bread, and then move to toppings. There is a healthy portion of add-ons and you can go top shelf if you are in the mood for guac, bacon, or some other stuff that I can't remember. We kept our toppings rail, and both got relatively plain burgers: lettuce tomato pickles grilled onions (she got raw onions... better known as the kissing disease) roasted corn salsa ranch on the side Medium well, which I never get (I like to see my beef bleed). (2) Fries Coleslaw We threw ketchup on that ish, and voile our meal was set to eat. Okay so how was the taste? I immediately noticed the buttered bun with a certain glimmer to the top of the toasted bread and knew there was a good chance of me falling in love tonight. The burger looked manageable and possibly prime for a fry-hand combo, which basically means I can prop the burger-hand elbow on the table while I utilize the unused hand to shovel fries in my mouth. Indeed it is, gorging ensued. Let's move on to the food: First thing I notice when I take the bite is this thing is juicy. The juice was very deceiving as it doesn't look too much like a Hellburger, but it wasn't the bloody, bun soaking juice of the Hellburger that forces you to either crush the burger immediately or drop it into a bath of it's own mess. This juice was welcomed, it was like that fun friend you can handle, but only in moderation, because he always brings Four Loko and you actually like waking up the next morning. The beef tasted great with a nice texture, and obviously the burger was fantastic because my combinations seldom disappoint. I do wish the corn salsa was more spicy as it felt less like a fiesta and more like a siesta in mi boca. (that's an Espanol joke there, jaja). The bun was good, the burger was good, the ranch was delicious, but the salsa was asi asi. Now, we got there an hour before close so before I double stamp this review I want to hold reservations on the fries (that's kinda a restaurant pun, right?), but they seemed double fried in a not-so-bueno way. There was a lot of salt in the seasoning as well, which made me hit the water stand a few times more than I expected. Also, next time we go, and believe you me there will be a next time, we will probably order only one side of fries, however... The coleslaw... The 99 cent coleslaw... was absolutely great; refreshing; sweet, crunchy, and cold. Think Outback salad with cabbage and whatever else is in coleslaw. Cold, man, cold. Great side, and complemented the salty, dry fries very well. So, all together the meal came to just over $25, and completely filled us up. The woman couldn't finish her burger, so I crushed the rest of hers while we both had some fries leftover. Next time I'd like to try the chicken sandwich, a shake, and get my own coleslaw, so maybe I will be able to update this review, but overall I was pleased, and looking forward to coming back. **bonus** the website song... Think the Simpsons where the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant softball team gets a bunch of MLB ringers to play. The song that plays in the credits "We're Talking Softball" by Terry Cashman is what it reminds me of, simply classic.
(4)Bob S.
Pros: - Friendly service. The owners will chat you up. - amazing meats - fish, chicken, or beef burger and it's quality stuff. The chicken is lean and the beef is angus. - wide variety of toppings - egg, bean and mango, sprouts, pineapple, tomato, roasted red pepper, etc. etc. - variety of format - you can get a bowl or bun - Sweet potato and regular fries are amazing. - Milkshake is really good. - they have cheap beer. Cons: - kinda pricey if you're hungry. Doubling your meat usually gets to about $12. - messy - the toppings can fall out and get all over - the bread for the bun is really fluffy. Some may like, some may not.
(5)Todd P.
If three stars means "A-OK", then three stars it is as there were some things I liked about Big Buns and some things I think could have been done better. Things I liked included that they have a nice variety starting with choice of "main" (burgers, chicken, mahi mahi or portobello mushroom), "delivery system" (white, wheat, or bed of lettuce), cheeses (not too many places have havarti as an option), and free toppings. Sides include chips, french or sweet potato fries, and there is a good selection of shakes (including peanut butter and mocha). There was also a variety of hot sauces (regular and jalapeno Tabasco as well as a proprietary habanero hot sauce), a nice barbecue sauce and choice of yellow or brown mustard. Another nice touch is the free syrups for making a vanilla Coke or diet cherry coke. I really appreciate not being nickel and dimed on things like that. I'm normally not a sweet potato fries guy, but these were thin and crunchy which what appeared to be a light dusting of sea salt. Finally, the guy who was working out in the dining room was awesome. He was quick with the food, friendly, and helpful. What I didn't like was that it didn't seem they cooked the burgers to order. That is fine at a place like Five Guys which can pull it off with still making a juicy burger. My burger was medium well and some how tasted dry even though it was greasy. The buns would have been nice, especially since they grill them, that is if they weren't stale. The cheese was a skimpy thin single slice of cheddar that might as well not been on the burger, as I couldn't taste it. One non-food issue aside, parking isn't the best in this area and the location is hidden in a courtyard away from the street. With the choice of proteins and fresh toppings, you can mix n' match to make a wide variety of dining options for yourself. I wish the burgers were cooked to order and the buns were fresher, and the cheese had either had a stronger taste or that there had been more of it. All of these things taken as a whole balance out into three stars.
(3)Courtney R.
I'm a burger ho, so five stars it is. Craving a burger and Carpool was closed until noon, so we walked down to Ballston. It was WORTH IT. Since it was elevensies time, I went for a burger with bacon, egg and cheese. DELISH. Fork and knife required. Whole wheat bun: more than satisfactory. I couldn't finish it; that's saying something as it was my first meal of the day. The meat is very savory somehow, if a tad salty. We also split some fries: nothing to write home about. If i was with a more adventurous partner in dine I would have gone for the sweet potato ones. I'll be back. It's got all the things I love: burgers, hot Latino cashiers, free refills and a place outside where you can smoke if no one else is about.
(5)Antonio P.
There is some quality here, unfortunately it's not to (my) taste. The buns aren't good, weird. The tomatoes were cut too thick, giving the overall burger a round feel like trying to grasp a slippery tennis ball between two plates. The honey mustard, I'm pretty sure, is just honey. All of the tables I attempted to sit at were quite sticky, which is just annoying. The service seems like it should be quicker. Otherwise, some decent quality; and not absurdly priced!
(3)Jen M.
Came here twice with coworkers. Cons -The patty isn't too flavorful and is usually a bit overdone for my taste. -Big Buns is right: the bun itself is huge and dry -Beware: Can get quite crowded on weekdays at lunchtime. -I wish they had some set styles of burger like Ray's Hellburger does. I feel all flustered when I order because I can't figure out on the spot what toppings I want and what would be good together. PLUS all those extras add up to a pretty pricey burger. Burger, Fries and drink will generally cost about $11. Pros -The condiment bar with all kinds of hot sauces, vinegar, olive oil, ketchup, mustard, etc. -Tasty sweet potato fries. -Great outdoor seating on nice days. -Eco-friendly cups and plates. Overall, it's not horrible, but I just don't find it good enough to be worth the price or the calories/carbs/cholesterol.
(2)Andrew I.
Burgers are okay, as they are everywhere in America. It's the easiest thing on the planet to cook and make tasty, and it's odd how they've become a fad. It's better than like 5 Guys or something, with not much weird aftertaste (which effects seemingly every commercially made hamburger around here). Here you can get it on salad instead of a big bun, but still this is a place for fatties only, and that's how it's marketed and that's a-ok. Definitely not worth a trip to Ballston. However, I never seen a restaurant put out so much pollution. It pours out of the restaurant, steam combined with acrid grey smoke that will make you hack. It pools in the alley and spills out onto Glebe Rd, making the Wilson and Glebe intersection look like Beijing at times. This one restaurant! Other times it sits in the courtyard, enveloping the elderly from the retirement home across the path. If it was just water vapor that's one thing, but this is rather acrid sometimes, like when I burn something in a dirty oven and my eyes sting and I start to lose oxygen to my brain. This is industrial type pollution. I take it not many are bothered by this. I don't think it's particularly a health hazard even though I do have preexisting respiratory problems which are sometimes exacerbated. I am not anti-business, certainly not anti-meat, but would prefer they would build future stores away from offices and old folks homes, into a more car-centric area. It's open air around here, but lots of buildings and rather closed in. Funneling it to the alley isn't good enough anymore. Just don't know why I can't breathe invisible air at lunchtime anymore.
(2)Ann L.
This place is a Chipotle for burgers. The whole setup, both in terms of the space and how you order from the menu is the same. It's as though some high kid at Chipotle thought about how he wanted a burger instead of a burrito and went out and made his dream come true. But unlike Chipotle, this place is bad at what it does. I went back and had a burger. What do you know, it was worse than my chicken. Go figure. Like Dean says, it was raw and burnt at the same time. I ended up not eating the center because I was afraid of getting ill. Despite the concept being a total rip-off, I actually like the concept. I just wish they did what they're supposed to do, give me good food! Make a decent hamburger. When I order it on a salad, give me a fresh salad that hasn't been sitting in the fridge for three days. When I order a chocolate milkshake, use chocolate ice cream, not vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup!
(2)Ani P.
Big Buns sounds dirty, doesn't it? Like, "hey baby, I wanna stuff my sausage in your...." Anyhow, I met up with Yelpers for a hot second. Parking in Ballston(?) is generally a beyotch, but surprisingly enough, I was able to find easy peasy parking during lunchtime. I ordered at the counter. This place is a gluten free girl's dream. They offer salad burger bowls. No buns!! I ordered the mahi mahi. There's tons of toppings that are free (think Five Guys) and I went basically insane and asked for all veggies. However, I got weak and ordered the sweet potato fries. The sweet potato fries made me feel pregnant. I love fries. I started eating a few and I immediately felt queasy. But then again, I do have a sensitive tummy. Anyhow, not fair to blame queasiness on fries -- let's wait another 9 months for that determination. My salad burger was awesome. It's exactly how I like my burger. A bed of lettuce (granted the lettuce was romaine, I would have gone ga-ga for mixed greens), the "burger" choice (fish or beef or chicken or portabello mushroom) and lots of free veggie toppings that are hella good(tomatoes, grilled onions, juicy mushrooms, corn, black beans, etc). A burger in a bowl is basically a guilt free burger or can be. I like the option!!! I'm a fan. Unless, I'm pregnant. Then I blame YOU Big Buns.
(3)C Q.
We don't work in the area and parking is not easy, so we don't come here often. We got a Living Social deal and a free burger card, so we figured we used both and be done with it. The person who took our order was friendly. But she might have been new to the job. Someone else came out and re-did our order. And it turned out we couldn't use the voucher and the free burger card in the same order. In case anyone else wants to do that, just make separate orders. We got burgers and chicken in the bowl. The burgers were pretty good, but not as good as I remembered. I think the burgers from Fuddruckers were better than what we had that day. Chicken in the bowl were just ok. Some of the lettuce didn't seem fresh. While we like both types of salsa, adding both on top the bed of lettuce seem a little too much. But that was my choice of toppings, so it's not their fault. There were nothing wrong with the food, but we didn't love the burgers. That's why I only give them 3 stars this time.
(3)Eric N.
Still a solid 4 stars after a year of coming here. Got the sweet potato fries along with my burger. Not perfect but Big Buns is definitely up there with being one of the best burgers in Northern VA. Burgers when you add extras get pricey, and the syrups that they have sitting for you to add to drinks have been probably sitting for a WHILE, so they are completely tasteless.
(4)JOM X.
My first solid 4 stars and the first of many I hope. Pretty good burgers, awesome sweet potato fries and their sauces were pretty damn good. I had the ranch and the asian sauce and oth were delicious. They have a great selection of cheeses and toppings to sufficiently amplify the taste of your meal. They even give you the choice of avoiding the bun at big buns and getting your burger, chicken breast, or portabello mushroom on a bed of lettuce. They have the basic selection of bottled beer (bud, yuengling, etc.) and their own draft. The beer price is pretty good and it's worth a happy hour/dinner visit if you are in the area. Did I mention that the sauces were pretty damn good? It doesn't have the bar type atmosphere so it's not a place for you to sloshed over your recent break up. The food is a little pricey, but hey, it's Arlington and 2011. It's damn near impossible to get a meal anywhere for 5 dollars or under - even McDonald's. I will save that rant for another day. I will definitely be back. And seriously, the sauces, don't forget to try the sauces...yum.
(4)James H.
Always an easy choice when meeting some friends in the area. Good burgers and sweet potato fries, as well as some outdoor seating and (cheap) beer on site. Downside is that as a pescetarian, the only "veggie" burger is a portobella cap, which while an interesting replacement, doesn't really say "burger" to me. Still, I throw some onion rings, cheese, and toppings on it and it is always tasty, even if it won't hold together to eat as a burger. The sweet potato fries side is a must, and is usually big enough to share (though sometimes a bit salty) and if you get the "topping" of onion rings, you are getting an order of 4-5 fist-sized rings, so consider that a side to share as well. Sure to return, for that casual get together.
(3)Jessica A.
Really friendly. I grab take out burgers and "salads" often. Prices could be a little better for the portions but that's Arlington.
(4)Hue K.
One of kind burger place!! From top to bottom and inside and out, you feel so green here. Somehow This whole green-touch makes you feel just good and healthy about eating big beef (chicken, mahi-mahi or mushroom) burger with shake and fries. It has spacious sitting tables are inside and if the weather is nice, there are some outdoor sitting you can enjoy too. So much variety and you can make burger into salad just by replacing bun with lettuce in a bowl. Price is great too. Great value and what a fun way to enjoy your burger!! There are free syrups for a few kinds of flavor (vanilla and etc...) for your tea or soda (make your own vanilla coke!). Want to eat BIG Angus beef cheese burger without feeling guilty? Go to big-bun and have a happy burger day! :)
(5)Valencia W.
Came here on a rainy day after getting turned down by Grand Cru. I had no problem with the food, they've got variety and several choices of meat. Great place to meet up with friends. I like the fact that you can choose a no bun, regular bun or wheat bun. That's a nice touch. I loved the strawberry shake and I think that's what made it even better. I would recommend it to others, but my preference is for 5 guys...
(3)Antonio M.
Antonio likes the Big Buns.... Wasn't "wowed" but I enjoyed my first visit to the double-B. Came here with two of my former coworker buddies for lunch. I was excited after visiting the BB website and after reading a few of the Yelp reviews. As much as I wanted to get a burger, I wanted something light and opted for the mahi mahi as the dead animal of choice. All of the toppings are quite impressive and I placed an order for mahi mahi on a bun with a friggin' mountain order of toppings. I think the main reason I went crazy with the toppings order was to see how they could pile on all that goodness on my sammich. It was also a great way for me to sample the various toppings. Here's the list of toppings I chose for my mahi mahi (not to be confused with my wife of a similar name) sandwich: - Pickles - Jalapenos - Lettuce - Tomatoes - Grilled Onions - Roasted Red Peppers - Roasted Corn Salsa - Mushrooms - Chipotle Pesto Aioli As I finished placing my order, I was truly tempted to buy a beer to go with my drink but instead opted for a small fountain soda. I also ordered a side of fries and the bill for the sammich, drink and fries came out to just over $12. The layout of this BB location is very similar to the layout of a Chipotle with benches and chairs in the center and a line area leading straight to the register. We found table, and chatted away as we waited for a server to bring our food. For those of you thinking of going there, when you order your food "to eat in" you're given a number and must then find a seat where a server will bring out your food. When the sandwich finally arrived (at bit of a wait due to the lunch rush), I was impressed at the size of the *ahem* Big Bun and all the toppings piled high on my mahi mahi. At first glance, the mahi mahi was represented by a four thin strips of fish and had a flimsy dry appearance. I didn't wait and grabbed my monster sized sandwhich and took a huge bite. The mahi mahi wasn't impressive in flavor but all the toppings did save the sandwich. There was so much flavor coming from the grilled onions and roasted red peppers that the bland taste of fish almost didn't matter. I really enjoyed the toppings and did my best to best navigate my mouth around the puffy bread without making too much of a mess. One of my friends ordered the chicken sandwich which looked juicy and much more impressive than my thin mahi mahi strips. I coveted her sandwich and knew that I definitely need to come back to try the chicken or hamburger sandwiches. Luckily I wasn't completely turned off by the flavor / size of the mahi mahi and would love to return and give BB another try. Next time I'll bring the monkeys and the wife who is our resident sweet potato fry connoisseur.
(3)Serena B.
How many damn burger places do we have in the DC area? It's kind of crazy... I was a bit overwhelmed by the buns here...they are big buns..but they aren't really that great. Sure, the pick-your-own toppings is nice, but couldn't they provide a few suggested combinations? The meat had a hint of spice, which I couldn't decide if I liked it or not. It was kind of odd. The sweet potato fries were delicious! They were just the right amount of crunchy without being over-done.
(3)Leellani C.
I like big buns and I can not lie......good burger, fries, grilled fish an rings. Chipotle sauce kicks .........yes it does and I don't like mayo like or based sauce but I like this.....
(5)Brendan H.
I walked into this glorious establishment for the first time today at lunch. My friends and I were going to eat at PF Chang's but the wait was too long for a lunch break so I made the executive decision to try Big Buns out and I must say it is probably the best decision I have ever made in my life. I'm often intimidated when ordering at new places just because I don't know what I'm doing, but Big Buns really dumbed it down for morons like me with a step-by-step process of greatness. The list of toppings was amazing, I went with the jalapenos (they're the fresh kind, spicy as hell, none of this nancyboy pickled garbage) grilled onions, lettuce, tomato, and chipotle sauce. I sat down for about 2 minutes and they came out with my burger. I'm pretty sure I set a new record in the amount of time it took me to wolf down that heavenly goodness, I was worried I'd be going over my lunch break time but no, after eating I still had 20 minutes to sit there and flex (much to the delight of ladies everywhere). As I was walking out the fella who greeted us when we first walked in said "Thanks a lot guys, I hope you enjoyed your first time" and I responded "Thank you sir you have revolutionized my life." I feel the only reason I can think of for someone to not try this place is because they're Freedom hating chumps who would like to push old women into traffic rather than eat a glorious glorious burger with all the fixins. Thank you Big Buns. And God bless your soul.
(4)Robert B.
Have been here for lunch a few times and enjoy going regularly. It's a place that focuses clearly on their core strength - burgers - and doesn't let go. The fries are great and the selection is varied. Definitely on my list of places to go.
(5)Jerry G.
This is a very poor burger. The secret to a good burger is simple. A properly cooked high quality beef patty. This place failed on all accounts. Patty was dry, tough, overcooked and over seasoned. Bread was good. Fries were average. Chipotle sauce was above average. There are much better burger joints in the DMV. For those interested just look for organic grass-fed beef. The restaurant should also grind the meat on the spot daily. On the bright side, the decor was nice and the service was great.
(1)Desiree D.
Extremely juicy burgers, almost too juicy. The juice from the 80/20 angus beef patties run down your arms and if you're not careful will make your fries soggy. Great sweet potato fries and good coleslaw. More than enough choices between meats, buns and sides. Also the option for draft beers and pitchers, milkshakes or a root beer float. Not the easiest place to find as it is tucked between big buildings but nice and relaxing to enoy a bite on the patio.
(4)Tom G.
This is my favorite stop when biking around Arlington, as I use the thousand or so calories I've burned as a justification to stop into this hidden away burger mecca. The burgers seem much bigger than at BGR or Five Guys and the fries are quite hot and crispy. They also have sweet potato, but I get regular. If you get one of the dressings on your burger you can really make a mess of yourself. I recommend the Chipotle Pesto aoili. It's tucked away in a courtyard of a highrise near the intersection of Wilson and Glebe. The bike rack is around the corner from the place which worried me for a minute, but hey, if it gets swiped, it gets swiped. Then I have an excuse for a new one.
(4)Jessica J.
Me and my boyfriend go here when we have a taste for a very good burger. Their burgers are phenomenal...First of all the menu is very diverse. You burger is cooked when you order and not some patty that has been sitting three hours before you got there...they have a good selection of cheeses and toppings (even fried egg) to put on the burger. And those who arent big fans of meat or beef, they have chicken, mahi mahi, and portobello burgers. I havent had any but the beef but I have heard very good things about their other selections. The only thing that bothers me about this place is the LOCATION! It is hidden away behind tall buildings and unless you are purposely looking for it, its very easy to miss it. However, this is my favorite burger joint! Hands down!
(5)Notmy R.
This is good-quality, fast, fresh food. I can recommend the burgers "in a bowl" (basically, over a salad): a good way to have a semi-healthy, tasty meal. The sweet potato fries are also worth a try, if you want to go for that sort of thing. The place is hopping at lunch time and a bit noisy, so not the best place for a quiet conversation or for a large group, but that's not the target audience anyway. Bottom line: Recommended for a quick, affordable lunch.
(4)Becky C.
I purchased a Groupon for Big Buns awhile back and today was in the neighborhood today for lunch and thought I would redeem that fella. I got the portabella mushroom burger on a wheat bun with jalapenos, lettuce, sprouts, grilled onions, roasted red peppers, guacamole and vinaigrette. I also got the sweet potato fries. I mean...it wasn't bad, but it wasn't anything all that outstanding. My total was about $12 (my Groupon was $15), which seemed pretty steep for what I was getting. Although, the portions are plentiful and I do like the concept -- another Yelper described it as the Chipotle model for burgers. I was surprised how long it took, considering a portablla cap should grill up fairly quickly. I'm not sure if I'll be back. If it comes up as a Groupon again, I'd probably go that route. It's in an area that's hard to find parking and sort of hidden behind the Vapiano building so don't expect to see it from the street!
(3)Tina C.
Their burger is ok, noting special, though a lot better than chain fast food. But I've had better burgers else where. The ground beef is good quality but I was disappointed that they cooked it medium well without telling me first. If I had known I would have asked for medium or medium rare. So disappointed for a nice large burger.
(3)David M.
Just delicious. The burger had an A+ authentic grilled taste and was a really good size and feel. The fries were good but not great. The various dipping sauces they have are very good, particularly the BBQ. Two reasons I didn't give this place 5 stars: 1) It gets a little pricey. 2) Really didn't care for the milkshake. Can't really pin point why, it just wasted a little off. Also, it was a little too thick for my taste. Regardless, I highly recommend giving this place a try if you haven't already. Even if you don't intend to, if you walk by the smell outside will draw you in!
(4)Hsing P.
This place definitely deserves a 5. For you West coast people, do you remember those Carl's Jr. pictures where the burger looked super scrumptuous and every bite was a burst of flavor? Well sadly, that never happened when you ate a Carl's Jr. burger for me, because I would feel disgusting with all the fat that I had inhaled. But here at Big Buns, you feel like you are in that commercial. The burger was scrumptuous, and you would gladly let it get all over your face. A fish fillet burger with grilled onions, lettuce, gouda cheese, mayo, and pesto aioli on whole wheat buns was just amazing. If you want a sight for sore eyes, get your "burger" in a bowl (the equivalent of a chipotle burrito in a bowl), and it'll look just amazing. The steak fries were cooked perfectly and seasoned perfectly, but a little pricey. Let's just say, that I can't wait to go back. Maybe I'll go there again today with some beer on hand.
(5)Chris S.
Wow I am surprised to come here and see such good reviews. Got the beef burger, blue cheese, onion straws (rings) and bbq. It was good, but not great. The best part of the meal, I think, was the do-it-yourself vanilla and cherry flavor for the soda. Fries were forgettable.22$ for two burgers, one fry two drinks. I'll stick with the red robin next door.
(3)Kunal M.
Close to work so I go here often mahi mahi burger on wheat With jack cheese grilled onions Jalapeno,tomato,pineapple is what I order. How it works Make upur own combo Bowl or burger with choice of meat and Toppings. Very high quality food Excellent fries, nice outdoor area Perfect for office lunch
(5)Mikkela T.
I LOVE A GOOD BURGER! Juicy, charred, tender inside and topped with bacon, avocado, mango etc. etc. I'm not saying it's better than when I make it at home but it gets real close, except that at home (boohoo), I don't have a grill that allows me to shoot flames five feet into the air. Oh, and I don't always have a cute guy at my beck and call... Sure, the seats are hard. Sure, the guy didn't come ask ME how my burger was. Sure, you know that once this place gets found, they'll have to throw in more tables willy nilly. Sure, sure... blah, blah... seriously, my only comment would be that there's only one ladies' room and it's not drunken-madness-safe. Once this place gets crowded... watch out! But, my coffee flavored milk shake with whipped cream and sweet potato fries (I even got a side of mayo) were good. My friend's bun was wheat. Yeah for choice. The avocado was perfectly ripe. Yeah! The fries while not super-crisp seemed less oily. Triple yeah! But most importantly, my burger (wide, flat and irregular like a lot of us) was pure meat all the way to the last drop. Friendly staff, casual, pleasant... in a little piazza, next to a wine shop... take me away!
(5)Elliot N.
Big buns checks all the boxes if you want a burger and fries that actually tastes good, isn't horrendous for you to eat and won't break the bank. They have a great range of toppings to choose from, all burgers are made fresh to order and the sweet potato fries are great. Especially love big buns in the summer as they gave an outdoor patio. Even though the burgers are made to order it's not slow and the staff are always friendly. One very minor thing in the 'cons' column... They don't take American Express so make sure you have Visa, MasterCard or cash
(4)Ed S.
The Search for the World's Perfect Burger: Review #1 The Bottom Line: 2.5 stars. The sweet potato fries are solid, but the burger is dry and unremarkable, despite the veritable cornucopia of free toppings. --- Extended Comments: I am a lover of all types of foods, and I am willing to try almost any food, e.g. stinky tofu, durian, balut. But I've concluded that the perfect food is a burger and fries, and I'm searching for the world's perfect burger. The search for the perfect burger might as well begin in my neighborhood, and the most noteworthy burger joint in my immediate environs is Big Buns. I had heard good things about Big Buns from friends and had read good reviews on Yelp, so I went in with somewhat high expectations. The burger did not meet the expectations, and I think I would have been disappointed even if I had gone in with no expectations. The burger was underwhelming, largely because the meat was dry and not very flavorful. There were some positives - the bun was tasty, I appreciated being able to choose from a veritable cornucopia of free toppings, and the sweet potato fries were good - but they could not compensate for the subpar beef patty, which is the essence of a good burger. The Big Buns burger tasted relatively healthy for a burger and was not greasy, but if I wanted to eat healthy, I wouldn't be eating a burger in the first place. I tried my wife's mahi mahi burger, and it wasn't much better, as it was relatively lacking in flavor. Ultimately, I was somewhat happy because eating most burgers will invariably increase my utility, and I felt healthy for having eaten a bunch of veggies on my burger. But overall, it was a disappointment and was decidedly average.
(2)Mike A.
Just had lunch here, an Angus burger with a shared order of fries. Upon walking in my friend, who had been here before, began instructing me on how to order. I found looking up much easier, as they have it spelled out in steps on the menu. The setup was very nice, and the seating area was cozy with plenty of room for groups. They give you a number when you order and bring your food right to the table. My burger was tasty and juicy (a bit dangerous considering how hot it was when it arrived), and the chipotle sauce was amazing. I was a bit disappointed on how easily it fell apart though, and ended up eating half of it after it fell out of the bun. Also, I ordered it with onions and it would have been better if they actually cut up the onions, as the rather large pieces also fell out as I was eating. The fries were good, but nothing special. Probably my favorite thing was the selection of syrups by the sodas. My friend insisted on mixing the vanilla with my orange soda, which, while a small thing, definitely adds a nice touch. Best Buns doesn't have the best burgers in town, but is well worth the money and at least one visit.
(3)Sheila D.
Dude I warped into the "Hamburgler" at this joint-I wanted it all! lol! The options are endless when it comes to building your burger. This isn't your average burger place and I definately like this place more than Five Guys, probably because it's not on every corner in town. And the fact that their burger beat out one of Bobby Flays burgers is A-OK w/me! BTW, don't forget to order a side of sweet potatoe fries to top it off!
(4)