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Name: Lunchbox Laboratory
Address: 1253 Thomas St, Seattle, WA, 98109
Telephone: (206) 621-1090
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.44

Lunchbox Laboratory

1253 Thomas St, Seattle, WA, 98109

(206) 621-1090
Store is closed

Lunchbox Laboratory Menu

Appetizer Experiments

Sweet and Spicy Fried Pickles

Bacon Brussels

Cheese Curds

Funyun Chicharrones

Buffalo Chicken Roll Ups

Dogsticks

Gavacho's Totchos

Poutine

Sweet and Spicy Fried Pickles

Bacon Brussels

Cheese Curds

Funyun Chicharrones

Buffalo Chicken Roll Ups

Dogsticks

Gavacho's Totchos

Poutine
Burger Experiments

Burger of the Gods

OG Tear Jerker Burger

The Classic 'Merican Burger

Shroom and Truffle Shuffle Burger

Faux Real Burger

The COD Father Burger

Bahn, James Bahn Burger

Cluck Norris Burger

The Smoker Burger

Homage to Dick's Deluxe Burger

James West Burger

Mac Daddy 'Merican Burger

47/53 Burger

Casablanca Burger

Eggs Bentura: Breakfast Detective Burger

Psychedelectable Burger

Tear Jerker Part Dos Burger

Burger of the Gods

OG Tear Jerker Burger

The Classic 'Merican Burger

Shroom and Truffle Shuffle Burger

Faux Real Burger

The COD Father Burger

Bahn, James Bahn Burger

Cluck Norris Burger

The Smoker Burger

Homage to Dick's Deluxe Burger

James West Burger

Mac Daddy 'Merican Burger

47/53 Burger

Casablanca Burger

Eggs Bentura: Breakfast Detective Burger

Psychedelectable Burger

Tear Jerker Part Dos Burger
Lab Faves

Fish & Fries

Caesar

Lab Chop Chop

Mac and Caesar

Fish & Fries

Caesar

Lab Chop Chop

Mac and Caesar
Virgin Shakes

The Drunken Elvis Virgin Shake

Caramel Macchiato Virgin Shake

Cinnamon Toast Crunk Virgin Shake

The Drunken Elvis Virgin Shake

Caramel Macchiato Virgin Shake

Cinnamon Toast Crunk Virgin Shake
Beverages

Mexican Coke

Small Shakes

Soda

Iced Tea

Fresh Squeezed Lemonade

Strawberry Lemonade

Fresh Squeezed OJ

Arnold Palmer

Caffe Vita Coffee

Rishi Organic Hot Teas

All Natural Shakes

Mexican Coke

Small Shakes

Soda

Iced Tea

Fresh Squeezed Lemonade

Strawberry Lemonade

Fresh Squeezed OJ

Arnold Palmer

Caffe Vita Coffee

Rishi Organic Hot Teas

All Natural Shakes
Salad Experiments (Archived)

South Lake Caesar Salad

New Mexican Salad

Lab Chop Chop Salad

South Lake Caesar Salad

New Mexican Salad

Lab Chop Chop Salad
Mac and Caesar Salad (Archived)

Build Your Own Mac and Caesar Salad

Build Your Own Mac and Caesar Salad
Virgin Shakes (Archived)

The Drunken Elvis Shake (Non-Alcoholic)

Caramel Macchiato Shake

Cinnamon Toast Crunk Shake

The Drunken Elvis Shake (Non-Alcoholic)

Caramel Macchiato Shake

Cinnamon Toast Crunk Shake
Boozie Shakes (Archived)

The Drunken Elvis Virgin Shake

The Drunken Elvis Shake

Caramel Macchiato Virgin Shake

Caramel Macchiato Shake

Cinnamon Toast Crunk Virgin Shake

Cinnamon Toast Crunk Shake

The Drunken Elvis Virgin Shake

The Drunken Elvis Shake

Caramel Macchiato Virgin Shake

Caramel Macchiato Shake

Cinnamon Toast Crunk Virgin Shake

Cinnamon Toast Crunk Shake
Fish and Fries (Archived)

Fish and Fries

Fish and Fries
Build Your Own Burger (Archived)

Build Your Own Burger

Build Your Own Burger

Healthy Meal suggestions for Lunchbox Laboratory

Appetizer Experiments

Sweet and Spicy Fried Pickles [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bacon Brussels [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheese Curds [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Funyun Chicharrones [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Buffalo Chicken Roll Ups [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Dogsticks [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gavacho's Totchos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Poutine [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sweet and Spicy Fried Pickles [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bacon Brussels [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheese Curds [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Funyun Chicharrones [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Buffalo Chicken Roll Ups [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Dogsticks [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gavacho's Totchos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Poutine [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Burger Experiments

Burger of the Gods [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

OG Tear Jerker Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Classic 'Merican Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shroom and Truffle Shuffle Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Faux Real Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The COD Father Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bahn, James Bahn Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cluck Norris Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Smoker Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Homage to Dick's Deluxe Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

James West Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mac Daddy 'Merican Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

47/53 Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Casablanca Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Eggs Bentura: Breakfast Detective Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Psychedelectable Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tear Jerker Part Dos Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Burger of the Gods [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

OG Tear Jerker Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Classic 'Merican Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shroom and Truffle Shuffle Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Faux Real Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The COD Father Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bahn, James Bahn Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cluck Norris Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Smoker Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Homage to Dick's Deluxe Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

James West Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mac Daddy 'Merican Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

47/53 Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Casablanca Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Eggs Bentura: Breakfast Detective Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Psychedelectable Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tear Jerker Part Dos Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Lab Faves

Fish & Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caesar [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lab Chop Chop [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mac and Caesar [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fish & Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caesar [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lab Chop Chop [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mac and Caesar [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Virgin Shakes

The Drunken Elvis Virgin Shake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caramel Macchiato Virgin Shake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cinnamon Toast Crunk Virgin Shake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Drunken Elvis Virgin Shake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caramel Macchiato Virgin Shake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cinnamon Toast Crunk Virgin Shake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Beverages

Mexican Coke [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Small Shakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soda [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Iced Tea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fresh Squeezed Lemonade [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Strawberry Lemonade [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fresh Squeezed OJ [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arnold Palmer [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caffe Vita Coffee [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rishi Organic Hot Teas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

All Natural Shakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mexican Coke [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Small Shakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soda [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Iced Tea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fresh Squeezed Lemonade [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Strawberry Lemonade [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fresh Squeezed OJ [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arnold Palmer [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caffe Vita Coffee [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rishi Organic Hot Teas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

All Natural Shakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Salad Experiments (Archived)

South Lake Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

New Mexican Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lab Chop Chop Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

South Lake Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

New Mexican Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lab Chop Chop Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Mac and Caesar Salad (Archived)

Build Your Own Mac and Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Build Your Own Mac and Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Virgin Shakes (Archived)

The Drunken Elvis Shake (Non-Alcoholic) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caramel Macchiato Shake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cinnamon Toast Crunk Shake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Drunken Elvis Shake (Non-Alcoholic) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caramel Macchiato Shake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cinnamon Toast Crunk Shake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Boozie Shakes (Archived)

The Drunken Elvis Virgin Shake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Drunken Elvis Shake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caramel Macchiato Virgin Shake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caramel Macchiato Shake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cinnamon Toast Crunk Virgin Shake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cinnamon Toast Crunk Shake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Drunken Elvis Virgin Shake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Drunken Elvis Shake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caramel Macchiato Virgin Shake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caramel Macchiato Shake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cinnamon Toast Crunk Virgin Shake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cinnamon Toast Crunk Shake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Fish and Fries (Archived)

Fish and Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fish and Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Build Your Own Burger (Archived)

Build Your Own Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Build Your Own Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Malcolm L.

Food is good. Would go back.
(4)
C Y.

The food is very good, but way over-priced.
(4)
chuan h.

It's your typical Seattle burger, too dry (medium rare isn't even an option), with too many dumb toppings designed by some hipster restaurant consultant. In addition you get poor service -- there must have been a staff member per table, yet service was slow, I had to flag someone down to place our order, and our water glasses were never refilled. Normally I don't complain about little stuff like that, but the blase attitude in this place really rubbed me the wrong way. For a better, friendlier burger, try Uneeda.
(2)
Claire J.

I'm a total groupie for the old lunchbox lab in ballard. soooo good. I was really looking forward to trying their new location in SLU. Being a die hard, I made sure to show up on opening day. Only to get there and find out they closed early (I arrived at 6pm on a Saturday?) because "their kitchen was so busy all day". Hmmm......isn't this normally the goal on opening day? Maybe not a great way to kick things off. Being a die hard, I tried again the following day. Hosts were friendly, servers were friendly, but they all seemed lost. The menu is so very limited from the original and the portions are smaller (still alot of food). I asked for cheese on my burger and was denied. Apparently, there are "no substitutions until the kitchen staff gets better at executing the menu". BAHAH what?! They can't throw a piece of cheese on my burg? So basically, kitchen staff can't handle being busy or substitutions, but I noticed they were managing to have a nice conversation in the kitchen. Dick's gets away with this no substitution rule because they are quick and dirt cheap. If I'm sitting down for a $15 burger, you will give me a damn piece of cheese. The food is still awesome. I miss the salts (so unique!) and the kitschy, quirky atmosphere is gone only to be replaced with what looks to be the beginnings of a franchise venture. Maybe I'm a harsh critic, but you guys seem to have seriously sold out and lost what was so awesome about LBL to begin with. I'll try again in a few months and hopefully your identity crisis will be over and kitchen staff will learn to suck it up and hustle so this place can be awesome once again.
(2)
Jeff M.

My wife and I were very loyal fans of the South Lake Grill. We were there through numerous ownership transitions and ups and downs. I have to say that the Lunchbox transition will be our last. We spent 4-5K per year at SLG (at least) , and now we will go elsewhere. Sorry guys... Why?.... * Burgers are the only menu choice..they are tasty but come on.... * We spent $85.00 for a party of three (before tip), at a burger place. * Burgers are tasty, but greasy. * No happy hour * Restaurant closes at 7:00 pm, what a joke * Mostly new staff, what was wrong with the old staff? * Manager with no personality, should run a hight volume McD. He would be good at that * Sports, not here...they will not spend the extra $ to even have FSN, come on. We may stop by if our friends are working there, SLG had an excellent bar crew and a few nice wait staff....but we will move our dining dollars elsewhere.\ A sad day for us for sure. We miss SLG. The Schmidt's invited us to a customer focus group a few years ago, and not one of the recommendations were heeded.. Perhaps their experience with Taco del Mar will be repeated through their arrogance.
(1)
Patrick L.

get bacon in your burger. get a duck patty. im a gourmet burger snob (father's office in la, minetta tavern in ny and many more), and this burger definitely hit the spot. it was the one with pepperjack cheese. the spicy one. wow. the bun was typical, but the patty was so moist and juicy. but, forget the shake. nothing to write home about.
(4)
Rick S.

Bottom Line - This is a solid burger place; however, if you have been to the Ballard location, you'll leave reminiscing about the old location and the quality of the food there. My main gripe is that they are no longer getting the kaiser roll from Grand Central Bakery, and are instead using a bread that is so dense it ends up overpowering the burger. I came for lunch with a friend on Friday, 11 February 2011. We ordered the following: Burger of the Gods ($12.99) - My friend ordered this. He thought there were too many onions and not enough gorgonzola. He devoured the burger in only a few minutes, so I think it was definitely good enough to eat. The Sweetie ($13.99) - I ordered this because I was a fan of the lamb burger at their old place. This burger was good, but the caramelized onions were on the more raw side... they should have been cooked a bit longer than they were. I was satisfied with the burger. Overall, the new burgers are definitely smaller than at their old location... I was able to finish a 1/4 pound burger without any problems. At their old location, I could not really finish the same burger. Others have mentioned and I will confirm that they are using new buns for the burgers... I confirmed the new buns are still coming from the Grand Central Bakery; however, they are no longer using the kaiser rolls they were before. In my opinion, the kaiser roll was one of the main things that really made their burger good. The new buns are more hefty and more dry. I am not a fan of the new buns AT ALL and this will be the main factor of why I will not be yearning to come back. The main reason I'm downgrading the Lunchbox Laboratory from 4 to 3 stars (3 stars = A-OK) is mostly due to the bun. I think the bun really made the burger at the Ballard location, and it broke it for me here. Is Lunchbox Laboratory still Seattle's best burger? I think the gap with the competition has closed significantly. The same day I came to Lunchbox Laboratory, we also went to The Tin Table (on Capitol Hill) and my friend had the burger there... he said The Tin Table's burger is definitely the best burger he's had in Seattle, even after having the Lunchbox Laboratory burger on the same day! The bill for the two of us came to $26.98 + 2.70 tax = $29.68 + tip. Please bring back the kaiser roll!!!!!!!!!!!!
(3)
Sher Tay O.

It wasn't bad. We were simply looking to eat a burger before leaving Seattle, WA. It was decent food.
(3)
Vivian N.

Came here in March when I visited Seattle for work.... was this place memorable for me? not so much. I ordered the Dork and didn't think it was that flavorful, but the buns were good though. sweet potato fries are always a win in my book... not sure how you can ruin them. I also ordered the boston cream donut shake, finished probably 1/4 of it wished it tasted more like a donut or a boston cream something! I would've mistaken the shake for a chocolate shake if anything. This place was a one hit wonder for my visit.
(3)
Steve V.

Came here for dinner on a Friday and it was pretty good. We had the room upstairs reserved for our group which was clutch. There was plenty of room for kids and strollers, etc. There was lounge type area along with regular tables. TVs are abound playing sports. We had a designated server and bartender to serve us and the line was never too long. I had the Burger of the Gods and it was amazing! The size of the burger and the fries doesn't disappoint and is worth the high price. Love the vibe here, but parking can be tough.
(4)
Katya L.

I thought my expectations were sufficiently curbed by the so-so reviews of the new location (disclaimer: I had never been to the old location so I can't compare) but when I finally got around to visiting Lunchbox Laboratory, I still walked away unimpressed. Yes, the burgers are enormous and the combinations are unique and creative and the portions are big enough for two meals and you'll leave wanting to be rolled out like a barrel in a food coma. That's all true. However, I was disappointed by the flavors and the prices. I got the Smoker burger and it was definitely on the bland side. I could only manage half of it and passed the other half to the boy without regrets. (He ate it later. Not even he could eat a burger and a half here. He had the Dork, and liked it.) Usually I cling to my leftovers like a life raft but this time I didn't want to bother. The flavors weren't worth the grease and the calories. The standout part of our meal was definitely the salted caramel milkshake with Kahlua. That I'd come back for. Everything else was nothing to write home about. The bill, for three burgers with sides, one milkshake and two drinks was over $60. Yikes! If I'm going to pay $20 (before tip) for a burger and a drink, it better be the best dang burger in the world. From my experience, the flavors here just aren't up to par.
(3)
George C.

After hearing about how great this place was I had to check it out for myself. The concept is cool. You basically customize your lunch. You get to pick the meat, bread, toppings, etc... I ordered a turkey, onion, swiss with dijon sandwich and it was very good. Maybe I should get credit for the yummy sandwich??? Everything was cooked well and it wasn't very messy. That's always a huge plus for me especially when wearing a suit. Our server was nice and did a good job overall. I like the concept and all but it's a little on the pricey side. I would go back but couldn't afford to be a regular. The shakes looked good but I got a Mexican Coke instead. Everyone should try this place at least once. I would eat here again.
(3)
Allison F.

I was a big fan of the Ballard location, and I was devastated when they moved. Flash forward roughly a year, and I still hadn't made the trek to the new SLU location-- until last week that is. Boy was I surprised when I walked through the door, the space is HUGE! It is such a vast contrast to the cramped, hole-in-the-wall shack that used to house the Lab on 15th Ave. The spirit of the decor has a vaguely familiar feel, but the owners have really upgraded big-time. I feel proud that this little Ballard burger joint was able to make such a name for itself. Since the move, they've added some fun appetizers and drinks. I wanted to try absolutely EVERYTHING. My group finally settled on the jalapeÃ±o poppers and mini corn dogs for appetizers and we all ordered the Burger of the Gods for the main course. Everything tasted pretty darn good, but not quite as amazing I remember. One of my friends made the comment that the caramelized balsamic onions, which used to be sautÃ©ed to order at the old Lab location, tasted as though they were prepared the day before. That's fine, but the burgers didn't have quite the same fresh savory taste. Near the end of the meal it became very apparent that we ordered WAY to much greasy food. My poor digestive system then proceeded to wage a war against my burger that lasted for the next 24-48 hours. Moral of the story is to proceed with caution. Still, I am so glad I finally made it out here.
(3)
Brandon L.

Eh, wasn't super blown away by this place - especially for what the tab came to for a pretty basic burger, a side of macaroni, and an iced tea. (Like $17 bucks and some change, plus tip.) Don't get me wrong, it was decent, but just sayin' I've definitely had better for less. They nickel and dime you on the toppings too...$1.50 to add a slice of cheese? Really? They patty was also cooked a little more than I prefer, and they never asked how I wanted it prepared, like a restaurant with cloth linens that serves a proper burger would. Some people have complained about the service too. I'm not ever a high maintenance kind of customer, but I can see what other people might be talking about there. The bartender who helped me was pretty cool, but I got kind of an obnoxious and amateurish vibe from the rest of the waitstaff. Like a bunch of unruly kids who were hungover and didn't want to be there. (It's was a Sunday after all...) It's not that I'd flat out refuse to come to this place again, but, yeah, not going to be rushing back for seconds either.
(3)
Jason M.

If someone says "Hey, I could go for a burger. Do you know a good place?" I start to squeal with glee, because it means I get to take people here. It's ... so good! If you have asked that question, or have heard someone ask, you should take them here. Seriously.
(5)
Jilian R.

So I guess I'm still struggling to get on board with the whole "gourmet" (expensive/large) burger phenomenon. There were many plusses here: the skinny fries were solid, and it's neat that you get to choose your dipping sauce! Also they serve tater tots. How awesome is that? Service was actually great too - worth mentioning - our server was informative and attentive. Shakes looked amazing, and are served in beakers, per the restaurant's theme - if I ever go back, it'll definitely be to try a shake. Ingredients were decent quality; rolls were especially good. I got the "Homage to the Dick's Deluxe". The burger stood, I kid you not, six inches tall - sans lettuce & tomato, which come on the side - with at least two inches taken up exclusively by bacon. Which is obviously awesome. Not super conducive to easy eating, though, and not possible to pick up due to the obscene amount of sauce. After about 15 min of solid forking & knifing, I still had half a cold messy burger left over, which I hate under normal circumstances, but when you consider this is a $14 meal... it was rough. Overall, a good burger. I'd just rather pay the $3 for an actual Dick's Deluxe.
(3)
Leah K.

Hmm 2.5 stars. I definitely had high expectations and left disappointed. Menu options were great! Lots of unique burger options and great shakes. Flavor was pretty good, a little on the salty side. But the thing that was most disappointing was the sogginess. Whatever juices from the ingredients of the burger (oil?) dripped down and completely sopped up my bottom bun. Made it difficult to eat and ruined the flavor. Didn't even finish the burger because it was falling apart/deteriorating . Overall the burger was super messy and was not fun to eat. I'm not sure how many napkins I used up. Yam fries here are SO good! Loved those. And definitely loved the interior - original old school lunch boxes everywhere! Made me reminisce the old youthful days. But in the end... I felt real gross. Soggy burgers aren't my style. Only came once and probably won't be returning again.
(2)
David N.

The waiter was very rude and offered no help with their interesting menu, I asked what meat combinations would be good in my burger and only gave one word answers so that gave us a bad start. I ended going with the spicy jalapeno dork (pork and duck meat) being the masochist that I am along with their shoe string fries. The burger to my disappointment was very salty while the hot sauce and jalapeno's were not hot whatsoever. The bun on the burger was nothing special end of story there. Finally the fries were decent light and crispy but fries are fries and I can't give a star for those alone. Seems like a place for yuppies and has no real substance or anything special that's worth coming here for. NOOOO RECOMENDO FOR ME!
(1)
Katherine L.

This was the most filling burger meal I've had in a long time! I almost didn't finish the Hothead burger. I personally went their because of a birthday, but always wanted to try it. I do think that this place is a little overrated. I wouldn't mind visiting this place again, but only to introduce new people. Just an average burger place to me.
(3)
Melanie W.

Yuummmmyyyy!!!! Went here for the first time and I was very impressed. I ordered their homage to the Dick's Deluxe. Very juicy burger and very big. They definitely made Dick's proud with this one. My friend ordered their Blue Cheese burger and she really liked it, and she normally isn't a "burger-eater." Go here! You'll love it!
(5)
Addie R.

Great customer service, big portions, and very well-made burgers! I am a devoted fan. I order the Truffle Love burger with tater tots and cover everything with the different flavored salts. Once I ordered a different burger and wanted to add balsamic onions and the waitress came back from the kitchen reporting that the chef said those onions would cause a 'flavor clash' with the burger I was ordering! I was impressed that they cared to guide me in ordering well and have a good experience. I thought the milkshakes, when ordered with alcohol would have the alcohol blended in, but they don't. The shot is served in a separate neon plastic test tube, which is cool, but what I wanted was to lose the taste of alcohol in the sweetness of the milkshake. There is also a fire pit outside that you can sit at, but you have to get it fast because people are always hawking for it. The Rumpus Room upstairs is cool and interestingly decorated, there is a bar and pool table up there, with some retro arcade games, sofas and chairs.
(5)
Heidi M.

I want to start by saying that I have never really been a fan of burgers. I will eat them if my choices are limited, but it is not typically something I crave. My husband insisted that I try a Lunchbox burger. I had the burger of the gods with bacon and a Nutella Shake. Holy smokes! I'm hooked. We find reasons to go here now. Super friendly servers, and very obviously good quality ingredients. It is also very easy to find groupons for this location, which is nice, because it can be a little spendy.
(5)
Lisa W.

My boyfriend and I came here for lunch on a weekday around 12 noon. Things immediately started off badly when we were told there would be a 15-20 mins wait that turned out to be half an hour. The patio was open but the hostess told us they were saving those for a larger party coming in. We also witnessed an altercation between another large group and the manager when they tried to sit down in the patio (after also unsuccessfully waiting for a table for a long time) and the manager kicked them out. A little too much drama for what I was hoping to be a peaceful, timely lunch After sitting down at 12:30 pm, we had already decided what we wanted during our 30 mins wait so we ordered immediately. We both picked custom-made burgers with SuperBeef and Veggie Patties, havarti cheese, Black Truffle Mayo, Roasted Garlic Mayo, mac fries, and skinny fries. We also shared an oreo shake, which was quite yummy. The food took ANOTHER 30 mins to come out, which was really unacceptable. The food quality was decent but I wasn't sure if it was because I was starving by then. Note the portions are quite large, so you will definitely have food coma when you leave. After this experience, I told the boyfriend that we probably won't come back for lunch unless we budget a good 2 hours for the slow service. The burgers were tasty but I'm sure this isn't the only burger joint in downtown Seattle.
(2)
sara g.

Super beef patties? If so super why do I have to get my burger med well to well done?
(2)
Thomas W.

Wanted to try out a new restaurant with my boyfriend. Disappointing. food was overpriced. For $14 dollars a hamburger you would think it would be out of this world. Bun was soggy on the bottom. We were asked "do you want the thin fries, sweet potato fries, or the tater tots". They did not mention that the "sweet potato fries" were extra. When we asked at the end we get the response - "Sorry bout that" we asked for our burgers to be cut in half. They could not do that. Their response - You can do it. We give you a knife on your plate. Needless to say I did not leave with a great memorable experience. I wont be back. Its a good thing I didn't ask for a another napkin - $$$$$$
(1)
A A.

Love this place! Where we always go for date night when we get free time every once in a blue moon. There are different flavored salts for your tots and different sauces for your burgers! Yummy!!!
(5)
chavonne r.

I would come back but probably not to this location. The hostess that attended my brother and I was very nice. But the waitress (short pigtails, flared tan corduroy pants) taking our orders was a tad bit rude. Definitely going to the Bellevue location even though it's a bit farther from Downtown Tacoma.
(3)
Ling S.

A friend brought us here when we were visiting Seattle. I loved the modern and playful decorations in the restaurant. Every different wall had something funky and new to look at. There were super hero figure action figures to PBR cans turned zombie. Each outside table had adorable metal lunchboxes to store all the condiments and there was an awesome looking table with a small fire pit in the middle for chilly evenings. Our server seemed to be new and in training. He was a little bit nervous and had a more experienced server breathing down his back. But he was very friendly and what I thought a job well done! For appetizers, we tried the dork pops and the buff balls. I will say the portions were really tiny for the price. The dork pops were apparently duck & pork, but it just tasted like a normal corn dog to me. The buff balls were jalapeno and cream cheese fritters. Perfectly fried and crispy. The buffalo sauce complimented them well. For the main course, I had the truffle love burger. Decent sized and very juicy! I couldn't really taste the black truffle mayo, but none the less it was a delicious meal. Great tater tots! They have huge milk shakes and you can spike any of them! All of their specialty cocktails come in a science lab beaker, which added to the laboratory theme of the restaurant. They serve Tang and koolaid here! I haven't had those drinks in forever!!
(4)
Cole C.

From Uneeda burger to Katsu burger This place is the best!! I hate it when I try a place and it's great so I bring friends and it sucks. This place is reliably good. I've been here with friends and w have liked everything. I still have not got past the specials. The staff are friendly the place nice and the food fantastic.
(5)
Regina D.

A lotta bit pricey for a heaping of a delicious burger. But hey, the hardA cocktails, free FBcheck-in offer, and location are worth it. Cheers to the Dorkin and Hawaiian pineapple burgers!
(4)
Chelsea J.

I have to update my review to talk about the Dork burger. A blend of duck and pork, this patty is absolutely scrumptious. I didn't miss the beef. Add bacon if you're a glutton for punishment. Do it!
(4)
Nico S.

Made the mistake of going on Trivia Night (which I usually love) and received the worst service I've ever had in Seattle. Pros: 1. They have food. Decent food. 2. They have alcohol. Decent alcohol. 3. They have trivia. Good trivia. Cons: 1. Don't know how to staff appropriately. Trivia = 3x as many patrons. How many staff were there for the whole upstairs trivia area with 50 customers? 1.5 2. Took them 20 minutes to get me my first drink. When I went to the bar to order, one of the servers angrily told me to go back to my table to wait for a server. Arrived and was upset when I asked what was on tap. Ordered quickly, but took an additional 10 minutes thereafter. 3. Each additional drink took 20 minutes of trying to flag down a server. 4. One of our food orders was completely forgotten, after *One Hour* of waiting. 5. The server took 15 minutes to get our check and still messed up the seats/orders. Took an additional 5 minutes to sort out.
(1)
Bill N.

Their menu has a build a burger option on it that lets you really design a custom burger. Too many options for me, I am happy with one of their predesigned options. I had a jalapeno burger. We also tried the Dork burger *(half duck, half pork). Very messy burgers but good buns that don't fall apart as bad a other gourmet burger places. I got tater tots with my burger which were nothing special. Everyone else got skinny fries with a cheesy sauce over it. Really good. There is also a lot of specialty salts and spices on every table which is fun to try on the fries and tots. Meg ordered bacon on her burger and I ordered a side of jalapeno ranch and the forgot both. So many options that I am sure it happens a lot. I heard they are building another restaurant in Gig Harbor....
(4)
Vy T.

A friend and I decided to stop by for a late night bite. It was our first time so we used yelp reviews as our guide. Yes the truffle burger and the nutell shake were delicious. However the service left a bad first impression. No water refill or check on from the staffs. It wasn't even busy so we were surprised. The waiter did not let us know about their HH also, which kinda sad for these two hungry folks. We seriously had not ate anything for the day. I wish they would match up the service to the deliciousness of the food- then I will work my butt off at the gym for my truffle love
(3)
Susie F.

Overrated...too much hype and the product wasn't amazing. Too much soy and gluten in items they claim are house made. They did have legit pork rinds though! Not satisfied enough to warrant a repeat visit...disappointed for sure!
(2)
Keke M.

They were advertising at Seattle Bites, so we decided to give them a try and use the Buy 1, get 1 free burger" coupon we received at the festival. The dork balls were okay, but they weren't amazing. The fries were really good. Burgers were average. Besides the sides and appetizers, I didn't see anything special about their burgers. If I am in the area, I will give them another try. Maybe a milkshake.
(3)
Jessica G.

My boyfriend and I went to Lunchbox Laboratory last night (4/21/14) and the gentleman who sat us also took our order and brought our food. We also told him we had to leave within 30 mins for a class we had to attend and he had us out of there within 25 mins. We ordered the black bean burger and I have to say it was the best I have ever had. The sweet potato fries were really good as well. I asked for tartar and ranch and unlike most places he brought us both condiments right away! I would go back anytime. Great food and service! Sorry waiter/hostess for not remembering your name but you were great!
(5)
Adrienne R.

Best burger in Seattle. This location has been on our "try" list for awhile. Due to the cost we had reserved it for a lunch, but on someone's birthday, he picked this locale and off we went. We sat outside at the round table on a gorgeous Seattle summer evening. The atmosphere was fun and relaxed. Despite a warning that burgers come as is and one should build their own if they want it special, we were able to modify burgers on the menu. We only had water to drink, but their cocktails look quite yummy. The kids had the kid's cheeseburger with bacon. This was under some duress as they are big kids and we often let them get food off the adult menu. However, my big kids could barely finish their kid's burger and chips/fries/tots, so any little kid will probably be taking leftovers home. The chips were okay, the fries were quite good and the tots were really crispy. Birthday boy had the Burger of the Gods. He said it is the best burger in Seattle, rating higher than our current favorite - Skillet. Our guest from Japan had the Truffle Love, which she cleaned right up. I had a special - The Return of the Sweet Thing with mayo on the side, because I don't care for sauces. The Return of the Sweet Thing was probably the best veggie burger I've had. The bean patty is delicious, the sweet onions and cheese were divine. The buns don't particularly stand out, but they don't fail either. They hold up to the fantastic burgers here. This is a great spot for families, friends, and burgers. It may not be so great for vegetarians with only a couple options (and not vegans for sure.) In this case, I would say the burgers are worth the price. We may come back for lunch again, just the two adults.
(4)
Jonathan N.

Le Truffle Love. I'll be back for you, baby. Cool place, great burgers, awesome drinks. Try their spikes floats, add a bit of Bailey's.
(4)
Tommy K.

As others have already pointed out, the food here is good but it's not the place for a quick eat. The food takes a while to come out. I realize that freshly made hamburgers take a bit longer than fast-food burgers but the wait time seemed a bit excessive. The food itself is good but the burgers seem a bit too aggressively seasoned.
(3)
Justin L.

Taaasty. One of the best burgers I've ever had. Try the blue cheese burger! The place is a little loud (am I really getting that old?) and the service can be pretty slow at times. Our drinks have been forgotten multiple times. But really, the taste outweighs the minor negative aspects.
(4)
Carmelita V.

Very bad experience, we heard really good things about this that's why we traveled 30 mins to get there then was very disappointed! The service was horrible, the bartender acted like he didn't want to be there. The food was mediocre at best!! I will not be recommending this place to any friends or family. And will not recommend to my customers as I am also in the restaurant/bar industry.
(1)
Angie B.

It's a little late to jump on the burger bandwagon for this place, but I'm pretty much a fan. We asked about the upstairs room (used to be a private space you could rent with it's own bar & Xbox, etc....), but the manager said he was renovating it & it wasn't ready yet. I gave my name & number to a host there (to possibly reserve for a bday in June), but never heard back. Not a huge deal, but...
(3)
Vim I.

This is a cute little burger joint in the middle of the south lake union district decorated in a retro theme with classic lunchboxes from days gone by. The food is pretty good but the burgers crossed the line from being insanely delicious to just plain insane. First off, the skinny fries are delicious--we had the regular and sweet potato fries. No problem there. We had the Wasabi shooter which is a Dork patty (duck+pork) with wasabi mayo. In theory, this should have been a delicious sandwich. The bun was perfectly toasted. The patty was moist and flavorful. Where they went wrong was how they dressed the burger--really 8 pieces of soggy bacon? what's the point of that? and they slathered on some onions--that weren't really caramelized properly. I had to totally dismantle my burger...but by then the soggy bacon added so much unnecessary grease to my burger that the bun just fell apart. I'm not even sure the bacon even belonged on wasabi shooter--did they just put it there because bacon is a required ingredient on all their burgers? With that type of burger, I probably would have preferred some pickled red onions or something to cut the richness. If I had to go back, I would definitely customize my order and minimize the amount of grease as much as possible.
(3)
Chris L.

It is a lot of hype. You pay a premium for the location and the hype. The burgers were mushy with too much dressing. The fries/chips were not cooked fully. The shakes had too much vanilla ice cream that both the Boston cream donut and Washington apple tasted the same. Service was good and that is the only thing good about this place. There are much better places for shakes - XXX in issaquah is my favorite. I will never eat or recommend this place to anyone.
(1)
Jim G.

What a cool place to get exotic hamburger. Generous with the accouterments like cheese, the food is beefy and satisfying. The drinks are excellent too. The staff attentive and knowledgeable. The only down side is that you can eat everything they give you as the sizes are huge. I'll be baaack.
(4)
Adrienne A.

The food was great, the service was great, make sure you bring your tums!
(5)
Tam Q.

I seriously thought for a long time that the best burgers were made here. Oh and that butterfinger milkshake....soooooo goood. After visiting a handful of times...my most recent visit really let me down. We arrived ~5pm during happy hour. There were only 4-5 tables that were full. With that said....we did not see our food for over 40 minutes. We assumed we came during the beginning of the rush and the kitchen was getting backed up. On my way to the bathroom...i walked past the kitchen and what did I see.....plate and plates and plates of food lined up to be brought out to customers and the servers standing there looking extremely confused. Of course our food was cold when we got it...except for the pork rinds which were still popping. I'm not sure what happened in the kitchen or what the deal was with the servers....but it really affected the quality of the food .... also the wait staff didn't really seem to notice how long the wait was for us either. I might give the Bellevue location a shot next time. Good thing I had a Bloomspot deal I needed to use up.
(3)
Arisa G.

Holy grail of salt right here, folks. Seriously. I've never had a burger that left my mouth numb and my throat dry. Everything was over seasoned, over cooked. But let me be more specific for you. My boyfriend and I have been hitting up some various burger joints in an attempt to explore what the city has to offer. Lunchbox was up in the top six of Seattle Weekly's burger challenge so I had high hopes, especially after reading a number of comments and reviews on this location. We were seated quickly, got my beer pretty fast, and had real attentive service. Boyfriend got the Homage to Dick's, and I got The Smoker, skinny fries and sweet potato fries. Burgers showed up pretty fast. First thing: the tomato and lettuce on the side. Never have I seen such a sad, sad pair of vegetables, so worn and old and soft. My lettuce was past its fresh date and was headed real fast to compost. My tomato looked like it'd been cut a few days ago-- no color, mushy, and watery. I reluctantly put them on my burger and took a big ol' bite. These burgers are not small by any means and do not hold together well. The first bite, not bad! Second: realization that my burger has been cooked to medium well. I mention this to my boyfriend and he agrees; his burger, too, has been cooked a little too much to be really good. It was just kind of dry. Then we picked up on the saltiness. It was subtle, but towards the middle of our burgers we were both dehydrated and feeling a bit sick. It was so salty that it was actually kind of nauseating. Not to mention the greasiness. The bread was fried in butter? Or at least that's the only reason I could guess as to why the burger was dripping in grease. It didn't come from my dry burger, that's for sure, and I took the bacon out after a few bites because it was too salty to consume. I gave up on my burger 2/3 of the way and my boyfriend trooped on, finishing it up, chugging glass after glass of water to regain some feeling in his mouth. His fries? Cold. Mine? Limp. Salty. Dry. Like they had both been sitting for quite a while. The whole experience was a total let down. I had way too high expectations for this place and these reviews really make me wonder if the puck of a burger I had was just an off one. In any case, I won't be back here.
(2)
Pauline T.

Nutella milkshake. Enough said. No really, their nutella milkshake is awesome and served in a cute beaker (laboratory- beaker- get it? har har). Burgers here are expensive but you pay for what you get- quality ingredients and fancy flavor combos. By the way, if you order a burger with bacon in it, expect to get half a package. No joke. Last time I was in the bacon stack was thicker than the burger itself. Happy hour here is great- good selection and the portions are big. I love the 2 burgers and fries for $6.99. The salad, however, had a bit too much dressing for my taste so it got soggy towards the end. This place is great for kids as well as adults. I'll have to try some of their Tang and alcohol next time...
(4)
Sara Q.

alright everyone. i was referred here by my preceptor claiming this was the best burger in seattle after i had him go down and try a slow burger from slow bar in portland or.. this portion is for the food itself: i got the le truffle love burger. i mean it looked pretty good. WAY WAY WAY too tall. i couldn't bite on it which means that's bad because i want to be able to eat all parts of the burger at one time to really enjoy it... yea no that wasn't happening. so then i was thinking, hopefully this burger will be sooo delicious using a knife and fork will totally be worth it ... but it wasn't. i can't say how thoroughly disappointed i was in lunchbox laboratory. i definitely couldn't taste the black truffle from the mayo.. i couldn't taste black truffle at all in any part of the burger. the bacon that was on it was pretty thin and not thick and crisp like how it was explained. the bun taste nice and so did the butter lettuce but i mean, that doesn't make the burger. i was beyond disappointed. i got tots with my burger.. they were soggy instead of crisp. dashing it with some seasoning salts helped. i opted for malt and garlic salt. we also got the mac fries which were the skinny fries with a cheese sauce. it was alright.. nothing to brag about or anything. the fries were soggy and the cheese started to clump because we didn't eat it fast enough.. bullshit. idk how my friends santa fe burger was but i did hear her say it was too big to eat so she too finished it off with a fork and a knife. that's a big no no for hands on food. if i had to rate this place on food alone, i would say 2 stars. this portion is for service: so i mean when we got to the place our hostess was SUPER nice and showed us to our seats pretty quickly. we were then greeted by our server who's name was collin. i mean i thought he was just being like a cocky hipster who thought he was too cool for school but no. he was literally a douche bag. we were being very cordial but he was unwelcoming, disinterested and just non-personable. terrible at taking our order and before we know it we get a new server, olivia. no reason as to why they switched or anything. i mean would it be soooo hard to say, "hey guys, im going on break or olivia is going to take over for me because your table isn't in my section" or some shit like that, but no we got to sit there thinking the whole time that he doesn't like us and when i say don't like us i say that will full confidence because every other table he was serving, that guy had on a smiling face i swear to God. that totally put me off my food and i was sooo mad. olivia was super nice and she was great at waiting on us. she refilled our waters and made sure everything taste great and she was on point, super friendly and super smiling. although it helped, i couldn't erase what happened earlier. now, if i was ever to come back my first thought would be less than superb food and SUPER shit service. i obviously don't want that to be my first thought anywhere but good God, it's not like i have much of an option. so if i had to rate this place for collin's service, i wouldn't even give it stars. i give them a single star because of olivia. but trust me even then a single star is really me letting it slide through. i am not a happy customer. for a place that prides themselves on their food and service it was not even close to being anywhere near acceptable. worst dining experience of my life after hearing such great things about lunchbox laboratories. super disappointed. you can trust that i won't be back.
(1)
Evan L.

A great place with awesome burgers and legendary patties good for the weekend But not really recommended for everyday meals.
(4)
Brian E.

We've had friends rave about how good the food here is, from first-timers to employees, so we tried it out for lunch. The hostess was friendly, and got us seated right away (albeit by the drafty front door). I'm sorry to say she was the only cordial employee we encountered. Our server, a gentleman whose name we didn't even catch, showed up to take our order and drop off the bill an hour later -- and acted like we were a huge disturbance to his day. Another waitress delivered our food after a ridiculously long wait for what mediocre food arrived. At least we got soda refills from her, as Mr Server was M.I.A. I ordered the Homage to Dick's Deluxe Burger, and what a mess of onions, bacon, sauce and cheese that was. It was like they slopped together the ingredients in mass quantities to mask the actual burger patty, which was pretty small, to add height to the burger stack. I couldn't get a bite of a-little-bit-of-everything, and a lot of the ingredients ended up falling on the plate. Greasy and disappointing. Hubby got the Santa Fe burger, which tasted quite a bit better than mine although the bacon was undercooked and the burger itself just as messy as mine. Also greasy. We left with no desire to come back anytime soon, if at all. Not sure if it was an off workday or what.
(2)
Jacky T.

I don't know what is so great about a $14 hamburger. I tried the "Dork" burger..never again. It was okay, but not at that price. Waaaaaaaay to overpriced for what they offer. It was average food at best. The tater tots were good.
(1)
Patricia Y.

If you like the type of burgers where once you bite in, loads of grease and meat juice start to run down your fingers and hand, then this is the place for you! Lucky for me, I love big, fat juicy burgers. Lunchbox Laboratory is the epitome of glutton. I made a custom burger, and it was delicious. The beef was tender and flavorful. Bacon was thick and crispy. And the habanero mayo and satan's tears ketchup added a nice punch of spiciness. The side of tater tot's brought me back to elementary school. The mac n cheese was good -- had a nice punch from the sharp cheddar cheese. DON'T order the buff pops. It was gross, soggy, and greasy. They came out looking unappetizing, and it ended up being that way. Basically these oddly shaped fried jalapeno and cream cheese with red hot sauce drenched over it. No bueno. I like how the upstairs has a bunch of arcade games and pool table. I came on a Friday for dinner, and it wasn't packed at all. I believe they have "game nights" and other random events throughout the week. If you can finish your burger + side + boozie shake, then kudos to you! You're an official fatty :)
(4)
Brad Y.

Lunchbox is my go to post work happy hour spot. Why? Because the happy hour menu is reasonable; the food is good; they have an interesting selection of cocktails; the bartenders are friendly and the atmosphere is lively. My favorite item on the menu are the Hong Kong Hot Wings--a mixture of chicken, celery, blue cheese and buffalo sauce incarnated in the form of an egg roll. If you are looking for a kick ass happy hour it's hard to do better.
(4)
Jeanny M.

Finally. After so many years, we have finally tried LL. Most of it had to do with an expiring coupon, but hey, it got us here. And finally! We shared the Truffle Love burger and Bleu Marble burger, sides of tots and sweet potato fries, to drink a Tang-o-rita for me. The drink was served in a beaker and kind of watered-down, and therefore unmemorable. But it was brought out fast, which I appreciated. The burgers/sides were brought out fairly quickly as well. We asked the guy who brought our food to bring us waters too because our initial guy hadn't come by for a while. He was quick to oblige which was great. The burgers, while not large in the Red Robin sense, were incredibly dense in both flavor, ingredients, and just...heft. We cut our burgers in half (messy) so we could each try (messier). I wish LL's napkins were a bit thicker. I used a couple dozen by the end of the night, but then again, I'm fastidious when it comes to keeping my hands clean and non-sticky. The Truffle Love, I was a bit disappointed. Not much truffle, but then again, I was working on my bleu burger first, so it probably overshadowed the truffleness. The hub said it was very tasty but because it was just so heavy, he only ate half a burger..and he jogged that day! As for me, with my Bleu burger..I loved it! It was awesome..tart and tangy with sweet chile mayo. I'm glad they didn't overdo it with the bacon. Although the mayo (in both burgers) was everywhere. We generally don't eat mayo, or at least get it on the side, but we felt doing so would interfere with how the burgers should be so we left the orders as is. It was a stretch to finish my Bleu (and I took back the half that my hub only sampled) and did not attempt to finish the Truffle burger as well. Eating about 1.5 burgers is a line I do not want to cross at LL. The tots were a touch underdone, I would have preferred more crispy. I didn't get any of the sweet potato fries before my hub demolished them so I assume they were tasty. Like other reviewers have said, there is just ketchup (and mustard) on the table for the fries, which is very limiting considering the sauces they put on their burgers. And so, I'm glad we finally tried this spot out, used our deal, experienced pretty quick service, and thought the portions were actually large. Our deal gave us $25 credit, and this was about $40, so yes, it's a little spendy even though I believe the quality of the burger justifies it. This was a decent trip compared to what others have reviewed, but I probably can only bring myself to come back maaaaaaaaaaybe once every other year..it's soooooooo rich and heavy! Plus, my heart kind of hurt when we left. On a previous visit to LL, I was upstairs in their rumpus room for a small private gathering. There is a smaller bar, several arcade games, a couple table-top games (the one like bowling but with a ball on a string?), plus cushy chairs. With one person running the bar, we found ourselves at a bit of a wait (though the line was just 4 ppl deep), plus they ran out of change. A bit inefficient but the gal was nice enough and it was certainly appreciated to have a quieter space to hang out together. Tip: If you check in on Foursquare or Yelp, you get HH priced drinks.
(3)
David C.

This was a great place to eat with friends. Our server was prompt, attentive, friendly and knowledgeable. Burger: I had the Upstate NY burger because it was one of the only suggested burgers on the menu that did not have bacon. (The menu states no substitutions). I thought the flavor was terrific and the beef burger was cooked to perfection. The burger was VERY messy however. Not the best thing to order on a first date or business lunch. Sides: The tater tots were good but not really seasoned. The sweet potato fries were a little more heavily fried than some, but I like them that way. The cheddar macaroni and cheese was NOT very good. It could be improved with a little seasoning or anything besides cheese and noodles. They brought a tray to our table full of seasonings (I guess that is their experimental laboratory theme?) I suppose this is good for picky eaters, but If I wanted to season my own food I would cook it myself. Drinks: The milkshake was awesome. Cocktails were cheap, but they have only sweet cocktails (kool aid, tang etc). I would love it if they had at least ONE good whisky cocktail that wasn't mixed with fruit. Value: Happy hour has a nice discount, but no discount on their special burgers. Burgers start at $10 but most will be more. Summary: -2 stars: bland mac and cheese not worth it. Messy over-sauced burger. Only sweet cocktails. Tater tots/fries un-seasoned. No substitutions.
(3)
Sabrina H.

This place makes me so happy. I find it surprising that people are complaining about the time it takes to get your food. It's a gourmet burger place is that really surprising? I've ordered to go and it took maybe 15-20 minutes? It was freshly made and piping hot and delicious. I've had The Dork and I'm not particulary a fan of the combination. It might also have been because I had imbibed in a lot of alcohol the day before and my taste and tummy was off. The pork rinds are so fresh, they come out still popping from the fryer. The tapatio dipping sauce is addicting. I've taken a look at their happy hour and I will be going in the near future.
(4)
Andrea E.

Good burgers, you can tell they use a higher quality meat, and the blue cheese burger is very yummy. I don't care for the echoey-ness of the interior due to the industrial style space with super high ceilings. It turns the ambient music into a very distracting noise. The tots are good, not something I would pay extra for but a fun twist. I want to go back and try their happy hour menu.
(3)
Lizz N.

This review is for the food I experienced delivered. We used 2goservices.com . They were fine and delivered when they said they would. What I have issues with is the packaging from Lunchbox. If you know the order is for Delivery, why would you put fries in little paper bags to get greasy and cold and than for the grease to leak from the bag?!?!? Do you not have to-go containers? They also had the lettuce and tomato all in plastic Baggies. To contain all these wonderful little bags was another plastic bag. By the time the food came..they food was cold, the fries were cold and greasy. All for the delightful added bonus of paying $8.50 for delivery, not including tip or tax on the whole order. We will not be ordering to-go or delivery from Lunchbox again...unless I am prepared to be there and transfer all the food into my own Tupperware containers.
(2)
Victoria C.

When I think back on our time at Lunchbox Lab, it brings back so many memories and magic. Our one experience here made up for EVERY bad experience I have ever had in my life. It was THAT powerful. I'm telling you: they are MAGICAL! I really wish there was one in San Francisco because we really need a place like this. So much so that I saved my 200th review for this place. Congrats! I was looking for a really good dinner so we could go out with a bang and end our wedding anniversary trip on a really high note. Like high C sharp status Considering we had SUCH a terrible breakfast at Local 360 ( yelp.com/biz ...) I wanted something to make up for it. I had heard that Dick's Hamburgers were really good but then, we talked to a few different people who said that it wouldn't be that impressive. Someone from the hotel suggested Lunchbox Lab. I did my research on Yelp and it turns out that a lot of people don't actually like it. I was really nervous but I promise that this place is worth trying. They offer so many fun things that it's worth one trip here. You can even get a coupon from Pan Pacific Hotel for $10 off $30 or more. Which is an AMAZING deal! We went on a slow night, a Sunday night, which was good for us. We got a little extra attention. Our waiter was Rilke and made all of our dreams come true. He was so friendly and really allowed me to try everything I wanted and have a good time. He was a really cool guy! If there was a server of the year award, he would get it. Or rather, SHOULD get it. The restaurant itself is really fun! A cool atmosphere which would be great for any get together. From birthdays to family outings. It's not full of itself either. They just offer a cool environment for people to have a good time. They really market their experimental menus which was great because we got to try all kinds of unique items. Here's what I liked: Drinks: -I started off with a shake. Again, trying to go out with a bang; like the world was about to end. I tried the Nutella shake and Rilke suggested boozing it up with Frangelico. GENIUS!!! It tasted SO good and the alcohol wasn't too strong at all. The perfect balance of sweets and booze. Apparently, they stopped serving their milkshakes in their signature beakers so don't be too upset if it isn't served in one. Rilke hooked me up though! -Root Beer Barrels: Remember those tiny candies you get at the liquor store for 10 cents? Tastes JUST like those but with a kick. Came with a COOL light in it. SO yummy! -Mr. Myer's Halloween Punch: One of their experimental drinks. FUN! I loved this one. The rum wasn't too sweet and it was the perfect blend of sweet and sour. When you check in, you get all drinks for $4. AMAZING! It's like Disneyland but for adult foodies. Appetizers: -Dogsticks: PERFECT PORTIONS! Loved the black pepper mustardaise it came with. Not too tangy. Perfectly seasoned. -Buff Pops: Jalapeno and cream cheese fritters with Lunchbox buffalo sauce and sour cream drizzle. Too spicy for me but it was still delicious. My husband LOVED these! They were delicious up until I tasted the spice. That's how good they are. Like a bad relationship with a sexy man, I keep coming back for more! Burgers: -Remember how I said I wanted to go to Dick's initially? Well I got the Homage to Dick's Deluxe and it was the PERFECT compromise. It was so juicy. Huge portions but didn't make you too full. Had this special sauce stuff that was SO delicious. I am craving it now. You can't have a burger without tater tots! LOVE IT! We got all the sauces for dipping and I have to tell ya, not ONE was bad. They all were good and I couldn't decide which one I liked better. -My husband got the Truffle Love burger which I am SO glad he did because it was a cross between Dick's and Truffle Love. I didn't get Truffle because it seems that Seattle-ites LOVE their truffle and I was thinking that maybe I had too much over the weekend. I WAS SO WRONG and ended up eating half of his burger. The perfect blend of meat, cheese and truffle. Not overpowering though. Just perfect. I recommend that for sure. Even if you think truffle might be too much, it's not. I just can't stop thinking about this place. It was SO much fun and Rilke really treated us like royalty. I don't want him to get in trouble for this but he comped our appetizers as a wedding anniversary gift which was SO kind because up until then, it was like no one cared that we got married. Our honeymoon in Hawaii a year ago was TERRIBLE because people were so rude to us. I know, I won't let it go but Rilke made up for it! Thank you Rilke. Seriously, you made our year man. I really hope you know how special you made us feel. Lunchbox Lab, come to San Francisco and I promise we'll treat you real nice. Future patrons: do NOT go through life without experiencing the magic here!
(5)
Andrea J.

I over ate here--seriously--after a light lunch and a yoga class--I ate my burger, tater tots, and Ben M's fries like it was my last meal. The Churken is a monster in terms of size; it had way too much of my favorite classic French sauce (mayonnaise) and the bun was sopping wet from burger juices--none of that stopped me from tearing that thing up and wiping my grease soaked hands on multiple napkins while simultaneously answering Geeks who Drink trivia questions wrong. The beer selection on tap was excellent and the lines were clean (no resin skunkiness) in either the Mac and Jacks African Amber or the Deschutes Jubelale. If I eat here again, I'll likely modify my burger so that it doesn't feel like I've eaten a bowling ball of grease for 12 hours--no mayonnaise, no cheese, no bacon. The burger was tasty, and I liked the combo of chicken and turkey, but it had way too much of the good stuff. I would not change a thing about the tater tots though--not a thing.
(4)
Lei L.

Love their sandwiches!!! Came to the Seattle location before watching a concert at Key Arena! We tried their deep fried rinds and a lamb burger. Everything is good and you can even order fruity alcohol drinks! I'll come back again! PS Come with an empty stomach..their portions are definitely worth some bragging rights.
(5)
Cathy M.

This place is close to where I live and lacking the motivation to go far, we decided to head to this place expecting something interesting. Oh yeah, and it was St. Patrick's Day! I was still feeling nauseous from the first trimester of my pregnancy but I didn't know that this place was a burger joint so I wasn't expecting the strong smell of meat. It was just me though, my husband couldn't smell it. I was willing to try to force down a burger because I knew I needed some iron in me but after glancing the menu, there wasn't a burger that really enticed me. I'm pretty sure it was the pregnancy talking but IF there was some kind of pineapple burger, I think my hormone-addled self would have given it a pass. Unfortunately, they had some kind of pineapple spread that didn't seem to make it okay for me. My husband liked his burger though, and I know that I would have liked it if I hadn't been in this state of bleh. They have interesting drinks that I would love to try in a couple months and cute little test tube shots to pour in. I'm a sucker for themed restaurants so that gets a plus from me.
(3)
Greg K.

Have been wanting to try this place for some time. A friend invited me to lunch and I was very impressed. New, innovative and a little off the beaten path. Hopefully it is not trendy and will stick around. Huge nerd component to the dÃ©cor and drinks. Mine was served in a beaker. Feeling adventurous, I let the waiter pick my drink and my lunch. Impressed with both. Great drink (made with Tang,) and an amazing burger with grilled onion and mushrooms. Soo good! Not a place to stay all night and drink, but good for a hearty lunch (man sized burgers,) and a drink or three. Great place to meet someone for lunch or just drinks. New, fresh and exciting atmos. Worth the time to soak it in. Enjoy!
(4)
Jake W.

Came here for happy hour and enjoyed the well made drinks and the great aps, the dork balls are awsome! Would come back for sure, the bean burger was lame.
(4)
Kelley B.

One of my favorite restaurants in Seattle!! I had my 21st birthday dinner celebration here with a big group a friends. Known for their milkshakes, I actually got one of their "boozieshakes" which included shooters of Khalua or something on the side. Milkshake and hard alcohol? It actually works! It was sooo rich and delicious. This goes for all of their shakes too - try the Nutella. That shake plus a test tube shooter of pineapple whiskey, a couple more shots and a free grape kool-aide mixed drink on the house, they sure treated me well. Their drinks are so fun. The burgers never fail either. I got the rootbeer BBQ burger special. It was bomb. I will say the burgers look small, but eat the entire thing like I did, plus some tater tots and that ice cream shake and you will be set for the week. However, the only thing I didn't like about this place was the price of their menu. They use gourmet ingredients yeah but come on, they charged us for extra mayo/condiments on the side and their drinks were kind of pricey. But it was my birthday so the cost of the celebration was still worth it. In all, this place has so many flavor creations within their burgers, shakes and bar drinks that you will fall in love with it too.
(5)
Chelsy C.

I was excited to try L.L. from all the hype I've heard about it over the years. My sweetie had a coupon so we picked a time and had dinner there. I like the laboratory theme, I'll concede that they try a lot of experiments, and as in the real world most experiments are not successes and you must to go back to the drawing board, (or iPad or whatever scientists use now). The appetizer we tried sounded great; Buff Pops, it had ingredients I like- jalapenos, cream cheese, and buffalo hot sauce. The actual specimen was gross and the sauce didn't rescue the research, the sweet, sour and savory didn't come together right. My burger was a mess- it was like a kid made it for my birthday, gross toppings and greasy. This is more like a laboratory where all the researchers are 5 and the only materials they are allowed to experiment with is grape jelly, sriracha and mustard. I wasn't too impressed and I think I'll take my grant money elsewhere.
(2)
Angela R.

Ok, so 97.5% of the time I do not eat meat. But when I want to this is the place to go. It is supper yummy!
(5)
Anni Y.

Burgers are TALL and huge! The patties are quite thick. Get ready for meat overload! I really liked the atmosphere and the unique decor of the restaurant. It's a fun place to eat at. I ordered The Smoker burger with tater tots. The tots are perfectly crisp and crunchy! They were my favorite part :). It is a bit pricey for a burger but I think you do get your money's worth. It was good, but messy. I definitely had a food coma after eating here :P.
(4)
Yvonne D.

++ GREAT SHAKES + funny and sometimes good tasting special drinks + great happy hour menu/prices + decent burgers (except the DORK...not that great, pretty greasy) + tots! Sign up for their newsletter and receive a -$10 off coupon. The only sucky thing is
(4)
Michael B.

Great place for drinks! Not so much for food...portions were too small. The food was good though, so no complaints about the quality, just the quantity. The wait staff was good, too!
(4)
Lily S.

Did. Not. Love. Was very excited to try their mac n cheese that I've heard so much about, but they were out of it and a burger just wasn't what I needed that nite. So I ordered the Lunchboxer. Yes, I said "Lunchboxer." Hmm...there was a giant stack of caramelized onions on my salad, as well as what was allegedly pan fried turkey. It looked and tasted like turkey from a lunchables type of meal. Not a lot of dressing on my wilted greens. This made me sad b/c I really wanted to love them, but I wound up not liking my meal at all. But I picked thru it...b/c this big bitch of a salad cost $13 and I was not gonna let that go (completely) to waste. Maybe I'll stop by again and try a sandwich or burger. Maybe. And maybe this time they won't be out of their mac n cheese.
(2)
G G.

Today was our first try here. It is a fun atmosphere, and I like their selection of both burgers and drinks (mostly alcoholic). The food took a while to come out given the place was mostly empty, but the service was good and friendly. My only complaints are: - The menu stated $1 dollar for add-on bacon, but we were charged $2. Not a big deal, but still. - They brought a different side then I ordered, but quickly fixed the issue after I pointed it out. I'd go back....but not frequently since i'd be 350 lbs in no time if I did.
(4)
Julie P.

Burgers and your choice of fries, sweet potatoes fries or Tots?! Yes please! I had the mediterranean burger w/tots and my hubby had something equally fantastic but I can remember its name because I was too busy devouring my burger =P I love all the flavored salts that they give for you to add to your tater tots or fries. Service was fast and friendly and the food was cooked perfectly. The only thing I'd say needs work is that the burgers are a tad overpriced and so are the shakes. I understand you are using quality ingredients for the food but seriously for $14 a burger and $7 for a small milkshake? Or maybe we're helping to pay rent for their new space in SLU? We spent $40 on 2burgers, 1 soda, 1beer and 2 orders of tots. We had the intentions of using our bloomspot deal ($20 for $40 of food) to dine here but forget it at home. We will return to use it but I'd hesitate to pay regular price here again except for maybe once in a bluemoon. Maybe if they lowered their prices I'd come by more often.
(3)
Tarry C.

Delicious burgers, awesome service, and great environment. What else can I ask for?
(5)
Hailey P.

mmmmmm
(5)
Alina N.

Just left after sitting there for 15 minutes with no eye contact from anyone who works there. wtf?
(1)
Brenna The Muscle P.

Never been to a restaurant that serves pork rinds .. They came out sizzling and popping and were delicious! This place has it's own vibe. The drinks and service were great so a quick snack turned into a few hour hang out.
(5)
Chris B.

So I had tried to get to LBL when it was on 15th for so long but everytime I did it was either closed or so backed it wasn't possible. Know with it new location more people can experience are really good, borderline great burger. The place is fun and funky inside and it completely works. I had a bloomspot deal that I had bought a few months before and was looking for the right time to share it with others. It worked out that my girlfriend, her dad and brother came with me to try it out. The first thing I saw was a special of tomato basil mac n cheese, which was the best of two worlds, tomato soup and and mac n cheese. It was great for a cold winters day. I ordered the Burger of the Gods, which is a super-beef patty, bleu cheese crumbles, candied balsamic onions, & super gorgonzola spread. I also added bacon, not just one or two or three but six pieces. Can you sat bacon over load! Add sweet potato fries with buffalo ketchup and the papas housemade BBQ and you'll not need to eat another thing all day! You also need to get a house special drink, I had the Kool - Tang which is fruit punch and tang!
(4)
Kay N.

We came here on a Friday night and it's pretty busy. It seemed like they were close to having a wait. We ordered pork rinds as appetizers, they came to our table crackling as they were just fried. I enjoyed them, and they were good the next day too! I got the strawberry lemonade as a drink which I thought was okay, I would skip it and get a shake! The bf got the cherry chocolate shake and it was delish! I got the truffle burger and I thought it was okay, the bf got the duck burger and he said he got bored of it after 4 bites. Something lacked in the burgers that I can't explain. I loved my thin cut fries and the bf loved his yam fries. They were crisp and flavorful. Service was great and food came out quick. Overall, I enjoyed my experiences, I liked the ambiance and the decorations. I just wished the burgers were better.. this is a burger place, so I couldn't bring it to a 4.
(3)
Mike L.

Had the girlfriend's company christmas party here and it was a blast! Started the night off by playing all the way through in 20 minutes the freeplay house of the dead arcade machine. Then because I was hanging around the video games I was first in line at the burger bar with the guten free buns and bean burger. Pretty sweet, had a glass of the house red and ate a delicious burger I put together. Later had an interesting beaker of mixology and got to the pool table. The upstairs area is really cool and private for parties like ours. The wall had a mural and the staff really kicked butt for us, all kinds of cool stuff, weird location.
(4)
Brandon G.

A very interesting concept. The food was pretty good, I had a burger I enjoyed. Some of the sides my family ordered were hit an miss. I was told the shakes were rich and yummy. A little louder (and I was with 8 people) then I expected... maybe don't put a bunch of drunk people next to a family with kids? I would give the food 4 stars, but the way they handled our unique situation brings it down to a 3 star review.
(3)
Jacob J.

Great food; however, the service and wait times are worse than the DMV! If they cleaned up their act this would be my go-to in SLU, but the customer service is just terrible.
(2)
Suie C.

I liked this place, but I can see how it's gotten negative reviews. Foodwise, the bf and I were both happy with our meals. He got the dork (duck and Pork) and I had the truffle love burger. His burger was very juicy and I managed to steal a couple of bites before he procceeded to demolish it. My truffle love burger was very very good. They actually put TOO much bacon (I know, how is this possible?) on it for my tastes, but I was impressed with the flavors and although the burgers were greasy, it wasn't a sickening fast food greasy. It was super rich so I only managed to finish less than half the burger. I had the sweet potatoe fries, he had the tater tots. I should've listened to other yelpers. Get the tots. The sweet potatoe fries are nothing special, the same as everywhere else. We had the nutella milkshake which was too rich to be good for you, but so difficult to resist. I saw the that they had a pumplin shake which I would def be willing to go back and try. Also had some sort of alcoholic lemonade drink, which was suprisingly strong w/o tasting like it. Service was where it was lacking. It took the host a while to notice us standing in the front b/c he was looking at some magazines. We had to ask for our waiter to place our order. However, once we got our waitress to the table, service was fine and the food came out fast. I liked our meal here, but I wish service would've been a bit more consistent.
(4)
Chris B.

Looks like the new owners brought in their frozen food tendencies from eastlake bar & grill, etc and ruined a classic.. you would think they would expand options with a bigger space/kitchen but they did just the opposite. - no more crazy meats, cheeses, salts, fries, etc - burger size has gone down considerably while price went up? - all burgers are cooked to well-done -also, they list their burgers as some type of Kobe beef mixture - i'd love to know what the percentage is. I'd guess about 10% Kobe beef... Take the menu back over Chef Scott, it needs you!
(1)
Randi L.

Build your own burger? Yes, please! Delicious tater tots and fries and the tray of several varieties of seasoning salts makes it really fun to experiment. Happy Hour cocktails are reasonably priced and their beer selection offers the traditional favorites and a few seasonal beers (even local brews, too). Service has always been outstanding and I've never had an issue getting a table (they have an awesome patio for when the sun is out).
(4)
laura s.

I love a burger- but i'm not like THE burger person. Places I like better: Red Mill, 5 guys, and RainCity. The burger was hella messy from taco seasoning sauce. I cut mine in half. It helped. Very pricey for a burger. I should have shared. My husband actually said it was TOO much bacon! who says that?! These words are not spoken lightly. I did love the Tot option for potatoes (like Rain City) and I also loved the tray of mixed flavored shaker seasonings. I'm a fan of metal lunchboxes (my preschooler has 3) so I like the decor. That's about it. And good choices for beer. Everyone happy. But I was so full, like uncomfortable full. That sucked.
(3)
Stephanie B.

Some of these reviews on here are driving me insane. It's like hearing indie kids complain that their favorite band has sold out. Heaven forbid the place you liked eating at is interested in making more money and opened a larger location! To serve more people! OH NOES! *get the torches* I get it. You LOVED the original location but change isn't all bad and what, you wanted LL JUST FOR YOURSELF? Greedy. And to the people angry that stuff is sold out, hey. Sometimes good stuff sells out. Would you rather have days' old patties because they made too much and are still trying to sell it or just eat something else off the menu and come back another time to get it? I get bummed when I want to order a dessert or drink at a restaurant and they are out but that just confirms my belief that if it is sold out, it must be good and at some point, I will for sure try it! But I don't rip the restaurant for not having enough. That just shows me the restaurant is trying to keep ingredients as fresh as possible. Anyway, on to my review of the joint... First off, they just opened about a week ago and the server mentioned to us that they are still trying to get all the menus and everything in order. Okay. Thanks for telling us. She also mentioned that they had to close early last weekend on opening day because they just plain sold out of stuff. They hadn't anticipated so many people coming out. Great to hear that the new location seems like it will be successful! Looks like they are still getting their feelers out to find out what people really miss from the original menu in order to add it at this new location. I can respect that. (Also, our server was super friendly and wanted to tell us these things. Which after reading the reviews, I can see why she wanted to tell us all that info...) Now, onto the food! I ordered a bacon deluxe with onions and my boyfriend got the Homage to Dicks. We also ordered some shakes - Vanilla for him, Orangcicle for me. Note to those that haven't had the orangecicle: it's all sorts of orange-y tang like. They love the Tang here (heh) and I dig it. Who didn't drink Tang when they were a kid and be like yea, astronauts RULE! Anyhow, it is a think creamy sweet dream. But if you don't like Tang, don't get it. My only issue with the milk shake was they made it so nice, why not use real whipped cream to top it? That cream was too fluffy to be real, fresh cream and that was a bummer. I also was missing my shake overflow cup too. *Sad face* but I digress. It didn't ruin my meal. - NOTE: I put that on my comment card that was included with my check. The bonus to filling out the comment card is they will email you a $10 buck gift card for the place. SCORE. Not sure how long they intend on doing that but I wanted to give them my opinions and the gift cert will for sure be used. My burger was indeed tasty, good amount of bacon, good melted cheese and super juicy burger. The tots were good (not overcooked which like, obliterates the potato! I hate shell-tots) and the BBQ sauce was tasty too. My boyfriend loved his Dicks Homage, though he thought the tomato and lettuce were a bit too cold, but that is his personal thing. He dug the burger though and we shared his shoestring fries (I shared my tots too, sadly :P) I left super stuffed and full of salty and sweet goodness. I would for sure come back again and I look forward to seeing how they continue to expand the menu and make it grow (or even, gasp, change it) to not just continue the tradition of Lunchbox Laboratory, but to also hopefully, make it even better.
(4)
Jamie W.

One of my favorite burger places ever. I heard they moved to a new location, but haven't lived in Seattle in quite some time. I wish them luck in their new location. That said, their old location and food were really something special and I hope they keep up the quality and uniqueness. They were mere minutes from where I lived, and I put on several pounds as a result of their existence. The first burger I got here was The Burger of the Gods. It was candied red onions and gorgonzola cheese. The bun itself was outstanding. But what was really amazing was the preparation. They at the time would combine I believe ground chuck, ground sirloin, and I believe top round (could be wrong on the third). They would then sear them in a cast iron skillet and then finish it an oven at a high temperature. This is how I do my steaks. It is similar to many steak houses. And it blew my mind that they did this to burgers. Why hadn't I thought of this? Why did it take this to open the world of possibilities of burgers? I've had some odd burgers. Buffalo burgers, ostrich burgers, and so on. But this just baffled me in its approach. And it paid off. And every burger I've had there paid off. At one point, in the midst of eating a burger (the exact one I do not recall), I thought "this is too much bacon...." But as I continued to eat it, I realized it was the over the top nature of too damn much bacon that actually made this burger work. They're not just burger makers, these people love food and it shows. The other nice touches were the unique and delicious mac and cheeses, shakes in beakers, and sodas that weren't just major brands from fountains (I deplore corn syrup sodas). I still recommend the Burger of the Gods as their most creative idea and best execution, but I might just be nostalgic for that first time I tried this place.
(4)
James W.

Okay, this is the kind of place you walk into, see the ambiance and the menu, and just know that you are going to love it. Then you get the food. It's certainly fun and interesting. You can build your own burger or order off the menu, and the options are great. I ordered a burger off the menu with bacon, cheddar, LTO, and a special sauce. They certainly are not afraid of loading on the bacon, which normally I would be okay with but even bacon has its limits (gasp!). With six slices of bacon on the burger, I couldn't taste anything but salt. Well, salt and sauce. The burger was so oversauced that it was hard to find the actual meat. The problem with this particular place is its lack of attention to the actual burger. The burger seems to be an afterthought; it's just a foundation for a huge pile of toppings and sauces, after which you no longer realize you're eating a burger. I do appreciate the menu, though. Lots of different sides like coleslaw, salads, sweet potato fries, etc. They serve milkshakes with booze and any cocktails you'd like. The drink prices are totally reasonable. Still, two of us at lunch got two burgers with coleslaw and no alcohol and it somehow came out to $40 with tip. $40 for two burgers? Methinks not. Awesome concept, lackluster execution, Would I go back? Probably, but not if I'm paying.
(3)
Michael R.

I was an avid fan of the old location in Ballard and apprehensive when I heard that it was moving to SLU because, even though it is more convenient, there was always something special about making the trip to North Ballard for a huge burger in the cramped conditions. The new place maintains the amazing burgers, but leaves behind almost everything else: - The ambiance is totally gone - they have replaced a classic burger joint, the type of place that should be featured on a food network special, with an aesthetic that channels Applebee's. A precious few lunchboxes were retained from the old location, but they are easily missed in a room dominated by pastel colors and an ugly mirrored bar. - Little touches have been removed, presumably out of need to simplify and increase throughput. Seasoning salts on fries are gone. Shakes are served in glasses rather than beakers. Special burgers are gone. The menu chalkboard is gone. - The service was poor, in part because you expect burgers to be ready quickly. It is no longer a place you can drop in for a quick lunch - it is a full sit down, wait for someone to take your order, wait for your drink, wait for your meal, wait for the check, wait to sign the credit card place. - The prices are higher, especially the shakes which have soared way past Pulp Fiction $5 shake territory. I was motivated to write this, my first Yelp review, because I loved the original restaurant (and appreciated the hard work the owner put in, as she was ALWAYS there taking orders) and I am hopeful that everyone's feedback will help motivate Lunchbox to make improvements and bring back what made it unique.
(2)
Christina F.

We waited 45min for a happy hour order which consisted of 2 salads, Tots and the cheeseburger special. It was not busy at all. The "house" salad came out wrong, which I'm extremely confused how that could happen considering it is the restaurants creation. I work at Amazon, and we were on our way to a Sounders game and we haven't tried this place yet so I thought it would be great to go to for happy hour as we were in a rush. So you can only assume we weren't exactly happy by the time we got our food. Skip it and hit up somewhere else, like Lil' woodys.
(1)
Janis F.

LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. My main squeeze (actually my only squeeze hubby of 27 years) tried this place for a Sunday lunch with the bonus of football! The burgers were awesome and our server Charlie was the BEST! She made great suggestions and was delightful. If I lived in Seattle I'd be a regular!!!!!!
(5)
Allie S.

Professional and novice reviewers alike have nothing but rave comments for this speciality burger joint. I believe they boast the number one burger spot in WA. My competitive side says, "prove it". And they did. Had the special RJB burger (Kobe beef, corned beef and sauerkraut) with the tots... Bomb! The bun on it's own can make a delicious meal. If your trying to watch your calories by getting a salad, beware, they're huge and packed with meats and other delights such as honey ham, marinated chicken, egg, blue cheese, at least the LB Salad is... Dont miss the tots... You can order fries anywhere...
(4)
Karen B.

Summary: I rated it "Meh I've experienced better." Yeah! "Better" At the old location!!! Man vs. Food will not be visiting anytime soon. First: I asked- The menu they have this opening week is not the full menu. They will bring back those things later. Second: For the person with the vegetarian friend? Why was she so confused? They have a veggie patty. Not sure what her problem was. Third: True, they have had issues since opening. Try for lunch to actually get in. They promise to be open their actual hours in a couple of weeks. Here's what I think about the new location: Decor- Still looks rather like SLU B&G, but oh well. Bar- Full bar, tallboys of PBR, signature cocktails made with Tang. My cool neighbor will be bartending there. Shake- Still pretty good. Served in a real glass. $6.50 though! Ouch! Tots- No fun salt choices. Plain, they aren't even as good as The Vic's Burger- Their website still says the burgers are "HUGE!" Um... No, not anymore. You no longer need a trick jaw to fit the height of the burger in your mouth. I also was NOT plucking bacon off of it. In fact it needed some MORE bacon. The bun wasn't the same and not as good. The burger patty was smaller. Overall flavor was lacking. Basically it was a really expensive pub sized burger. Was it worth it? NO! It was pricey and no longer unique. Prices are the same I guess, but there is no longer anything special about it to make it worth the price. I hope they read some reviews and go back to their old ways. I will likely not be visiting again soon, except for an occasional shake. Oh and can I tell you, I live around the corner, literally. So I'm mega disappointed. I almost rather something else moved into that location.
(2)
Geoff S.

Went in expecting the best burger I've ever had and was not disappointed. We had a party of 7 and were sat in a trainer's section, Aaron, and even though it was only his 4th night working here, he did an amazing job. Kept us well-informed of the expansive menu, he named a few favorite dishes, and even kept us pretty well entertained. A trainer even came just to check how well he was doing. The food was to die for. Tried everyones' burgers and they were all incredible. But...The Dork. Oh, god, The Dork. Duck/pork burger, garlic mayo...I was literally speechless describing how good it was to my friends, so I made them all take a bite.
(5)
Missy C.

The horrible unprofessional unfriendly service by Colin made my food taste bad!! I will not be going here again! Too expensive for an okay burger..but Because of Colin I will not being going back and I do not recommend this place!
(1)
Enrique B.

Oh, they are so choice. You haven't lived until you've had a Lunchbox Laboratory burger. Can I have the He-Man lunch pail please?
(5)
brown s.

Kind of expensive, but food is interesting and tasty. Had the bleu burger w/sweet potato fries and both were great
(4)
Rex B.

THE GOOD: BIGGER LOCATION! A bar and still the same great burgers! THE BAD: Its unhealthy THE LOWDOWN: Hands down the best burgers around. The combination of ingredients to create these masterpieces are genius. Been to the old location and now the new location. The menu was revamped from what I remember, but they still have the same ol staples...... Next up - going to give the happy hour a try. Love this place
(5)
Michael L.

First off, I must say this.....BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! Whew, that being said...The original Lunchbox Laboratory in Ballard, was by far my #1 favorite best burger...EVER. seriously. and i've been on a best burger hunt for a couple years now. So that's saying a lot. A drastic drop. I can no longer call this Lunchbox Laboratory. It is now Lunchbox. There is no laboratory about this anymore. One of the reasons I loved this place was customization. And so many choices (see my old review). My gosh. They had like a dozen seasonings for fries! Now...nothing! Hardly any choices. No more churken, or dork, or any other alternatives. beef, lamb or veggie...that's it. a few sauces, a few cheeses, about it. We asked if they would ever open up the menu more. they said of course! we will probably offer panini's! ummm...seriously? ummm...no. Now, certainly, the ambience is sooooo much nicer here. but I refuse to sacrifice the menu for it. Don't get me wrong, the food is still pretty good, but not nearly to the level it used to be. I suppose my rankings will now shuffle around. Worth a shot to try, and you'll probably like it very much if you go here for the first time (and you've never been to the other). But knowing what it used to be...I can no longer think of it in the same light. Goodbye Lunchbox Laboratory. Hello Lunchbox. I wish you would come back Laboratory.
(3)
Tony Y.

Food was good. Great burgers. Lots of options. More of a gourmet burger place. Probably helps explain it's on the expensive side. $15 per burger. Their ingredients are great. The burgers are tasty and it's worth the price.
(4)
Zachary Sam Z.

Sadly, I never had the opportunity to visit the original Lunchbox Laboratory in Ballard. So my 4 star rating is taking the new location for what it is, and based on my experience, it was pretty good! I started off with the Resse's Peanut Butter milkshake, which was totally delicious, with a rich peanut butter flavor that made it disappear far too quickly. I guess the drawback is that, for $6.50, it wasn't as much as I had expected. When I think of the Beth's six dollar milkshake, they call it that to imply that EVERYTHING goes into it, and you totally get your money's worth. So the $6.50 milkshake is a bit too expensive for what it is... but at the end of the meal, we got a coupon for a free milkshake, so I suppose it all balances out! The burger choices all sounded delicious, but I went with Truffle Love burger. It was lacking in the truffle department, but still had a yummy flavor and was chock full of bacon. The side of tots was standard. Here's what would make this review 5 stars: Having larger-versions of the sides that you can either (1) take up to a toppings bar a la Portage Bay, or (2) order with all manner of toppings a la Waffle House. Based on other reviews, I was pretty sad that all I got for the tots was ketchup and mustard. Reading the burger descriptions, you know they've got a huge variety of condiments and toppings, so why not live it up? Even if you were to say that each side comes with your choice of two condiments, that would be an improvement. I would get my tots with Satan's Ketchup and Habanero Mayo! All that said, I will be back. The burgers were great, and even if the next milkshake wasn't free, I would order another one because they were so tasty. It's a relaxed place to grab a bite to eat, and pretty close to home, so you can't really go wrong! PS - you might be confused by the hours on their website, which list Sunday as 11am - Close. When is "Close," you might ask? According to a sign on the door, 7pm for the next few weeks.
(4)
Steven N.

Wow. What a difference from our old favorite in Ballard. The new Lunchbox Lab will be sorely lacking for any fan from the old days. Our out if town friends were perfectly happy, but the wonderful uniqueness that made LbL great has been stripped out in favor of bland franchise-worthy fare. Gone are the gratuitous choices - the very thing fans loved. There is no more Dork, or even turkey burgers and our friend was told that all patties came medium well done without exception. There are no more specials. There is no more flavored salts. There are no more substitutions and that seems like hearsay for a menu that was previously ALL substitutions. The milkshakes, usually an exceptionally bright spot, were eh. The servers were well intentioned. But when you iron out all the wrinkles that were so quirky the New LbL seems a lot like a spendy Red Robbin.
(1)
Charles F.

If a burger is what you are looking for, this place has really good burgers, but there is one on the menu that is top dog in my book. It is the burger of the gods. A burger, with onions marinated in balsamic vinegar, blue cheese and a gorgonzola dressing should be incredible and they do not let you down. And if you are going to have a burger, get the tator tots. Finally, if you have room or you wish to take it with you, get a malt ball milk shake because it is incredible. Yes, it is a little pricey, but you get what you pay for in this instance.
(4)
Andrew M.

Who charges almost $7 for a Milkshake and offers no substitutions for $14 dollar burgers? More like Lunchbox Laboratory fail. Your money is better spent elsewhere (5 guys/Red Mill...or even Dicks down the road). Please fix your overbloated prices, bring back the mac and cheese and people will come to love you again.
(2)
Duane L.

I think their burgers are great, but their prices leave more to be desired. You are paying $15 or more for a burger. Fries? More. Tots? So awesome they have them, but more. Some of their burger creations are pretty creative though. The Truffle Love burger for example, is awesome. The Homage to the Dick's Deluxe is a bourgeois version of the local classic. Kudos for having Tang and Koolaid though. They rock.
(3)
Carla R.

Ridiculous kind of good. Holy crap, this place is a must for the burger connoisseur. My husband was in heaven. We had a hard time choosing on the extensive and unique menu. I had the spicy burger with habanero mayo and their spicy ketchup. Peppers, special onions... yum. My husband had their signature burger with balsamic onions which were to DIE for! Sweet potato fries with a variety of dipping sauces put the meal over the top. I'd go back in a heartbeat. Their drink menu was also fun and unique. Great happy hour too and social media checkin specials that help make for a reasonably priced night out. I'd take my teenagers too - fun atmosphere. Love it!
(5)
Michael H.

The Burger of the Gods and the Native New Yorker were fairly solid choices. The shakes are super rich. At $13+ a burger, it's definitely not a cheap option to satisfy your craving, but it's a tasty burger nonetheless.
(3)
Brian W.

I had a moment of panic when I heard the Lunchbox Lab in Ballard had closed. Hands down, the best burger I've ever eaten was concocted by this place. I fell to my knees sobbing, wondering what would fill the void in my soul. But then I saw they were reopening in South Lake Union. When they opened, I went to check out the new diggs. It sounded like there would be a lot more seating room. I was looking forward to actually not having to wipe my mouth with my neighbor's napkin and rub up against their fat. And sure enough, the new location is pretty nice. Yeah, it's not the old one, but so what? Blah blah blah. I'm just here for the food. On top of that, it's pretty conveniently located not far off I-5, as opposed to Ballard which is just a pain to get to unless you live in the area. But, probably the best thing about the new location is actually the location. That, and beer. Beer is an awesome addition. But the menu... gone are are the customizations that made it a "laboratory". Gone are the flavored salts. Gone is the 1/2 lb burger. Gone are the many different meat choices. Gone is the chalkboard full of customizations. Gone are most of the preset burgers, save a select few. I opted the get the Burger of the Gods. If I recall this had some onions and blue cheese. And, don't get me wrong, it was a good burger. But... it just wasn't the same. It's smaller. I think the buns are different. I think the meat is different. It's hard to put my finger on it, but a lot of things seemed different. Except for the prices, which are still high but seem not quite worth it anymore. Now, this was also the first week they opened. Maybe they are still putting things together. I dunno. I will probably give it another shot next time I'm in the area. But this new Lunchbox... it's not a place would go out of the way for. The formerly 5 stars, now reduced to 3 or 3.5 in my mind. And once again, I am sad.
(3)
Kalun L.

I came here for lunch to try their dork burger, a burger made with ground duck and pork. Was it good? Yes, even if the sauce and onions were a bit too salty. Was it worth more than $10? Eh, no. It did come with your choice of fries, sweet potato fries, house-made chips, or tater tots. I got the tater tots which were tasty. The rinds of fire was frickin' fantastic, fresh fried and served while it was still snap-crackle-and-popping. Service was attentive, the decor of lunch pails was a laugh riot, especially the anti-syphilis lunchbox. Three stars for the burger, but four stars for the pork rinds and service.
(4)
Cemarie D.

First of all Happy Hour from 3-6! Perfect for a late lunch on a weekend which is what we had decided. Burger and beer on a sunny afternoon, the outdoor seating was great. Ordered the Burger of the Gods, definitely a must try! Not a greasy mess by any means, the balsamic onions and the gorgonzola cheese were a perfect pair atop the juicy cooked meat. Also the sweet potato fries were perfect. Not to crunchy and not to mushy. Definitely will return to try other menu items!
(4)
Devin P.

I've heard many good things about the Lunchbox Laboratory from co-workers so I wanted to try it out. Maybe my visit today was a victim of my own high expectation but I'm not sure what other kind of expectations to have for a place that serves $13-15 Kobe beef burgers. The service left me wondering if it's now considered "hip" in Seattle to have little or no interpersonal skills and manners. The service wasn't down-right rude but it was FAR from friendly. We interacted with three different people; our server didn't crack even a slight smile the whole time and seemed annoyed to be there; the second person (refilling my water glass) ignored my "thank you" and walked away without a word; the third person (bringing another glass of soda) barely eked out a "yup" in response to my "thank you". Now to the "nuts and bolts" of why we were there, the food. We ordered their jalapeno and cream cheese Buff Pops appetizer. It reminded me of a ground up jalapeno popper that was breaded and deep fried, served with spicy buffalo sauce. I thought it was very good. We also ordered a Hot Head burger. I'm not sure what to make of complaints about too much bacon; I've never experienced such a thing and this burger was no exception. I will also state that I hate floppy bacon but the bacon on my burger was crisp so I have no complaint there. Unfortunately beyond the bacon, things went down hill. The burger came slathered in soo much jalapeno mayo that I could not even taste the beef. The delicious bacon and excessive mayo combined to give the burger an overly greasy texture and overpowered what I'm sure would've otherwise been a very tasty piece of meat. All in all, I would've given this place 3 out of 5 stars but the lack of friendly service caused me to knock off a star. I wouldn't travel from the eastside into Seattle solely for this place again but I might give it another shot if I was already there and got hit with a bacon burger craving.
(2)
Mark L.

Not much has changed about this place since the move from Ballard to S.L.U... Still great food, but disorganized, lousy service. And they act like nothing is wrong because they try so hard to be hip. Get a clue... get your act together. You're running a business, not a trendy hipster hangout. Started the meal with an order of Chips with a Bacon/Garlic Dip. We waited and waited... Finally out of the corner of my eye I see the waitress realize we haven't gotten it yet. I see her run up to the kitchen counter looking for it... Then she disappears behind a curtain and come out with a ticket and say to another waitress "They didn't get the ticket yet"... Finally, after a rush job, the appetizer appears with the waitress saying it was late because the kitchen had some issues. Then, when ordering my burger, I also ask for a Nutella shake (delicious, by the way).... Again, I wait and wait... I see several other parties being seated right around us after we've ordered. They get their shakes long before mine.... Our food arrives and still no shake. I ask the waitress who says they are backed up on making shakes... This was a lie. I am total reasonable and would understand if making shakes is backed up, but then why did every other table around me get shakes when they just sat down and ordered them long after I did? Look... Your customers are not stupid so stop with the lame excuses... I can't stand it when people don't take responsibility.
(1)
Bryan R.

"Hi Deliciousness, face calling." What can I do but look off into the distance with a tear in my eye and think back to the mind-blowing dining experience I had a few nights ago? Nothing, save for softly weeping into my packed lunch as I sit at my desk at work. Oh cruel world, what have I done to see the cast of Twilight become so successful while I myself am banished back to this mashed PB&J sandwich at my desk after having seen the light! I am reborn! Just as the Machines lacked the programming language to describe our perfect word in The Matrix (it's been a Netflix heavy week), so too do I lack the words to describe the many and varied combinations of flavor paradise at one's fingertips when dining here. Three fry options? Try three fry options with 6 seasoning options EACH! Were I a math guy I could wow you with numbers...like 3 fries...times 6 seasonings...carry the one..I dunno...that's like a DOZEN combinations....or something. And the burgers--so many, so customizable, and made so much better with an EXTRA paddy for a mere $2? I've never fancied myself an artist, but the other night I was a culinary Rembrandt. Make yourself go and then let yourself go; see what journeys your server takes you on. You won't be disappointed.
(4)
Anna G.

Went here last night. My husband and I had a "spend $30 get $10 off coupon". We thought, "darn we have to spend $30? Maybe we'll get an extra burger for my mom, since she gave us the coupon". UMM, we spent over $50. Two burgers, salad, mac n cheese, and milkshake to split. I had the Dork burger. Delish. N had the Bleu Marble. Also delish. South lake Ceasar was good, not the best ceasar but it was big enough to share. Weird it had an orange slice instead of lemon though. The tater tots and sweet potato fries were perfect. The experimental ELVIS SHAKE was okay. It had bacon in it. We were bacon'ed out. The staff was friendly. I'd go back...but next time not spend so much...cuz dang.
(4)
Luke H.

Save your money. A decent six dollar burger that you get to pay fifteen for. This place is gimmicky and the servers are snide. Absolutely terrible place that in a perfect world already would have been out of business. Spend your money at Red Mill instead.
(1)
Kari R.

My sister has been here before, but I never had so we decided to go for her birthday lunch. My treat of course. :) Maybe I should have actually tried a burger, but instead I got their Bacon Burger Bake. It was interesting, but not bad! The shoe string fries were terrible though. They were hard as rocks so I sent them back. When I got more they weren't much better, but I didn't fancy sending fries back a second time so I dealt with it. The decor is really cool, and there's actually a lot of street parking available during the lunch hour! The service is so-so. The host was really quick in getting us seated, but it took awhile for the server to get to us. He did let us know the burgers were running behind at a 20 mins wait, which we said was fine. It was a little busy at the time with a lot of groups. Our food came to us after about 30 mins and by that time the place was almost empty. I figured the server would be a little bit more attentive, but it still took longer than I'd expect to let him know about my rock hard fries. The check also took a really long time to get to us, even though we were clearly just sitting there with our plates pushed to the edge of the table. A sign, I thought, would inform the server we were ready to go. Alright food, so-so service...I'm not in a hurry to go back, but I figure I ought to, to try a burger.
(3)
Allison T.

I am sitting on the couch virtually immobilized after the amount of deliciousness I just mashed into my facehole. This is a great place to bring a group...and I see a lot of people talking about having parties in the Rumpus Room, but if you want to enjoy the regular menu.. our single waitress, Mary, handled our 30 top with professionalism and ease. It was honestly the best large-party service I've ever had. Not once did she give us the that "Annoyed Server Stink Eye" as our party grew, as we requested more tables, and basically took over half the restaurant. If you choose to do as we did and dine in the regular restaurant, please note, they don't split checks, so have everyone in your party come with CASH. This was the easiest way to do it. Now to the food! I had an Orange Julia to drink. which tasted like a creamsicle. It was delicious, but it was lacking in the liquor department, and it didn't come in a beaker, which made me sad! A lot of people had monster milkshakes that they raved about (and those come in beakers! Science!!!!) I had a monstrosity of a burger that has left me beyond full...The Burger of the Gods. Bleu cheese, gorgonzola spread, sweet grilled onions...oh, kobe-like (?) beef too...but honestly, the beef was an afterthought. I was a filthy mess but it was delicious! My fries were great, Steak n' Shake style thin and salty. Girlfriend had the Hot Head, and was left wishing she had gotten the Dork (Duck and Pork patty!) because, while it was good, there was WAY TOO MUCH BACON. Prior to our visit to Lunchbox Laboratory I didn't believe it was possible to have too much bacon. She also said it was not as spicy as she expected. She had the sweet potato fries, which were delicious. Friendly reminder: don't start eating until you check out their amazing flavored salts; habenaro, rosemary, and hickory bacon salt (MORE BACON?) We had a really great experience here with our large group, the place handled it well, the food came out in a timely (for 30 burgers) manner, the drinks were always filled, and the attitude was positive and welcoming. We will definitely go back to try other stuff from the menu. They had a great menu of specials and the HH drinks were well priced (4 bucks). This would be a really great place to take visiting parents, because of the cool nostalgic decorations; metal lunchboxes and sand art. I can't wait to take my dad here! I am now going to lay on my couch and slide happily into a beef-coma.
(4)
Orlene C.

The burgers were good, but I would not call it the best burger in Washington. It is nice that one of the side options are tater tots. They serve the milkshakes in beakers. The milkshakes are very yummy and a cute, fun setting. You definitely leave this place feeling very full.
(4)
Marnie R.

I was pleasantly surprised with the food! I'm not a big burger person because I don't eat beef and veggie burgers are usually not very exciting. I ordered a create your own black bean veggie burger with a gorgonzola ranch sauce and some sweet potato fries. The burger was amazing! Crispy patty, warm buttery bun, amazing cheesy sauce... I wanted a second one! There are even all kinds of salt shakers with different flavors and spices you can add to your fries! PS You have to try the tangarita...yes, that's right folks...a top shelf margarita made with TANG! This place is kid friendly with an adult twist!
(5)
Lisa T.

Not sure if I'm a fan because I'm not big on burgers in the first place. I got the new yorker, I believe...boy was it huge!!! the meat is tender and juicy, but thats about it. Maybe I didn't get the right combination, but I wasn't blown away like I felt like I should be. My burger had buffalo sauce/ranch/cheese/lettuce/tomato/pickle/kobe beef patty.also the price for the burger & fries after tip/tax was about $17. To me thats a lot for a burger that didn't wow me. And I thought maybe their fries would be really good, but that didn't cut it for me either...although they do have tater tots(I'm going to get this next time instead of fries). The location is good with lots of parking, and the its decorated with lots of memorabilia (old lunchboxes). There's a bar and its a sit down restaurant...i thought it was a walk up type of situation . I think that if I do go there again, I'm going to try their lamb burger, but I highly doubt that will be anytime soon.
(3)
Bran S.

Updated menu, happy hour activated (for drinks, burgers AND a good percentage of their shakes), second floor with pinball, classic games and a pool table open. The changes to this place are simply jaw-dropping. I can't think of anything I want more out of a burger place. Kudos.
(5)
Devon D.

A plethora of gigantic, gut busting burger options. Great branding, decent execution. Shakes and sandwiches won't blow your mind, but its always fun to get your boozy shake on. Appetizers were the hero of the meal.
(4)
Holly J.

My fiance and I came to the new Lunchbox location a few days before Valentine's Day. It had been several months since we've had our LBL fix. We were both thrown off by the interior of the new place but it wasn't bad. Then we were thrown off by the fact that there was a hostess and servers! Certainly were not expecting that. Our waitress was pretty cool but almost too laid-back. I guess I just never really expect to hear the f-word from my waitress, but it's whatever. We took a while to decide because the menu was, once again, not what we were expecting. My fiance and I almost always build our own burgers, so we were disappointed to see that that there were all pre-made experiments on there. I was sad to see that the mac and cheese wasn't on the menu, and even asked the waitress about it. She explained that they are still working on the menu, and we should try back in a few weeks for our favorites (like the mac and cheese, dork patty, different salts, etc.). The alcoholic drinks we got were fantastic. My fiance got a glass of red wine, and I got the bana-tini and another drink that I believe had strawberry lemonade in it (it was amazing). We had to get shakes of course, so he got the Boston cream pie and I got the Oreo shake. Very tasty, as usual. I do miss things about the old spot- watching Scott cook, being able to talk to Allegra, the customization options, etc. I have to say I even kinda missed Allegra yelling out, "coming through, coming through!" We will certainly give it another try (or three). We are fiercely loyal fans of LBL and don't intend on giving up on it so quickly!
(4)
Andrea S.

There are sooo many reviews, so I'll keep this brief and be on my way :P Because I'm sort of not living as glamorously as the past, I've only been able to come during HH since this place can easily cause you to throw down some $'s. Not only in prices, but the Lunchbox Lab (LL) is rich in flavor: - Mac n' Cheese: I had the Roasted Garlic + Bleu; interesting and good, but I couldn't finish more than a couple of bites since it was so dang buttery and cheesy. - Shakes: Soo delicious and yummy. Definitely worth those cals. - Potatoes: The sweet potato fries + tots are awesome!! - HH Apps: are all pretty good; pork grinds surprisingly good (I've only seen my asian bf's mom make these-- so I was super impressed :3) Downsides: - They charge 50 cents for additional sauces [for fries; which is a must for me!!]. I get it-- but when you want to try OHSOMANY sauces, and aren't sure what you'll end up with [cause they have OHSOMANY choices], it can sort of be a drag. - I wasn't really wowed like I thought I'd be :/ I've tried the HH burger and the truffle burger and... they were good. Just not mind-blowingly good. I'd personally rather go to Red Mill or Dick's, because of the distance and I don't have to pay for parking. That's my personal opinion, and I'm entitled to it, darn it!! - If you don't like bacon [ok sorry, this might not be a downside], you probably won't enjoy their "burger experiments" (or that accompanying smell of bacon that manages to ruin your recently lathered hair) since most involve that notorious, pork slab. You could always just customize your burger (for fun, I wanted to calculate the Truffle Love burger w/o bacon: $13.99 vs w/bacon: $14.49)-- but sometimes you're just wayyy too lazy for that. - No more shakes in the beakers :( Plus, they need to update their menu! I ordered an Arnold Palmer, thinking I'd get a +1 refill. But noo.. apparently they changed their glassware to accommodate more beverage which is cool. But not so cool when you feel a bit scammed out of a drink. Okay, it looks like I went way past brief. My apologies. LL is fun for HH and to try out, but definitely not an everyday thing. I have an inkling that I might be sensitive to dairy and I've had quite the stomach ache/bloated feeling after eating here; this isn't necessarily LL's fault, but just be cautious and don't go too crazy haa :)
(3)
Raven K.

I go here way too much and its their fault. Burgers are really good, whether you get the meat or the bean burger. They have a gluten free bun and while Im a little peeved that they charge $1 extra, the buns are good and at this point, Im used to getting gouged for a food allergy I can't help. Their tater tots are so good but their sweet fries always taste burnt. Friendly and attentive staff with an extra star to the waitress that suggested buffalo ketchup. That stuff is so damn good, thanks!
(4)
Adrian A.

The service is terrible. Our server who also doubles as the bartender, would rather chat it up than retrieve our food. He forgot to bring out multiple items on our order, and acted as if we were so lucky to have him as our server. The food was alright, especially for the Happy Hour prices, but it wasn't good enough to warrant a return.
(2)
Sean B.

Santa fe FTW! Sweet potato fries were amazing.
(5)
Justin H.

Pretty good burgers, not great though. Also a little pricey
(4)
Madison L.

The new LBL is not as good as the old shack one. The meat quality dropped down drastically! The burgers used to be tender and moist but the last time I went there, it was no better than Dick's Drive-Through burger patty. Patty was definitely overcooked and looked much more dense than before. Also had the "chicken wings," which are actually just wontons stuffed with a chicken and sauce blend, which was not worth it. I've had many of their burgers before (been there with different friends) and the Dork is pretty good. That's the one thing I think you can't get elsewhere but you do pay a good price for it. I do love the variety of spices and herbs you can put in your fries. Rosemary, anyone? Overall, super pricey burgers not worth it for the quality. The old place was well worth it. This one not so much. Seems like they stopped paying much attention to the quality of their burgers.
(3)
Jerome B.

I can only come here once every 1-2 months. This burger and milkshake joint will probably give me a heart attack because of how rich the food is. That being said, this food here tastes AMAZINGLY. I love the theme of the restaurant. Very 1950s Pop Art aesthetic and I really enjoyed it! I wish that they offer a little more non-beef choices other than the Dork (Duck and Pork) patty and the vegetarian patty. I opted to eat the Dork patty with the bbq sauce and the onions with cheese. So good! Although, my friend who I ate with had a really hard time eating this humongous burger. It kept tearing apart and made such a mess. I had a better time, but I definitely had my pile of used napkins in order to stay clean. The food was delicious though. I also got to try the Nutella milk shake. It was delicious but very very rich. I had to pace myself when I was eating and drinking. But other than that it tasted very good. Parking, I assume, will be very hard if you come during the dinner period. You have to park on the street, but luckily for me, I came during a time when it wasn't busy :)
(4)
Mags L.

So, I didn't love my burger here. Actually, I kind of .... didn't like it. I previously visited them in Ballard, and loved my food then. This time around, the burger was overly salty and greasy, and not all that flavorful. I got the Bobcat Bite and expected the green chili/onions to pack of a punch than they did. In fact, I barely noticed that I had green chilies on my burger. I will say that the bread was fantastically toasted. The nutella milkshake and the perfectly crunchy tots almost made up for the lackluster burger. The milkshake was perfectly balanced for taste, texture and thickness, albeit not served in a milkshake sized glass (I suppose Red Robin has spoiled me...).
(2)
Jen R.

The burger was good, but I would appreciate some better options on the less greasy calorie ridden side. I am aware that I am eating a burger, but nothing on the menu looked at all like it would be a good choice for someone wanting to not feel guilty the rest of the day. I ate half and was stuffed. I had the Hawaiian, which did not taste anything like Hawaii. It had a pineapple mayo of some sort, but I idid not taste any pineapple. It was just dripping with grease from the mushrooms, bacon, and onions. Another annoying thing my BF pointed out is the fact that they don't do mid-rare. They have a disclaimer on the menu that says something about not serving undercooked meat. Lame.
(3)
Brynne H.

Ugh. I really liked the Ballard location, and the burgers I had there were fantastic. What happened during the move to the other end of location, I guess we'll never know, but it was bad. While the service at the Ballard location wasn't anything to get excited about (and was slightly intimidating), at least they were quick and efficient. They are no longer either of those things despite having what appears to be 10 times the staff. There was seriously a lot of standing around looking bored and indifferent by employees. Isn't that what you love to see? It took over 20 minutes to get out two milkshakes and a soda, and while I might forgive them on the milkshake (maybe the machine was backed up, something, I don't know), 20 minutes to bring out a soda? Get with the program. Took just as long to get the burgers out which again, may have been forgiven, but the burgers were bad. What happened? Why did the burgers taste like salt licks? I swear, they didn't before...that is something you remember! Mine was truly inedible, and I barely managed to choke down half of it. One of my friends did a little better, but this was someone who proclaimed himself the Winner of Dinner at the Ballard location after eating his burger, a milkshake, the mac'n'cheese side, half my burger, and about two things of tater tots. He's a bottomless pit with an indiscriminate palate; I trust his food-related opinions for naught. It was just all around a terribly disappointing experience. The old space was cool with the lunchboxes on the walls, but here it felt lame and like it was trying WAY too hard. Plus it still had the generic feel of SL Grill. Maybe they'll have their act together by the summer and it will be a nice place to go, sit on the patio, and enjoy a burger that doesn't taste quite so much like a salt lick.
(2)
Maria N.

Dear lord... I never thought I would ever complain about too much bacon, but that is the case with Lunchbox Laboratory. I got the Homage to the Dick's Deluxe (which, yes, does in fact taste like a Dick's Deluxe), and I found myself pulling off some of the bacon from the burger. I love bacon as much as anyone, but it really was overkill here. However, I did love the tater tots!
(2)
Colin F.

A little pricey for a sandwich shop, but the food is tasty. Quite a few of the staff here were absolutely useless. We waited for several minutes for the hostess to appear and then she tried to put several people ahead of us that came in after because she had not been there to see who was coming in in what order and she did not bother to ask either. We took a seat in the bar and watched as the bartender was left to bus tables, take orders, wait tables, pour drinks, and deliver food all by himself while other staff and the hostess stood at the end of the bar and gossiped for several minute stretches. Because of this, it took forever for us to have our order taken and food delivered. No fault to the bartender because he had hustle but he could only do so many things at once. I would recommend maybe sitting at a table to see if you can get better service. Go there for the food but don't expect great service and you won't be disappointed.
(3)
sarah y.

since this is the newer location, it didn't have the character and diner feel to it that we all expected, but let's focus on the food: the shakes were delicious and creatively served in beakers to follow the whole laboratory theme. i had the salted caramel, while my friend had the nutella and they were both equally devour-before-your-meal-arrives worthy. now to the burgers... if you're a bacon lover, this is the place for you. almost every burger on the menu includes bacon, and the bacon is PILED, literally i counted about 6 slices on my "truffle love" burger. the main reason that i can't give this place more stars is the amount of grease that is on each burger. (it's probably from all the bacon, come to think of it) it's a big overwhelming and i can say that i did not feel so good for the rest of the day.
(3)
Lili T.

I was excited to come here to try the Thai dork burger. Then I was told that they were out of 'em. Sigh. Sad days. Decided to try The Smoker instead. Havarti cheese, honey cured bacon, onions, with a smoked pepper mayo. I was disappointed that the bacon was slimy and not crispy/crunchy. It was a pretty good burger nonetheless but a bit on the greasy side. Each burger came with a side -- sweet potato fries, skinny fries, tater tots, etc. I definitely recommend the tots. My family/friends each had something different. The Burger of the Gods wasnt all that great. The amount of balsamic onion loaded on that thing was too much for his liking. The New Yorker was decent but wasn't mind-blowing. Everything else was mediocre. The overall rating for the night was a solid "Ehhh" The only real rant I have about this place is the cost. Dinner will be around $20/person for a burger and drink. Shakes are delicious (Nutella/malt chocolate) but expensive ($6.50).
(3)
Curtis L.

I don't see the hype about this place. After we got there a little before noon on a Friday and was seated promptly in the bar. This place filled up right afterwards and tons of people waiting outside for a table. The service was pretty efficient and the food was good. They cook all their burgers medium well. They are on the pricey side; close to $15 for burger and fries. There is also no parking so I would choose to go elsewhere for my burger fix.
(3)
Alice B.

For all the hype about this place, I don't get it. I had the burger that pays homage to Dick's Deluxe (my favorite burger!), and it was messy, salty, and drowned in cheese. So much so that I couldn't appreciate the supposedly high quality ingredients. Tater Tots were just okay, but I prefer the ones from Sonic. The milk shakes were great, and I loved the glass beakers they were served in. But at $6.95 just for a shake, I can get my fill and satisfaction at Dick's Drive In for a whole meal at the same price.
(2)
T L.

A good burger, not a great burger. Attitudey hostess led us into awesomely decorated-with-vintage-lunchboxes eatery with deeply overpriced burgers. Average price is $13. Wow. If I'm paying about $15 for a burger, it needs to blow my mind. My bun was stale, my fries cold and the burger was not incredible. It was delicious and good, but it was not Obama-Riding-A-Rainbow-Unicorn. Obama-Rainbow-Unicorn Mac 'n' Cheese. The prices are silly, though, and I snack-ethically couldn't return on my own dime.
(3)
Stephen T.

Lunchbox Laboratory is among the most uniquely delicious restaurants I've ever had the pleasure of eating at. If you have any fear or reservations about paying $12 for a burger, get those thoughts out of your head because this burger is worth it. The meat is extremely high-quality. This is NOT the pre-formed, frozen and bland patty you'll find at Dick's or Red Mill, this is mouth-watering beefy deliciousness. Every item in each of the burgers I have tried coalesces seamlessly in a nearly indescribable culinary experience that ALL Seattlites need to experience. SIDES: I understand the whole "burgers and french fries" mindset most people have, and 99% of the time I agree. At Lunchbox though, the Tater Tots are seriously the most crispy, not greasy, delicious fried potato item I have ever eaten. As someone who generally shuns tater tots because of horrible memories of bad school lunches and soggy tots...these are heaven. The fries are decent - crispy, not greasy and light. They're a little bit too skinny for my preferences but are great if you feel like grabbing a handful and dunking in ketchup. One other thing: GET THE GARLIC PEPPER ON THE FRIES/TATER TOTS. BURGERS: Without question the burgers at Lunchbox Laboratory are the main attraction. The Burger of the Gods (Gorgonzola Cheese Sauce, Carmelized Onions, Bleu Cheese crumbles) is the most gorgeous burger I have ever seen. All of the burgers at Lunchbox are massive - bring an appetite, because once you start, you won't put it down. I will say that the only aspect that was slightly disappointing was the bun - the buns at the previous location were much higher quality. Other than that, this is the same burger I remember from the Ballard spot. SHAKES: Expensive? Yes. The best shake you'll ever experience? Yes. Overall, this is the definitive burger experience in Seattle. Better than Red Mill? Maybe, but this a different type of restaurant. Red Mill is a quick, cheap and deliciously greasy experience. Lunchbox is a more refined, slower-paced and complex proposition. If you haven't been to Lunchbox Laboratory yet, get in the car, GO RIGHT NOW.
(5)
Scott J.

This place is AWESOME! The burgers taste fantastic and are so diverse. The buns are made there and are soft and chewy yet hold together for the whole burger. Seriously the best burger you're going to find. Also, try the sweet potato Fry's dipped in the Satan's tears ketchup. Tasty!!!!!
(5)
Kelly B.

When I heard Lunchbox Laboratory was moving to South Lake Union I was relieved - as much as I loved the quirky little place on 15th with the velvet covered tables you have to squish into next to strangers, I wanted a roomier place to eat my burger. Oh, and beer. Cannot forget the need for beer. Little bummed upon arriving at the new location! Though I had never been to the Southlake Grille before, the new decor of the new Lunchbox evoked an Applebees vibe. The menu made me catch my breath - no more choices and an (eeek!) threatening warning for "no substitutions." Gone are the options for different kinds of salt, meat, size, etc. and by God, the mac n' cheese is no more. And I gotta say, I LOVED the lady that used to bark out your order to the cooks at the counter. I always felt the need to step in and say "take 15, I'll cover you" because something told me she had been on her feet forever. She was sweet, yet rough around the edges. Where did she go??? The veggie burger's awesomeness made me less cranky, and our service was great, though I swear I had no truffle on my truffle burger. I'll go back - still the best burger ever, but miss the old vibe.
(4)
Christopher S.

I have never been to the original. I am grading this place based on how much better it is than the SLU bar and grill that was here (and yes I'm aware it's the same owner/ownership group). Food - pretty damn good I must say. Burger was cooked correctly (pink in the middle). Bun was good, sauces were tasty. One burger was more than I could ever finish personally, and I'm a fairly fit 6' 200 lb guy. Lot's of toppings on the burgers - I had the Smoker and my friend had the homage to Dick's Delux or whatever they call that. I was too full after 3/4 of a burger and 1/2 a shake to even touch the sides. The one thing that really stuck out to me was how much better the food quality is than the SLU bar and grill. To the owner - than you! Beverage - I hade the reeces shake. It was freaking delish. Portion was fine for me. Besides, it was probably a 1000 calorie shake judging by how rich it was, I'm not sure why people are complaining that they need more? Puzzeling, unless you're trying to get super fat and become a sumo champion or you're an elite olympian who needs the extra calories during training. Service - Very excellent. We were waited on promptly, our server gave quick concise explainations and recommendations. We were asked by multiple staff how our food was and if we were happy with it. Overall, service was really top notch for a burger joint. Price - Definitely on the spendy side. Fourteen bucks for a burger is questionable at best, but, I will be back so I think that says something. When I compare this place to another 14 dollar burger at say Tavern Law, while it's not nearly as refined or high quality it definitely has other redeeming qualities like the yummy toppings and sauces. This place is so much better than the SLU bar and grill. I'm so glad that place is gone and this is here.
(4)
Kellen A.

Since the move to their new location, everyone has asked "what happened to the Mac 'n Cheese!?" ...we asked. Our server agreed that it's been sorely missed. 10 minutes later she appeared with a bowl of JalapeÃ±o Bacon Mac 'n Cheese just for old times sake. Absolutely amazing burger, extras, and most importantly service. Worth every penny! Hope you get Erica as a server! Pos: Everything Neg: Nothing
(5)
Mike C.

Great burger for $6-$8. For $13.00? Not so much!! Kool-Aid and Tang, now that's what the two stars are for.
(2)
Linda V.

I came here for lunch with a friend since I'd never been there before. PROS: - Very filling - Waitress was pleasant enough - I like the decor..it's funky - I enjoyed the different types of fries. Sweet potato fries with a burger...unconventional but still good! CONS: - The actual patty was a little too peppery tasting. - There was nothing extremely special. - It was pretty pricey. I didn't get a drink, but the milk shakes seemed to be super expensive. All in all, it was fine, but honestly, for me, it's not anything AMAZING for a burger place. A burger place is a burger place. You've gotta go above and beyond to stand out.
(3)
Kaarin S.

This place is a nice blend of quirky and trendy, but it doesn't disguise the fact that the food is WAY overpriced. The environment and presentation is nice, but you're going to end up paying way too much for food that's way too greasy. They do have MexiCokes, though, and their milkshakes are tasty. But overall, too greasy, and not worth the money.
(2)
jessica c.

I love the idea of this place and was very happy to finally get a chance to try it recently. It lived up to my expectations, but perhaps next time I will hit up happy hour cause the prices here kind of break the bank, burger wise. $70 for 2 burgers, 2 orders of fries, and 2 drinks....ok so we may have also each had a shot, but even if we didn't the bill wouldve only been $10 less. Which I think is crazy for a burger and fries seeing as I just got done eating a fancy-ish dinner at a Tom Douglas restaurant for about the same price. I had the truffle love burger and tater tots. It was really messy, but I managed to eat every bite. The bacon couldve been crispier..but whatever. My boyfriend did build your own burger and even though he is pretty plain, the price added up to about the same as mine. They have fun alcoholic beverages, but it wouldn't hurt them to pour a little heavier. Also, I'm not very familiar with the south lake union area..I know it's 'up and coming' but location wise, the restaurant seemed a little awkward on the corner by itself adjacent to a baseball field.
(3)
Brad F.

We came in hungry around 9:30pm. Prices are outrageous, service is slow. When going to the restrooms, I have to squeeze sideways down a hallway behind waiters spinning around with plates they just picked up from the kitchen. All this while skating on a greasy floor. Not so good... * Sweet Potato fries were lukewarm at best and had been sitting for awhile. Yuk! * Overpriced! We spent $65.00 for a party of three (before tip). $$$ * Staff with no personality, tired and bored with their jobs. * I was pretty underwhelmed by the small size of the dork patty for $17. * The Strawberry Lemonade was a sugary syrup mix, not hand squeezed (no refills) Good... * Dork is interesting and tasty. * Lunchboxer Salad was good. * A tiny side of tots were crispy. (Served warm and we prefer hot taters). I longed for a Dick's deluxe and hot fresh fries for a fraction of the price! Finally as we left around 10:30pm we were pan handled by a very aggressive guy who scared all of us! We made a run for the car... More competition is on the way: 8ozburgerbar.com/#/locatâ€¦
(2)
Jun W.

in the midst of a heart attack, the burger will come alive and kick you in the gut 'til you ooze bacon juice. The burgers are towering and intimidating. so be ready to tackle these guys. They are armed with at least 6 slices of bacon. oh and fries as a sidekick, in case the burger doesn't take you down.
(3)
Serena L.

Really nice response from an actual manager on this. Looking forward to as many tot-ful returns as my arteries can handle.
(4)
Some G.

We were extremely disappointed after all of the hype. The dork burger was apparently pretty good. The rest of us thought our burgers were average at best. Kobe beef? It didn't taste like. Definitely not going back. I can only assume that this place used to be really good.
(3)
Ryan O.

I work right above the new LBL, and so when they moved in to the neighborhood, I kept hearing about how amazing it was. Tried it a couple times now, but after today I will never return. Aside from the food not quite living up to the hype, here's what I experienced. First, the menu makes reference to all these awesome sauces they have, like it's an important part of the burger experience here. The only problem is, there are no sauce choices actually listed on the menu. When our server finally appeared and I placed my order, he asked what sauce I'd like on my burger. Someone at the table had already asked what sauces they have, and his reply was "i don't really know. we have like 20 different ones.. i started to write them down earlier..." So what's the point in asking me about the damn sauce when neither of us knows what the hell is available? Even a simple chalk board on the wall or a table tent would do the trick. Whatever, I guess I'll get ketchup. Yay. Ok, next. food finally comes and it's all jacked up. Two of the orders were wrong, and took longer than usual to get replacements. Fine, whatever, I put the burger down and like I mentioned earlier it was just OK. Then the check comes. We ask him to split it, which is a fairly normal thing that happens at lunchtime around here, and he seems confused about that. When he does split it, items are all mixed up. Whatever, we pay and just GTFO. If you're in the area, go to Feierabend (German place) down the street a block. Waaaaay better.
(1)
Nick P.

Good! Possibly even more than good! Seattle's rendition of "Gourmet Quirky Burger Joint", this is a cute little place that's worth the quick run on the South Lake street car from downtown. I had the God's Own burger (or something) and it was well executed. Drippy, juicy, and just the right amount of fat. A touch overdone but I'm told that was a special request I should have made, so keep that in mind, fellow raw meat enthusiasts. Of note, the cocktail menu features Gosling's Black Seal rum and can be had for $4.00 with a Yelp check-in coupon! Score!
(4)
Pete F.

I was really impressed for my 1st time. I heard that they raised the prices due to the new location - but I found the food well worth it! The burgers are awesome! I shared a burger and appetizer and found it ti be plenty of food (although I was jealous of the people who got a whole mouth watering burger for themselves). If you want a good gourmet burger I suggest you check this place out. No its not fine dining, but its fine eats!
(4)
Robert K.

Got around to trying the burger here and I will say that the burger itself is quite good. The prices are very high but it is a gourmet burger. Overall, the taste is quite good but I can't say that the prices are fair for what you're getting. For those that care, service was very nice but the wait was quite long. Disclaimer: Slight bias against gourmet burgers, took the burger to-go, and only been here once.
(3)
Philip L.

The old Ballard LL was hands down my favorite restaurant in Seattle and even though I'll miss the cramped and charming old location, I'm very excited that they've moved even closer to where I live. Ragging on your favorite little restaurant moving to a new, bigger, more central location is like being pissed that your favorite local indie band has gotten more popular and "mainstream." God forbid they actually make some money doing what they love and, you know, pay their bills. I was there opening day and overall, most of the issues I had were just the growing pains of a new restaurant starting up. Service was fine, but the food took quite awhile to come out, burgers weren't cooked to temperature (very well done instead of medium rare) and the menu was condensed. My beloved Nutella Shake tasted just like I remembered. $6.50 is a lot for a milkshake, but this is no ordinary milkshake. I'd say my biggest complaint is the fact that you used to be able to get a 1/2 pound beef patty for the exact same price we now paid for a 1/4 pound patty. The 1/2 patty wasn't just big, it cooked perfectly. I really hope they consider putting the 1/2 pound patties back on the menu, because those are one their strongest selling points. I'll definitely check back in in a month or so. I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss the old place, but hopefully they get everything up to speed, iron out the wrinkles and start making the amazing burgers many of us have grown to love.
(3)
Terri L.

Tearjerker Burger really jerked some tears outta me! My friend and I went to LL on whim...we were in the neighborhood and were hungry. It was a beautiful, sunny day in Seattle (rare in April) and there were plenty of people enjoying the sunshine and their burgers on the patio. We opted for inside seating because we didn't want to wait, and we needed food, stat. The menu wasn't as exhausting as The Counter - which was nice because when you are starving, it's hard to pick and choose with a sound mind. I chose the Tearjerker with a side of tots. YUM! The burger was cooked perfectly and oh man, the combination of sauce and jalapenos was intense! I actually did shed a tear or two while eating this burger - and mind you, I can tolerate very spicy foods. Next time I will opt for the sauce on the side, only because I don't like messy burgers, and I used about 12 napkins in the time I was eating my meal. My friend is gluten-free and they accommodated her by adding more lettuce instead of bun. She did have to ask, but count it. The service was great, considering they were packed on a Saturday afternoon. We did have to wait a while for our food, but I'm going to chalk that up to being slammed with orders. Would definitely recommend this place to burger lovers. And there's a full bar! Thumbs up!
(4)
Tracy M.

If they call those skinny fries they need to go to weight watchers plus more onion less batter on the rings. The burger on the other hand was pretty pretty good.
(3)
Robby C.

Visited the new South Lake Union location a few days before the passing of Chef Simpson, praise your creativity and rest in peace, and was amazed that we had not visited Lunchbox Laboratory during all of their years at the previous location in Ballard. Ordered the Homage to Dick's burger, love the Dick's Drive-In so thought it would be proper, but was a bit disappointed by the take on the classic. Perhaps not a disappointment, but looking around the table at all the other possible entrÃ©es that we could have ordered just somehow made us feel a bit regretful for being so conservative with our order. However, the burger was delicious, a heaping portion of Kobe beef with the traditional bacon and American cheese with onions. As for the service, a bit slow, but not unbearable and the food was definitely worth waiting for even if a bit overpriced at thirteen to fourteen dollars a burger. Would we try the restaurant again? Of course we would, even if only to try one additional burger on the menu. Sometimes we regret not being a bit adventurous with our food and that was definitely the case this time. Wish our review could have been a bit longer, but we do have a few additional comments to add that are sort of just notes of advice. A group of six is probably a decent sized group as anything larger would mean waiting for the large booth in the corner or pulling up and combining tables which is usually a hassle. Sweet potato fries and shoestring fries are good options, but order the tater tots and never forget to peruse the sauce selection. Lastly, with our one taste of another dish with the duck and pork combination patty, we were almost converted away from the beef patties that we have come religiously love. A bit expensive, but you will definitely be left satisfied both in appetite and taste.
(4)
susanna g.

I'd long heard about LL, but the price of the burgers had kept me away until finally, I was ready for a the deluxe burger experience. I recruited a friend and we checked it out on a Thursday night. The place is comfortable and spacious. Mostly young folks and a family or two. Everyone that served us was super nice. I rarely eat burgers -- they are about a once every 4-6months type thing, and I knew I wasnt going to be able to finish an entire burger. I also really wanted to try the mac 'n cheese, which was on the menu as a special. So, my friend and I decided to split a bowl of m'nc and a burger and fries. It was perfect! The mac 'n cheese was basil and garlic, if I recall, and was incredible. The pasta was a type I am not familiar with - small and with lots of folds that held the cheese fantastically. It was so ridiculously creamy. Next up, we got the Smoker for the burger. Freaking insaaaaaane. They do not skimp on the bacon and every bite was incredible. The havarti cheese, the beef, the mayo, the onions -- oh the onions! Man. The whole thing just melted in my mouth. Half a burger was the perfect size for us, too. We also got some sweet potato fries and turns out, cinammon spice salt it freaking awesome on sweet potato fries. Part of the reason we wanted to split the food was because we both wanted enough room for a shake. I got the chocolate cherry and she got the almond joy. Both were yummy. All in all, a really good experience. I was prepared for the cost so that didn't bother me. We spent $21 each (with tip) and we were more than satisfied after the meal. The burger, I feel, was truly crafted well, and I am not at all resentful about the bill.
(4)
Nick G.

This was one of the best burgers I ever had hands down. I will not argue with that. Someone found a succulent lamb and cow and decided that they deserved to take a trip into my mouth and gain the award of one of the best burgers in the world. Oh, and a bleu cow also decided to make some cheese for it too! I had the Reeses Peanut Butter shake along with the burger. I think it was a bad mistake because I ate so much I was literally sick to my stomach. I felt the need to hop in a Lake Union Kayak and paddle to Eugene, OR to visit the Goonies. Beware, this will cost you around $25 large after tip + tax. A little more than I am typically willing to spend on a lunch but if you come here once a quarter you should be good to go.
(4)
Jee H.

I had heard about this place on Twitter and from co-workers who work less than a block away. We arrived early to avoid the big rush and omigaud...yummy! I enjoyed the Burger of the Gods and the thing was like...mondo huge. I used my fork and knife to eat it. The presentation was really cute and the sweet potato fries were delicious. The atmosphere was nice and service was good too. Prices are a bit high but they use a lot of cool ingredients. I felt my arteries clogging but the flava was very good. Can't wait for another visit to Seattle and to Lunchbox!
(4)
Jen L.

3.5 stars. I'm happy to have it closer to where I live. I enjoyed by burger...twice, since it's plenty big for 2 whole meals!! Best to share. I love the lamb burger with mushrooms and truffle. Also bacon salt on my regular fries. I've also had the dork... duck and pork... It's fantastic. It is rather pricy, but unique, and if you think of it as 2 meals, then it's appropriately priced. Everything is very heavy, greasy and salty!! It's definitely an experience. Expect a food comma.
(3)
Liz W.

What the hell happened, Lunchbox Lab? You are a shadow of your former self. You've gone from being a humble, burger innovating local jewel, to a corporate ... corner-cutting Applebee's. I guess it *might* be unfair to compare the old LL to the "new" one, especially after one of the founders and chefs passed away earlier this year, but this is complete and utter bs. All the portions have become smaller, to a ridiculous degree, but the prices have gone up. Why? To pay for the fancy new building they bought? I miss the old LL, in their run-down shack, with two cooks behind the counter, and a sassy waitress taking everyone's orders. That place deserved 5 stars. This place ... deserves whatever it gets.
(2)
Christine H.

Since my last review I have gone back to lunchbox twice and they have revised their happy hour menu so that the only burger you can get at a discount is a simple plain burger. Drinks are still well priced, although they are pretty weak (which explains how they can be $4 each). As much as I love their burgers, I can't see paying $16 for a burger and fries, so this place gets demoted to my "rarely if ever" list. Too bad, I really liked their food and drinks!
(3)
Ben C.

"If you are here for something healthy this is not the place to be" - our waitress This is a burger joint, I never had the opportunity to go to the old location so am not familiar with the old menu. I've heard stories of this spot and it has always been good. Location: The new location is located where the old South Lake Union Grill is a block away from REI. Good location because there is a lot of street parking in this area. They didn't change the interior of the restaurant at all, if you are familiar with South Lake Union Grill you will walk in and think it's the same spot but there are some changes to the aesthetics the Lunch boxes and some of the decor. Other than that the layout is the same. I asked and the upstairs they are considering changing into a game room of some sort. I've rented the top out for a birthday when it was South lake Union grill and it was pretty big so there is definitely a lot of potential for growth upstairs. Service: Our waitress was pretty funny she was very direct, but provided good service. Some people consider her rude but I thought she was pretty cool. At this location they only take reservations for 8 or more people. I was told though that you can call a little before you show up and let them know that you are coming and how many people you have. I called about 10 mins before to let them know 6 of us were coming and they saved a table for us that just happened to be clearing out. Food: So the menu we received was supposedly the opening menu sounded like it will change in the future. Our waitress did say they might bring a happy hour menu soon. The menu consisted of all burgers, it was all beef burgers I didn't see any chicken or turkey. I read some other reviews and it sounded like the old spot had more of a selection. I also didn't see any sort of appetizers or anything. Just burgers and sides. I got the Hot Head, delicious burger it had jalapeno mayo on it and it was delicious. The tots were awesome as well. Price was reasonable for what you are getting, really good burgers really good sides. My gf got a Orange Creamcicle shake and it tasted just like the popsicle. If you are looking for a damn good burger for about $13 go here you will not be disappointed, I look forward to the future additions to the menu.
(4)
Erika M.

For me, Lunchbox Lab offers the perfect indulgent experience. I first heard about the old Lab from my boyfriend, who was often lamenting their shut-down. We stumbled across the new location almost by accident, and he was psyched to find that the menu was unchanged. If you're like me and you *try* to stay away from burgers, fries, tots, and milkshakes as your typical fare, then you know a good diet-breaking spot when you see one. That means the food has to be amazing, and should also be take-no-prisoners calorically dense (last time there I had the Smoker burger, sweet potato fries, and an oreo shake WITH a vanilla vodka shot mixed in. Don't judge me.) I've never been able to make it through more than half a burger, and not for lack of trying (but the accompanying shake and sides I always consume here might have something to do with that.) My favorite burger so far is the Santa Fe, which is spicy but not overwhelming and extremely flavorful. It's true what they say about the burgers being expensive. For me it's more than worth it, since the food is amazing and its a special-occasion-type treat. And if you're thinking... What burger joint qualifies as a special-occasion destination? This one does.
(5)
jinny b.

I have been on a burger kick lately and Lunchbox laboratories has definitely placed first in my heart for the absolute best burger. I went with my fiance and son and we all had a rather difficult time getting our mouths to open wide enough to get the burger in for a bite. Toppings were plentiful delicious an of great quality. Warning, wear something you don't care about. These burgers are super messy, like 20 napkins for just the burger alone kind of messy. My vintage dress that I was wearing barely made it out of that place alive. They have great milkshakes too ranging from Nutella shakes to chocolate covered cherry and they are so thick you have to resort to your spoon. If you can't decide between a cocktail or a milkshake you can get a milkshake with booze in it. They also offer Kool aid and Tang which I personally find super awesome. Did I mention that you can get macaroni and cheese as your side! The macaroni was also really freaking good. Not Beechers good but still really good. If that's all not enough for you if you order fries with your food they bring out a rack of different flavored salts. Why only one star? The place feels kinda corporate even though it is not.
(4)
Jen P.

I've never been to the other location, but it sounds like an amazing place! That being said, I was very pleased with my burger. I think my only complaint is that it was TOO big to get bites tasting all the ingredients - once you add the lettuce, onions, pickles, tomatoes there is NO WAY to get your mouth around all that, meat, cheese, etc. etc etc. I found it very hard to eat. The salted caramel milkshake was TO. DIE. FOR. I was happy with the food, service and ambiance. It was a little on the pricey side, but delicious none the less.
(4)
Vangie G.

My rating would have been 2 stars had not our waitress been very kind and that the food was pretty good. The burgers are overpriced but it's nice that you have the option to choose tater tots or potato salad, both of which was pretty good. I had forgotten how much I loved tater tots! I ordered the Homage to Dick's Deluxe Burger. It was a little small in size but it tasted really good...except in hind sight, I would have ordered the "special sauce" on the side. The wait for our food was ridiculously long and my shake was the last to come out! The nutella shake was yummy but I don't think it was yummy enough to pay $6.50. Luckily, our nice waitress felt sorry for us and got the shake taken off the bill.
(3)
Kazal R.

The food was absolutely amazing! But the service was horrible! The staff showed no interest in all the tables that had color of people. We had no water at our table/ our order was taken for about 45 minutes/ when we were ordering the waiter seemed irritated while answering the questions! We explained it's our first time... Still he was very short with us! Towards the end after a few comments I made the waiter started caring a little bit. You get better service at a fast food joint than this place!
(1)
Jessica A.

the food was great here! yummy burgers! I wish I had tried one of their test tube milkshakes! something to look forward to next time I go here with the family.
(5)
Vicky C.

I was excited to try this place once I heard about it from friends. However, as delicious the burgers look and sound...my experience was mediocre. Service was slow when there were hardly any people at lunch on Sunday. It took at least 40 minutes from when we sat down to get our burgers. This was because we had to wait 15 minutes for water, another 5 to order, and another 20 because they messed up our order. I ordered The Smoker and it was greasy. Too much bacon made it too salty, the havari created a strange texture, and the patty itself was bland. I ate half the burger and brought it home...only to toss it a few days later. Red mill is still a gold star in my book. Please come and enjoy this mess of an science experiment.
(2)
Dan K.

I have been in Seattle this summer and heard about Lunchbox lab so i thought I would check it out. I have had the "Burger of the Gods" a couple times which has a beef patty, blue cheese, gorgonzola sauce, and balsamic vinaigrette onions. I don't even like onions, but this burger made them taste really good. I have taken my parents and friends, a number of which tried this burger, and all thought it was delicious. I think that my favorite thing on the entire menu though is the Nutella shake. I'm not sure why I really enjoy going to Lunchbox Lab, but I do and so do the people that I have brought to share the experience. It definitely isn't the most economic burger shop in the area and I don't feel confident saying the food is AMAZING, but every time I go I just have a lot of fun and I will definitely continue to go back. One additional point that I would like to say is that the menu may be a little discouraging for "picky eaters." There is a "Build Your Own Menu" section so everyone will be happy in the end. The reason I say this is that I used to be a relatively picky eater until the last couple years. i am still in the process of trying things and expanding my eating palette. The first time I examined the menu I was able to find at least one thing in every burger that I wasn't super excited to eat, in my case onions. In the end, I tried them anyway and I loved it! This is a great menu for people that are looking to experiment with something a little different, hence Lunch box LABORATORY!
(4)
Sasha S.

If you want to eat a burger in Seattle, this is the best place to go. I have been to many of the other places, (including Uneeda Burger, The Counter, and others) and Lunchbox Laboratory continues to be my favorite. It is the one I continue to return to time after time. I have tried almost every burger on their menu, including many of their experiments, and my favorites are: Burger of the Gods (yes, they will add bacon to it if you ask), Maverick, Slammer, and the Hothead. The patties are of course good, but all of their ingredients are delicious, especially their bacon, which they never go easy on. By the way, the portions are huge, so you will always be full when you're done. Some of the burgers are also physically large and therefore look difficult to eat, but I have never had an issue. They are also good for take-out. Their shakes are also great. It can be hard to drink a shake when eating one of their burgers, since the burgers are so huge, but it's worth it to try. My favorite milkshake there is the Nutella shake, which is absolutely delicious (honestly, it is not an exaggeration to say that this may be the best milkshake I have had.)
(5)
John D.

The Food was Awesome. A little exspensive but worth it. The place is a nice local hangout.
(5)
Karen L.

We came here for lunch during the lunch rush. I liked the decor. Our waitress got my burger order wrong; she asked if it was ok, and I said it was fine (I did not feel like waiting for the kitchen to fix the problem). We already waited quite a while for our food. (During our wait, the waitress informed us that the kitchen was slammed due to it being the lunch rush. How hard is it to make burgers and fries?) My burger was just ok. The patty was kind of dry. My other friend had the same complaint. The bacon on another friend's burger was way undercooked and she ended pulling most of it out. The highlight of our meal was the nutella milkshake, although the waitress took mine without my noticing before I was done with it (maybe she thought I had enough). Also another note. The floor in the back (on the way to the restrooms were EXTREMELY slippery! I was in tennies and was slipping around. When I told one of the employees, he seemed unconcerned but agreed with me that the floors were really slippery. It's one thing if someone young slips and falls but does a business really want to be liable for someone breaking their hip? Seems like a suit waiting to happen. I don't think I will come back for the burgers but will come back for milkshakes and drinks.
(2)
Brandon Chipp O.

Love this place. I feel guilty everytime I eat here so I have to limit it to a couple times a month. The burgers are as advertised. Very experimental, very greasy, very delicious. I do agree the prices seem a bit high but Ill gladly pay for consistency in taste and service. Ive gotten things to go and dined in, either way the staff was cool. Today I went there and had my 10 mo. old in tow, when the bar tender (short blond girl, forgot her name damn it) saw my hands were full she offered to carry my food out to my car for me with out hesitaion. I declined as Im now used to doing things one handed, but it was a very kind offer. Ive been greeted by several different hosts, all of them polite. If you need a low key weekend night away from the square, bell town or queen anne theres a full bar there. Seems like a great setting to kick back, have a few then down a tasty meal. My one negative is they dont get FSN or ROOT or whatever the hell its called now. Watching a Mariners game here would be the bees knees. But what can ya do. Ive tried 3 or 4 different burgers but keep going back to "Hommage to the Dicks Deluxe." I think thats my fav.
(4)
Roland A.

We are gluten free, and were told that LBL had gluten-free buns by a phone call to the restaurant. We went in and asked at the front before we were seated if they indeed had GF buns and were told no! Frustrating! C'mon, guys, either you do or you don't, but don't tease like that! I'm sure their burgers are tasty and all that, but they should get their act together and decide if they want to serve the gluten free population. And in the act of posting this review I read in another review that the fries there are not gluten-free either. I'm not sure about that from our experiece, but it would be nice if they were.
(1)
Yvette B.

Dicks deluxe was ok, 10 pieces of bacon was too much... made it salty. Tator tots, yum! Vanilla milk shake was amazing!!
(4)
Giuseppe A.

Ok, I once went to the LL when in Ballard. It was somewhat freakish, and the food was obscenly abundant. After they closed, I heard the opened again somewhere in the city, but I didn't really know where. Then I was at a work related event at REI when a co-worker and I decided to go and see if we can get a real drink and a bite to eat. Disapointed that there were no lounges across the street, we venture about another block and was surprised to find the LL on a unsuspecting corner. We went in and we were delighted to see the cool decore reminisent of the old LL in Ballard, but with a new flare and contemporary style. We only stayed for two really quick drinks but also ordered off the hh menu. Can't remember exactly what we had, but I recall it being cleaverly unique, and delicious. Definately beat the food served at the event at REI. I'll be back someday, I'll be back.
(4)
Beth B.

The Burger of the Gods totally lives up to its name. The sweet potato fries are the best I've ever had. The milkshakes are fantastic...although their key lime pie milkshake so ruined me for other milkshakes that when it's not on the menu (it's seasonal, I think) I can't bring myself to order any of the other flavors. I do miss the salt options though. When they moved from their Ballard location they tinkered with the menu and the salt options seem to have gone away. Their sweet potato fries with rosemary salt were my favorite. They do still have all their sauce, cheese, and meat options so you can get pretty much any kind of burger you like. Bacon can be overwhelming your first time. If you go for bacon make sure you're ready for it.
(5)
Lacey A.

This place reminded me of a sit-down and drink version of Dick's Drive Inn, but not NEARLY as good. The food was horrible. We ordered their Happy Hour cheeseburgers, and it was pretty boring. Also, they are really serious about the "NO SUBSTITUTIONS" on their menu - to the point where they won't even accommodate a food allergy. The only real draw would be the patio outside, but it's March, so you can't sit out there yet. I don't think I'll be back there again, unless it's July and I'm only planning on drinking beer on a patio.
(1)
James W.

Yesterday we went to Lunchbox Lab. My girlfriend and I went there a few months back and we had a great time. We sat at the bar. We had this little redheaded bartender and she was awesome, full of personality and she acknowledged us. About 15 minutes before we left her shift ended and this skinny little guy came in who kind of had an arrogant attitude with no personality, we didn't let it get us down because we had an awesome time with the redheaded girl. Yesterday we went in and sat at the bar, as I saw the guy behind the bar I realized it was the same lame, dry, no personality bartender who made us feel like we were a nuisance. He didn't really know how to even make our drinks, he kept fumbling around. I was just really let down because of our past experience. To the owner: I love coming there, I won't let this guy ruin my experience. But please consider getting someone with more personality behind the bar, we might have stayed and had a couple more of those high dollar drinks if I wasn't so annoyed. Oh and he didn't ask us if we wanted anything else. As we were eating he just gave us the check. This guy should be let go.
(2)
Sharisse S.

I have visited here twice. Both times the service was good. We were greeted at the door and our server was informative and friendly. We received our check promptly. (The first time we were in a hurry.) Our first visit we weren't blown away by the food. My fiance cannot have gluten so we asked for extra lettuce. They gave us the same amount of lettuce and the burger was fairly small. The bacon was fairly soft and not super hot. (I prefer crispy, hot bacon.) The sweet potato fries were great, although not very plentiful. I visited again thinking that perhaps the first visit was a fluke. This time I came during happy hour. The food was good, but once again, not inspiring. I had come on a break with the intent of getting some work done. The internet password the server provided did not work, and she didn't try very hard to troubleshoot it. This meant I wasted my hour. I ordered fries with my happy hour burger because it said "Add fries for $1". Considering I'm 5' and don't eat a huge meal in one sitting, I thought it wouldn't matter if I only ate half. When I received my bill I was charged triple that. The waitress then showed me the menu (which only proved my point) that it did not specify shoe string fries. So my happy hour meal after tip was around $15. Not such a "happy" bill. I don't think we'll be back.
(2)
Will W.

I'm a sucker for a good burger and Lunchbox Laboratory delivers! The Burger of the Gods was truely that, with THE MOST succulently delicious balsamic grilled onions I've ever tasted. Paired with sweet potato fries lightly dusted with ground rosemary salt (one of 6 or 7 home made season blends offered at the table) - you are in for a real treat!
(5)
Chris L.

I never thought I'd say this: too much bacon. I wanted to taste something other than salt when I sat down and ordered a $14 smoker burger, but I was let down. The burger was over cooked, the bacon was under cooked (and as mentioned previously overpowering). The only thing I could taste was salt, so I can't really say if they even bothered to put anything else on the burger. The tots were nothing special. I know you're saying 'they're tots, what do you expect?' Well for the price I expect them to be the best tots I've ever had. The service wasn't very good, they gave our order to someone else and we had to wait twice as long to get our food. I was really looking forward to eating here as I have heard all kinds of good things about it. I was seriously disappointed. I won't be going back.
(1)
A B.

I am so tired of overpaying for underwhelming experiences. Tonight was our third trip to LL, with the first the best, the second a disappointment and the third confirmation that the second was the future of this place. Bottom line, why do I have to pay $12 for a burger (and side), then additional for every accoutrement ($1.50 for cheese, $1 for onions, etc.), only to find that no order is ever correct? And $6.50 for a simple shake? Not reasonable or necessary. I really wanted to like this place. The first visit was a treat; unexpected, with a very tasty burger (that no longer is offered on the menu, unless you build your own for significantly more money than the original). I never went to the original location. Perhaps if I had, I would feel some loyalty to this place. I didn't and I don't, so no more. Too bad, we could have been friends.
(3)
Jen A.

I was disappointed to not have tried out LBL when it was still close to us in Ballard. Unfortunately, they have now moved downtown and drastically cut their menu. I would imagine that it is difficult to maintain so many options and still make money, but there were far far less choices at the new location than I had read about the previous spot. That said my burger was still fantastic. I had the cheese royale with habanero mayo, jalapeno, and a fried egg (they added that for me eventhough it's not on the current menu) . I choose the sweet potato fries, and they were great, whatever seasoning they had on them worked perfectly for a little added kick. The burger was oozing, gooey, and delicious. It was the perfect size to be able to actually finish it in one sitting (without any unneccesary self loathing), b/c really burgers are never the same the next day. My husband had the tear jerker, which was also very good, though not nearly as hot as it sounds. He got tater tots, which were your standard issue yummy tots. He did however, top off his meal (I may have helped a little) with a reeses peanut butter shake. It was totally indulgent but on the smaller side so we didn't feel like we completely pulled up to the trough. We did see a guy order another burger after he polished off his entire first plate, and then proceed to do the same to the next. All in all, the whole dinner was pretty good to really good. The service is still working out the kinks, but they were very nice and obviously trying to get things in sync, it hasn't been open long. Hopefully they expand their menu soon, the waitress assured me they were, because as much as I enjoyed the burger the new menu didn't appeal to me so much, and I would just end up customizing the same burger again. Still worth checking out though, especially if you need to stop by REI.
(3)
Jennifer B.

This was definitely one of the best burger places I've been....anywhere! I had a Royal Cheeseburger (add bacon) and then tried both the jalapeno ranch and truffle mayo (on the side). Both were great...just didn't love them together. The burger was perfectly juicy and you can just tell...quality meat. We went during happy hour and fed four of us for $50....two appetizers for the table, 4 burgers, 2 sides, 1 milkshake, and 1 beer. Totally reasonable...everyone really enjoyed their meal and we took a bunch home with us, even. ***Something you should try....the pork rinds!!! They were fantastic...still crackling after they made it to the table...we all loved them! The reason for not giving 5 stars (I really wanted to), but the prices outside of happy hour are just too much for a burger, in my opinion.
(4)
Jess T.

Soooo good!!! Love their shakes and tater tots. Banana Creme Pie shake is my FAV!
(4)
Dan A.

Come for the food, not the service. Our server seemed to disappear for 15 minutes at a time, even after he said he would be back to take our order. The place didn't seem overly busy, nor did he seem to exude any kind of effort or customer service. When we went looking, he and the other servers were standing around the kitchen. I have had this same experience both times I've come to this place and likely won't return.
(2)
Alissa G.

A coworker and I decided to stop in for lunch. We heard that the food was pretty good and thought to get something to go. We were asked to go to he bar to put in a to go order. After sitting down we were to asked to see IDs and this is when I realized I forgot mine at the office. I understand that we couldn't sit at the bar without IDs but I didn't realize that the customer service was going to be negative because of it. We felt like we were basically a nuisance to them because of this. They just came off as if we were a bothersome and that we were not like other patrons. Although the food was decent, we decided we would not be coming back here simply because of the customer service.
(3)
Hillary M.

I want to give it 2.5 stars. If you're expecting the old Ballard vibe, this is VERY different. This is sit down, table service with a much more limited menu that the 15th Ave location. But if I was going there for the first time, I'd give it 3+ stars- the burgers and sides are still great (didn't try the milkshakes this time) the portions are nice (not too big!) and the service was outstanding -especially for one of the first days they were open. The only thing I wonder is if they will expand their menu over time - for a neighborhood lunch place, I think we'll get tired of only 7-8 burgers. Maybe a salad or soup or something? And hopefully a great Happy Hour menu too!
(3)
Eugene V.

Anytime you spend over $40 for two burgers and a shake, it better be worth it! First time eating here and heard nothing but good things about it when it was in ballard. Since they moved to South Lake Union I was excited to give it a shot. I ordered "Homage to Dick's Deluxe", my wife got "Burger of the Gods", and we shared a Nutella milkshake. My 2 year old came along and we just gave her some of our fries and shake as she was not interested in eating a burger nor did they have any kid friendly food options that were reasonably priced. I ordered the "Homage to Dick's Deluxe", it tasted pretty good, if I were to order this again i would only ask for 1/2 the amount of bacon they pile on. I think the actual Dicks Deluxe sauce is better IMO. I would give it a 4 star for food and quality of burger and a 3 star for price as it cost $13.99! It was a decent size and was only able to eat half. My wife had "Burger of the Gods", she thought it tasted great, but i had a bite and not a big fan of the sour taste of balsamic vinegar on the onions in a burger, I would personally stay away from this one, not my cup of tea. The sweet potato fries were awesome, my wife ordered 3/16th skinny potatoe fries and great as well. I love being able to mix whatever seasoning I wanted. The Nutella Milk shake was really good, but for $6.50?? wow I thought they would give us a good amount for that price. Looking back at the pictures of the shake on their site, I see why they only show the top half of the glass, I wouldn't even say it was a large drink. When I look for places to eat I take into consideration the price in relation to how good the food was. I think the burgers are overpriced for the size and taste of the burger. I think a fair price would be $10.99, the milkshake taste great but is a rip off at $6.50! I believe they think they can have a high price because of the Tom Douglas restarants nearby and the cliental around being Microsoft/Amazon employees. I would be willing to give this a shot again, but only split a burger with whomever I am going with and staying away from the shake, that should put us at under $20 for the meal.
(3)
Danny H.

I have only eaten at the Bellevue location so bear that in mind when reading this review. A bunch of friends were raving about this place for quite some time before I finally decided to give it a go. I am glad to say they were right. The burgers are tasty and the selection of different types of burgers varied. The burgers are VERY messy but man are they flavorful. I recently have had both the "Burger of the Gods" (Super-beef patty, bleu cheese crumbles, candied balsamic onions, super gorgonzola spread.) and the "Jake the Snake Burger" and they were both excellent. One of the other notable things about this establishment is their meat mixed patties. They offer "DorK" which is a mix of beef and pork and "Churken" which is a mix of turkey and chicken. Most burgers have bacon on them (As it should be! ) and they have a selection of hand made salts of different flavors. My two favorites are Bacon and garlic. The burgers are offered with the option of tots, fries, sweet potato fries, house made chips or potato salad. Tasty! They also offer weekly "experiments" where you can try out new burger ideas. In keeping with the choice theme they offer many different non-alcholic drink options. (a plus for me!) Everything from Tang and Kool-Aid to Mexican Coke. The only real downside I have noticed about this place is at times it can get very busy which slows things down a bit. Overall this is a great alternative with more choices to the well known established burger chains. I will be back.
(4)
Jenny A.

I've been to the new Eastlake location three times now. Each time, I have enjoyed the food, but have been dissapointed in the service. The first time I went, it was during the lunch rush. We couldn't wait 40 minutes for a table, so we ordered to go. It still took them 30 minutes to bring out our order! So we had to hurry back to work and had 10 minutes to scarf our food down before our lunch hour was over. FYI~They don't have chicken burgers! What kind of burger place does not have chicken as an option? I had the veggie burger which is made out of a black bean patty. It was yummy. I also enjoyed my side of tater tots. The second time I went, I called in a to go order. They said it would be ready in 20 minutes so my husband and I made our way over there in 25 minutes. When we arrived, the order had never been turned into the kitchen! We had to wait 20 minutes for them to make our to go order....very annoying. They did not even apologize for the mix up. No tip for them! Again I had the black bean patty with tater tots because I knew that was good. My husband had the kobe beef cheese burger and sweet potato fries. He gave his food two thumbs up. The third time I went, it wasn't too busy so we actually ate in the dining room. They still did not have a chicken burger on the menu. They explained that since they were still new, they were still trying to figure out their menu. My friend ordered a made to order burger. She asked for a swiss cheese burger with grilled onions and mushrooms (a very basic burger that's on almost every burger joints menu). However, we were very surprised to hear from the server that they don't serve mushrooms! They have a truffle burger on their menu, but no mushrooms! Weird.... Besides the dissapointments of the service, no chicken option and no mushrooms, I obviously keep going back. I really like the veggie patty, and my husband and friends that have tried the kobe beef patty say it's really tasty and seasoned well. The tots, shoe string fries and sweet potato fries are all winners. The ice cream shakes are not bad either. Basically, Lunchbox Laboratory needs to work out some kinks and with time, I think they will be the one of the best burger joints in Seattle. Right now, Uneeda still holds that crown.
(3)
Jenna H.

This place is great! Yes, everything is incredibly expensive and caloric, mainly the burgers and the shakes, but the problem is that they're so good that I find myself coming back time and time again! I started coming to the Lunchbox Lab when it was in its Ballard location, and I've noticed that although the burgers are still huge, they look a little smaller than they were in the old location. Regardless, I always cut mine in half at the beginning so I can eat the rest later. This is not a place to take someone who is on a diet, although they do have salads just in case. The first time I ever came here I created my own burger and it wasn't very good, although the tasty tots and milkshake were enough to bring me back. The second time I came I ordered The Smoker, and have ordered that every time since and have been afraid to stray away. I'd like to try another one like the Homage to Dick's, but at $13 per burger it's a risk I don't want to take so I'll stick to my favorite. I've had a couple different milkshakes and they are always delicious--my favorite is the Boston Cream Donut. The amount of salt, bacon, and grease on each burger I get surely looks like a heart attack in a meal, but that's probably part of what makes them so good. I'd never seen a bun like the ones they have here. Instead of the typical frozen and thawed buns at most burger places, these ones taste like freshly baked brioche buns. This was my first visit to the new location, and when I ordered my tater tots I was disappointed that my waitress didn't ask me what kind of salt I wanted on them (like they did at the Ballard location), but then she came out with a tray of all the different salts! Each bottle of salt is mixed with a different ingredient, like rosemary, garlic, or cinnamon. Apparently people either love this place or hate it, but personally I love it and would suggest trying it again if your first burger didn't go as you'd planned. You might discover a new favorite, like I did!
(5)
Kelsey G.

Awesome burgers! A little pricey, and the off-peak lunch (1pm) service was kind of slow-- but they have fantastic milkshakes AND gluten free hamburger buns (even though I couldn't find them on the menu-- just ask!)
(4)
Josh H.

I will admit that as a vegetarian, I am not able to partake of the meat. That said, they make an awesome black bean burger. I crafted my own burger, added sweet potato fries, and a PBR. Friends of mine are fans of the Dork, a pork/duck burger patty. The decor is sparring lunchbox kitsch. Shakes are served in beakers. Tang, yes TANG, is used as a mixer. I recommend the food, but the price is a bit high for what it is. Still, it's worth a visit.
(3)
john j.

Again, story of my life, I'm a vegetarian boo-hoo why don't they serve something else? I'm sorry black bean and rice patties are disgusting. It's a fact. It looks like a grey cow patty. I wish more places served Boca burgers, but that is my cross to bear. I thus did not try any burgers at this place. As a vegetarian, you may know that bacon is the Angelina Jolie of foods. It makes you feel a little bit bi, makes you question your whole meaning in life. How can any food smell so good? I did resist, I am a Gold Star Gay, but my co-diner had a burger with about 1/4 pig on it. I understand that if you are going to go whole-hog, then do it. They have tater tots. That made things right. The best part about this place is the drink menu. Drinks with Tang, Kool-Aid, and other fun kid-things. Why don't other places do this? I know as a liberal PacNW vegetarian I'm supposed to like things local and organic, but I like things made in factories in New Jersey, too. A Kool-Aid cocktail is so good. If only it were served in a silver pouch like a Capri Sun?! The staff is super helpful, and cute too. I'm looksist so I like to have someone to eye-fuck while I eat. It's about the experience, you know?
(3)
Danielle H.

The time has come. I am dropping a star from my glorious LL review. Unfortunately, the new location has very slow service and that impacts the experience. Additionally, the fries are often prepped ahead of time and sitting on the order window for quite some time before being served, which makes them cold and hard when you get them. This makes me very sad. Also, I have noticed the increasingly small patty size. I am okay with smaller portions since I think the behemoth patties that used to be in place were way too huge, but then the price should match up to what you are getting. I had NO problem paying $15 at the old spot for the huge burger of love, but here, I am becoming more and more underwhelmed by the food and overwhelmed by the price tag for what I am getting. I do love this spot and hope that management starts listening to the complaints customers are having because I do agree that they are valid. I come in very regularly and have given them the benefit of the doubt several times, but now I am going to start branching out for a new burger spot.
(3)
Alyssa B.

First & foremost... Go to their website & watch the video. We were looking for a delicious 'gourmet' burger in Seattle and this place did not disappoint. We all ordered different burgers, fries, & beverages... I must say the homemade lemonade served in the 'laboratory themed' glass was the most delicious drink of all time :) It is a must try for all burger lovers!!!!!
(5)
Renee L.

Ordered: - Hothead, Truffle Love, Dork burgers... ALL delish! the sauces def made the burgers! Although there was an abundant amount of bacon in the burgers, more is better than too little! The brown sugar kissed marsala onions were also delish! Definitely add them to your burger! Shoe string fries and sweet potato fries were good! Service: Marissa (sp) was our server at the bar. Felt that she was impatient at times when we had questions or needed something. Attitude couldve been better. Price: On avg $15-20/pp Overall experience: The food was good. I would like to visit again to try other items and the shakes! Would definitely love to have one in Los Angeles!
(3)
Melissa L.

I really really wanted to like this place, but I just couldnt. Maybe I came on an off day? I can't see what all the rave or fuss is about. the location is beautiful and inside it's super cool, but service is really slow. it took forever for our food to come out. My bf and I got the bleu marble and dork to split. i asked if we could get it cut in half so we could split our burger, but they don't do that so they'll give us a knife and we can do it ourselves. ok... the tots: meh - i'd rather have some mexi fries from taco time. they tasted slightly stale the mac and cheese: good, but nothing i'd rave about. i actually liked it better than the burgers though. the skinny and sweet potato fries: both good too the bleu marble: when people say it comes with a ton of bacon, they weren't kidding. it came with TON of bacon, and yes, it's a little over done. it wasn't anything mind blowing. the burger was extremely overcooked. zero pink and slightly crispy on one side of the patty. the dork: i was so excited for this one, but it wasn't anything special. it's pork and duck and the patty didn't have much flavor. there are a ton of semi sauteed onions on top that are way too overbearing. i ended up ditching the onions and bun to eat just the patty, but in general it was another "meh" thought. oh yea and they gave us a butter knife to cut our ginormous burgers...ok...thx guys that's real helpful. but whatever i made it work. got into an argument with the bf on whether it was better than red robins and i said AT LEAST RR asks me how i want my burger cooked. it came out overcooked and charred here! and i get bottomless FRESH fries instead of stale tots! AND they cut my burger in half when i ask!!! his argument is lunchbox had a ton of potential so therefore it's better, but i finally got him to agree, if you had a lunchbox burger and a RR burger side by side and u based it off of what we experienced thus far, what burger would u go for? he said the RR burger reluctantly. winner!!! plus, the burgers are expensive. im ok with shellin out dough for a BOMB ASS burger, but not for a meh one. yuck. i was so disappointed with dinner. but i came, i tried, i conquered. my next burger adventure is 8oz.
(2)
Mayor M.

Have you ever wondered what kind of cocktails astronauts drink? Lunchbox Laboratory aims to answer that question by putting Tang in everything. What's that? You haven't liked Tang since you were a kid? Yeah, me either. I could see these drinks maybe working with the college crowd, but that's it. The service here seemed prompt except when we needed our bill, but we waited forever for our food. The hamburgers made it out first by a long shot. You'd think the salad would be the easiest to prepare, but nope, it's apparently the burger by about 15 minutes. What other delights could take so long? Dry sweet potato fries (why no sauce?), corn dogs, and mac and cheese. Yup. The food was just average (how can you really mess up these simple dishes) and certainly not worth waiting for. The good news about this place is that there's free wi-fi so you can Yelp while you wait.
(2)
Annie L.

Got the HH special, 2 burgers and sweet potato fries for $6.99, Gavacho's Totchos (potato tots) and a double shot tang-o-rita (its like a margarita). The burger was just a regular cheeseburger...it was nothing special. The tots was very good.
(4)
Janice Marie B.

Was there on Wednesday, June 13th and heard about it through my niece and nephew who live in Lynnwood, Washington. Since it was my last night in Seattle, we decided to try it since it was open until late. There was street parking because it was after 9:00pm. We were able to get The Kick Ass Hour specials. I wouldn't go there on a regular basis unless it was special hour because the burgers are kind of pricey. The ambiance was like a hip school cafeteria science experiment place with bar lighting. The music was kind of loud but quiet since there were only 3 other groups that were still there. The dress code was casual but there was a group of business people. I ordered the Turkey on Mars sandwich with chips. I loved the sandwich but didn't like the hard and burnt chips that came with it. The sandwich was made of shaved turkey breast, Marsala sauteed onions, lettuce, raw red onions, tomatoes and pesto mayo toasted buns. My nephew had the Hong Kong Hot Wings Won Tons which was alright, Tater Tots which was the bomb with the sauces which they charge 50 cents for each sauce, and The Bleu Mac & Cheese which was too sharp to finish eating. He will order the Tater Tots again :) My niece had the Butterfingers Shake. It was good but too chocolaty for her taste. I will definitely come back to try a bean patty burger. I'm glad that they have an alternative to beef and pork. All in all - I had a good experience and will be back to try different items.
(3)
Jeevan J.

This time tried smokehouse. Seems like the burgers here at Thomas st are smaller and less filling than the one at Bellevue. And they show soccer games :) :)
(5)
Kate S.

I ordered a lamb burger with basil mayo, and the normal lettuce, pickle, tomato and onions. Simple enough right? When the burger came out it was soaking in basil mayo (the bun was disintegrating in my hand), and I was given one small pickle and one piece of onion. The tomato (singular) and lettuce were fine, but over all the burger was pretty pathetic. I will not go back here. The only saving grace here however, was the wonderful waitress who was super accommodating, quick, and very polite. Still not the experience I wanted for a $15 meal.
(2)
Marybeth M.

We were there on a Sunday night from out of town, and they were very busy, short handed I believe from a food festival in town. The wait was a while, but the service was great once we were seated and the food was fantastic! Loved the big bleu and the tots, skinny fries were also great along with the Nutella shake!
(4)
Ashley P.

Food is great! Service is terrible. I was enjoying my lunch up until the very end. I couldn't find my waitress, so my friend and I waved down another waitress. The waitress came over to help us. We explained that we needed to check out and wanted to apply our groupon to our bill. The waitress snapped at us and stated "we should of told our server about the groupon before ordering our food." (Which we did do) The rude waitress snatched my phone out of my hand and rolled her eyes and took our bill to her register. A few minutes later, she comes back to our table and says "groupons take too much of my time, and I hate when customers bring them in." She then throws my phone back on the table. I will never go to the Seattle restaurant Lunchbox Laboratory ever again! Hopefully, the Bellevue location is more enjoyable for their customers.
(2)
joe p.

Was I n an extended weekend getaway in the ol' Pacific Northwest and decided to give this place a try after checking it out on ye merry olde Yelp. The motif and decor are awesome. The general idea is that it's a science lab and that the food on the menu are different experiments and projects. The art on the walls is pretty cool, and the vintage lunchboxes placed throughout the place come close to matching a friend's collection. The place is very hipster, but it doesn't make you cry for the fall of western civilation like some other places do. So here's the deal: the food is delicious. The burgers, the toppings, the tater tots, the sweet potato fries...all delicous. The shake of the day (yellow birthday cake or something) was sweet and delicious. I love that they have Kool-Aid and Tang. The zillions of varieties of salts were a nice touch. However, despite all of this, I had to knock this place down to three stars for two reasons. (1) The price. I live in San Francisco, and as a result, eating in Seattle is like eating in some wonderful discount land. However, this place is expensive even by SF standards. Most of the preconfigured burgers cost around $13-$15 bucks. Yowza. What makes this worse is that they won't do any substitutions; if you want to change ANYTHING about a burger, you have to essentially recreate it by using the build-a-burger option. The build-a-burger option starts off at $11 for a plain burger. Cheese is $1.5, bacon is $2, and other toppings are $1.5 each. This pricing is straight outta Crazy Town. For just a plain bacon cheeseburger, you're staring out with a $15 burger. If you want to add three toppings, you're pretty much at $20. (2) Not cooking my burger to the temperature I like. If I'm paying $15 - $20 for a burger, I think I should have a right to have it cooked medium-rare if that's how I want it. This place could be amazing, but for now it's merely good.
(3)
Laura C.

Let's start with the positives- The tater tots were crunchy and hot, the corn dogs were flavorful and filling. I loved that there were 8 salts for me to try to enhance my tots. I didn't get a chance to taste the burgers, but they smelled and looked awesome! The hostess was really friendly and attentive. I came during happy hour and the place seemed slow when I first arrived but started to pick up. I really enjoyed the food and definitely will be back, but the service was a bit weird. I was here on a date and we were hitting it off and the server repeatedly interrupted us even though we said we weren't ready and needed some time. It was a bit pushy. I plan to return soon to check out the rest of the menu and give the service a second chance. For now, I would definitely recommend it if you're feeling nostalgic for your lunchbox favorites.
(3)
Paula S.

Was super excited about this place and took our in laws when they came to visit. Ordered two boozy shakes, really would have liked the booze mixed in instead of in test tubes, but oh well. The pork rinds were amazing! Loved the dipping sauces. The issue for me was they didn't ask for temps on the meat, every burger came out well done, mine was a bit dry. The meat didn't seem to be of any special quality for the price and the bun didn't hold up well to all the toppings. I got the tear jerker because I love spicy stuff, due to the description I was almost hesitant, seems like it might be super spicy. it was mild, not even very hot. My bacon was pretty under-cooked. After the meal we just felt to weighed down we didn't even have dinner. I don't think we'd make the trek back, just nothing special.
(3)
Laura P.

Holy greasiness! In a good and bad way. Everybody loves a big juicy burger and if you are wanting to indulge in something sinfully delicious, than this is a place you need to put at the top of your list. Firstly, I love the retro decor, old Star Wars lunch boxes and toys all around to look at. I didn't get a chance to go upstairs to what looked like an arcade game room, but what a great idea - along with Wednesday night trivia and cash prizes. Back to the food : my sister and I decided to be 'good' and split a burger between the two of us. We decided on 'The Dork' paired with skinny fries. The burger consisted of a duck and pork patty, a ton of garlic mayo and oozing with melted monterey jack cheese and onions. I probably went through about 10 napkins in the process of eating a half of this tasty burger, but it was totally worth the mess! They have a full bar and enough beers on tap to choose from. The service was friendly and fast which is always most important in my book, so A+ for that, but I can't say I'd become a regular only because 16.00$ for a burger seems pretty steep. It's a great indulgence ONCE in a while, but I think there are a lot of cheaper options when it comes to a burger joint - especially in Seattle.
(3)
Janelle B.

Food was ok, on the greasy side. Overpriced for burgers. Service needs improvement. I don't appreciate waiting 10-20 before my order is taken or after I am done eating. Not impressed, I don't think this place will last long.
(2)
JÃ¸rn-Morten I.

Burger ok, service terrible.
(2)
Judy M.

This used to be one of my favorite burger spots, until, they went all brick and mortar on me. Going all fancy schmancy means the prices are higher and the burgers are smaller. I'm crying on the inside. Part of the appeal when they were in Ballard was that the place was just odd and messy, like their burgers. So, it didn't feel weird to be eating such a messy burger. But in a nice joint, with glasses, plates and such fancy things, I felt kind of out of place trying to eat my burger. I found myself trying to use a knife and fork...WRONG! The plus side is the addition of the pork rinds. Is this good, you ask? Is a pig pork? Well, then. I've had the Burger of the Gods, The Dork, and the Truffle. All delicious. I like the onions on the BOTG. The Dork (Duck + Pork) is moist and flavorful, and the truffle is just ooey gooey good. I wouldn't say that it has a prominent truffle taste, but it's good. The shakes are also good, but expensive. This place is still worth going to though. However, sometimes, I drive past the old spot and shut my eyes tight, cross my fingers, and click my shoes together..it has yet to work
(4)
San D.

Seattle might not have In & Out, but this place can definitely compete! The burger was good, but the best part of my visit was the orange creamsicle shake. They took it up a notch by offering it adult-style...with a shot of alchie. I went with the recommended Absolut Vanilla. Best shake, ever.
(4)
Jenny A.

Yum! Definitly a tasty and indulgent spot. Loved the sweet potato fries and my boyfriend can't stop talking about the dork burger. This was definitly one of the food highlights of our trip and we will be back the next time we are in Seattlle.
(4)
Liz T.

Oookkk...the Thanksgiving holiday weekend is probably the worst time to wrap-up my mac and cheese quest due to the fact that all the areas that are not stuffed of Thanksgiving food are being filled in by cheese sauce to just warmly cradle all my internal organs. Be ready for some serious fitness reviews soon. Old Lunchbox Laboratory used to have mac-and-cheese du jour which was the most brilliant idea in the world, but I don't believe they do that anymore. They do usually have a mac there however and when I went the other day, it was the standard american cheddar mac - enough said. I was a little hesitant as I don't need a fancy mac, but I also don't one slathered in a cheese sauce concocted by a bunch of kraft singles melted on my ish. Or fake cheese. My mac and cheese steps up it's game so get out of here with that stuff. This mac was good - almost a 4.5 star-er, but I'd say a solid 4. It was so creamy there was no way I was going to eat the whole thing as it's fatty, gooey goodness was just too much. But it sure was bomb.com (yeah, they still say that thank you). They use solid rotini noodles which are the second best kind of noodle to use (see Frontier Room review for best noodles) And might as well throw a burger view in here - well, the burgers were divine. My friend that was with me (who is a serious burger person) was a bit flabbergasted and when I asked how it was, he said it was actually the best burger he's ever had. He was totally confused, delighted, but moreover speechless that something so tasty had just blindsided him. I don't think he was expecting that. I give lunchbox 4.5 stars. Everything on the menu is enticing if you're a fatty-at-heart like me. It was seriously menu overload, but knowingly that everything on there was good. And with that said, fitness reviews best be coming soon 'cause that means I'm getting to the gym to get rid of all this cheese sauce.
(4)
Tracy M.

Our burgers were fantastic, and VERY large. Honestly, kind of difficult to get your mouth around the whole thing. The choice of meats and toppings is pretty amazing. I tried the dork (duck and pork) and it was really tasty and different, in a good way. One of my pals calls herself a burger purist (she only wants cheese and ketchup, and that ketchup better be heinz. Ha!). And she friggin LOVED it. Got the super burger/kobe beef. And she was so so excited to get to pick her own cheeses (she ordered both cheddar AND havarti). The shakes arrive in beakers, which is adorable, with some fun flavor combinations, as well. The peppermint chocolate was delicious, although the 4 hard peppermint candies floating in it weren't very useful. How does one eat a hard candy while drinking a shake? A friend suggested I suck on the candy while drinking, but that seemed awkward in mixed company. If they were crumbled peppermint or candy cane pieces, that would've worked better. There's a daily macaroni and cheese special. It was SO rich and divine! *drool* Food portions are pretty dang large.
(4)
Brandy R.

The food is ok. Ordered a burger tonight and it was half the size of the bun, fries were cold and burger was barely above room temperature. Took half an hour to get food that was called in for take out and then it was cold. The last few times we are in the service was incredibly slow too.
(2)
Tony S.

I stopped by here to bring some co-workers who were visiting from California. After seeing the menu, they were very excited to try the food. It was very busy so we decided to try to save some time and order food to go. The hostess seemed a bit overwhelmed and instructed us to go to the bar to make our order. We waited patiently for about 5 minutes while the waiter was doing something at his touch screen register. I wasn't sure if he knew we were waiting so I stepped up and tried to get his attention saying excuse me (no attitude or condescending tone at all) The bartender turned towards me with a look of anger and said "I'm kinda busy right now" A woman sitting at the bar looked up and commented to me that she didn't know what his problem was and indicated that he had been rude to her as well. Don't waste your time, go somewhere that wants your business. These guys don't care about their customers.
(1)
Kat L.

creative menu; don't go their if you are on a diet.
(3)
C R.

awesome truffle fries great blue marble burger had a grape ne-hi
(5)
Jenna E.

A-freaking-mazing. I took my boyfriend there for his birthday a week or is ago and we had the best freaking time. The server was wonderful, damn I wish I woulda remembered her name, and she gave us a menu tour like a boss. We tried the butterfinger shake, the gods burger, sweet potato fries and the best thing to have ever graced a bun...... The mr. Potato head. To bad it was an experiment because that burger was deliciousssss. Mashed potatoes on a burger? Yes please. All around amazing service and delectable dinner. Thanks guys!
(5)
Rudy J.

I loved it when it was in it's Ballard local. However they kept the Dork burger and it's still good. In the move, it's lost it's grimey inventiveness and has been repackaged into more crowd pleasing dining experience. Still, it's good and I do love their milkshakes.
(3)
Steven F.

Dork. Yes please, jussayin! I recommend it. Smoker was good too. I am lactose but I wanted a shake so bad. Settled for a beer which they had cheap options. Went for dinner but the kick a$$ hour aka happy hour menu looked good. Will definitely go back for kick a$$ hour for sure.
(4)
Bigfoot ..

Try the habanero salt!!
(5)
Chad M.

This place never disappoints. It's convenient that I work and live within a quarter of a mile from this place but I feel like every time I go I walk away happy. Their Dick's Deluxe and Tear Jerker are my favorites along with the sweet potato fries and the tots. Towards the back there are a few places where the seating is a bit awkward. Overall I feel I would like to go here as much as my guilt will let me.
(5)
Danielle B.

First and most important. The food was AWESOME. I had a churken burger and it was so good I wanted to slap someone. With that being said this would have been 5 stars if the service was on point. My second drink was way watered down and it took 10 minutes to get seated and another 10 to get water and menus. No one acted like we were even there (and it was NOT busy. We are talking mid afternoon). The server once we got one was nice BUT as we ordered she up sold us over $12 without telling us she was doing it. Adding bacon and sour cream to our meals etc. Yes, generally there is an up charge for this type of stuff I get it but $12 total? We could have got another meal or my own package of bacon and tub of sour cream for that amount of money. Take home is don't expect anything prompt, don't order a second drink and definitely do not order sour cream or chives! Enjoy your meal tho:)
(2)
Catherine C.

Love their burger of the gods! A must try! Tater tots are crispy and the salad with bacon is enough for two people! Good for groups, families, out of towners, etc. Outdoor dining available. Affordable too. Bring an appetite! Go for their Happy Hour. Efficient servers and service.
(4)
Hurdy G.

I went to the new location last night for the first time. Sooo disappointed. New owners changed things for the worse. Cons: 1. The quality of the meat. The super-beef can't be the same mix. It is dense and chewy and lacking in flavor. The old patties were full of flavor and had a mouth-feel like silk. 2 Size. The old burgers were huge. HUGE. Mine dindn't even reach the edge of my bun. I don't need to eat a huge amount of food, but for $15, I'd like them to be generous with the meat. We used to share a burger for 2 people and come away full, but I am grateful I ordered my own last night. Pros: 1. Location and ambiance: much better. Kind of corporate, but they display some of Scott's (the original chef-owner) quirky lunchboxes and keep the retro-futuristic vibe he had wanted to create. (We were not close friends with them or anything, but frequented the old shack enough to hear about plans for "the new place".) 2. The sauces taste pretty similar, although they 86-ed my favorite, the toasted onion mayo. 3. The sweet potato fries are as good, if not better. 4. They bring out a selection of interesting salts for the fries, including maltsalt and rosemary. 5. Service was fine, the staff were all very friendly. With the meat being the center of attention in a burger, I gotta say, I won't be back. I give it 3 stars because overall, its a fine burger, if overpriced. I'd like to give it 2 in comparison to what it used to be, but thats not really fair.
(3)
Koa M.

My GF and I wanted to grab some dinner and I was craving a burger. Lately I have been seriously disappointed with Seattles spots for a good burger. This was no exception. 40.00 for 2 people to eat a burger and grab a soda is ridiculous. All the hipster experiments they do to make burgers really is a negative when trying to enjoy a good burger. -1 point because they will not cook your patty to order. I myself only will eat meat that is rare. I strongly dislike a place that will not cook a patty to my specs. (reason I wont go to Lil Woodys again) The burger itself was sloppy for better lack of words. the bottom of my Kaiser bun was extremely moist and soggy. The bacon was not even fully cooked, (super gel like and light pink) I would not bother with this place again. Make the drive all the way to Woodinville and go grab a Teddys burger is in the cards for us.
(2)
Amy K.

Heartburn. It's something I've NEVER had before but something I experienced after eating 1/2 a lamb burger here. It's not that the food was bad, it just wasn't great and SO heavy. So let's get down to the skinny, which is the last thing you would be after eating here. I ordered the Mediterranean which is the lamb burger and the sweet potato fries. JP ordered the smoker with the tater tots. Tots were the way to go as the sweet potato fries weren't that great. We sat at the bar and service was okay. We weren't initially delivered the fabled salts that everyone talks about so I finally asked about it when I saw another table with them and the bartender brought them over. Interesting concept but I mean...it's salt. With flavor. Go easy on it. There are definitely better burgers in the city.
(2)
Clayton J.

In a word, Overrated! LBL came up far short of what I hoped for. The pictures online showed fat juicy burgers with healthy helping of sides. What we experienced was really slow service, average food and prices far in excess of what we got. If Red Robin can do a burger for $9.99 with bottomless fries, why are other places trying to get $15 for something that doesn't stack up? I'm not saying this place was horrible and the service was friendly even though slow, but I always measure a restaurant based on value, and lunchbox lab is not worth the dime. They are serving Denny's, Shari's class burgers for 14.99. Sure, they got some custom sauces, but they are not good enough to make up the $8 overcharge. Nice dÃ©cor and great location, but far way overpriced! Did I mention the $7 shakes...
(2)
Senayet W.

Mediocre food and TERRIBLE service. A waiter dropped his tray next to me, spilling ranch into my hair, coat and clothes and never apologized. I told my waiter and nothing happened...finally I approached the waiter and he simply told me "it was an accident" and shrugged. I will never return, nor will I ever recommend this place.
(1)
Erika W.

If you give me lots of choices, I will go a little crazy. That's just what happened when I visited Lunchbox Laboratory yesterday. I hadn't eaten a burger in probably 6 months so I went all out for this one. The base burger is $11 and I upgraded my meat to a "Dork Patty" for $2 extra. (We asked the waitress if "dork" meant whale penis; regrettably, it doesn't). I loaded on carmelized onions, gorgonzola mayo, bbq sauce and anaheim peppers. I topped it off with a diet coke and sweet potato fries. Let me tell you...my stomach was not pleased with me. Terrified memories of that poop scene from The Bridesmaids movie flashed through my mind as I clutched my stomach in pain. Fortunately, I was neither wearing a wedding dress, nor was I forced to unload my lunch in the middle of the street. I paid a stupid amount of money ($25 with tip!!!) for a painful lunch that ALMOST ended in a life-scarring bowel debacle. But damn was it tasty on the way down!
(3)
Lawrence S.

This has been like my 5th time back to this place. I like how the menu changes, and while service can be slow, it's because this place is the bomb.com . You can't get a burger like this at the drop of a hat. So slow your roll, order a shake, try the mini corn dogs, and chillax; because when they bring that sweet stack of beef with bacon, and lay it in front of you. You'll finally know you're in heaven.
(4)
Christina R.

Lunchbox Lab is a a religious experience for me. The staff is very friendly and fun, and the premise of the place is great - who doesn't like the idea of a new experimental menu every week? The real treasure is the Kick-Ass Hour menu, which features the epic treat of Gavacho's Nachos, which are actually tater tots covered with cheese, bacon, sour cream, green onions, and Satan's Tears ketchup. Their alcoholic drinks are all delicious, inventive, and fairly strong, and their boozy milkshakes are no exception. The burgers are also very yummy, and if you're a fan of spicy, Lunchbox Lab knows how to do it right. Watch out - they'll suggest that you make all your drinks double shots, but I'm not complaining ;)
(5)
Joe O.

Went back here yesterday and opted for a more normal burger. Can't recall the name but it was LOADED with chewy bacon (not my favorite) and the works. Without getting into too much detail, burger + tater tots (delicious) + 16 oz PBR = no need for dinner. I was busted up but glad I didn't have the same near death experience as my friend (Erika W). Again, very pricey for what you get - no where near warranted for Seattle.
(3)
Sandra Y.

YES!!!! Finally a burger joint that understands the amazing chemistry between burgers and tater tots!!! I've always been a tot fan. They're like french fries but crispy from every and any angle! And you never get a mooshy one like you do in other french fry dishes. WIN WIN WIN! I ordered the Tear Jerker (pepperjack, lunchbox onions, jalepenos, habanero mayo and satan ketchup) but opted for the organic bean burger instead. OMG. I wanted to stuff the whole thing in my mouth at once. But if you've had the pleasure of eating at Lunchbox Lab, you know the immense size of the burgers makes this impossible. They also offer a salt buffet. Yepp. A salt buffet at each table with your meal: habanero, bacon, kc smoke, and garlic just to name a few. My personal fave is the habanero. Finalmente, they also offer a full bar to those who prefer liquid lunches. ^.^
(5)
Charles h.

Great people, great food, great place!
(5)
jazmine s.

The Rompus Room, the upstairs room inside Lunchbox Lab is so perfect for a private party. I recently had my Birthday party here and it was awesome! Sarah is great at getting you booked and answering all of your questions. We had Charley as the bartender and she was fantastic! Oh and by the way I think the burgers here are all really good! My favorite is Burger of The Gods!
(5)
Matt R.

Burgers were great. Milk shakes were OK, but not outstanding. The build-your-own option is nice. I had the habanero mayo and LOVED it. Also, check out the "mac fries" ... fries with the mac & cheese sauce. Surprisingly good. Will order that as an appetizer next time. Overall, tasty, but pricey compared to other fancy burger joints -- can't afford to visit often. :-(
(3)
David C.

Went for lunch today and had the 420 burger with fries. AWESOME burger, fries left little to write home about but I will definitely return to try more of their menu items. Thanks for the discount for being a SLU chamber member. Keep up great work, I will be back soon.
(4)
Cyndi C.

Oh Lunchbox Laboratory- LOVE your Schick! Cool menu ideas and fun theme abounds here. I enjoyed my first impressions and the outdoor patio seating. BUT-- The food was only so-so. I ordered the Blue Marble as it SOUNDED delicious! A Caramel Macchiato Boozy Shake, Sweet Potato Fries and some puffy jalapeno popper things. THE BURGER: Mine arrived Overcooked Burger w/ Undercooked Bacon and SLOPPY. I asked for MEDIUM Burger but arrived as a hard dark patty stacked way too high in onions, slathered in WAAAYY to much MAYO. Served with a TON of Undercooked Bacon. It really was not right.. Big is not necessarily better... I had asked for and paid extra for the mustard. (I know it came with mayo but had hoped for just a smear.. this was *DRIPPING* in mayo.. really disappointing.) Could not even pick up burger to eat so much mayo, cheese and onions falling everywhere. Needed a bib here. SWEET POTATOES FRIES: Crispy and good! Satan Tears ketchup.. meh. A lil hot of course but not very unique flavor.. would try the curry ketchup next time! THE SHAKE: I ordered the A Caramel Macchiato Boozy Shake- pretty good flavor it just was not very thick it was like a runny malt BUT it was served with a tasty booze test tube at least! It looked cooler that it tasted. APPETIZER: jalapeno PUFFY popper things.. forget the name.. served with a sweet chili sauce, not bad... just puffy things were weird I guess I like crunchy poppers. So I'll say a-ok, maybe it was a bad day.. the place has a good sounding menu and a good location after REI shopping.
(3)
Willamenia B.

I miss their old hole in the wall location in Ballard. Went to their location in Bellevue and it's just not the same. The food is still solid and pricey. For some reason I enjoyed it more and felt okay shelling out the $$$ for my burger when it was their dive and not this swanky place in Bellevue. I feel like they sold out and went all high end on me.
(3)
Tim G.

It's good. Not great, not even better than most other places, but it's good. Crazy expensive though. Basic burger with cheese, tots and a soda was $19 and some change after a tip, $16 and some change if you don't tip. The first time I came here I had to try one of their pre-designed burgers and a milkshake, my ticket alone turned out to be $26, so the $16 tab is really as low as it gets unless you don't add cheese to your basic, then you save $1.50. There are a lot of other burger places that I think you get something better for a lot less within a short drive, but when people want to go here, people want to go here, and I don't ever have enough of an opinion to say no. So in short, if you have such a discretionary spending budget for burgers, you won't be upset you went here, but if you are expecting the Second Coming, just go elsewhere and eat for [much] cheaper.
(3)
Avian N.

Their Kobe burgers are presented on a clean white porcelain plate with a hardy tin cup of whatever side you choose. I love their sweet potato fries. They were perfectly seasoned and yummy. The burger (I had the Smoker) was great also. It might not look that big, but it's definitely fulfilling. My pumpkin milkshake was presented in a glass beaker, which I thought was pretty awesome. The menu had really clever names, and was a lot of fun to look at.The decor and ambiance of the space is fantastic. Love it. Perfect for lunch with that old friend you haven't seen since high school.
(4)
Lisa R.

I never had the chance to try their Ballard location so I am a fresh face here with no preconceptions. That said, it seems this place is relatively devoid of character and trying hard (too hard) to fit in with the scene around them. I have been twice and was not all that impressed. My burger was pretty dang good but when I got the bill my first thought was that 'pretty dang good' does not mean 'charge me up the nose to pay for your higher rent.' The sweet potato fries are downright yummy and I do enjoy their patio. But their hosts seem to have a bit of an attitude and either this place is way too busy or their staff is way too slow. Every time I've been there it has been over an hour for the whole experience - not what you usually expect from a burger joint, even if they are all fancy-dancy. When I am in the mood for a 'better' burger and in the area, I will probably go to Blue Moon instead. Better service, good burgers and better prices. Sorry Lunchbox, maybe we will meet again when I win my millions and retire!
(3)
Giovanna F.

Don't be fooled like I was. It is basically an overrated burger served with frozen tots. This place makes me appreciate a good old fashioned cheeseburger no fancy toppings or sauces needed. I was all excited because the motto on the sign out front said "where 6 pieces of bacon is just average". Wahoo! I definitely had my eye on a bacon burger. When I got my burger, after like an hour, it was a sad soggy son of a b*itch! The bacon was too salty and not at all crispy. Why have bacon when it's not crispy?! The entire bottom bun was basically wet from what seemed like steam from the burger patty. Do they steam their burgers not grill them? Seemed like it. Whoever was at the assembly line that day FAILED miserably. Who doesn't offer mushrooms as a condiment? This place. You could only get mushrooms on their "special test burger menu" and not add it to your own burger. For an experimental build your own burger place, they sure have no flexibility. The server also vetoed a couple of our choices saying "oh no, that would NOT taste good." Tots were tots and I realized that I would've been better off grabbing some from the frozen section of Safeway along with ranchers reserve ground beef. Lab Experiment Results- The pretentious host, annoyed server and kitchen lag time points to only one conclusive result. EAT at RED MILL INSTEAD.
(1)
Luca T.

I like this place, the atmosphere is relaxed, the service fast and the food pretty good. Nothing sophisticate but whatever I tried I enjoyed. The only thing that I didn't like was the location... if it matters... Thebprice is reasonable.
(3)
Ashley S.

I believe I got the Dick's Deluxe burger when I last went there and it was fantastic. I'm a big fan of tater tots so I give them kudos for that. The service was great and I liked the vibe they had going on at the restaurant. Each burger is about $15 each but it comes with a few extra sides like onions and pickles. It also comes with fries of your choice. I guess each day they have a 'special of the day' or something and the day I went they have a $5 mac and cheese, which btw was yummy. The waitress was really helpful and had great tips for new customers. She recommend that new customers order their already made burgers instead of creating your own. I would definitely come back to this place.
(4)
Joshua J.

I can't believe how amazing the burgers here are. I hadn't been since the old location, which I reviewed partially due to the presence of the duct taped together tables, a little grungy to say the least. I figured, SLU, fancy huh? But seriously, this is like a million plus dollar remake. I hope those guys made a killing with this apparent sellout. The place is now ultra-posh, modern, arcane, classic sort of thing, like a really well buffed pinball machine (upstairs). Expect to drop a bit of cash, this isn't your grandparents' burger place. Burger and shake, you're looking at like $20+, tax and tip, for sure. Literally, you may stop speaking, your eyes glaze over, and you are overcome by a sense of temporary joy that can only be found on your satiated palate, and perhaps in the juices, running everywhere. Take a moment, attempt mindfulness... good luck. What more can I say. This is like, an experience, man... Don't expect the snappiest service, but hey, you have other things to worry about. Opt for the sweet potato fries! Thanks for listening!
(4)
Vachi B.

Small burgers, TERRIBLE service and I have had better...will not go back again.. The waiter asked us if we wanted water after handed us the bill. A little too late buddy!! I needed my water long ago but you were no where to be found!! Unlimited refill on my soda my a$$
(2)
Matt P.

My go-to place if I need to kill my burger craving. With that being said, it effectively kills my burger craving for about a week after I demolish my burger. That's how full I am after I've done my work here. Don't get me wrong, the succulent flavors, the presentation of the meal, and the overall ambiance is unbeatable with classic, retro lunch pails adorning the walls. They get all the small details right too. From the plethora of different types of salts you can generously heap on your fries, to the massive drink selection (not to mention their overwhelming milkshake offerings), to the quality meat they build their burger on, the dining experience is second-to-none. The only thing holding them back from being a 5 star in my book is their price. As someone said earlier, "best burgers I know, priciest burgers I know." I would have to echo that sentiment as this place charges about 20 bucks for a burger, shake, and fries. While the burgers themselves are undoubtably a few notches higher than Red Mill, Red Robin, Dicks, etc. they should lower their prices. Until they do this place will always be a wonderful occasional treat for me. And maybe it's best it stays that way as my caloric intake is about the only thing I regret about the meal itself.
(4)
Paul K.

Burger was good, got the tear jerker which didn't bring me to tears. Overall good NOT great. Quite pricey for a burger $13.95?! That's a bit steep for a burger. Tater tots were good but slightly burnt and overdone. The shakes are good but definitely not $7 good. Service stinks. Our waitress was scattered and I had to wait til the end of meal for a refill and to have our waters refilled. To add to insult it took her 20 min to cash us out at the end of the meal. Eh, I've been here a few times and can say I think I'm done with this place.
(3)
Juan V.

Good but not great burger joint. I had heard it mentioned so many times that my expectations may have been too high. They have a decent selection of burgers but was hoping to see more variety or originality. Their shakes and fried are pretty tasteful though.
(3)
Jamie J.

And we lost again, fellow-foodies. A moderate three stars would not do the old LBL justice. What we loved about LBL has been replaced by the American necessity to increase profits and boost egos. Upon hearing LBL moved, I almost died. I loved the old Ballard location - it was swanky, hip, and downright delicious. I felt a glimmer of hope when I learned that the new location was closer to my home, but upon my most recent visit, that slight flame died out. Walking into the new location I felt as if I entered into a mix between Denny's and Fox Sports Bar & Grill (no diss to either, but this is NOT LBL). Waiters? Menus? What is going on - I thought to myself. My friends reminded me that I need to give this a fair chance. Ok, so let's talk what has been lost. These are the things that are no longer a part of LBL: -The choice between 6 or 7 potatoes for fries (now there are only 2) -The choice of salts for fries (now a salt round per table - raw salt is not the same; they should know better) - 1/2 LB patties are now LB patties (oh, and for the same price... make sense?) - The counter ordering (replaced by waiters) - The open grill (replaced by closed kitchen) - The Chalkboard menu (replaced by non-comprehensive plastic ones) I think you see what I am getting at. This is NOT the same LBL. No, LBL didn't move... the name was taken and given to a wannabee LBL (it's like comparing Justin Beiber to MJ... you just can't). Sure, the burgers are still good. I recently had the dork, which was as good as I remembered. The fries were another story - they were lacking. I should add that the appetizer addition is a nice one, great pro to the move - if you stop in, order the mac&cheese (any variation). However, as all of us foodies know, it's not just about the food. It's about the atmosphere, service, ambiance, and character. LBL's character is gone, and it makes me sad. This 'new LBL' will develop its own character at some point, and might be able to develop some sense of community. But, right now, it's not there. It must be understood though, that whatever this becomes, it's not LBL. Will I be back? Yes (not that you care). Why? Because I like a good burger. I will be shopping around for something better, in the meantime, though. Sadly signing out.
(3)
Robbie J.

Great burgers and potato salad... But don't expect to get in and out quickly, they get busy and, even after the crowds have left the servers seem winded.
(4)
Jim S.

Air Head Staff - What have they been smoking? We never got served. Left after 15 minutes waiting to be served while 4 staff members wandered around doing nothing. The waiter passed us 4 times and never checked in. The hostess passed 3 times only to take a napkin to the front desk and stand staring out the window each time. Table next to us had to beg for their tab and when our waiter gave them the tab, she walked over to the hostess to chit-chat without asking us for our order. That's when we left. Menu looked good. We will never know. The hostess was clueless when we left. Too bad.
(1)
Katy B.

I woke up from a nap drowsy and thought about waxing up my space skis or turning on my hoverboard and making my way down to SLU for a delicious pepperjack veggie burger until I realized it was all a dream.
(4)
Molly M.

From milkshakes to burgers to corn dog appetizers, Lunchbox Laboratory offers everything you could want in a burger joint. Definitely a place to try at least once.
(3)
Jeremy C.

Lunchbox Laboratory came up as a recommendation in my quest for the best burger in Seattle. I never made it to the original location, although by all descriptions I suspect I would have preferred it. Like many places in SLU, the environment is too deliberate for my tastes - it feels like a chain (it's not... yet). They've got a logo that's plastered over everything, full color posters announcing store policies, etc. This is what happens when you sellout your popular hole-in-the-wall to a larger chain (it's partially owned by Neighborhood Grill, who owns a number of mediocre restaurants around town). The most disappointing thing about the environment to me is all of the potential with a name like "Lunchbox Laboratory". Sure, there are lunchboxes on the walls, a somewhat 80s theme and the shakes are served in beakers - but with the extra funding, I was really hoping they'd take this further. I was initially put off by the prices. ~$15 isn't that much for dinner, but it's pretty expensive for a burger at lunch. ~$6 for a shake is a bit steep, but acceptable. Once I got my food, however, my view changed. The burger was huge - easily enough for two meals, if it were practical to split (it's not). The shake, on the other hand, while quite tasty was about half the size you'd expect for the price. I can't really pass judgment on the food, yet. I didn't like my burger, but I think that was a matter of taste. I ordered their habanero burger, because I'm a sucker for spicy food. The problem with spicy food, however, is that it overpowers everything else. I couldn't really taste the burger. But the few tastes I did get were very good. I will be back, and may revise my assessment then. In the meanwhile, I recommend against their spicier sauces for this reason. As for the best burger in Seattle? The juries still out. I have a few more places to try, and a few places (like Lunchbox Laboratory) to retry.
(4)
Julie D.

okay... being that it's National Burger Day.... I decided to give it a whirl... being that i am not a burger connoisseur i am not sure that my opinion counts much but here it goes... the burgers are HUGE... and very tasty.. the bun is super soft and not the typical bun you would expect. it was nice and fluffy. the meat juicy and the toppings piled high. its a super messy burger so get extra napkins. personally i had to eat it with a fork. but my co worker managed to eat it like a man. i liked the sweet potato fries option and the service was very nice. i will be back on one of those days where i want to grub on half a cow between a bun for sure.. bring your appetites... these are not for the burger wussies... such as myself!
(4)
Desiree H.

I really have heard amazing things about the Ballard location and was excited to find out it was two blocks away from home. I went in for take out one night and it took twenty minutes for an order, there was barely anyone in the restaurant. The burger was good and I loved the bun and options for toppings. But, the price is a bit much for a burger.
(3)
Vanessa A.

I made reservations for a party of 15 a week before a birthday event (noon last Saturday). The person on the phone told me that they were turning the upstairs party room into an arcade area so they weren't doing parties up there anymore. When I called to confirm the person I spoke to (different person) said that they would make an exception and set up the party room because we had so many people and it would be out of the way of the regular Saturday crowd. I was happy about that. Win-win. But when we got there the woman tried to seat us downstairs at a table for 8. I guess math was not her thing and whoever took the reservation did not communicate any of what we had discussed with the people on staff that day. Kind of annoying. I had to rehash the whole thing to her. Luckily they eventually did get the upstairs set up and once we got past that, everything went well. We had a long table up there as well as two round bar tables and stools. That worked out since 17 or 18 people actually showed up. Pretty fun space for that many people. There were 2 old school arcade games and two TV screens. They did a great job taking our food and drink orders and coming up with more beer. Whoever was our server (thin girl with brown hair and big smile) was awesome and accommodating and efficient. A couple other folks helped her out too and that was nice to see. Most people liked their food. One person didn't show thinking there was no vegetarian option. Turned out there is but it is TOTALLY buried in the menu under the naked burger (option for a bean pattie or something). It'd be nice if that veg option were a little more obvious. $13 or so for a burger that comes with choice of side. I got sweet potato fries and they were awesome. A little more than I'd normally pay for a burger and not quite as yummy as my favorite gourmet burger (Quinn's), but pretty good.
(4)
Linda L.

I am not a fan of burgers, I decided to take a chance per my friend ranting about how good it was. We went and I had him order for me and we both got the "famous" DORK burger it was amazing. The BEST part was the NUTELLA milkshake. I SWEAR THIS MILKSHAKE was the BEST I have ever had in my entire life! :) would definately recomend to anyone.
(5)
Adriana K.

The last time I was at LL was at their Ballard location, so clearly it had been a while. I remembered an amazing Boston Pie milkshake, which might have changed names or I just remembered it wrong - either way, I split a boozy shake with a friend (sugar overload!) - the waitress asked us if we wanted separate shots which basically brought it to the same price as if we had our own. Oh well, less calories! I tried the turkey -chicken combo - of course with tots! It was a bit pricy - I would suggest looking for the discount via Seattle Weekly if you want to go. Its similar but different than South Lake Union Bar & Grill was in the space, but I suspect if you want a pricey burger, tots and boozy milkshake on the patio in the summer, this is your place!
(3)
Nick D.

Living in South Lake Union, you don't have many options for dining. I was stoked to see that the South Lake Grill was replaced by a Ballard Burger joint favorite, but after my pal and I ate here last night, I realized I spoke too soon. I thought for sure that this place would be great. Fun decor, slightly expensive prices for a burger, and they serve milkshakes! Wrong-o. This place was just plain bad. The service was pushy, and our waitress kept exclaiming how "good" and "to die for" things were. Too bad it wasn't true. I ordered a Bacon Deluxe, and boy was it lame. It's served on a plate with your lettuce and tomato on the side to make it look like you were getting more food than you actually are. The lettuce was from the end of the ice burg head. There was no green leaves here. Now for the beef...I knew I wasn't going to be thrilled by this when my waitress didn't even ask how I would like my burger cooked. It came out dry, and bland. And, oh yes, the bacon...Who cares if there are 6 pieces of bacon on the burger if its flimsy and flavorless. Blech. Don't get me started about the small ammount of fries that come with it either. For two burgers, and zero beverages, our total was $26.50. After tip, it came out to about $17 each! Yikes!! It was a waste of time and money. Call me a Negative Nancy, but I won't be dining there again.
(1)
Andrew L.

Tried this after a friend recommended it. I was told whatever you do get the milkshake. and WOW it was AMAZING!!! worth every bit of the price. Burger was delicious and well seasoned. Good portion sizes and burger was easy to handle. Very impressed.
(4)
Wonder W.

I was with Mayor M. when we went to this place. I loved my burger & tots. My drink... YUCK. Pass on the cocktails and aim for a shake. I have a hunch they might be a bit better. The service was fine. But VERY slow, especially considering it was fairly quiet when we were there. Although it seemed everyone else was getting their food a bit faster than us. So maybe something went wrong with our order??? In which case that would be a good time for the staff to communicate with us there is an issue maybe offer us a complimentary drink or snack?? Just a thought. At any rate. The food is good if you go into it lighthearted not expecting much. Maybe that is their gimmick give them crappy drinks so they will expect the food to taste gross too, then be pleasantly surprised when it taste ok. I wouldn't of paid more than I did. (it was happy hour so it was under $10) I saw that their regular menu was a lot more expensive. Not sure I'd ever come back during regular business hours. Overall, if you want a burger & shake at a decent price, go for their happy hour. Also make sure you have a little time on your hands just in case service is slow that night.
(4)
Tony S.

My brother just loved this place. i took my niece and nephew to the new location. I loved the oreo cookie's and cream shake but it wasn't any different from others that i've had. the burger was just meh. i've had better at other places and could possibly even make a better burger. bill at the end for 3 people was $70 and for that i could've gotten a better meal some other place i'm sure.
(1)
Julia S.

Wonderful! I'm a veggie and the bean burger was AMAZING! Tater tots, chips and dip, and the rosemary mac and cheese were great! I come here frequently and have never had a bad experience.
(5)
Scott O.

So I was a huge fan of the old Lunchbox Laboratory in Ballard. I didn't go much towards the end, having OD'd on too much bacon and grease too many times (good, though). My wife and I decided to try the new location off the Denny Triangle and wound up leaving before we ordered. Music was too loud, the hipster service was rude, and the burgers are now half the size that they were at the old location (4 oz vs 8 oz) - for the same price. We didn't exactly enjoy the old location - it was a grubby hole and the burgers were often served as a sloppy mess. But on the plus side the flavors were inventive and highly inspired, and they generously used quality ingredients. If it weren't for the music and the rude service, I would have stayed to give it a try. But why, really? Why pay $14 for a quarter-pounder when I can get a half pound at Jaks, John Howie the Met and El Gaucho for about the same price? Let's not forget happy hour burgers at Jaks ($5), John Howie ($8), the Met ($5) etc. When you throw in the atmosphere, it's a non-starter for me. No deal. R.I.P. Great Old Hole-in-the-Wall Sloppy Burger Stand
(2)
Brian M.

I am really depressed by what happen to Lunchbox Lab, if you don't know what happen to LBL go watch Wayne's world, and replace Wayne's world with lunchbox laboratory, and Wayne and Garth to Chef Simpson and Allgera . I was a huge fan of the old Ballard Location, and I was shocked when I saw waiter service. especially how they made me feel like a guest at my own place...It was like the episode of the Simpsons when Moe turned the tavern into a hip pomo bar. I missed waiting in line, seeing Allegra running around getting food to people, and her making small talk and her personal service, you will miss her compared to the unperson wait staff at the new place. Also not seeing Chef Scott Simpson cooking away at his epic creations. and looking back I did not mind eating on the stained felt covered tables crammed in with people who loved LBL. The burgers are way smaller and don't taste the same, The only thing I felt comfort from was the lunchbox onions. There is no more flavored Salt, or Onion fries, milk shakes served in Beakers, no more Mac and cheese, no more Essential bakery bread, no more Ballard quirky retro vibe decor or heart. I once describe this place as the best burgers in the World, one of the highlights living in Seattle, and it was a Five star review and on my Favorited list and made sure everyone I knew went to LBL, but no soo much anymore. May you R.I.P Lunchbox lab. I hope one day you will resurrect!
(2)
David H.

Best burgers in a city with quite a lot of good burger joints. Lunchbox Laboratories burgers are definitely unique as well as delicious. Also some really good milkshakes.
(5)
Casey N.

Great burgers, something for everyone. Shake was good. Service was slow, but that's to be expected on opening week. Price was a bit steep for burgers and chips but they did give us a coupon for a free shake and $10 off our next bill. I never went to the original, but i would put this one on par, if not a tad below, Redmill but twice as much. I've heard they're expanding the menu so I'll be back to check it out.
(3)
Beth H.

Ugh, I am so sad about this new Lunchbox Laboratory. I couldn't even write a review the same day I went because I didn't want to dwell on the death of such a formerly great burger place. The ambiance is gone. Completely gone. If you're a fan of TGIFs or Applebees or Johnny Rockets or some other bleh chain, you'll think this place looks fantastic. There were about 40 very confused servers milling about in Red Robin-style uniforms. I could barely squeeze through the throngs of suits and guys with bluetooth buds in their ears on their lunch breaks to our uncomfortable, tiny table with stools. The first thing I said to my lunch companion was, "I already hate this place." Our waiter seemed promising at first. He took our shake orders quickly but he just kind of disappeared after that. My friend received her shake but they screwed up my order and I had to wait another ten minutes to receive mine. Ultimately, the shakes were tasty but how hard is it to mess up a glass of sugar and fat? The $6.50 price tag is a little insane. Also, no more beakers! Where is the laboratory concept? Another waiter looked concerned that we were almost done with our big shakes and hadn't yet ordered so he did that for us. Quite a while later we got our burgers from yet another server. I ordered the spicy one (can't remember its exact name but basically it had pepper jack cheese, jalapenos, and Satan's ketchup). The spiciness was there but that's the only positive. They've definitely cut down on quality of ingredients as the bottom of the bun was already soggy and falling apart. The rest of it was just unmemorable. I used to chow down to the point of wanting to explode at the old Lunchbox Lab but this time I just nibbled at half the burger and decided to leave the rest (no to-go box for me, thanks). My fries were all right (shoestring). I used to love them at the old restaurant and would eat them without sauce (although they offered a bevy of interesting options) and covered in a lovely rosemary salt. So, so good! This time they were unsalted and I had a choice of plain old ketchup or yellow mustard. Next to us were some diners who were obviously fans of the former restaurant. I listened to them question the server about the severe lack of choices on the menu. The server went on and on about how they still weren't sure what to use from the old menu and all of that. Apparently these menus would soon be changed. I couldn't figure out why they'd leave 90% of the awesome things off in the first place. Shouldn't you nail that down before opening? Anyway, add me to the growing list of old supporters who are going to forever have a fond memory of the Ballard Lunchbox Laboratory and just let it go. Bottom line: They've taken everything that made Lunchbox Laboratory worth going to, waiting in line for, and paying $25 for a meal for, and watered it down to another link in a mediocre burger/bar and grill chain. The service is highly questionable and the space itself is boring. Nothing here is worth the price or the trip.
(2)
Kiana F.

Their burgers were super tasty! I was a bit hesitant because I don't normally pay so much for a burger - but it was delicious. And the fries were so good. A little pricey, but if you get a quality burger in return I'll willingly do it! I will definitely return!
(4)
Tom L.

I loved the old Lunchbox Laboratory when it was located in Ballard. Unfortunately I only like the new restaurant in South Lake Union. First off I miss the hole in the wall atmosphere of the Ballard location. The new restaurant feels like a old 50's diner, but with updates. There are still old lunchboxes being used as decor in the new place. The place definitely feel more upscale. Something about the menu doesn't feel as diverse as the old location. I order the Burger of the Gods, with string fries. The burger was good, but again I feel like it's missing something that made the same burger at the old location more flavorful. Honestly I really can't put my finger on why this burger didn't taste or satisfy me as much as old version. This isn't to say that the burger wasn't good. It was very good, compared to other burgers that I've had in the area. The meat was cooked correctly and was not dry. The sauce that they used on the burger was, again, very good. The fries were also very good, golden, crisp, and hot. I'm gonna keep this review short, because I don't know what else to say here. Lunchbox Laboratory is still one of the better burger joints in the Seattle area. I would definitely go back.
(3)
Spencer R.

Lunchbox Laboratory, my dear friend, what happened?? I have savored your delicious burgers for so long, and your shakes...ahh the shakes, so good! When I heard you were moving even CLOSER to my house, I was nothing short of ecstatic. However when I showed up on opening day in the early evening (your new website says you are open to midnight!) all I saw was a sign on the door saying you were closed and would reopen on Sunday. A few passers by mentioned that the kitchen was so busy that the cooking staff needed a break so they decided to close early. Almost 6 hours early? Come on guys. While I was unable to return Sunday, some friends did and their story makes me seriously worried about this once fine establishment. Apparently there are no substitutions or additions allowed on the burgers anymore (a friend was told no, she could not add cheese to her burger -- really? Its a piece of cheese! Please tell me you're not shooting for Dick's style service here....) Another friend was a vegetarian and since the menu is apparently much more limited now, she did not know what to get. To compromise she asked if she could order a burger (toppings included) and have them just leave the meat off. Seems simple enough, but she was told that the kitchen could not handle a special request like that. I'm confused, shouldn't it be easier to make a burger without the...burger? They could have even charged her the full price to make the accounting easier, but really they couldn't handle just leaving the meat off? The combination of those three hiccups and the talk of no more specialty salts, good - but no longer great shakes, a much more limited menu, and far less of the decorations that made the last place so unique, really have me worried about the place I have loved for so long. I will of course give it another shot and see for myself how much the quality of service and food have changed; and update this posting as needed. Hopefully these are just opening week problems that will be ironed out soon. If it is as bad as I have heard, hopefully you guys will read these reviews and make some changes! At the very least, if you aren't going to fix these issues I sure hope you decide to drop the price of your burgers (used to be ~$15 for a single burger - justifiable for an incredible burger, but not if these problems persist!). I hope you come back to us Lunchbox!
(2)
Brittney G.

My husbands favorite place to go to lunch. He loves the Satan's Ketchup.
(5)
Elly E.

I went to LL for the first time today. I'm sad I never went to the Ballard location (I wanted to, it just never happened), as it would have been fun to compare the old hole-in-the-wall to the shiny new location in SLU. My BF and I shared the Hothead burger, which was sooooo good, and had tots and sweet potato fries. Everything was super delicious...the burger was juicy and perfectly cooked, and the bacon was nice and thick. We ended lunch with a Nutella milkshake, which was AMAZING. Ridiculously rich, but worth it. It is pricey (our meal was $28, and like I said we shared everything), but I don't think it's a rip-off...it's just not somewhere to go all the time! Update: my husband, mom, and I went to Lunchbox Laboratory two weekends ago because my mom wanted a tasty burger and a cocktail. Our experience was disappointing because we had bad service and the side dishes weren't hot! First, we were seated next to a bachelorette party (on a Sunday evening, which seemed a little weird, but whatev) which was super loud, and there were tons of other clean empty tables around. That was just strange. They had a special $5 margarita with a berry-infused tequila, so my mom ordered that. The waiter said bluntly, "We're out of the special tequila so we can't make that." I don't understand why they couldn't have made the same marg with regular tequila, and his response was really negative. He should have said he was really sorry, but that the bartender would be happy to make her a $5 marg with regular tequila if that would work for her. Right?! Our burgers were tasty, but all our sides (tots and sweet potato fries) weren't hot. They weren't cold, but they were room temperate. Not delicious. I'm really disappointed with this last experience at LL because I like the burgers, but considering the price and service, I can't imagine I'll be back.
(2)
Lala L.

Burger of the Gods still rules supreme here, but what's with the fact that the burgers are 30% smaller? I guess it goes with the new swanky location. Loved this place when it was in Ballard. Also seems like they have logistical problems. Dining room half full, but 30-40 minute wait for three. Oh. Ok.
(3)
Merrilee B.

Poor customer service. I called on a Saturday wanting to use their banquet room for a party of 10 people a month away. I was advised to email the event coordinator which I did. 5 days later no response. I called on the day I was advised that she was in the office. I was on hold for 20 minutes and then hung up. I waited patiently but I had to get back to work. I am trying to give you business!!
(1)
Kelly B.

We got seated right away and greeted quickly. After handing menus he just stood there and didn't ask can I start you with a drink or anything. He just walked away. The drinks and burgers were amazing! After bringing out our food our waiter sat at the table next to us and started counting $. The bartender had to deliver our bill and ring us up, which took forever because cleary he had drinks to make! I would have rated 5 stars but the service was the downfall.
(3)
Jenn B.

We chose to sit in the bar to avoid a wait and were told that we would have to wait 5 minutes to order food; because, of the way this was presented to us we assumed the bar didn't serve food until a certain time. After waiting 8 minutes for a waiter we took it upon ourselves to find one and ask if we could have menus. Four minutes later a waitress brought us ONE menu, there were 3 of us. Now we wait again, probably close to another 8 minutes or so, and no one comes to take our order, not even drinks. I went to the front and asked if we would receive better service if we just waited for a table, the host said he would send someone over. Moments later a very upset waitress takes our drink order, come on lady we've been here forever, we know what we want! She said no, we will have to wait to place our order!!! OK, forever goes by and now not only our table but ALL those around us are staring at all the waitresses in a football huddle chatting about their day. Needless to say, we were eventually told that for some reason the restaurant was on "hold" and would not be able to place our order anytime soon. Sadly, the staff didn't relay this message to any of the customers but instead decided to act extremely grumpy and unwelcoming. Oh by the way, if you have young kids that can read, they have multiple signs that are "adult" words; such as the "F" word on the napkin holder.
(1)
Siamen M.

Burgers were as good as everyone said. Beef burger actually taste like beef, not "pink slim". Price is a little bit high for burgers, but I think it is worth every penny. I just can't afford to go there all the time. :)
(4)
Ricardo M.

Great burgers. I had the homage to Dick's Deluxe burger and it is way better than the original. The service was kind of slow and the theme is kind of weird in the sense that they will serve Mimosa's with Tang instead of OJ. The shakes looked good, but I didn't try one. Service was kind of slow and the bloody mary that I ordered wasn't the best. However, the burger I had was nice and fresh with plenty o' bacon. Overall, the burgers were great!
(4)
J C.

Service was slow. Our server seemed a bit forgetful. Both of our burgers weren't very good. What's with the massive amounts of sauce and not being able to cook a burger "medium?" : / I'd only go back to try a milkshake.
(2)
Adam A.

Don't believe the hype. I've only sat in the bar area on three different occasions service has been terrible every time. I ordered a burger once it was average. I won't be back for poor service and average food
(2)
Casey W.

Really great burgers. Staff was great as well. The kitchen was extremely backed up when we went and took a bit long to get our food but well worth it. Our server was so apologetic and even gave us 10 bucks off our food. Nice thing they do as well is after you eat you fill out a comment card and you'll get 10 bucks off each time you go after that.
(4)
Jered S.

I enjoy their food and plan to return.
(3)
Doug S.

Came here with an appetite. Left with a food coma. Wow, these burgers are filling!!! I ordered the Hothead, which is the burger with jalapeÃ±o sauce and pepper-jack cheese. This was right up my alley in terms of flavor. I contemplated getting the double beef patty for $3 more, but I'm glad I didn't. The patty on my burger was already very thick. The flavor of the burger was incredible! As a bonus, they serve sweet potato fries, one of my favorite sides. Something I thought was quite brilliant was the way in which they serve them: inside a small metal cup. I usually eat my fries after a burger, and I'm used to fries being cold, but they were nice and warm when I finished. Ahh, a perfect lunch. It was a bit pricier than I'm used to for a hamburger joint, but I felt it was worth it. The service was also quite amazing today. We walked in and it appeared as if two servers almost approached us at the same time. We were seated promptly, and our waitress came by right away. She checked back on us often, quick to refill water. Definitely come by here if you are in the area. You won't be leaving hungry.
(5)
Kyle T.

Just a generic restaurant for the SLUnch crowd. Not really a diner, kind of cold atmosphere, okay grub.
(3)
Thomas J.

Don't forget the excellent happy hour menu here - discount drinks, and great food to boot. Their happy hour menu is online - it's 3-6 and 9-close. I had scotty's classic drive-in, and it was quite good. Not quite the best happy hour burger experience in the city, but still pretty tasty.
(4)
Stosh S.

Awesome! I'm not going to leave a long review but this place is tasty...go go go. Lamb burger + sweet potato fries amazing...
(5)
Derwynn D.

LL serves up big, pricey, gourmet-ish burgers. Wash 'em down with one of their creative milk shakes. I dare you to stay awake when you get back to the office after having one of their meals. Burp.
(3)
Sean R.

They were still working off an opening/limited menu. Looking forward to seeing the full menu when it comes out. Our burgers were awesome. Very filling to say the least. I had a hard time deciding, they all sounded so good! No one at the table (8 of us) had a single complaint about the food. I would suggest this place to anyone. It wasn't the best, but it was damns good.
(3)
Andrew P.

Pricing was a bit high, thus the 4/5 stars. The burger (a naked with funky spicy ketchup and ranch) was massive and the sweet potato fries were perfectly-cooked. The burger was amazing. One of the best I've ever had. The wait staff were attractive and effective. Good place for a meal when you don't mind dripping sauce on everything and aren't counting calories.
(4)
Michelle F.

I'm not a huge burger connoisseur but I know a delicious burger when I see one. I believe that 30% of a good burger is the bun. It has to be able to withstand the meat and the rest of the goodies. They have good buns here. Yes they do. I chose the dork burger because I wanted to try something different. I was a little wary of the duck but mixed with the pork, it was amazing. I got their potato salad as my side. It was really good and they give you a hefty portion. My fav part of it were the chives. K man ordered the Hothead, which I wasn't a fan of. The bacon was over powering and it just seemed like a regular huge burger. Not bad, but not as good as the dork. He got the tots...you can't go wrong with tots. We also got the whopper shake. It was a really good shake and tasted exactly like a liquid whopper. But in all honesty, it wasnt $6.50 good. But if you're a shake freak, then you should get one. Oh and I can't forget about their flavored salts. They might only give it to you when you order tots, so if you dont, ask for these salts. They're delish!!! Even though the burgers are fantabulous, they're overpriced. They are about $12-15...that'll make your eyes bulge. But again, very yummy. You gotta come at least once.
(4)
Donna J.

These were the best burger's we've ever had!
(5)
Shaun H.

I love this place, I was there on the 20th for the 7" burger with mac and cheese on a burger is a god send, but there was not enough mac and cheese on the burger. I did return today 4/23 and our waitress Julia a young blonde lady was totally awesome and dealing with my difficult friend, and made our experience amazing. Thank you all for the great service.
(3)
Jennifer H.

Yum, yum, yum. Amazing burgers and really fun drinks with a fun 90's science project atmosphere. I had the truffle love burger and it was fantastic. Their drinks are mostly nostalgically Tang and Kool Aid based. I can't wait for the Bellevue location to open since it's across the street from my work. Burgers are expensive but they have a $4 cocktail menu. Awesome!
(5)
Nio S.

I only gave this place a 4 star because of the creativity in the types of burgers they had to offer. The only thing that kept it from being a 5 was the way the burgers are built and I know a lot of places are building burgers bistro style which looks good as a presentation on a plate but functionality for the consumer is a big mess, very tasty but a big mess. A burger should be built to a structure where the consumer shouldn't have to worry about the fillings including the meat patty slipping out when the burger is handled for a bite. I believe each bite should be able to have all the components built in the burger to taste every element as a whole and not have for example a bacon fall out and tell yourself you'll get it on the next bite. For those who are reading this don't get me wrong I love the burgers they gave me along with the amazing tots with my jalepeno ranch which is out of this world. All I'm sayin is that the burgers should be built in consideration to the functionality of eating a nice juicy burger. Last but not least, the price is a bit spendy but worth every penny so unless money is no problem to you and you have endless supply of it, first please share some of that money with me and second for two burger meals, two shakes with one of them having an alcohol shot including tip will run you around $60.....but like I said, worth every penny!!!
(4)
reese h.

I went with of group of ladies I was taking a class with in the neighborhood. Saturday, lunchtime. Busy, but not crazy. They had some new staff they were training, so maybe that is why they had so many people, some just standing around talking. Our waitress, was nice enough, but really only came to take our order, and grab the check for us. We had four other people whizzing around meeting needs. When I asked one of the busy bees who my waitress was because I was ready to go after waiting around for my check, she said, "well it's (insert name here), let me get her attention for you!," like it was obvious or something. If I gotta ask, then y'all have too many damn people there. The food. Good, but not great. I can't remember the name of the burger, which should say something. It did have blue cheese and carmelized onions on it. A chef note: as someone who cooks, serving chilly carmelized onions on a hot burger, makes the burger cold quickly and less enjoyable to my taste. This may be how it's done at LL, but I think the burger would feel yummier in my mouth if all layers of the burger were warmed to proper temperature. "Labratory" is in the namesake, which suggests that some trial, error, and planning went into the menu and preparation of food. I had tots as a side, they were fried real good. Pretty sure they don't make tots though, so again, good frying. Sauces are $.50 each (.$25 would be acceptable, and they may actually sell more if they dropped that pricepoint), and since I spent $14+tax and tip for a burger and tater tots, I skipped it. Added to the plate was a very weak attempt at standard burger toppings. No different than any Denny's or Shari's diner; iceberg lettuce, bland tomato, and a shaving of red onion. Wait, I take that back, Denny's or Shari's would probably give you a thicker slice of plain white onion. The bun is good and that deserves a mention. The decor is busy and distracting, they have a TV. The lunchbox and thermos kitch feels like the one thing they added when they took over that space from whatever the last restaurant, (Lakepoint Grill, was it?). Turnkey feel. Good for them though not having to remodel the whole place to open LL. I think most burger joints feel they need to make you look at a bunch of random crap to keep your eyes bouncing around, thinking that it gives the place a "fun" feel. So, no points off for that...just the current looking to the past. All in all, I'm glad I went because it seemed that a lot of people were creaming over this place 4 years ago when they were in Ballard. I wanted to see what the fuss was all about. Turns out, not much. I would probably go again if I was in a group that ruled out my "no" vote out, but I wouldn't go back on my own. It's too expensive and lacks the touches I expect when I pay $14 for a burger and tots with all the aforementioned issues with the food. If you want to spend $14 on lunch and have it be awesome American food, go to Portage Bay Cafe, just 3-4 blocks due west.
(3)
Aaron P.

Simply the best hamburger I have ever had. All other hamburgers taste like dirt when you have had one of these. Not to mention the milkshakes, fries, and tots. All mind blowing.
(5)
Steve R.

Great burgers, and eclectic items on the menu.. Server was interesting with her attitude, but overall well worth it.....
(4)
Henry T.

Reading about Scott Simpson's tragic death finally moved me to post a reivew here. I considered myself a regular at the Ballard Lunchbox Laboratory, and have to disagree with the feeling here that Lunchbox Lab 2.0 is a soulless betrayal of the original. It's true that the new location does not have the junky, duct-taped-together-tables vibe of the original spot. Putting the Ballard lunchboxes in a bright, upscale lunch space does make it look unfortunately like the kitsch hanging on the walls in a Chili's. But trust me on this: THE BURGERS ARE STILL THE BURGERS. Don't believe the hype. The buns have changed slightly, but these aren't Costco buns or anything, they're still great. The default patties are slightly smaller, but if you ever tried to finish a burger at the original LL,. you know that's not a bad thing. I had the Truffle Love and my wife had the Burger of the Gods, our faves at the old spot, and the magic was still there. Tater tots, shakes, everything was as we remembered it. There just wasn't any duct tape on the table. Lunchbox Lab lives!
(4)
Joyce B.

haven't been to their new location, but bummed that they moved from 15th Ave NW in Ballard. suprised to read that a reviewer felt they had limited options, since the original joint had SO many options, it was difficult to choose. Fantastic, creative burgers (Burger of the Gods is my fav); the sweet potato fries are amazing, with your choice of 15 different salts. Who else does that?? Who knew that there were so many salts?? And if you are into shakes and malts...you won't be disappointed. the only turnoff for me is that the burgers are too big. Great for 2 meals, or more. Some feel that the price is expensive, but this ain't no McDonald's burger. They are worth every penny. Very sad to hear that the Chef/Owner is no longer with us. He was a true genius, and LL puts most burger joints to shame.
(4)
Glenn D.

What the crap LBL? You moved to a bigger location and you can't make room for me? We showed up on opening day at about 3pm and there was almost no one there. I could see about 5 tables open in the dining room, 3 in the bar, and later I saw a couple in the back area that were unused. I thought we'd be able to walk right in but the hostess informed me that it would be a 45 minute wait to get a table because they were so busy. Seeing so many empty tables, I asked again..."you are busy? There's no one here" to which she replied "ya, it's opening day so it's really backed up." So what you are telling me is that I'll have to wait 45 minutes for a table and then another 30 to get food because your kitchen can't make burgers fast enough? So then she suggested that we sit in the bar where we could get a drink or a shake. I asked if we could get food in the bar but no, you cannot. Then I asked if I could just order my damn burger to go, you know, as if I was actually in Lunch Box Lab. Nope, can't do that either. So ya, no food because they couldn't handle the opening day blues. Judging by the reviews that have come in since Saturday, maybe I am lucky. I'll try again next week but I have to beg you, go back to your old formula. Wait in line, order, sit at table, get your food, eat & go. We don't need waiters, we need more cooks.
(3)
Cynthia L.

I have been to the old Lunchbox Laboratory about 4 times before coming to their new location. I was excited that they would have more indoor seating and organization. I have to say it didn't meet my expectations. I went in last night (Saturday) at 5:30PM. First, it felt like I was walking in to Southlake Grill. Besides some new paintings, overall the feeling was like a chain restaurant (think cleaner and more urban Applebees). There was a full bar, and there was plenty of seating. I ended up in the bar because we had a large group of about 10 people. The servers were fine, although not the friendliest. When I asked to get 1/2 a portion of bacon, he told me they can't do that. It irked me a bit because they use to do that at the old Lunchbox Lab. Anyway, it turned out not to matter because... the burgers are much smaller. I usually get the Truffle Love but decided to try something else and got a Bobcat Bite. The other thing I noticed was they no longer have seasoning for the potatoes/sides. This made me very sad. The Bobcat burger was actually not that remarkable. It was really just like any other burger. My date and I also had a Nutella shake. It was the best part of the meal! I am not a huge chocolate person but it was super delicious and not overwhelmingly sweet. What was a little striking was the price. Had it always been this expensive? $13.99 for a burger! And $6.50 for a shake in a modern (read: small) glass was pushing it a bit. The total bill for 2 of us (2 burgers, 1 shared shake, and tip) came to $41!!!! Wowzers. And all it was were burgers! Minus 1 star for being too chain like (and losing cool things like the salt for the fries and options on the burgers) Minus 1 star for making the burgers smaller Minus 1 star for being so freaking expensive and not living up to the old Lunchbox Lab Sorry new Lunchbox Lab, I don't think I'll be back.
(2)
Carrie A.

Someone warned me about adding bacon to one of the burgers here and they weren't kidding! Delicious! I had the Truffle Burger with sweet potato fries/stole some tater tots and was in heaven! Also I'm a dippen sauce gal and the million island sauce was perfect for tots and fries! I can't wait to go back. I need to run a few miles inbetween to feel ok about it!
(5)
Nikki B.

Lunchbox Laboratory is worth going to for the tater tots and milkshakes alone. Their happy hour menu offers both those things for way cheap, and the burgers are massive! We made the mistake of eating an appetizer from the happy menu as well as a burger and it was a food coma waiting to happen. The tater tot nachos are amazing and the nutella shake was more chocolate than hazelnut, but still super delicious. We went on a Sunday evening -- parking was easy and our server was quick and very nice with everything.
(4)
Collin G.

If you're planning on going to Lunchbox Laboratory, you're in for a treat. The burgers there are 13.99 each, but they are HUGE, and if you love bacon, boy are you in for a treat. I had the Homage to Dick's Deluxe which was exactly like it only it a 20x better and it had bacon. The ambiance was cool with old lunchboxes and posters from the 60s, 70s, and 80s all around. The service wasn't that great, but they were short on staff at the time. So if you love bacon, bug burgers, and great ambiance, you'll love Lunchbox Laboratory!
(4)
Corey S.

Few restaurants can actually elicit visceral reactions, good or bad. By the time I left the new Lunchbox Laboratory, every fiber in my body screamed, "Nooooo!" Had I not been with my father and brother, I probably would've cried to mourn the loss of the original LL. Those that frequented the original Laboratory will undoubtedly hold the new location to nearly impossible to reach high standards. But we all know the gold standard CAN be attained, and now that I've tasted burger nirvana I can't settle for anything less. I tried to write this review through the lens of an impartial observer that had never experienced the Ballard location, but quickly abandoned it as the two locations are forever linked. If I were to grade this restaurant without having ever experienced v1.0, I'd probably give it 3 stars. But I'm knocking it down a peg for the following reasons: - The ambience is wrong. Stepping inside the new, clean, polished dining area doesn't work for me. Worst of all, the original lunchboxes that adorned the walls of LL 1.0 are posted on metal poles next to the booths. They reminded me of the scene in Vanilla Sky where Tom Cruise and Penelope Cruz discuss a shattered guitar that had been reassembled and framed. Just like the movie, the beat up lunchboxes in an otherwise pristine room suggests they are trying too hard to be cool. Save the lunchboxes, there is little else in v2.0 to associate with v1.0. In speaking with the the waiter, we learned that the Lunchbox "concept" was bought by Neighborhood Grills. Those of you that have experienced the unremarkable, middling Green Lake Bar & Grill or it's Eastlake/Crossroads cousins know that Lunchbox and Neighborhood Grills aren't a "better together" story. - The music. They actually played a Wallflowers song. Were they piping in 103.7 "The Mountain"? If the original location would've played music, it almost certainly would've been John in the Morning's show on KEXP. - The price. They changed many aspects of the restaurant, but decided to keep the high prices. So that's awesome. - The food is good, but not as good as it's predecessor. Missing are the myriad sauces (I think you could actually order them, but they weren't on the menu), the salacious salt selections, and the Mac & Cheese. I'm told the Mac is coming back, which is good to hear. When I first started visiting v1.0, I found the experience daunting due to the massive chalkboard and limitless selections. The new location has boiled down the menu to a handful of selections. I can't kill them for this move (when opening a new restaurant, you need to prove you can nail a few menu items before expanding), but come on ... no Mac?! Heresy ... - The portions seemed different. A 1/4 burger (with bacon piled twice as higher as the patty), tots and a drink used to mean waddling back to your car. A 1/2 pounder came with a free defibrillator. When I left v2.0, I was full, but not uncomfortably full. In fairness, I'll suspend my vitriole for a couple seconds to hit on some of the things I actually liked about the new LL: - Ample seating ... it's good to be comfortable. - Beer ... how could this not be a good change? The bottom line: the old Lab was the kind of place I would recommend to anyone and would take all out of town guests to (like my aforementioned brother and dad). The new location is unremarkable in most ways and only serves to remind me how awesome the original was. The quest for the best burger in Seattle has officially begun (again).
(2)
Jason L.

This place just isn't good. All the hype didn't help either. I never went to the original location in Ballard but from what I can tell I really missed out. $40 for two burgers and one milkshake. The milkshake was over-blended, tiny and a ridiculous $6.50. The burgers are only 1/4 pound(what is this, McDonald's?). They have beef and lamb as choices like that constitutes variety. Red Robin has a more creative menu then this place and is cheaper and the burgers are larger. I guess I could mention that the server or cook fucked up my order too, gogo food service pro. Anyways the moral of this experience is that you still have to go to Ballad for a good burger, and by that I mean just go to the Counter.
(1)
Carla F.

Our trip to LL was originally fueled by a couple of other motives (visits to REI and Vivace Espresso), so this review is a bit forgiving. The burgers were, well, just decent. I had the "Burger of The Gods" which was tasty, but extremely messy thanks to the Balsamic Onions. Shoestrings and sweet potato fries were a bit on the salty side. Our waitress completely forgot our drinks, but was fully apologetic about it -- IIRC, she comped the drinks in the end. Will I return? Possibly, but on someone else's dime, or a really good Groupon deal.
(3)
Arnold J.

Every burger I've had there has been very tasty. Fairly expensive, but I have yet to try a better burger in the area. Sides are ok, but aren't as impressive as the burgers.
(4)
Adam Z.

After reading reviews from the Ballard location I had such high hopes but was really disappointed. The burgers were fine but for the price I expected something special. I had the Burger of the Gods. The beef patty was tiny and there was little bleu cheese but the balsamic onions were killer. My girlfriend got the Truffle Love burger. Not sure where the truffle came in but it was pretty dry and only tasted like bacon. Not complaining about the amount of bacon but based on the burger's description we expected something more complex. The tots were descent. We were disappointed they didn't offer any of the fun salt options. Probably wont be back.
(2)
Eden R.

I love this place. We visited on a Saturday night, about 6pm. There were 4 of us. We took a table in the bar, so there was no wait. I had a burger made to order, with jalepenos, bacon and tomato. I would have liked guac, but it's not on the menu. It was still very, very delicious. The buns are so good. The fries are delicious, also, as are the shakes. The service was just fine. Since we were in the bar, we weren't expecting to get a lot of attention- and the waiter handled everything just right. Everyone at the table loved the meal. In my opinion, it's better than The Counter, and I need to try Uneedaburger again, as I'm not sure, but I think they are neck-in-neck.
(4)
Jimmy N.

Silly alcoholic Tang drinks, ridiculous big greasy burgers, and awesome sweet potato fries. Just make sure whoever you're eating with gets tots so you can steal some.
(4)
Dwayne J.

When I first heard about Lunchbox Labs, I was worried that they'd be all gimmicky, what with their piles and piles of bacon, their photos of ginormous burgers, and their fancy chimeric meats. (Hell, I once heard that at their old location, their bacon cheeseburger had so much bacon, it was more like a BLT with a beef patty than a proper burger.) Because let's be honest, when I want a burger, I'm not looking for a gimmicky uber-burger, I just want a normal bacon cheeseburger. Thankfully, Lunchbox Labs makes a pretty damn good bacon cheeseburger, one of the best I've ever had, in fact. (I've also heard they've toned down the gimmick factor, which is a *good thing*.) Now I can't help but compare it to The Counter, because Lunchbox and The Counter are so similar in terms of food style and quality. Both places have beef patties that are incredibly juicy and tender, and both places have burger ingredients that combine well together. I have to say The Counter has the better grilled onions though. The Counter's grilled onions are soft and sweet (the right way to do grilled onions), while Lunchbox's grilled onions are way undercooked (and yes, I definitely ordered the grilled onions). On the flip side, Lunchbox's bacon was crispier without being overly crispy, and the bacon definitely has more of a presence without going overboard (I'm a die-hard bacon fan, but even I'll admit there's such a thing as too much bacon), so you can definitely tell you're eating a bacon cheeseburger and not just a cheeseburger that happens to have some bacon on it. If I had to choose one over the other, though, I'll have to give the prize to Lunchbox. Lunchbox's beef has a stronger and better flavor that makes The Counter seem bland by comparison. Of course, in a few months from now, I might just change my mind altogether and award the prize to The Counter. But in the meantime, it's safe to say that Lunchbox is a contender for best burger I've ever had, alongside The Counter. (And Quinn's. And maybe the Vegas Burger Bar, although I won't have the chance to go back there anytime soon, so I may have to strip them of their title.) The sweet potato fries do leave something to be desired, though. They weren't bad by any means, but sweet potato fries should taste like sweet potatoes, not like orange-colored shoestring fries. The shakes were rather average. Better than the shake you get at a fast food chain, but that's not really saying much. The service, however, was absolutely fantastic. Back at both Counter locations I've been to (San Jose and Seattle), I had to track down my server multiple times during the meal to get service and to get the check. At Lunchbox, though, our waitress was attentive, brought out the food, the shakes, and the check in a timely manner, explained the menu quite thoroughly for us newbies, and had quite a fun personality. If I can't decide which burger joint has the better food, I can definitely award Lunchbox the prize based on service alone. Like I said before, Lunchbox is a contender for one of the best burgers I've ever had. It's the new gold standard, the new holy grail for what it means to be a good burger, and I'll prolly never look at another burger the same way. And when in doubt, I'll prolly just come back to Lunchbox.
(5)
Andrew H.

I feel cheated. Everyone kept telling me this was a great, inventive burger place. I show up and it looks like a crappy chain sports bar...I go in anyway, hoping it's just appearances. Alas, it was not much better than what I expect from some random chain, and much higher priced. The burger was alright, I guess--I didn't hate eating it--but if you're looking for a gourmet burger, try U-Needa burger in Wallingford. Equal prices, much tastier.
(1)
Dan A.

I never got a chance to experience the "Original Lunchbox", the new location is very nice, clean and service is top notch!! I have been twice now in the past few weeks and both times the food was excellent. My first burger was The "Burger Of The Gods" , loved the balsamic onions on this burger!! I also tried the Dick's Deluxe, with 10 slices of Bacon layered with American cheese!! So freakin good. And my third burger was the Tear Jerker, this one was on the spicy side, but not so hot you couldn't enjoy all the flavor the burger had to bring. the sweet potato Frys & tater tots are great also! And the milkshakes are extra thick and tasty! Right now they are running on a limited menu while they get the new location up and running, so for those of you fans of the original location, be sure some of the favorites will come back and the menu will expand! Also, I would like to thank the manager, Erin, for being such a great host! She made my & my friends first experience there over the top! Thanks Erin!!!
(5)
Jillian R.

If you'd like a lesson on destroying something beautiful, then you should really visit the new LL. I'm not just referring to the former incarnation that was in Ballard, no, I refer to the beauty of that which we call hamburger. These sad patties taste like fear and shame.
(2)
Andrew H.

Tried to meet a client here at his request. When I first arrived there was a line out the door but the place was only 1/4 full. The hostess and servers just didn't seat anyone. I sat, got water and menus and told the server that my client was running a little late. 15 minutes later my client arrived and the server came back to the table. He told us that since my client was late that we would have to wait 20 minutes before we could put our order in. He then suggested several other places to eat nearby. Now don't get me wrong. Him telling us that we would be waiting a really long time for food was extremely helpful and this is not his fault by any means. But to management, I find this really strange. Are you all new to the restaurant industry? I put myself through college and started my own business with hard earned dollars from bussing and serving. So I am no stranger to the restaurant game. You shut down seating and service at noon on a Friday. I have never seen anything like it.
(1)
Rick B.

Just don't do it. I used to drive from Issaquah a couple of times a month to Ballard just to get Lunchbox Laboratory burgers. I now live downtown and win I heard they were relocating within half a mile of where I live I was giddy like a little school girl. Unfortunately this is not the place I once loved. I have been to the Eastlake Bar and Grill and the Crossroads Bar and Grill. Their food is unimaginative and low quality. Their BBQ Chicken Caesar is simply frank's red hot sauce on cooked chicken, tossed on a caesar. Their Calamari is pre-breaded and fried, and now they bring their culinary skills to the Laboratory. Remember LL for what it was, not what it is now. I don't understand how these Neighborhood Grills stay in business. Their food sucks, they just get good locations.
(1)
Christina G.

My first thought was OMG, this is freaking good. After I gorged myself on 3/4 of the burger, my last though was OMG that was freaking great! I had the Smoker, Dad had the hothead. Couple of take aways: ~Kobe beef really IS better ~Order the burger medium, not medium well (I normally prefer medium well, but here, the medium is way better - juicy & delish) ~The tater tots were better than the fries ~They don't skimp on the thick cut bacon ~I heard the mac & cheese is unbelievably good, but didn't try it myself Downside: ~Waitress had zero personality, made no recommendations (it was our first time there), and overall was just very aloof (almost to the point of being offensive). But, technically, she was efficient & got us in and out of there quickly. ~Not the cheapest burger joint in town, but remember, Kobe beef, lots of bacon, deliciousness...
(4)
Anton Z.

Brilliant concept, tasty burger, spotty service. We went Sunday afternoon, took a while to be seated, then we were promptly ignored while other tables around us were taken care of. The Princess with the black bean patty was great, and the homage to Dicks was also amazing. Too bad it took my partner having to point to the empty diet coke that he'd finished and put near the table edge for refilling (never a good thing...he needs constant diet coke). Would go back to try for better service, and the food was still outstanding.
(3)
Janet S.

The tradition continues...different place, same great food. I work in South Lake Union and my co-workers wanted to tell me about this great burger place....As a fan from Ballard, I could only agree. They are usually crowded but we sat in the bar both times, service and the food were predictably awesome. Burger of the Gods-You rock. PLEEZE bring back the mac and cheese.
(5)
Eric s.

Went here because someone said to try it out. The food was great. My burger was very tasty and when they add bacon they add a lot of bacon. The fries were very good. Now the service on the other hand was not that great. We went for lunch and the place was not very busy. As a matter of fact we were the only ones sitting in the restaurant area. It took a while to get service. Then when I ordered a beer it took forever. I could see many staff walking around but no assistance for us. I would give a higher grade if the service was better. But the food was off the hook.
(3)
Dawn H.

A great time to go is during Kick Ass Hour. Great price for a burger. Their burgers are very tasty! Good drink specials. I love that their mac and cheese changes every week. You can get tator tots as your side. They have 2 different flavors of Kool aid and Tang. You can't beat that!
(4)
Ali T.

I never review. But I must this time because this place is AMAZING!!!!! The beer, food and service was excellent. Best burger I have ever had!!!
(5)
Kumi K.

This place moved from Ballard so now it's within walking distance from my work. The burgers are pretty good, very tall. My favorite thing there is the tots! I love potatoes and the way they fry them, so good! It must have added seasoning too, I can taste it somewhere. A little pricey for burgers but I'll go back for the tots and the milkshakes.
(3)
WK H.

Uhh..this place is SO whateves. I can't believe that this place has received so much praise. The burgers are not even that big. I finished my whole burger, sweet potatoe fries, and still bought ice cream afterwards. I thought they called it Lunchbox Laboratory because they say you can't finish it all and will need to take some of it home in a lunchbox. DEFINITELY not the case. I did hear sad news that the owner passed on, so I'm assuming the new chef is shrinking the burger size? The price is way too high for what you get. It really just seemed like a regular burger slopped with lots of sauce and bacon over it. Bun gets soggy fast (wasn't a huge fan of the bun), sides are small, burger is average, price is very high. The food is fine, but not worth the price. There's many other burger places where you'll leave feeling more satisfied with taste and value. Not going back again. Only went here to see what the hype was about and don't need to go back again.
(2)
Marcos R.

Good creative burgers but a bit small for my tastes. And a bit spendy too. Enjoyed them but will try others next before heading back. The patio is cool and the bar is well equipped. Give it a try, you won't be dissapointed.
(3)
Rich E.

This place is a burger lovers paradise! the Burger of the Gods is fantastic. I have to say for all those complaining about the price... Did you have a look at the ingredients used? The quality beef they grind their meat with isn't cheap. If you want cheap, go to Dicks and get a real Deluxe. If you want a full on homage to a Dicks Deluxe made with KOBE beef that's absolutely huge, come here. Its contradictory to say their burgers are outrageously expensive then say they are so huge to even fit in a mouth. All I have to say is, the prices are on the board. you still ordered instead of leaving so...
(5)
Jojo S.

I just want to say $15 for a burger, really? I mean, REALLY?? It'd be different if $15 got you a giant patty topped with loads of honest-to-goodness toppings, but recently I ordered a "featured experiments" Shroom Burger, and got exactly 8 teeny tiny slices of mushrooms. What there was no shortage of was onions. It should've been called the Onion Burger. Even the plain burger with NOTHING on it is $10.99. Really?? If you're a burger fan, you may appreciate this ode-to-greasy-calorie-packed burger place. But there's very little else besides greasy burgers here. With so many other burger joints around -- including The Counter, Red Mill, and 5 Guys Burgers, this one is definitely a "meh." Better burgers and much, much better prices at Red Mill!
(2)
Drew L.

H and I attended this restaurant last night. I had the truffle love burger and he had a build your own bean patty. Both burgers/patty were really good. The flavor for the truffle love $(13) I recommend. I also got the sweet potato fries as a side and a great sweet chili dipping sauce. They sauces (dipping/build your own burger) they have here are incredible. I gave them 4 stars for these reasons: my bacon was undercooked and still limp. Also the outside (??) of my bun and burger were overall too greasy for me. Overall a great place to eat.
(4)
Aly M.

So, let me preface all of this by saying that I never went to the old location. I totally get that people loved it and it's homey charm. I was a Lunchbox virgin when I went about a month ago. I got the naked burger and had it just the way I like it: simple. The burger was, quite simply, the best I've ever had. A total grease-bomb and artery clogger, but that's what you want a burger to do, am I right? The big disappointment for me were the sides. I love me some french fries, and these were lame with a capital L. The tots? Also nothing to write home about. My husband got the potato salad, and, well, not much to report. My shake wasn't very good, either. So, in all, the burgers = A+. The rest = D. Go for a burger and get fries at Dick's on your way home.
(3)
Andrew W.

What a treat! The menu was amazing with so many unique burgers. One of the best burgers I have had in Seattle. I was nervous about the prices but the food definitely proved to be worth it. The environment is fun with an excellent bar. I would highly recommend this place.
(5)
Andy W.

The burgers at Lunchbox Laboratory are stacked almost too high to force in your mouth without pulling a muscle. With good reason, though, as the Kobe beef burger is topped sky high with anything from thick cut bacon to bleu cheese crumbles. You get the option of sweet potato fries or tatter tots to go with the burgers; we preferred the tots. Lunchbox isn't cheap, either, but they make it worth your coin.
(4)
Hurricane Lacey C.

Drinks and burgers with coworkers in the afternoon Seattle sunshine- perfect. I always order Burger of the Gods- it's so perfect, sweet balsamic onions, tangy gorgonzola, meat juicy, bun crisp and soft. Love the malt salt on tater tots.
(4)
Bob B.

Love this new location...of course the small place in Ballard was so terrific. This place is bigger, but seems like it has some bugs...slow service, maybe they haven't adjusted to the new larger format with more tables full of people? Same great burgers tho...I'd for sure travel to South Lake Union for the best burgers and fries in all of Seattle! Plan to be hungry and forget your diet!
(4)
Ann M.

Amen I found me a winner! My fave burger is the smoker. Black bean burgers are good as well. Make sure to get a shake!
(4)
Chris S.

I would say that the burger (the homage to the dicks deluxe) was better than average but the sweet potato fries were average. It was nice to go here once, but the prices are insane.
(3)
Nick L.

Heard of this place from a friend. Burgers are kind of small but the flavors make up for it. Great service for the amount of people that we had with us. The shakes are small too for 6.50 would be great for dessert. Its nice that they bring extra sauces for your fries/ tater totes.
(4)
S M.

I really wanted to like this place, I live right by it but... the staff is not very nice I like the food its fun . Tater tots, kool-aid, milkshakes all amazing and happy hour is great prices....the bad is never know when they close one week I went and they were open passed 1am but yet went back a few weeks later and they closed in two minutes....which i was unaware of so I sat down the bartender had an instant attitude towards me if i had known they were almost closed i would have left...I ordered food ( once again I work in the industry if I had known they were closing I never would have ordered food or even stayed for a drink) When i asked for sauce on side he told me no we cant do that.... I did the last time i was there and are the burgers just sitting in the window waiting for someone to order them.?... I havent been back in three months becuase of this situation and how me and my husband were treated. I gave two stars beucase the food is great service is lacking and themale late night bartender is just plain rude.
(2)
J. Lamont C.

After about 3 days of eating mostly Asian cuisines, I was excited for something American. However, I was a bit let down. For a $15 burger, I was expecting it to be pretty much orgasmic. It was anything but that. It wasn't bad, but I would have honestly been more satisfied with a burger from McDonald's. I didn't like the way they prepared the sweet potato fries. I'm used to sweet potato fries with sugar on them and a side of honey. These had salt on them. I am also a fan of being able to alter toppings on a burger (I hate mayo), but you don't have the option. You can build a burger though. All in all, I probably won't go back. I'd rather use my money and grill out. If any one is looking for unique burger experience though, I'd recommend it.
(3)
Eric J.

This place has an interesting selection of burgers not found elsewhere (e.g. the "Dork", Duck & Pork). But the burgers aren't awesome enough to justify their premium over Blue Moon (or even Flying Fish). Ended up waiting more than 20min for a simple to go order, and the place wasn't even all that busy (~1pm). Also, this is not a place to go if you don't like having loud music in the background.
(2)
Jared S.

God burgers that are way overpriced. Drink prices that change when you mention they give a check in discount is kinda lame to.
(3)
Jeremy A.

Awesome burgers - The Americanacan was like meat candy!
(5)
Andy C.

I've been a big fan of Lunchbox Laboratory for quite some time now. The burgers are devine! Sure, they might be greasy, fatty messes of a burger, but as a wise man once said, "No Fat, No Flavor!" Go with the classic Burger of the Gods if it's your first visit and be sure to get a side of Mac & Cheese. Enjoy!
(4)
Ben C.

The burgers are creative, big, and full of flavor. I hear the veggies ones are great too. The shakes are fancy, wonderful, and served in beakers. Only downside is the price which is on the high side. That is smart as they stay busy but limits how often I am willing to go.
(4)
ID T.

Having been a habitue (does that word mark me down?) of the old location, I was excited about visiting the new version. Yes, it is different. I was weirded out by the friendly waitstaff. Yes, the selection of meats is limited to a normal variety. Yes, the mac n cheese and the salt menu is gone. This is subject to change: they just reopened, kids! Noon lunchtime the place was full, with everyone with drinks waiting for their food. And the wait was pretty short, honestly. The Burger of the Gods is still fabulous, although this time I could actually eat the whole thing by myself without exploding. Still no room for a shake. Not enough sides for me, but I am all about the sides. I am hoping for better pickles but I am always hoping for better pickles. I am delighted that they have coffee now, which was damn fine. They are frank about working the kinks out of the menu, so I reserve five stars for the future. Let's be frank boys and girls. The 'ambiance' of the old place was rude, filthy and freezing. Did you actually order some of the stuff on the menu? All that, I had to sit by the door so I could recall the freezing draft of the old place.
(3)
Charlie C.

I like the interior and atmosphere. What about Food?? I like old lunchbox laboratory menus. Menu was little limited and it takes too long~~~~ really, too long. Unless, I have long lunch time, I won't go there during lunch time. Other than that, Burgers were good, tots were good. I did not try the milk shakes, but I was very tempted with their cups(but too tiny for shake).
(3)
Trevor B.

So this was my second time at Lunchbox but first since the move. I felt like they have turned it into a potential franchise. Not as many choices which definitely makes it easier to choose your burger. I had the Lambs Legg which was very good. I also had a side of sweet potato fries but they weren't that great. I had an Oreo shake which was mighty tasty. Unfortunately its still way too expensive my burger and fries wasn't worth $13. I also felt full all day so my guess is that I probably consumed some obscene amount of calories. It's definitely a nice step up from the shack in Ballard.
(3)
JAMES B.

I just turned 48yrs old. The Big Blue Marble burger was the best burger I have ever had. I live over 45 miles from this location and it was well worth the drive. The atmosphere was modern, very clean and the employees were very friendly and personable. I highly recommend this restaurant. I look forward to my next trip to Seattle.
(5)
Matt L.

HALF PRICE (for a subset of the) BURGERS 3-6pm -- happy hour is where it's at.. Try out the "Burger of the Gods" (it's on the happy hour menu) Skip the Caesar Salad.. it is completely drowning in dressing... gross.
(3)
Naomi T.

Nutella shakes. Giant, customizable burgers. Vintage lunchboxes. They have bacon salt! Prices are kind of steep, but where else can you get house blended duck and pork burgers?
(4)
Paul A.

Went last night for dinner drinks. The atmosphere is totally different from anywhere I've dined before. The burgers are amongst the best I've ever had.
(4)
Anuja K.

shortest review ever: food-gasm. does that count as a one word review? i'm not sure what the word count is when it comes to hyphens. no matter, i work kitty-corner from this place. and that is not cool, because i walk past it every single day, and have only ate there twice...THAT is will power :) the first time i went there, it took me a while to decide what to get; i had heard rave reviews of this place - mostly because of the beef. and i heard fans in ballard were not happy that it moved (it took the place of the south lake union bar & grill). but, not being a huge fan of beef, my options were limited, but still, not bad. i was excited. my hands were shaking as i carefully read what burgers they had available. shaking, i say! i went with the build-your-own-burger choice. i got the black bean pattie, with BROWN "WHAT" SHUGA MARSALA ONIONS (OMG SO GOD)....(i didn't know what to expect, but they sounded really good), apple smoked bacon, and cheddar cheese....i took one bite, and said to my coworker, "literally? this is the best burger i have ever had. i have a new favorite burger!!" not that i had a favorite burger to begin with, but that is beside the point. i then proceeded to scarf down my burger without saying a word to or making eye contact with her. pretty much, made love to the thing. in public. and during my lunch hour. i will agree with another review i just read here, that it was a very, very messy burger. i had something dripping down my arm by the time i was half way done. and yes, the sweet potato fries were BOMB (and so were the tots). and lucky for us, we went during their first week at the new location, and we got a coupon for a free milkshake with our purchase next time wooo (because who is honestly going to pay a whopping 6 bucks for those super-simple johnny-rocket like milkshakes? not this customer)! so, the second time i went there, i split the exact same burger with a friend (did i mention this burger came out to be about 13 bux? wow. this is why i don't here every week....). ok, here's where it got a little irritating for me -- i guess it's a bit confusing for the waiter that i ordered a veggie pattie with BACON....am i the only one that does this? so, the first time it came, there was no BACON.....NOOOOO!!!! the second time it came, there was bacon, but no BROWN SHUGA MARSALA ONIONS (how dare you! that is 1/3 of the reason i ordered this customized burger...), and finally, the third time, it came correctly.... hallelujah. and all was well in the world. the end.
(4)
L M.

Had the TRUFFLE LOVE and it was delicious! The bun was a little greasy but presentation, service and food were awesome! I opted for sweet potato fries. I will go again for sure!
(4)
LJ P.

I live very close to the new location, but waited months to try it because the lines were so long. Finally I planned to go on a Saturday, at 11:30 AM. I was seated, but the wait line formed outside soon after. Since I was a party of one, I was given this tiny table (booth on one side, no chair on other) that stuck out into traffic so my table was constantly being bumped by customers and staff alike. In fact, the whole place is crammed. When going to the restrooms, you have to squeeze sideways down a hall behind waiters spinning around with plates they just picked up from the kitchen on the other side of the hallway. Not safe. The burger was big all right. Taste was ok, but it's too expensive and too much to eat, what's the point? The fries were in a tin cup and OK until I got towards the bottom and saw the pool of grease below. That was all the fries for me! Been there, done that.
(2)
john m.

the burger was good a little messy but good but it took almost 30min to get or meal in a none busy lunchtime. Also if u are going to charge that much money for a burger @ least ask me how i like it done. When i asked the waiter medium/rare he give me a blank look like he has never heard that before. My thing with Lunchbox is that it is not a very lunch type place. The burgers where way overpriced 40$ for two burgers and a soda w/ tip @ lunch time is reaching. I think lunchbox would be a better look if it where a food truck or a lunch counter/take out spot so they can have better pricing. But if you like spending the money then this place is for you personally for me i like my lunch to be 10$ or less especially for a hamburger IMO
(3)
Art S.

This place is way over hyped! Food is pretty good, but way overpriced! There are better burgers in seattle that are cheaper. The burger was over cooked and not that big. This place is not nearly the same as when it started out. I wrote more about it on my blog at exploringseattle.com
(2)
Randy R.

Went here for lunch and really enjoyed it. The Tear Jerker brought me to my knees. I'd definitely go here again, but I do agree on the pricing issue. BTW, the mac and cheese is back on the menu.
(4)
Anny T.

i went here for my cousin's birthday - we went with a group of about 25 people. yes, that does seem a lot! the staff there; right when we got to the door were rude. they were not busy @ all & told us they wouldn't sit us until our reservation time (even though we were only checking in to tell them we were part of the 25 group). they sat us down, the lady who served us wasn't so nice, didnt greet, just went straight to taking our drink orders & basically rushed everything, the guy at the bar was rude when i asked him if they made a certain drink he said yes, & walked away w/o giving me a chance to order it. 1 of my friends from the group said we had a sucky server & the last time he went, he had better service. they "couldn't" split up the check, but told us we could calculate what we got & tell them our individual totals. (wth??! not sure why they couldnt give us separate checks & just add the gratuity on it like MOST restaurants ive been to do (when we've had other big party groups) the only good thing that the group i was in liked including myself was the fries & our milkshakes we got!
(2)
Angela K.

Staff were helpful and friendly. Liked the atmosphere/location and loved the drink list. Unfortunately my burger (the smoker) was super salty and the beef was mealy. Liked the idea of the pepper mayo and sauteed onions with havarti, but there was just too much stuff and the burger ended up soggy. If it had been a $4 burger I might not care, but for $13 I expected more.
(2)
Nicole S.

3 stars because it was delicious. But - with average tip it was $53 for 2 burgers and 2 shakes. Nuff said.
(3)
Lou C.

Yeah, yeah, it's not what it used to be. The owner didn't want it to be what it used to be so open your mind a little bit more and get over it already. I went to the new location for lunch with my friends from work (we used to go to the Ballard location as well). The menu (for lunch anyway) is less of an "information overload" than the old chalkboards were and appears to be more restrictive. It has a list of their specialty burgers on one side with a few other non-burger options on the other side. However, I ordered exactly what I used to order at the old location when I built my own and was ecstatic that it was the same burger I fell in love with the first time I ever tasted a LL burger. The meat is seasoned and cooked perfectly, the buns are just right and the sauces are ooey gooey deliciousness. Prices are steeper, but only slightly more than they used to be when it wasn't a full service restaurant. I appreciate the new location if for no other reason than it has more seating. Despite the old cult following at the old spot, if you can't seat many people and turn tables quickly, you aren't going to make much money, if any at all (and LL burgers aren't the greatest of travelers... I never saw people lining up and taking their orders to go). We will certainly return regularly when I want what I think might be the best burger I have ever tasted. I look forward to trying some of their interesting looking cocktails and playing upstairs.
(5)
Rob G.

The spicy "tear jerker" was not very spicy. The meat seemed over-seasoned as if it had been frozen. I don't think it's worth the price ($44 for two burgers and a shake). I think people are overwhelmed by their use of sugar, bacon, and cheese, but this place doesn't know how to handle the other ingredients. Have had a better burger experience at Dick's and Teddy's.
(2)
Jamie H.

i was excited to try this place out, i live near by the restaurant. i walked in the door at about 7:45pm friday, a guy walks up to me and states "we're only open to 7 because that's the way we want to do it." ...that was it... I stare at him for a second because i was hoping that someone would show me to a table, serve me a beer, smile, and take my money for a good burger :) but this guy wasn't even joking...apparently, "that's the way they want to do it." ok, cool, i don't find that "treating potential customers like they are crap so that makes them curious to come back" theme of marketing the least bit interesting...i work too hard for a paycheck, these guys don't, not going back under any circumstances...i can grill a burger and toss a few strips of bacon on it on my grill... (typically i ignore crappy restaurants as opposed to complaining...but this time it was worth my time because I felt obligated to warn my neighbors and society in general off and recommend Paddy Coynes, the flying fish, Feierabend...thirteen coins, and even a microwaved burrito at 7-11 as a better alternative to this place...the Lunchbox Laboratory is a bad experiment...
(1)
walt t.

get there for happy hour burger of gods 5.25 best burger in seattle at that price
(5)
Sam K.

If you love experimental foods and especially burgers, this is a must visit. They have non-burger items too. The food is very tasty. Staff is nice. I would love to go again.
(5)
Rich S.

This is a place to come to EAT... Come to fill your belly and throw aside any thought of calories. Indulge in delicious flavor combinations and unusual meat mixtures... As I write this I'm slowly digesting a New Yorker burger, a thick Kobe beef patty smothered in buffalo wing sauce and delicious dressing, sweet potato fries with creamy sauce and the Elvis shake (peanut butter and vanilla with a shot of banana and other liqueurs...). Time for a nap.
(4)
Mercedes J.

Love the idea of everything science related here, the drinks are served in beakers which is pretty cool. The ambiance all around is very chill and easy going. The staff is young, hip, and all around enjoyable. The staff is just the tip of the iceberg here, the food is AMAZZZZING. There were so many delicious options it actually made it hard for me and my friends to order. I ended up ordering the Tear Jerker and it was perfect, just enough spice. There were definitely tears but only of joy.
(5)
Ninja S.

I had forgotten what a good burger was all about. Burgers may be ubiquitous, but here they can be extraordinary. Dork balls, boozy milkshakes, tots, impressive amounts of burger toppings and options, everything here is really good. Like really actually very good. Make sure that you are really hungry when you show up here though. I'll need your wits about you to handle the full experience. If it's late and you are finishing up at the Irish bar across the way or live in the neighborhood, consider the late night burger happy hour. Super dealtime on tasty burger action.
(4)
Kristina L.

Something for everyone. I'm a fan of their Appetizers, but the burger names are so much fun that they are worth trying. Kid friendly
(4)
Ruggy J.

Lunchbox Labratory has all the markings of an enterprise that's going to be successful for a long, long time. It's got a scalable theme that could exist in every city across America, but unlike other Big Box restaurants, their food is actually good. While staring at rows upon rows of nostalgic lunch boxes, you're able to dive into equally nostalgic food and drinks. Tons of shakes, burgers, sandwiches, et al. It seems the portions were designed to feed someone as ravenous as Adam Richman from Man Vs. Food, so if you're hungry, you're in luck. I got the Classic 'MeriCAN with a lettuce wrap (watching those carbs and all...) and it was enough food for two people. It featured Super Beef (whatever that means), American cheese, shredded iceberg lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles, bacon and Billion Island Sauce. You have the option to add avocado and fried egg if you'd like. I did and highly recommend it. It's huge so you should have little trouble trying to nab a seat during even the busiest of hours (lunch rush being one of those times). If you're craving a classic American lunch, you should check it out.
(4)
Gregg H.

So let's just get this out of the way: the burgers here taste fine, but there's very little meat and it is kind of a shame. I ordered the James West, and while it tasted more or less the way I expected, it was still quite underwhelming. The biggest problem here was that there was barely any meat (also, I wasn't asked how I would like it prepared, which might should have tipped me off). The burger could also have used more of the cream cheese, because it was quite good but very limited. I can't complain about the service, as the bartender was very attentive. There are a couple TVs above the bar, and plenty of seating -- as well as an outdoor area. The decor isn't exactly my taste, it kind of felt like a hybrid of a 50s diner and my elementary school cafeteria. All in all, I probably won't be back. There's simply too many better burgers.
(3)
Everett B.

The search for the best burger in Seattle is on..... But sadly it's not here. Lunchbox Laboratory shows up on just about every "Best Burger" list I looked at but honestly I'm just not seeing it. Not a terrible place, just not that great a burger. The long and short of it: 1. Burger. The reason I came, and with fairly high expectations. I thought it was weird that they didn't ask how we wanted our burgers cooked, but when we got them I realized why. There just wasn't that much meat there, not enough to cook it any less than medium. The buns were also pretty bland. I got The Hot Head, it was ok, mainly because the pepper jack cheese masked most of the other tastes. 2. Atmosphere. Lunch boxes. Lunch boxes everywhere. The old school lunch boxes give this place kind of a 50s diner feel, a little gimmicky but still fun. They have a pretty great outdoor patio and fire pit for when the weather is nice. 3. Drinks. They have a pretty extensive cocktail menu, that's a bit on the pricy side, check in on Yelp and get happy hour pricing on some of their signature drinks (happy hour is still $6 ). 4. Price. A mediocre burger and a drink will put you north of $20. Not the worst thing that's ever happened but you can do better elsewhere. I wasn't impressed with Lunchbox Laboratory, and don't see myself coming back anytime soon. There was nothing glaringly wrong with it, but in Seattle you can do better without looking too hard. Unless you're a huge fan of looking at vintage lunch boxes, I'd pass on this one. Overall Grade: C
(2)
Claudia C.

My roommates are always saying this place in Bellevue is great but we were in Seattle so we went here last night with BF. I really liked this place. The staff was very friendly and they were great when looking up information about allergies in products. The wide verity of salt-like products was cool. Everything from a spicy habanero salt to a garlic. I tried a good portion of them. BF loved the tachos he got as a side and my hand cut potato chips were so crunch and wonderful. I got a James west burger that was a bacon bbq with two onion rings on it. Some cheese too but I didn't get that. It was delicious. For a gluten free bun my BF got it was huge! Usually they are so small. There were two things that I didn't like about this place though but one ended up being pretty good. 1. They didn't offer how to cook the burger. It was a perfect medium so I wasn't complaining. No blood but so tender and juice. Spot on. 2. But the spot on juice burger made the bottom on the burger buns sooooooo soggy. They put the toppings on the side in case you didn't want them but they should have had the bottom bun to the side so it didn't get so soggy. Ok that's a little unrealistic but seriously. It was mush at first bite. All in all I really liked this place. And the drinks being served in beakers was cute. I'd totally go here again.
(4)
Morgan C.

Cute place, good service and tasty food. Funny thing happened, I was having lunch with my son and his girlfriend and when I went to sit back in my chair, I got stung by a bee. Apparently, it was on the back rest of the chair. Then there was another bee on the window. YIKES! We brought the bee issue to the attention of our server and he was very concerned. He went and got the manager and he was also concerned. He wanted to be sure I was ok and that I wasn't allergic to bee stings. Thankfully, I am not allergic. Overall, they handled the incident very professionally and went above and beyond.... especially considering the bee was not their fault. Oh, the food was very delicious as well. :)
(5)
Heather M.

I decided to give this place a shot after reading the great reviews. I ordered the homage to dick's deluxe and a side of tots. When I got home I was pretty overwhelmed by the size of the burger. Which considering the price I supposed that's a good thing. After the first bite I wasn't really a fan, there was too much uncooked bacon, sauce, and salt. I probably won't give this place another shot....if I'm going to eat that many calories I'll save them for redmill.
(1)
Milton L.

The concept is catchy but at the end it's really just a gimmick. The burger was so-so but way overpriced. We had a mac and cheese with carrots and that was certainly a failed experiment. The only thing that we liked were the tots, but that's not rocket science right?
(2)
Michael S.

I came here for lunch on a Friday with my team, hoping it'd be an easy, fast, and awesome experience, like all of my other restaurant experiences in Seattle thus far. Boy, was I disappointed. I think I finally found the one place I disliked *entirely* out of every place I've been to so far. We get to the front and are told we'll be seated in 5-10 minutes (there are three of us). Whatever, that's cool, we'll just stand around and wait. This is while FREE TABLES that have not been CLEANED UP are idle, and other parties (like us) are waiting around. Well, 23 minutes later, we're seated, and handed menus. We know pretty much what we're getting, so we're trying to flag down a waiter. One sees us to acknowledge, then does something completely different for 10 minutes while we wait to place our order. Everyone else orders, then I order, since I have the allergy. Oh, I should avoid eating anything fried? Well, that's silly. I have to wait while the waiter checks to see if I can safely consume the mac & cheese side. I can, but he takes another 15 minutes to come back. We order, expecting the food to come within a half hour... Well, 45 minutes after we place our order, the food shows up. We devour it all within 15-20 minutes, because damnit, we're hungry, and it's now been almost two hours since we got here. We try to get the bill, but nobody bothers to come to our area of the now-deserted restaurant for ~15 minutes. We pay our bill and leave, but spending 2.5 hours in a restaurant is not my idea of a good lunchtime experience. You can definitely find better places in the immediate vicinity - even McDonald's quality burgers were better than the stuff I ate here, and at least they can serve it quickly! I don't recommend this place to anyone who has any kind of dietary restriction, nor do I recommend it to anyone who wants a good customer experience. If you enjoy being neglected, ignored, or treated like you were second-class, then by all means, this may be the place for you -- but it definitely wasn't for me!
(2)
Emiko K.

I'm very pleased with this place. Good burgers. Good fries. Near Fred Hutchinson. This is definitely a mor casual atmosphere but the type of people you can come with really varies. It can be you boyfriend, your mom/family, your coworkers. It all works. I would come here during lunch time anytime! Nough Said! My Personal Rating Key One star: the food was bad and I had a negative experience. Two star: I had a more negative experience and would not come here again but the food was good so I may. Three store: everything is good except one thing. Example-the food is good, the price is more reasonable but the atmosphere is lacking class. These are sometimes my go to more than four stars because I usually care about price more than I do about atmosphere. Four stars: Everything is great, food, experience but the price may be on the upper end. I would not recommend this first to Obama unless he didn't like my five stars. Five stars: I would recommend this to Obama. The price may be on he upper end.
(4)
Yuen Tung P.

I came here for two reasons, mainly because everyone talks about how amazing the burgers here are, secondly, I had a Groupon. I came around 1, when lunch hour was beginning to die down for the employees of SLU (mainly Amazon and Group Health), we got a table right away for my hubby, me and our 2 babies. I love the toys they have for little kids, I personally had fun making stuff with these waxy/self-adhesive sticks thing. The burgers took a really long time, and when they came out, they had gotten my order wrong. Back to the kitchen it went, and I was just sitting there, watching my family eat. When my burger came back out, it was yummy. My favorite part was how moist and juicy the burger patty was. The garlic fries I had paid extra for was also delicious. When it was time to ask for the check, the waiter charged me for 3 burgers instead of 2. They had forgot to take the wrong-burger off. I did not catch it right away because when he came with the bill, he was just standing there, waiting for me to pay. I felt too pressured to read the receipt. And then AFTER he gave me the change, we realized they over charged us. Just FYI, this was AFTER most of the tables were cleared, and after people had went back to work. My waiter was not busy and cramped with tables, no excuse. The food was good, the environment was super loud and the service could be a LOT better.
(3)
Jane P.

Good, solid burger. I had the Tear Jerker burger which is a spicy burger with pepper jack cheese, onions, jalapeÃ±os, habanero mayo, and Satan's tears ketchup. It had a kick but I wouldn't say it's super spicy or anything. The patty is cooked well done. I loved the habanero mayo and Satan's tears ketchup; those two things really made the burger super enjoyable and tasty. Overall, lots of flavor explosions. :D The fries are basic. The strawberry shake was perfect...creamy, slightly sweet, and extra berry-ful. I came on a hot evening. They don't have AC so they had the doors open and the waiters and hostess were all dripping in sweat. Hell, I was dripping in sweat too. I was uncomfortable when I first got seated but when the food came out, I totally forgot about the heat since the food was so good.
(4)
Demitri R.

Stopped in for a late night dinner. Ordered a burger and Fries and a Chocolate shake. My burger was delicious and spot on. Nice amount of fries that were tasty. Good Chocolate shake. Takes a bit for your food to come out. But its worth the wait in my opinion. Friendly servers and they Have Tvs to keep you occupied. The late night clientele wandering around outside the restaurant can be a little sketchy lol.
(5)
Christy F.

Great service. Phenomenal food. Great family environment. Fun music. Uplifting staff. I went with friend but, I can't wait to take my family. Thank you all. Your AWESOME
(5)
Tony L.

*pick up menu, read through it, shake my head, chuckle* Decent 3 outta 5
(3)
Travis T.

I live in South Lake Union just a 4 minute walk away from here and enjoy coming here for happy hour before they close at 11PM. Even though I keep forgetting to check in here, I am always here. Environment: This is a really cute restaurant that seems to bring me back to the 90's for some reason. The lunchboxes, decoration, and everything is really well design and I really think they handled this well. 4.6/5 Food and Menu: The food and menu is really creative here with really innovative drinks and titles for food. The burgers are okay, but the tots are godly as they taste like heaven. The Kool-Aid is something I really enjoy here, its refillable. It's different, it's not gourmet, but it's unique and cool. 4.4/5 Price: The pricing is fair here, especially around happy hour where drinks are really cheap. 4/5 Overall: A solid 4 stars because this is a great place and I will always be a fan of it. I can't come here everyday because I'd die of diabetes, but defiantly the kind of place I make an effort to stop by at least once every week or so. 4.3/5
(4)
Danah A.

Burgers & shakes are AMAZING here! One of my favorite spots in South Lake Union & the outdoor patio is a great spot for lunch on a sunny day. Love the dork balls!
(5)
Caroline B.

Poor service, poor quality of food, and overpriced. I had high expectations going here, and was extremely let down. Our service was not good, and our waitress was snappy and rude. I ordered the truffle burger, and figured I couldn't go wrong (it's truffle after all!). The burger came, extremely well done and dripping grease, with a side of cold garlic fries (which you had to pay extra for)... not to mention the wilted lettuce, a dry and old tomato, and terrible pickle to top. If you go here, expect about the quality burger you would get at Shake Shack. I paid $25 for the worst meal I've ever had in Seattle. I felt very ripped off.
(1)
Brooke H.

Went here last night for dinner with the boyfriend. The outdoor ambiance is great with a cool fire pit and great outdoor seating. Our waiter was fantastic and laid back without being too attentive. If I could grade just the look and comfort of the place I'd give it 5 stars, however the food was just bad. Our salads came out completely drenched in dressing, I've never had a salad so wilted and buried in sauce it was inedible before. I ordered the truffle burger, it was ok, but mostly just messy and tasting of low grade product. In fact I gave about half of it to my boyfriend to finish because it just wasn't appealing to me. I'd rather spend more at a nicer burger place and get a quality grade beef that's satisfying.
(3)
Janet Y.

We came here for a group lunch, and the overall the experience was good. Street parking seemed somewhat plentiful (even during the busy lunch hour), which put me in a good mood. Once you go inside, the place is bright with windows all around. I liked the vibe. We were seated after about a 10 minute wait. Not bad. The service was decent, and so was the food. I liked the burger and the Mac and Cheese. However, there was nothing really unique about it. Plus, it was a little pricey... but that's Seattle for you!
(3)
Mark D.

This is a review of lunch with my brother at Lunchbox Laboratory. tinyurl.com/lns64rd The ambiance has a casual modern meets pub aesthetic. It is clean and well maintained. There is also a nice sunny patio. This is where we sat. tinyurl.com/lo5q9cp tinyurl.com/k8tg755 When we first arrived, we were told by the host that he would sit us in five minutes. I thought we were off to a bad start. There were obviously tables available. However, this was a brief mirage. The five minutes ended up being more like two minutes. He explained it was his first day and was figuring everything out. He was very friendly. Once we were seated, the service continued to be very good. The staff was friendly and helpful. We soon placed our order and our drinks were brought out. We ordered an appetizer of the Buff Pops. I hadn't really noticed but our server came over and apologized that they were taking too long. Really, it seemed like we had only been there for five to ten minutes. She explained they would be on the house. Soon after, the manager also came over and apologized. Well, soon after that, they came out. They were pretty good. They are not slotted for the Jalapeno Popper Hall of Fame but they did the trick. I wouldn't of minded some extra kick in the sauce. They were big and they were creamy and had a nice big crunch though. Plus, they were free and free is good. tinyurl.com/lvfob3h Build Your Own Burger - Beef, Lunchbox Onions, Top Secret Burger Sauce - This was my burger of choice. It was a decent burger. The bun was very nice. The burger was of good size. All of the condiments and such were freshly prepared. For my tastes, the burger was slightly overcooked. tinyurl.com/ny4jfws Tater Tots - This was probably the week spot of the meal. They were rather blah. Specifically, they missed the nice crunch I love in tater tots. tinyurl.com/nz5uqg4 Build Your Own - Dork (duck+pork), Brown Sugar Kissed Marsala Onions, Pineapple Mayo) - This was my brother's lunch. He enjoyed it. tinyurl.com/mjjuaou Boston Cream Donut Shake - Can't forget the shake. This was a good milkshake. It is for those that truly have a sweet tooth and I do. It sat somewhere between a straw shake and a spoon shake. The sugar was strong but the chocolate was a bit mild. There was lots of whipped cream and obviously a cherry on top. tinyurl.com/nuzldkt Receipt (Lunch for Two): $39.93 (included a cocktail and the appetizer was comped) tinyurl.com/l4hfcrq Overall - This was a pleasant lunch. The service was very friendly and responsive. the ambiance is clean and comfortable. If not great, the food was consistently pretty good. I would not hesitate to visit again for a lunch.
(4)
Skylar S.

This place is so good. When we went it was empty the server was awesome. I'm allergic to black pepper; yes, you heard that right! Being allergic to the most common seasoning is hard sometimes when I eat out, but they were awesome and remade and seasoned things special so I could have the same great taste without the discomfort of an epi pen! The orange creamsicle milkshake was amazing!!!!!
(5)
Janice D.

YUM! The food here really appeals to my inner child, who loves the premise of experimenting with lunchbox food. The burgers here really take the cake. The dork (duck + pork) burger was so good and unique. The sweet potato fries + aioli dipping sauce were tasty. The mac and cheese with sautÃ©ed mushrooms on top really hit the spot. The samoa-flavored (Girl scout cookies!!) milkshake was ok (I wish I had ordered the thin mint flavored one instead). I have never been to such a cute and versatile sports bar. It really appeals to everyone, from kids to adults of all genders. As a woman, I'm usually bored by the decor and theme of sports bars. I didn't expect this place to feature sports so prominently, but I was hardly bothered by it at all. There's also a second floor that large groups may rent out - this looks like a great place to have a group outing or a graduation / birthday party. Please open a Lunchbox Laboratory in northern California!!
(5)
Kacey O.

Needed somewhere to eat on the afternoon of July 4th and this place open and not extremely busy. I ordered the Churken burger -a combination of chicken and turkey- with garlic fries and a banana cream pie milkshake. The garlic fries and milkshake were on point. Nothing to say there. I also loved the boozy milkshake options they had, but opted to try it next time. The big selling point of this joint are it's burgers and personally I'm not a big fan of burgers to begin with, but I was even more disappointed with the churken. Because chicken and turkey are such lean meats, it's very easy to dry them out during cooking, which is what it was, dry and flavorless. The bacon on the burger was yummy and I like that they separate the lettuce, onion, and tomato on the plate, but I won't be getting the churken again. Next time it'll be a boozy shake and the mac and cheese. I've also heard good things about their tater-tots.
(3)
Georgie M.

This is my neighborhood dinner option. To order: The milkshakes - Love the peanut butter option. They also have boozy shakes if you want to get both the boozed up and sugared up. The shakes though are a meal in themselves. So just make sure that you go in hungry or order accordingly. The burgers - All their burgers are good. I like the tearjerker, and the hothead with the churcken patty. My vegetarian recommend the bean patty on their burgers. To go with your burgers order am a fan of their tots, sweet potato fries as sides. Gavacho Tots if you wanted a total carb load. It is delicious and made with all things bad. Cheese, Bacon, Tots. No wonder it tastes so good. Chicken egg rolls is different and really taste great. The service: It is a tad bit slow and sometimes feels like the hosts are taking their own sweet time. Other than that I think the service is friendly. The ambiance: Nothing to rave about but the ambiance is different and they have themed the place around lunchboxes and they use these neat lunchboxes from the 80's to decorate the place. The gameroom with pinball machines etc. on the second floor is a plus if you want to host a casual party here.
(4)
Jennifer K.

Kinda bummed about my Caeser salad this time. Lettuce a little on the wilted side, and I asked that they add chicken, which turned out to be a sliced, grilled chicken patty (as in chicken burger). I've had the salad before and it was fabulous.
(2)
Susan C.

Fun Fun Fun! Fun and Yummy! I loved this place so much! My inner geek was going crazy with the fun and creativeness which is Lunchbox Laboratory. Do they want to open one in Oakland?! Please?! Start off with really friendly and enthusiastic staff. Cue great drinks on the $5 happy hour (available even on weekends). "Astronaut Mimosa"=Tang and Champagne. It was amazing. Assorted other drinks involved retro/nostalgic ingredients like cool-aid. Did I mention that the drinks came in a beaker?! Overall, I found everything pretty affordable. Food wise, for $3 we got an overflowing plate of house fried pork skins which can be dipped in their cornucopia of sauces. Or sprinkled with a plethora of flavored salts. Buffalo Chicken can be obtained stuffed in an egg roll (genius!) And mac n' cheese lovers will be thrilled with the options. We had the mac of the day which had a locally made smoked-jerk cheese. Nom nom nom. Milkshake lovers should try the Nesquick milk shake, spiked milkshakes, or one of the daily shakes like the "Strawberry PB&J" that was on the menu during my visit. My brother says to stick with fun bites instead of the burgers, so I will pass that info along. Trivia nights, upstairs free pool, shuffle board, and free-play arcade games are also very fun and make you want to stick around, order more apps and geek out with good company. I will be returning anytime I go to Seattle for sure!
(5)
Medrese M.

Best. Burger. I've. Ever. Had. I didn't encounter any of the complaints mentioned in previous reviews. The service was incredibly quick and friendly. I ordered the Smoker and the Tatchos. If they had messed up my order (which the didn't), I'm assuming it would be just as delicious as what I ordered and I highly doubt I would have cared. Time to go sleep off my food coma now.
(5)
Sarah B.

I give two stars because I have had a good time here previously but on a Sunday afternoon my husband and I walked over here looking forward to a nice lunch and when we got there we were pleasantly surprised that a lot of tables were open we could get a seat right away we thought. Unfortunately this wasn't the case. Upon arrival despite the multitude of open tables we were told to wait 15 minutes, why? I have no idea. My guess is they were understaffed. My other experiences here were good food and occasionally good service. It's really hit and miss. Sometimes the servers pay attention to you and sometimes your spend 10 minutes trying to get your check when you finished your meal 20 minutes ago. There are plenty of restaurants in the area with better service.
(2)
Sarah H.

Came in later in the day after a talk REI had going. Was 6 people in our group, everything was awesome. Orders came out great. Delicious food. My boyfriend got the tear jerker and I got the Churken. And we both got the Gavachos Totchos. Everything was so good. Service was great too! Two thumbs up!
(5)
Trifin S.

good food, good mixed drinks. I recommend this place fo any burger lover.
(4)
Nick G.

After hearing that the "Burger of the God's" from this place was rated as one of the "Top 10 Burgers in America" by Epicurious, I decided it was worth a stop here to see for myself. This is one of those times where I didn't even check Yelp for advice, I just came here and ordered the Burger of the God's, with tots, and hoped it lived up to the hype. Long story short: It didn't. My first complaint is with the waitress serving us. Never did she mention that their sauces would cost any extra, she simply asked us what sauces we would like with our fries... she listed the types they had, and we all ordered 2 each (6 total). Secondly, the Yelp Check-In deal said "$4 for LB drinks". Now to me, that means that I get $4 towards an LB drink. So I ordered one that cost $4, and pointed at the Yelp deal. She didn't comment anything, except an enthusiastic "sure!" Upon receipt of the bill, I saw that I had been charged for the drink, and when I asked about it I was told that the Yelp deal didn't include the drink I ordered, and that there was a different drink option for the Yelp deal that I was never told when ordering. Lastly, the burger didn't quite work, and wasn't really even that good. Don't think I'd come back here.
(2)
Chris P.

The Mediterranean Marvel is without doubt a home run. And the sweet potato fries and just that much better with it. You really can't go wrong with anything you order there.
(5)
Jonathan H.

Excellent burger and service. It was my first time here last night and I will be back.
(5)
Talia E.

Well this was a fun little find in the almost-residential area of South Lake Union. I'd eaten once at the Bellevue location and had no complaints, so I decided to try this one since it's a little closer to home. Service was 5 stars, food was the same, and it even has outdoor seating. There's so many burger options on the menu that it always takes forever to decide what to eat. I love that there's a burger called An Homage to the Dicks Deluxe, and they even have a dork (duck and pork) burger and churken (chicken and turkey) I think. I would definitely recommend trying the mac n' cheese -- they'll even add baked potato toppings (cream cheese, green onions, and bacon bits) on it for like a buck. Also, they have like a dozen aioli/sauce options -- and I love me some aioli.
(4)
Megan B.

Ryan M was an awesome server! He's was super attentive and did not rush my friend and I even though we were loitering for a long time in his section. He's a great asset to Seattle's Lunchbox Laboratory.
(5)
Sarah M.

We stumbled on the "Lab" and I ordered the Mediterranean Marvel burger and the Drunken Elvis shake. The burger was greasy, which I normally don't care for, but the flavor was so good that I stopped caring. The burger was SOO good, and the chips had a good seasoning on them. We were surprised by the Father's Day special of a free meal for dads with 'staches. As a side note, props to the restaurant with a baby changing station in the bathroom!
(5)
Cherise F.

They have a newly revised menu! Yay! They now offer sweet potato fries! I happily ordered these and found them delightfully crispy and delicious. They also added homemade mac du jour and something called "mac fries", which I haven't tried. It's cool they offer them though. They also added jalapenos, diced green chiles, and cream cheese as burger toppings in Build Your Own. (I'm so excited to build a Southwest/Tex-Mex burger the next time I go with those green chiles!) Other things I really like about this place that I haven't already mentioned: they have small shakes for under $5, which is still plenty for 1-2 people. Also, the housemade vegetarian black bean patty is seriously delicious. I'm always satisfied and stuffed with the delicious vegetarian burgers I build here. Easily one of my favorite restaurants in Seattle!
(5)
Jenifer L.

My Oh My... Fun and Food come together at this joint! I love the way there are clever names to their various food offerings. The drinks don't skimp on the good stuff and are always super tasty! I can't help but to order a specialty drink, appetizer, main dish, and dessert when here... luckily, I also bring the family to help me with the apps and dessert! Kids menu portions are ample as well... so don't go thinking your kid is gonna go hungry at this place. Fun atmosphere, and a great HH place too. You've gotta check it out for yourself!
(4)
Marco V.

I had lunch today for the first time. Went there with some co-workers - we arrived at 12.15 and ordered the food around 12.25. At 12.45 I asked to cancel my order since I was running late for my 1pm meeting. The waiter told me the burgers were being made so I asked to take mine away. Waited 5 more minutes - no burger. I left and asked my co-workers to bring it to me at work. They came back at 1.30 since they had the burger at 1.00pm (45 mins later). The burger was horrible, almost at MC Donald's level!. I don't think I have ever seen a more overpriced burger. For a burger and a lemonade I paid $18.60 and they stinks. To sum up - location is great, it takes too much time for a lunch break, the burger is horrible, fries below the average quality and not really a generous portion, lemonade (that costs $3.50 and I saw the waiter pouring it from a the plastic gallon tank that costs few bucks) not good at all, and everything is overpriced. Don't see a reason to go back there again...
(2)
Gregg K.

Called yesterday for takeout at lunchtime. Was asked if we could call back much later due to a situation.... I said, "no, take my order or I can go elsewhere." A gal took not order and upon pick up their attitudes were not good. Actually snobby! Good food though. Wouldn't recommend!
(1)
Ben S.

The Lunchbox Lab employee who responded to my review appears not to have read the review. My one star is not for the fact that they required this ID - it was the smug attitude. If you wanted us to be happy, apologize and offer to reseat us in the non-bar section. Following up to tell us we're wrong is exactly the wrong way to deal with a customer complaint. Don't eat here.
(1)
Seanye W.

The totchos were awesome, but the greeter was useless / unhelpful and the server was slooooooooooooow. I'll probably be back for the happy hours and make sure you check in in FourSquare, you get HH drink discounts!!! #GoBeavs
(1)
Kristina I.

My boyfriend and I went to Seattle for a mini vacay (mainly to sight-see and EAT) and this was our first stop! I have to say, I'm so dissappointed that this place doesn't have more great reviews, because we thought it was DELICIOUS. Coming from SF, we compared their style of burgers to Umami burgers, but way better. I really loved their "experiment theme" and thought it was so clever how they change their menu from time to time. My boyfriend got the Dork burger (Duck and Pork) with sweet potato fries on the side and he said it was the best burger he has ever had. I got Burger of the Gods: beef patty w/ bleu cheese crumbles, candied balsamic onions, super gorgonzola spread. So bomb. To top it all off, we ordered one of their experiments that week: Warm pumpkin apple cider rum, so perfect for the cold Seattle weather. I hope this place gets more popular, enough perhaps to bring it over to Cali!
(5)
Tanya J.

OK, I loved it here! I really did! One thing I did which others in our foodie group did not do was I built my burger vs. ordered one of the predefined concoctions. If you like to keep your burger simple, I suggest doing the build-your-burger route - as there's some wonderful options and additions you can add yourself and create your own deliciousness. What turned me off to ordering any of the burger combinations spelled out on the menu was, I felt they might have been a bit overwhelming with the bacon and the onions and the rich mayos and the cheese and the... so on. A few people ordered those and were not so happy with their burgers, though I think trusting LL's judgement on good combinations is a safe bet if you're into that sort of thing. For me, I kept my burger more on the simple side with having: cheddar, basil-pesto mayo plus condiments and it was PERFECT. Delicious, right down to the toasted bun. I had the skinny fries but had a chance to try the sweet potato fries, the tator tots and the mouth watering, rich and decadent mac and cheese which the mac and cheese was a table highlight for us. The other thing that was a highlight which everyone at our table ordered was the nutella shake. Some ordered the shake with a shot of baileys and others kept it more G rated, but holy heavens that nutella shake was absolutely delicious. That was most likely the best shake I've had in my life to be quite honest... and for $6.50 a shake, it better be! :) For a shake, fries and a burger, you're walking out of here at $20 a pop. Know that. While I'm a fan of LL and can't wait to come back for more, others in our group were not as impressed. For me this experience was right on target for all the good things I have heard and read and really loved the food here.
(4)
Tom H.

My god...I went with my wife for a casual mid-week lunch and ended up with a $47 bill...No booze, just 2 burgers and 10 tater-tots. The place was packed with kids born during Reagan's second term and at the ripe, old age of 46, I felt like Wilford Brimley next to 'em. It's like a fifties diner designed by Ian Curtis after a 3-day Dilantin binge. I could feed 5 people for that at Zippy's and have one of the best darn burgers in the city...this is the taste of venture capital.
(1)
Stef M.

Surprised by the 3-star average for this place! I would give it a solid 4 after visiting (I had the burger of the gods and sweet potato fries, and split a pumpkin shake with a friend). Juicy burger, good combination of flavors, well-seasoned. The bun was fresh, and the sweet potato fries, though not remarkable, were good. The pumpkin shake was amazing! Definitely try whatever seasonal shake they've got on offer. Service was good, the new(ish) space near REI is great, and there's some kind of arcade/bar space upstairs which I need to check out. I have a feeling the majority of bad reviews for this place may be for the old location? We stopped by there once and they had sold out of burgers around 1 in the afternoon, which in my opinion is ... unacceptable. But they've got the supply-chain issues under control in their new spot, so I haven't heard of that happening since.
(4)
Daniel R.

Stopped by tonight on a whim. Just walked by and decided we were hungry. I had "the God of burgers". It wad really good. Prices are par for the course. Service was just a little slow. Only reason for the 4 stars. I will probaboy return if I am in the mood for a good burger.
(4)
Samah G.

Their burgers are just delicious. If you went there you have to also order corn dogs with hebrew national hotdogs it is just perfect.
(5)
Just S.

Very good dork and 'Merican burgers. Very good Totchos. Very good Boston cream milkshake. Very bad if you have all three together. Trust me. Have been here a few times as I live close by. I love their Mac and cheese and sweet potato fries as sides to my awesome burgers but do not make a mistake of ordering their Caesar salad. It's horrible, I have had Caesar salad at many places from high end made at the table Caesar at steak houses to moms and pops places and even at home with from-the-bottle sauce and all were a lot better than here. Don't take me wrong I love this place. Their Caesar is just bad. They have gluten free options as well as gluten free beers and ciders. Sooooo thankful! Yummy mixed drinks as well. Hangover spot for sure as well as a causal dining spot with friends. Tips: expect to wait a long time for service. Long wait between ordering drinks, ordering meals, waiting for food and even getting the cheques. Don't go when super hungry and know what you want before going there so you can order right away all at once. Seat yourself after checking in at the reception desk. They have clueless as to where you should sit. Nice servers tho.
(4)
Jessica B.

I feel like I'm about to keel over with a heart attack, but in a good way. The Truffle Lover is good 6 strips of bacon + Kobe beef = I should have not eaten the whole thing. Expect to pay $15 plus drinks, but if you order a pre-designed burger you get fries (sweet potato fries, tater tots, or shoestring fries) with your meal. If you design your own you'll end up paying more. The shoestring fries are hit or miss, but I've never had bad sweet potato fries there. They also have a punch card ap for Androids and the iphone so after 9 burgers you get one free! It's loud, and the burgers can get sloppy so it's not a great first date place.
(4)
Megha G.

Love there Tear Jerker burger! This is my favorite burger place!
(5)
Chris A.

I really liked Lunchbox Laboratories and the burger is pretty damn good. I actually found it listed as one of the best burgers in america ( epicurious.com/articlesgâ€¦ ) and I think it lived up to much of the title. The size and portions are pretty large and while the price is a little on the high side, its nothing to worry too much about. I'd definitely, and have definitely frequented Lunchbox Labs. Decor: The place has a cool feel to it. The restaurant is in a nice part of town and has a great little porch area out front. Inside there is a really interesting collection of old 60's style metal lunchboxes with various comic heroes on the front amid lava lamps and laboratory glassware. Burgers: I really enjoyed their burgers and am on a mission to try out the rest of the burgers on the menu. So far I've tried the following: Dork: An intersting duck and pork patty with cheese, onions and garlic mayo. This one was pretty good but also pretty simple. I'd recommend definitely getting this one with bacon to spice it up just a tad :) Burger of the Gods: Like a heart attack in a bun... and therefore oh so delicious. Like all things good in the world, you should add bacon to this one too haha. But just so you know, the burger gets pretty tall pretty quick and it can be pretty hard to get your mouth around the entire burger. BUT once you do... you wont regret it. The burger of the gods is delicious with blue cheese, onions, gorgonzola and a big-ass piece of beef0-licious patty =] Boozie shakes: I'm usually not one for alcoholic mixed shakes and drinks, but: Caramel Macchiato: This shake is just too tasty to say no to. I was definitely glad I tried it. The shake comes out in a 250mL beaker with a little test tube filled with a shot of your choice (should you order an extra shot like me =]) and you mix the two together prior to drinking. Like I said thisone was really tasty, BUT also pretty pricy at $10 for the shake with an extra $3.50 per shot. If.. I'm sorry when I go again, I'd opt out of the second shot. Really messes up the vibe and the taste. The original is just fine the way it is. The only reason I gave Lunchbox Labs a 4 instead of a 5 is that I'm coming from Los Angeles although Lunchbox Labs has so far been my #1 favorite burger in Seattle, but I think I have some better burgers down in LA. Nonetheless this lace is rock solid and you should try it out =] Happy eating friends =]
(4)
Clover A.

I had a Burger Week. It wasn't planned and it was a bit much, but I can say with all honesty that I knew burgers by the end of it. And LL was my last stop on that tour. I had something with bacon and bbq, it was great, he had the 'Tearjerker' which he said was hot but not SUPER hot like the menu warned. The little one had a cheeseburger proper. I had the tots, he the sweet potato fries, she the regular fries. His side won. We shared a malted milkshake: and the rumors are true, delicious but small. Overall, a fine burger but you know, it wasn't enough to make me run back there tomorrow. Even once I've recovered from Burger Week.
(3)
AlyxandraMonique S.

Lunchbox Laboratory didn't surprise me. Although they had good tasting food, nothing stood out that I absolutely loved. I like the vibe that this place gives off. Good service, but hard to find parking!
(3)
Katy H.

I knew it! I knew I'd come here, have tasty food and then think, "Why did I stuff my face with delicious, greasy food today?" But that's the appeal here. Much like the old LB Lab, this new space is all about providing a fun and funky meal that can amount to no fewer than 1,800 calories. And it's also fun! And just like everyone else, I came in and started to compare this new spot to the old one. But how is that fair? I see other reviews of people complaining and wanting the old Ballard spot back. But just like your favorite band or your favorite movie star... You ought to be proud when something or someone does so well they can afford to expand and reach a larger audience. The creative minds behing LB Lab probably hoped to make a splash and when people responded positively why wouldn't they want to make their dork burger and mini corndogs available to more than 8 people at once? It's taken too long for me to visit this (now not-so-new) space but it's incredible. Still with a funky vibe, this space can easily host a large group or party of people. I even spotted the Rompus Room upstairs for private events. Cool! If I lived in SLU this might be a regular lunch or HH spot. I see they've even got a full bar for people who want more than just a spot to eat a burger and tots. My boyfriend and I tried a special pickle burger with a dill sauce. I almost felt like the amount on ingredients all mashed together added up to some confusing and bland flavors, but overall I truly did enjoy the burger. I think I should have opted for something more simple. The tots were awesome and the mini dorndogs were too. This isn't my last trip to LB Lab but for the sake of my waistline, I will try not to come back too soon. This is perfect for a treat or taking friends from out of town.
(4)
Joel R.

Lunchbox Laboratory is an "almost" on a lot of fronts. The burgers here are inventive, and they taste good. Almost as good as some of my favorites in Seattle, but not quite. And because of that, their premium prices seem a tad high. But all said, I would give them four stars if it weren't for their almost good service. The staff here is friendly, sure, but this place has some of the slowest service that I've seen in quite a while. Given that this is a burger joint, that makes no sense at all. Props for the kool-aid and assorted childhood throwbacks. Oh yeah.
(3)
A. J.

The customer service is very friendly. I never had an issue with the staff the two times I've been there. However the food is meh. First time I went I did a build your own burger and about two bites in there was paper in my burger. Perhaps from the cheese. I dunno but very unpleasant. The staff was quick to comp my meal and that's pretty awesome. The burger itself was way too messy to be enjoyable and I wanted and expected more for flavor. Second time I went we had a nice server but the wait time was annoying. I tried the dork balls. The sauce was great. That's about it. I was dipping my tator tots that came out room temperature in that sauce. The dork balls themselves were dry and lacked flavor and the daikon was overkill. So service is about 4.5 stars food 2.
(3)
Del D.

Had the SeÃ±or Rosas Sweet Heat and skinny fries. All components worked well together. Juicy patty, soft and unique bun, additions complimented not overkill, and skinny fries were crispy and went well with flavored salt. But at $14.99 it's worth the price only because I don't live in the area. Elvis shake was outstanding!! It's a shake so the degree of difference between this one and another joint are the ingredients which they don skimp on. But again only worth the $10 tag because I don't live in Seattle so it's an occasional guilty pleasure. Our server was personable and was fine to help us along the way. Odd thing was he was the only server to ask if we needed anything while the others just walked past. Weird or perhaps they are territorial. I recommend you go with someone, order two different burgers, ask for a knife (they won cut it), and swap to gain more ground. Flavored salts are ok but irrelevant. Else the joint is worth it once in a while.
(3)
DF H.

Nothing new can be added to the acclaim this place rightfully deserves. So instead I'll offer some tips: 1) Go with a friend - if you don't divide and conquer your meal, it will conquer you. 2) Expect you will need a long nap afterwards - don't make plans that require brain power for after your meal. 3) This place was meant for Yelp - read the reviews and have a idea of what you want before you get there. You'll want to come back again so don't worry that you have to pick perfect, I'm just talking about a practical way to start you off. 4) Look Lunchbox up on Flickr - "Food porn" is a great way to help you choose.
(4)
Amanda K.

Ate here for the first time in January as a tourist visiting from the midwest. Moved here in March and ate here again, and both times were excellent. Arrived the second time during happy hour so that was a big plus. The drinks are kind of small, but their milkshakes are AMAZING and huge. The burgers are so big you will be taking at least half, if not more home with you.
(4)
Rebekah Y.

Tried this place out last week with my husband. Loved the atmosphere there and the food was good! I'm still confused though if our waiter was trying to be sarcastic or just not liking her job...overall though, I would recommend this place.
(4)
Kevin S.

Do you want to love and hate your stomach all at the same time? Do you like restaurants dreamt up by a demented 13 year old boy? If so, Lunchbox Laboratory is your place. As for the burgers, I recommend the Truffle Love, a lovely pile of meat, meat, and delicious creamy goo. The sweet potato fries never seem to stay hot long enough to be tasty, get the tots instead.
(4)
Lisa B.

This place is pretty awesome. About the food: I went at happy hour and they have a great deal - two (small) burgers and fries or tater tots for $5.99. The tater tots were amazing because they were light and crispy. I also had an oreo shake with a shot of whiskey which was also amazing. Booze or no booze their shakes are tasty. About the place: there's outdoor seating, and it's pretty easy to park in the area. Service was attentive with a good sense of humor. I will definitely be back.
(5)
Sharon B.

Great burger...my daughter and I split the Santa Fe. Between the 7 of us, we had chips, fries, tots and sweet potato fries. My fav was the chips. Lunch crowd was thin but service was very slow! Shake served in a beaker was a hit with the kids. We'll certainly come back again.
(4)
Brian P.

Burger lover here. This lived up to my expectations and then some. Juicy good burgers with tater tots. Banana cream pie shake was freaking awesome!
(5)
Gates B.

Not like it used to be. This was my first trip (weekday lunch) to the new lunchbox laboratory after two trips to the old hole-in-the-wall north Ballard location. I'd been to the South Lake Union Grill, so I knew what to expect from the space (very loud, they need some sound deadening material). But I was disappointed it what seemed to be jacked up prices and lower quality. Both my burger (the basic Burger of the Gods) and fries weren't bad, but they weren't good enough to justify the $13.00 price tag. The burger wasn't that juicy, and the toppings seemed to be a bit skimpier than before, and the balsamic dressing was overpoweringly sweet. The sweet potato fries were lackluster and a bit soggy. My friend's side of mashed potatoes was too vinegar-y. They were able to substitute a gluten free bun for my friend, so points for that. And the nutella shake we split was good, but $6.50 for a shake is too much in Seattle. And I couldn't help notice the abundance of cocktails that seemed geared toward 21 year old sorority girls. Seemed like an odd pairing. I probably won't return, but instead seek out new burger frontiers or head back to the tried and true Red Mill.
(3)
Stacie K.

I found this place advertised in The Stranger. We were just looking for a nice place to eat as we recently moved here. Easy to find. The atmosphere was delightful. I enjoyed the lava lamps. The menu was small which I enjoy. My burger was AWESOME. I ordered a make my own. Tater tots were AWESOME. And they have Mexicoke. Seriously, I loved it. You get tons of food for the price. Epic Mealtime at its finest.
(5)
Carolyn I.

What a disappointment! Remember this burger slideshow that seattleweekly put together? Seattle: Burger Porn. You can find it here: seattleweekly.com/slidesâ€¦ . That IS NOT what you are getting at the new place. Don't get me wrong, my burger was fine but it certainly isn't close to the quality of the old place. There was not even one drop of moisture/juice from my burger on my plate when I finished. What? I know they are working on the menu but expecting people to read through each burger to try to figure out what sauce is available is simply asking too much - just make a list of options. And what - no Mac 'n' cheese? Fries are okay and nicely presented but they aren't great. I had a bobcat bite and I had to look to be sure there were green chilies on the burger, it tasted only of onions. My guest had a basic burger and it could have been a burger from anywhere - totally non- descript and neither burger was very big (they do not list burger size on the menu - that I could find anyway). I was a big fan and even though I could eat " in" tonight and have a drink instead of taking the burger home with me to mix my own and even though the drive was easy and so was the parking, it just wasn't worth it. Why have you given up on all that made you successful and the old place???
(1)
Frank B.

This burger , shakes & fries joint is kinda interesting. After entering I was taken back by the cool eclectic 70's lunchbox collection throughout the place. Beyond that it was all downhill. I ordered an appetizer and it was marginal, but the burger which was a tribute to Dicks Deluxe blew chucks! Besides being the worst version of a Dicks Deluxe, it showed up bloody as hell, YUK. I needed a maxi pad not a napkin for it! The only saving grace of the meal was there fries , but FRANK cannot survive on fries alone! Grab drinks but stay away from burger is my advice.
(2)
Inness P.

My boyfriend and I were in the area so we popped in to order a couple of burgers for takeout. He ordered the "What's the Difference" and I ordered the "James Bahn," two new specials. His featured breaded mushrooms and truffle mayo, I think, and mine was bahn mi-esque (picked veggies, jalapenos) with "dork" (duck and pork). We got fries and tots on the side, and I ordered a small Nutella shake as well. The takeout order took longer than expected since the restaurant was surprisingly low-key during lunchtime on a Saturday, but no big deal - we'd put 24 minutes on the meter and that's almost exactly how long it took. We were given waters and my shake to sip. The host, servers, and bartender were all pleasant. The "What's the Difference" burger turned out to be a huge, messy atrocity that looked like a heart attack in the making, but my boyfriend liked it. My burger was pleasingly neat and tasted good, but nothing special. It lacked the freshness of a real banh mi sandwich but I appreciated it as an interesting option. The tots and fries were pretty much the bare minimum for acceptable fried potatoes - barely any flavor, no seasoning, not exciting in the least. The fries were shoestring, which I prefer. The Nutella shake was delicious but I'm glad I only got the small - very rich! I'd like to try the booze shakes they have and would probably only return for those specifically. I've had better, more inventive burger fare elsewhere.
(3)
Paul Q.

I was a little disappointed after our meal here. My GF had the famous dork burger. It was pretty good according to her. It was actually tasty when I had a bite. I ordered the DIY burger. I chose the churken and I added lunchbox onions and sauteed mushrooms as my topping and had the Caesar salad as my side. The churken patty was really dry. They barely put enough onions and mushroom that I had to manually search for my toppings. Dry patty, skimpy topping - not good. I thought that adding an extra side was only $1.00 from how the menu was laid out, so I decided to order sweet potato fries. It turns out that the sweet fries had to be charged separately. It cost like almost $4. I don't mind paying that price but the fries were soggy. The normal fries that my GF had were not good either. The total bill was more than $30 and that was without drinks. I find this very expensive for mediocre quality burger. With their burger prices, I was expecting larger buns and bigger patties. Good thing I had discount through my passport-corporate card, but when I think of the original price, I really think this place sells overpriced burgers.
(2)
Sheena C.

Wow this eclectic lunch box of heaven is the place to be they give a new twist to the good ole traditional burger joint it's equipped with an amazing fire pit great for a small get together with buds the Mac and chesse is awesome and fresh gotta love that the atmosphere is happy and they have a very friendly staff but.. Get there before the lunch rush because people actually reserve tables in this flashback in time establishment lunch boxes hang from rods and are so fun to play with I hear that the milk shakes are the bomb I'll find out next time
(4)
Jake V.

Oh my! What a treat. I stopped in to LL on a quiet Wednesday night, was promptly seated on the patio per my request and ate to my hearts content! We ordered an appetizer of crispy onion rings and they were amazing. In fact, we ate them so fast that we didn't give them a chance to go cold. Perfectly crispy, onion-y, and served with BBQ and jalapeno mayo(?). We ordered a burger of the Gods and a Hothead burger both with sides of fries and were blown away by how wonderful and complex the flavors were. Both were cooked to order and I never had a single complaint about the service. We ate every single crumb and left much heavier and happier! I'm definitely going to bring family here when they visit!
(5)
Colton J.

Seriously?!!! We stood outside next to 5 open tables in the sun for 20 minutes with a few other that were waiting to be seated. It was ridiculous, we left, still nobody was being seated in the many open tables. Heard the burgers were good but the management sucks apparently.
(1)
Karen O.

I cannot say enough good things about Lunchbox!!!! I stopped by in time for the Octoberfest menu, and it was amazzzing. But besides the outrageously delectable Preztel bites, which I think was just a special, I ordered the create your own burger. I ordered a fairly basic one, just the beef, onion, and bacon ( and there was tonnnnns of bacon!!). What really made the whole burger though, was the truffle mayo!! It was soooo divine!! The patty was cooked to perfection as well. Service was friendly and efficient, and I love the quirky decor. This is such a fun place to come with friends. Thanks Lunchbox!!
(5)
Melissa T.

Food was alright, service could've been better. The bartender was our server and I honestly thought he was being an a** when responding to my friend who was unsure of something on the menu. He jokingly repeated the same word to her that she had asked about. Great definition. I'd rather go spend my money on a bigger and better burger elsewhere without the crappy service.
(2)
Cherish C.

Yay I love this place! The Americana classic and the truffle..or even the dork are all amazing. Get the tater tots with ranch because that is the bombest combo ever. The place is cutesy and diner esque although it's not necessarily cheap. The waiters are a hit and miss though. Granted they do their job but he last three times I've been we've gotten two waiters who made me feel very uncomfortable and unwelcome. They're aways trying to upsale (which I get they're probably bullied by a manager to do) and seem to only suck up for a good tip. Not only that but both times before we were done the waiter slapped down the bill and "convincingly" told us whenever we were ready. Three times in a row, in the span of 15 minutes. I get that they want us to go and get another table in but seriously, is two hours to finish a meal too much???
(3)
Brigid T.

Who ever thought that science, lunchboxes and burgers could go together? An interesting theme, but Lunchbox Laboratory makes it work! The entire dining area is decorated with vintage lunchboxes and colorful artwork. They also have a large patio seating area, which will be packed this hot summer. I've ordered the HotHead Burger, which was juicy and just a little bit of spice. Their signature burger though is the DORK, which is an epic burger made with a pork and duck patty. Rich and delicious, a must for the carnivore lover. Their sweet potato fries were also great. A nice alternative to the usual french fries. One thing I love about this place, is that they use fun mixers in their cocktails. I ordered a Tang-a-rita, which is the classic margarita, but with TANG instead of sweet and sour. To keep with the science theme, they served me my cocktail in a glass beaker. So next time you're in South Lake Union and looking for something a little different, check out Lunchbox Laboratory.
(5)
Valerie K.

Will I go back: YES Good customer service: YES - Fresh food - Friendly staff - Place was clean - Awesome art work - Comfortable outdoor eating area I got The Classic 'Merican. Good taste, but didn't have the "WOW" factor I was looking for. My little 10 year old cousin ate her whole burger! and was entertained with the coloring and "wikki stix" the friendly waitress gave her.
(3)
Trisha F.

They have a menu of cocktails that are always a mere $5. One of them is called a hipster sidecar. One has kool aid in it. They're served in beakers (laboratory-- get it?) Why haven't I been here before?! From the funky decor (new and some vintage lunchboxes everywhere along with beakers and science-y looking do dads) to the sweet upstairs loft where they do Geeks Who Drink trivia on Wednesdays, this place is great. The outdoor seating is reasonably sized, but we opted to sit inside to avoid a wait. Service was okay and the place is very kid-friendly. The food is great-- had the Motherboy Meatloaf (Arrested Development reference? Yes, please!) and the Santa Fe Slammer no cheese. Kiddo had mac and cheese, which my BF claimed was the best he's ever tasted. I hadn't realized the Motherboy Meatloaf was served as a burger, but it was very appreciated. Sweet potato fries are great but the skinny fries are amazing. Super crispy and a good sized portion. My burger wasn't exactly well done, but it wasn't so medium well that I had to send it back. I really appreciate the amount of info they give you on the menu-- they put in quality ingredients and you can really tell.
(4)
Jordan J.

It's a really cute place to go for a lunch date. Especially if you're a bit nerdy. It's nothing fancy but it sure is clever.
(5)
Mike K.

Had a churken sandwich (chicken&turkey patty). It was very good and probably one of the better burgers Ive had. Good place for a quick lunch.
(4)
Steve V.

Pretty tasty burger! I ordered the tear Jeter with totts. I thought the burger tasted great and the service was just fine. I sat at the bar and had a beer and food came shortly after.
(4)
B J.

Ok, I had a BOGO from a year ago from some burger festival and they still honored it! I'm impressed! I went for lunch with a friend and tried to sit outside, but was too cold so moved inside with no problem and asked to sit at the bar as it was quite crowded for an Oct. Fri. afternoon. The bartender was very friendly. By checking into YELP, I was able to utilize my $5 happy hour drink at Noon...as well as use my BOGO. For my early HH cocktail, I ordered the "Tang O Rita" - pretty much tequila with Tang served in a beaker! It was actually very refreshing and tasty! Also, the bartender was great in making recommendations of what was his favorites eats as well as what were the best sellers. I ended up choosing the bartender's choice and getting the "HOTHEAD" - Beef, pepper-jack cheese, bacon, and jalepeno ranch. I also ordered the TOTS and the truffle mayonnaise on the side. All were delicious. I forgot to order the burger Medium, but it came Med. Well... and was still quite moist! I had a great experience sitting at the bar, drinks and food! Can't wait to try other burgers! I'm a FAN... well, and I also have additional BOGOS I want to use!
(4)
janice s.

It was hot in Seattle when I was there. So it was after sunset when my son and I walked to the Thomas Street location. We missed the dinner rush and were seated immediately. I ordered a Bloody Mary that was perfect.....seriously. We each ordered a hamburger from the extensive menu, and I have to say they were lovely. If I lived in Seattle, I'd probably go there at least once a week to do diligent research on which might be my favorite. But the one thing that blew away all the appetizer/sides I have ever had at a burger restaurant were the Rinds of Life. I cannot express how much I loved those things. When they arrived at my table, they were still crackling and popping from the fryer. Accompanied by hot sauce and buttermilk ranch, they were incredible. I swoon at the memory.
(4)
Grace W.

I have mixed feelings about this place. I love the exterior where the fire pit lit at night gives off a pretty warm and social feel to this spot. The decorations inside of the restaurant is pretty cute too with all of the beakers and test tubes. It did look like a fun laboratory feel inside. Our waitress was pretty nice. I told her that I was super hungry so she made the extra effort to bring out our fries first. That was really sweet. Let me just say that I was really h*angry at that moment because it was 10 p.m. already and hadn't eaten dinner yet (usually eat dinner around 6 p.m.). Whenever I'm really REALLY hungry, everything tastes better. Food just tastes 10 times better simply because I just want any food in my stomach. This was not the case when I came here. The burger we ordered was sub-par. I thought the bun was extra greasy and the garlic inside my hamburger burnt. The bacon tasted extra salty. I had ordered a truffle burger and could taste no truffle inside. I think it was all overpowered by the saltiness of the hamburger. Overall, I thought my overpriced gourmet burger was no match to an In-N-Out cheeseburger. Sad... Even with the happy hour/affordable prices... I don't think I would come back. Food was just not good enough to lure me in for another visit.
(3)
Terryn A.

This place is always so much fun! They encourage the freedom of creativity! The staff is so awesome!! I'm always talking too much but my server is very sweet! The combinations are endless here and I love this place 10/10. I'll always come here when I'm in the neighborhood!
(5)
Chris Z.

We sat outside. Our waiter was inattentive. When it started raining, the big group next to us got re-seated inside immediately. We continued to wait for our waiter in the rain. I had to go inside to find someone to ask to be sat out of the friggin rain. Our waiter was no where in sight, so I asked the nearest employee - wow, was that ever a mistake. The waitress with the tattoos and multi-colored hair was curt, rather rude and seemed annoyed to even have to be talking to me about being seated indoors. She made me feel like I was bothering her for asking her to do her job. Honestly, she's rude anytime I see her and I avoid Lunchbox whenever she's working just because I hate the way she typically is. Made an exception because the weather was nice, and of course, completely regretted it. Two star experience because the burger was good, but truly I won't be coming back because the service was so awful.
(2)
Zhihao M.

One of the best burger and shake places I have ever been to. Their milkshakes are a MUST try (I personally prefer the strawberry flavor). Also, the tear jerker burger is my go-to entree. Perfect for the spicy lovers other there.
(5)
Edmund M.

This is a high quality Seattle burger joint. The milk shakes are top shelf, and the burgers are of the utmost quality. The service was very good, and the food was presented well. I like the atmosphere, and we were seated quickly.
(5)
Breezy S.

I'm from out of state, here helping to care for my brother while he recovers from cancer surgery. He requested a burger from this place, so I came to pick one up. I had NO IDEA that it was a bar?!? From the outside, it just appears to be a restaurant. I had to pick up the order from the bartender, and since my son was with me, he accompanied me. The bartender immediately ordered him to leave, and was VERY rude to me. I have no idea what their food is like, and I don't even care. It could be made from solid gold and mined by virgins, and I would throw it in their faces. Seriously, f*ck these guys. I WILL NEVER SET FOOT IN THIS PLACE AGAIN.
(1)
Corrine C.

Came here with some co-workers for lunch. Nice walk on a sunny day, seated right away. Ended up ordering one of their specials - for $13 -lamb burger with fig spread and I think it was feta. Came with a bowl of super delicious crispy tater tots on the side. To top it off, I also ordered a Nutella milkshake. omg... it was rich and creamy and waaaaaay too much food! The burger was a mess to eat but delicious. I barely finished half of it. Looking forward to coming back again to try another burger and shake! PS- for those carring the Primecard or Passport card - it's BOGO here...
(4)
Ali D.

I should have been jumping for joy at the burger bliss of Lunchbox Lab. When I looked at their menu online and from all the rave reviews I heard, this place should have become my new favorite burger joint. I'm not saying I hated Lunchbox Lab but I think it was a combination of it being overly hyped and the food just not meeting my expectations that left me a tad disappointed. My boyfriend and I ordered: Homage to Dick's Deluxe - Super-beef patty, American cheese, bacon, lunchbox onions, top-secret burger sauce. It was big, juicy and super messy. My boyfriend HATES messy food so I'm sure that had something to do with his lack of enjoyment (weirdo...messy food is the best food!) But I will admit when I tried it, the burger just didn't wow me like I thought it was going to. Also, when you claim your burger is an "homage to Dick's Deluxe" you are preparing to fill some pretty big shoes, my friend. Dork - House blended duck & pork patty, Monterey jack cheese, lunchbox onions, garlic mayo. Never have I ever had or even seen for that matter a duck/pork burger. Thus, it intrigued me and I ordered it. Again, not terrible. The duck/pork mixture was surprisingly on the sweeter side especially paired with the garlic mayo. Overall it was super rich. Interesting and unique, but rich. For sides we ordered tots, mac and cheese and a Whopper malted milk ball shake to share. The tots were nothing special, the mac and cheese was actually really delicious but spoiled by the fact that my meal was already overwhelmed in richness from my burger to enjoy such decadence and the shake was, well, just a chocolate malted shake. I will probably give Lunchbox another chance one day but my first impression was just meh across the board.
(2)
Margeaux C.

We had the Gavachos Totchos, the Hothead burger, and the James West burger. So good! The restaurant has a really fun, lighthearted atmosphere. Our waiter, Matt, was super friendly and had great suggestions about the food. We will definitely be coming back.
(5)
Dave P.

Went here for a milkshake with several friends. Service was a little slow on not a very busy night. The manager kept looking at us as we were clearly waiting to order but offered no help. Waiter finally arrived and was very cheerful and apologized for the wait. The milkshakes were great!! Will stop in again for a burger and beer.
(3)
Kiron C.

I've been here more than a few times, and it's always a good experience. The food is out quickly and delicious. The staff is continuously great, but our service today was so beyond excellent that I made a Yelp just so I could say how fantastic Colin is. Whatever you're paying him, double it.
(5)
Peter W.

The Dork is nuts ...
(5)
Ian S.

Great food and drink here! Burgers are really big and tasty, with great unique flavors and rotating experiments. Cocktails are equally as zany and delicious. The happy hour menu is definitely worth checking out. Appetizers are good as well, I enjoyed the Hong Kong hot wings (not really wings, more like egg rolls), and totchos. Not so great were the dork balls and garlic tots. 4.5/5
(4)
Nick C.

Well, my view of this place is a bit tainted, I used to go to the old Lunchbox, before they moved down here and got all fancy. I miss the stacks of bacon that would come on a burger unless noted that you don't want it, I miss having a milkshake in the beakers, and I miss the extremely divey (sp?) feel of the place. The milkshake, while really good, doesn't taste the same as it did. The burger was good, but not the wow that I recall from before. But what really made me choose the 3 stars was the wait. It took a while for everything, being seen to get our drink and app order took about 15mins. The appetizer came out before the drinks did. The main course was an even longer wait. The thing that didn't make sense, is you see a lot of the staff just standing around, or walking from a to b, but the place wasn't that busy. And lastly, my girlfriend found a couple small bits of plastic in her shake. We didn't bring it up to the staff because it dropped and we couldn't find it again, but I'm no too happy about finding plastic bits in anything I'm drinking or eating.
(3)
Brittany N.

Lunchbox Laboratory has such a cool vibe! I am in love with the metal lunchboxes at every table, which contain ketchup, mustard, and napkins. The high ceilings and cafeteria-like decor makes for an excellent experiment in the lunchbox arena. With crazy items on the menu like dork balls (duck + pork fried in a sweet white corn batter) and Gavacho's Totchos (mountain of 'tots with crumbled bacon, a spicy sauce, and sour cream), you are sure to find something that tickles your tummy. My group ordered the Gavacho's Totchos and a slew of decadent burgers (the Hothead, the Blue Hawaiian, the Classic 'MeriCAN - all of which come with meat + more bacon) and mac and cheese (Bleu or American cheese varieties). I also ordered the South Lake Caesar (Romaine lettuce, roasted garlic, lemon and basil Caesar dressing with parmesan). All I can say about their food is that it is VERY RICH and FULL OF CALORIES. Be prepared to have leftovers unless your belly is made of iron or your taste buds are not fully functioning. I was beyond full after finishing my fatty mac and cheese and Caesar salad. Even the salad was a bit too rich - next time I'll ask for the dressing on the side. The nutella milkshake that I shared with my boyfriend was probably my least favorite item on our dinner menu because it was way too sweet. It also didn't even taste like nutella. My friend ordered the caramel macchiato with test tube spikes of caramel vodka, Bailey's, and Kahlua, which piqued my curiosity. Perhaps next time, I shall try that one. Service was snarky, but I liked it. Our waiter was funny. He even teased one of my friends for not trying the jalapeno-ranch dressing that came with her burger. The waiter made her dip the burger into the sauce before he would leave, just to prove to her that it was, indeed, delicious. He walked away from our table with his hands up and an "I told you so" face, lol. All in all, a great burger joint with a unique vibe. I'll be back again, but maybe in a year. My arteries need to unclog from all that fat and bacon shizz.
(4)
Jen S.

I love this place! The shakes are amaze as well as the drinks. I've only eaten the appetizers so far - they were delish. Can't wait to go back for more.
(5)
Chris T.

When Lunchbox Laboratory opened up several years ago, I felt like I couldn't escape the hype; I've been to this location and the Bellevue location a few times since then and although I've left satisfied every time, it's never quite lived up to expectations. The ingredients on the burgers are always creative and I appreciate the they're still running with the laboratory theme and experimenting with a rotation menu of quirky appetizers, burgers, and shakes on top of their regular menu but something always seems to be missing -- perhaps in the quality of the patties or perhaps their outrageous combinations of sauces and ingredients just come on a little too strong. LL is okay if you're really craving a burger but if not, for about $15 per person, I'd rather go to Paseo and finish off with Molly Moon's or try a new place than come back again.
(3)
Mikiko T.

The food and the service were both mediocre. Their "signature" sweet potato fries were tasteless, burgers were greasy. The service was slow despite a half empty restaurant during off rush hour.
(2)
Farrell L.

We went here after reading their menu online. We were excited with all the variety of choices. When we got there, the wait staff was really friendly and went of the specials and were passionate about what they were doing. What was disappointing was the burgers we got, we expected so much more. They just seemed like regular burgers, nothing too special. The flavor did not really come out at all. I did really like the selection of Fries they had from skinny to tater tots to sweet potato. A really big disappointment was the milk shakes, taste was good but the size vs. the price was way off.
(3)
Chelsie C.

I made love to a churken burger and cheesy fries and it was beautiful. Worth every penny! I didn't even mind how messy it was because it was that delicious.
(5)
Georgia G.

I wanted so badly to like this place but the entire experience was awful. We arrived at the host stand and waited for about 3 minutes while the host wandered around and eventually made it over to greet us. I asked if we could sit outside on the patio and she hesitated before she responded, "sure". We were then walked to one of the only clean tables outside and she featured a burger and told us our server would be right over. 17 minutes later, I know because I walked to the host seating system and looked at the time she sat us, I had to ask for service. The host came up to me and I asked to speak to the manager who was sitting at the bar visiting with some friends. He walked up all puzzled and I explained how we were sitting outside for 17 minutes now, multiple people had walked by, and we had been ignored. They were not busy for a Friday night. I was frustrated and hungry and was surprised by the manager, Brenden's response, "I don't know what to say, I don't thinkyour server knew you were sitting out there." Drinks were good, but our food was mediocre and when it was delivered by the manager - still hadn't been talked to by our actual server - my boyfriend asked for a side of ranch. 10 min later he went inside to the bar and had to ask for it. His tots were cold by that point too. While I accepted the free drinks the manager offered, I think he could have done more. I have no plans to go back and now understand why it wasn't busy on a Friday night. I will not be recommending this place either.
(1)
Sheri F.

I knew I would love this place! Even with the grease dripping all over the place! I came in for the first time tonight with my BF. He's been trying to get me to come here for a while. I asked him out tonight and told him we were going here, and he was so excited! And no freaking wonder! The food is A.MAZE.ING. I was delighted by the colorful, fun and innovative menu choices and took a while to figure out what to get. I finally got the Le Truffle Love Burger (beef, bacon, swiss, black truffle mayo, onions) with tater tots. I ordered an Almond Joy shake, looking forward to it having real ice cream as the menu promised. The man ordered the Tear Jerker (beef, pepperjack cheese, onions, Satan's Tears Ketchup, jalepenos, habenero mayo) with fries. The burgers come out with the pickle (tomato, if applicable) and lettuce on the side. My BF didn't like having to shovel in his lettuce to the perfectly grilled burger, but he says it tasted fabulous and he forgives them about the lettuce. I asked for tartar sauce for my tots, and their tartar sauce didn't taste like tartar sauce at all, more like mayo with dejon mustard. Those are the only complaints. Everything else was perfection. Presentation, quality of ingredients, temperature of the food, and the TASTE. Wow. I now have my new favorite burger place of all time. And that milkshake, holy freak. It was very, very, very good. It was like drinking an Almond Joy with real vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, chunks of the candy swirled in (so it tasted), a great garnish of coconut flakes and slivered almonds on top of whipped cream and the perfect portions of all of the ingredients. My BF had a few scoops and kept eyeing it throughout the meal, but he was using constraint in not gobbling down my shake. And let's not forget Adam, our server. Adam was nothing short of fabulous. He checked on us right away and consistently. He gave advice on the menu and had patience with me when I was still struggling with what the heck to order. He asked before he cleared our plates. He refilled glasses without having to be asked. He brought the check promptly before and after payment. Adam got a big fat tip. Tab was $30, and my shake was the regular (which is really the large size) so very reasonable prices. We were stuffed. The restaurant is styled in 1950's-80"s cafeteria mood with real lunchboxes, weird movie art and arcade games upstairs. There's seating outside too. They have happy hour from 3-6 pm. I think I'll be coming back soon for a beverage. Both of us used the restrooms, and we can report the men's and ladies rooms were both well kept and clean. Parking is tricky as it's street parking only which is minimal. However, after 6 PM it's free. Food: 5 Service: 5 Ambiance: 5 Parking: 2
(5)
Heather S.

The burgers & shoestring fries are really good! I haven't had a chance to try anything else, but I'm definitely up for it. The place has a fun atmosphere to it where kids & also adults can enjoy the comic/cartoon decor. Very cool spot.
(4)
Alex P.

Lunch after games day was really important to my group and I. We walked in and were immediately sat, choice of In or Out doors. We chose out door seating with the weather being one of the nicest days of the year for Seattle. Our group was feeling burgers so we gravitated towards them on the menu. We ordered an app (Buff Puff) and the wait time was reasonable. The burgers arrived shortly after, though one of our group had requested a well done burger but received it medium. Our waitress Sky, was very accommodating and offered to bring a replacement. Overall the atmosphere and food was top notch, and the servers are on par. We will definitely return the next time we are in the area.
(5)
Troy D.

I just can't, y'all. Been here twice - once for lunch, and once for a boozy milkshake... once was in the middle of the lunch hour, and once was just afterwards. And both times, I had service that was (at best) slipshod or (at worst) simply obnoxious. The food was totally fine... the atmosphere is kitschy fun -- a healthy cross between junior high science class and junior high lunchroom. The location is perfectly suited for the area (a cross between extreme sports and Amazon), and the prices are about what you'd expect from such a place. So where did things go wrong? Simply put, both times, each with different wait staff, things didn't go well. The first time, I stopped by for a shake at the bar, and was essentially ignored. Yes, this was in the middle of the lunch hour - but - even when things slowed down, things didn't improve. Second time was for lunch, and I felt like I was being rushed in and rushed out -- server basically threw lunch at me (not literally, but chunked it in front of me and ran off) and tossed the check on the table as she walked by, right after I *started* lunch. I always try to give places a second chance in case the first time isn't up to par; heck, anybody can have a bad day. When the second time is *worse* than the first... yeah, that's a problem.
(2)
Nelson K.

First place i went to while in seattle for a weekend. Great place. Enjoyed the environment and especially the food. Built my own burger and was so happy with the result.
(4)
Heidi H.

I was excited to try this restaurant..I ordered: *"The Classic 'MeriCAN'- Super Beef, American Cheese, Shredded Iceberg Lettuce, Tomato, Red Onion, Pickle, Bacon and Billion Island Sauce. $12.49"* for pickup, because I live a couple blocks away. The burger (bun, meat patty, one small shriveled half piece of bacon, & cheese) was wrapped in foil, and in a plastic bag on the side there was lettuce, one piece of tomato the size of a quarter, and no pickle, onion, or sauce. The fries tasted like they had freezer-burn. After tip I spent $16 and I feel totally ripped off/still hungry.
(1)
Jamie B.

I saw this place on TV and it looked good enough to check out. Unfortunately I was not too hungry when I dined here. I started off with the Buffalo Egg Rolls. They were unique and yummy. For dinner I had their take on a chef salad. This too was delicious. A co-worker had a burger and she loved it. Next time I will defiantly have to get one of their many yummy burger options.
(4)
Blaire P.

I don't know how many people haven't had a great time here! My boyfriend and I try to come here as much as our waistlines and wallets will allow us. Yes, it's a bit expensive BUT the decor, the experimental food, and the all around delicious food makes up for it. When we come here, we usually get the same things because why stray from something that NEVER lets you down? If you have a taste for the richer side of things: Burger of the Gods. HANDS DOWN. Most delicious burger I've ever had. If you're like my boyfriend with more simple tastes: Homage to Dick's Deluxe. He's a happy camper with this burger. You really can't go wrong with any shake that they have, they're so darn good and thick and everything you'd want in your shake. I've also tried the Dork which has been on TV I guess and it was fine, nothing as good as the Burger of the Gods, but I was feeling adventurous. Another notable winner: The James West... just mmmmmm for when you need some BBQ tang in your life. Also, the fries are delicious as well... but get the tots. Just do it. You'll thank me later. I haven't tried anything else but have heard great things about the pork skins and Gavacho's Tatchos.
(5)
Christine P.

This was my second time here. Loved it like it was my first time. Food is expensive, but worth it. I always come back for the pork skin!! So amazing when it's fresh with their dipping sauce! I'm not really a fan of burgers but I enjoy theirs. I got the Dork which is the duck and pork combined. I liked the taste. Wasn't unusual at all. Glad I tried it! Also got the matcha milkshake which reminds me of a Starbucks green tea frappe. But on the sweeter side. So yummy! They also have options for adult milkshakes (with alcohol). I like that it is convenient for a party with a small child. Also was able to accommodate our party of 8 in a short amount of time. Love this place, would go back again if I'm ever in the area.
(5)
Nicholas G.

Twice I have ordered food to go from this location and twice they have botched the order. This last time I told them multiple times to exclude onions and they confirmed it back to me via verbatim. I don't know what the disconnect is here but not only is it annoying, it's also costly. The food here, when prepared properly, is damn amazing but if they can't do something simple as getting the order correct I may just have to find another place to become my new favorite.
(1)
Mojdeh S.

How I heard of this place: Several friends have mentioned it, but the first was Sheideh, who raved about a great, huge burger...from a place she couldn't recall the name of. When I heard about it again, and then asked her about it, it was the same place! Type of cuisine: Burgers and sides with a fancy, Northwest flair. Ambiance: Small brightly colored space which has just enough room for the ordering counter, one line of patrons and almost not enough space for two plastic fold-out tables lined with seating for 12-14 on benches and folding chairs on either side. Very much a cozy space, extra casual lunch appropriate and a great way to make friends, as diners are seated in very close proximity! There is also outdoor seating with umbrellas for those sunny (or often busy) days. The order counter is lined with old, metal lunchboxes, adding a nostalgic flavor for those of us who grew up with them, and something fun to look at for the children, as they are displayed just at eye level for kids. Three extra large green boards are directly in view (hiding the kitchen staff) with daily specialties, meat, cheese, topping options and beverage selections, which include a large variety of chocolate and vanilla milkshakes. What I ordered: I was happy to have arrived just before my friend so that I had time to narrow down my favorites based on the large number of options available. I narrowed my selection to the specialty board, first of all, and then to either the Burger of the Gods: super beef with candied balsamic onions and super gorgonzola sauce, the Hot Head: super beef with pepperjack, bacon and jalapeno ranch, or le Truffle Love: super beef with Swiss, bacon Lbox onions and black truffle mayo. At the recommendation of the friendly guy who took our order, I opted for the most popular among women - Burger of the Gods ($12 for a baby 1/4 pound patty; the full 1/2 pound is $14) with a free generous side of Lunchbox shoestring fries. I also ordered, because I couldn't resist, the $5 Seville Orange milkshake (dark chocolate orange), topped with a heaping helping of whipped cream and decorated with a web drizzle of chocolate sauce on the inside of the large cup. My dining companion was either going to get the Burger of the Gods or the Marsala Mushroom Madness: lamb, mushrooms, Swiss, brown sugar Marsala onion and truffle kissed basil mayo. He ordered the side of the day's special mac 'n cheese (for $2 extra), which consisted of a large, rich helping of tomato-garlic-basil mac 'n cheese, prepared in a skillet when ordered. What I loved: I loved the balsamic onions - sweet, savory, amazingly tasty and aplenty! The blue cheese melted perfectly onto the burger, smooth and creamy. The bun was buttered, grilled and served warm, alongside cool fresh vegetables (2 slices of tomato, lettuce, red onion and a large slice of pickle). The mac 'n cheese and shoestring fries were presented in a large, white ramekin bowl/dish and placed neatly next to the fresh vegetables, followed by the burger to the far right, all on a real rectangular plate. Having never been a fan of lamb, I was pleasantly surprised that the lamb burger was well seasoned and grilled to a juicy tenderness that was a balanced complement to the Swiss cheese and mushrooms. Why I loved it: I love the friendly, helpful staff that work hard, non-stop to quickly serve their fresh burgers to the masses lined up outside. I very much appreciated one young staff member who came by and asked if the people in front of me had cut in line because he hadn't seen me offer them the space ahead of me as we continued to make our selections. I loved the tight quarters, the bustling space and the diners around us who were interested in splitting burgers so we could try more than just our own! I loved the quality of the burgers, the spiced fries, the fresh BBQ sauce and the fact that they had a "mystery sauce" in a container at the condiment bar. Everything about this place screams friendly neighborhood joint. Cost: High for a burger lunch, but totally worth the cost ($12-$16 for a burger and a side)
(4)
Cassie B.

I came here for a catered event, so I'm guessing the food maybe wasn't quite as good as it might have been if we were able to order it fresh. I liked the sweet potato fries. I tried a chicken burger that I thought was too salty. The traditional american burger was good, though I didn't think it was anything special
(3)
Andrew B.

Fun environment. great food. loved the Boston Cream Pie shake. sounds crazy but delicious!
(4)
Ken W.

Upon walking in, the first waiter was a total thumbs down...a one star. I came here with someone and we asked to sit at a booth that no one was sitting at. He said no since they're busy (there was only one other party that came in after us...real busy) and seated us at a tiny table, with hardly any room where I had to squeeze into my seat, and if I wanted to get out, or even move, I feel like I'd bump into the group behind me. Our waiter arrived, and this guy was awesome. I think he was new, and he let us move tables by asking the same way we asked the other guy. Anyways though, the food was pretty good. I ordered a nutella shake and the well known "Dork burger" (mixed duck and pork). The burger was good, unique and juicy but kind of small. Could be 5 stars if their burgers were a bit thicker. I have a photo posted here as well. The tater tots were excellent, and they have a great option of seasonings. The milkshake itself was well...a milkshake. They have an excellent happy hour menu, and I would love to go back for it. I am from Portland, OR so when I do go back to Seattle, I will be stopping here again.
(4)
Anthony N.

One of my favorite go-to spots especially bc of the Prime/Passport BOGO! I've been to this and the Bellevue location and service/food have been pretty consistent. I've had everything on their hh menu, but my favorites are the dogsticks, totchos and the drinks. As for burgers, I like the tear jerker and the classic 'merican. The beef is always juicy and tender and the other ingredients are crisp and fresh. Great place for hh and groups or if you just want a delicious burger.
(4)
Christina P.

Everytime I visit the lunchbox, the service and food are fantastic! I have been to the Bellevue one before and absolutely loved the outside atmosphere. Also, we received our shakes free because we waited for more than 10 minutes (honestly we weren't in any rush though so that was nice of them!) Once we found the place, which was small struggle, we decided to sit inside, although the patio looked inviting, with the hanging lights. The waitress was fast and friendly and even suggested a bigger meal for a lower price. The milkshakes were divine, along with the inside of the restaurant. I loved the retro, laid-back environment. My only compliant is that the bill came long over-due and somewhat over-priced. Great place for families, lunch date, or a milkshake run!
(5)
John C.

This place is worthy of 5 stars. The food is great and our waiter was really good. The only reason it was not a five was the hostess and other waitresses. The hostess could not be any worse at her job and really looked annoyed to be there. The food was great and it is a really good place to hang out.
(4)
Mark G.

Wow what a burger joint! Honestly I am always looking for a good burger and when I was visiting and asked a local were to go they pointed me here. My wife and I had amazing burgers and milkshakes. I hope to see a shop open up in Phoenix, Az.
(5)
Andrea W.

Based on the previous reviews, it's obvious that people either 5 star this place, or 2 star this place and it averages the two out making Lunchbox Laboratory a bigger deal than it really is. My first time here was last week for a birthday party. We had called ahead for a reservation, and when we arrived we had to wait for our table. It wasn't that warm out at this point in the night, and the fireplace was not lit to keep guests warm while they sat around and gawked at others on the patio. The service was terrible. Just to get water to our table took 15 minutes. I noticed that the place was pretty busy, and as people were leaving more sat down. They seemed to have been getting their appetizers first while our table sat neglected for quite some time. I'm not sure if this is due to the fact that they were understaffed, but this is a huge problem for me at restaurants. The Dork T-shirts they were wearing were fitting for the evening because they were some of the slowest, most inattentive 20 something's I've ever been waited on. The wait staff spent more time standing around talking to each other than maintaining attentiveness to the neglected patrons with empty tables of food. Our birthday gal of the night ordered a milkshake with 2 shots of alcohol. The Milkshake came out with two shots of liquor in a test tubes shoved down a billowing cloud of whip cream. She had to dig her hand into her own shake, and pull out her shots. Charming if you're trying to test the water for date rape drugs. Why not just mix the alcohol into the drink and make a solid balance. The Irish have done it for centuries. It took another 20 minutes or so to place our orders. I ordered a very spicy burger, and the waiter asked if I'd like bacon, avocado, or a fried egg on it. I told him bacon. The burger was good, but what's with those kindergarten shoe string fries? Those have got to go. I want a real sized fry with my burger. Not this crap you give to your hungry cranky kid at the dinner table to shut them up. When our meal was over and we received the check, it was 6 orders crammed on 1 slip of paper. Poor execution on his part. We had to write our own names next to our order to match our credit cards. Those shirts they wear should say "Anything Goes". They charged me for Bacon, and the Seltzer water I ordered earlier as soda. Charge for bacon? The waiter did not notify me that it would be extra, Nor did he say "for an additional cost you can add....". Piss poor communication. Next time you charge me for a C02 tank full of carbonation and tap water from under your bar can you let me know?
(2)
Nicole M.

First food stop in Seattle. Everything we ordered was awesome. I had the caramel macchiato booze shake with two shooters for drink/dessert and v the tear jerker burger with garlic French fries. I had to politely offer up half of my milkshake to my boyfriend who said amazing is an understatement. He had the James west. We ended up cutting each neither burger in half and splitting them to get to try both. Service was also very good.
(5)
Mad M.

We first discovered this place when it was a hole in the wall in Ballard. It was still run by the original chef/owner scott ( rest in peace) and his then soup nazi style girlfriend who was the cashier/ order taker. Since the franchising/ yuppifying it just has not been the same. The burgers are less tasty and just do not seem fresh. The kid had the mac and cheese and the noodles were half cooked. This was after a looooong wait for the food. Sad.
(3)
R M.

Came here for lunch with a coworker. We got there about 11am which is wise. Less people, less noise, more attention. Right about noon it's get full, loud & difficult to hear conversation with whomever you're with. The burgers are rich & dense. I cannot finish one and the staff would not allow me to order off the kids menu since I'm not 12 or younger. The waiter did state that the patty for kids burger & regular burger is the same except they use different buns which give the illusion of a smaller burger. Interesting what you learn from restaurant employees. You can request the "kid buns" on your burger. I'm very turned away from places that don't allow one to order from kids menu. There are some of us that do portion control.
(3)
Amy H.

Do not go here during your one hour lunch break from the office. Don't do it, you'll get stuck waiting and taking your food to go. Sure, your meal will be delicious, even on the run. Your burger will be huge in size and packed with flavor, and the side you choose will high-five your protein with a smile. Just don't go at lunch time, especially if you're on a time crunch. You will end up paying $4 for public parking before you even look at a menu. The wait staff will be friendly and do their best to accommodate, but even they can't speed up the food-making process when the place is packed. Thankfully, each booth is adorned with vintage lunchboxes that will make you wax nostalgic about which cartoon character carried your sandwiches to school when you were a kid. You will have plenty of time for reminiscing because you will be wa-a-a-iting. Note to self: This LL location is open until 11pm and offers specials later in the day. Must try a boozie shake.
(4)
Alan B.

The Lunchbox Laboratory is fun for lunch or drinks (and food) after work. They have enough to work with to make experimenting with your burger fun.
(4)
Parker P.

Good/OK food. Nothing special that would really make me come here vs. somewhere else. We've been here twice, the first time we were pretty happy with our experience, the second time not so much. Service sucked, basically had to demand a booth in order to get a good spot out of the host even though the place was d-e-a-d. Not friendly. Burgers were pretty good, tots were tots, sauces were just regular ol' sauces, shake was awkward/messy in a tall skinny glass but pretty good too.
(3)
Kelleyann H.

First time here with my close friends, William and Nina and it was AMAZING! The way they decorated the place with lunch boxes, chemistry test tubes really represents their title for their restaurant. They tater tots nachos OMG to die for!!!!!!! OMG OMG OMG. Everything you imagine melting in your mouth! So yummy. Must try it!
(5)
Monica B.

This is a fun spot that is a bit nostalgic for me. From the metal lunchboxes to the kool aid cocktails, I find myself thinking of my childhood. The dining area can get busy so plan your time accordingly. Staff members seem to be moving every which way getting the job done. Burgers are not cooked to temperature but are pretty big. The buns illicit a love or hate reaction. They are soft and tasty but can be very messy. The tables are loaded with napkins and you'll need them. Along with your ketchup and mustard, you'll also find a nice selection of salts and a few hot sauces so you can experiment with your food. Each burger comes with your choice of side. I got the Le Truffle Love with tater tots. The meat itself was a bit under seasoned and the truffle flavor was virtually non-existent. It was an okay burger that was completely filling. The portion size is good. The tater tots were cooked perfectly and made for a great base of my ketchup/hot sauce/bacon salt/garlic salt mixture. My friend had the Tearjerker and the buffalo ketchup had a bit of a kick to it combined with the jalapenos. He had skinny fries, which are the thinnest shoestrings I've seen. My kiddo had the corndogs with tater tots. The batter on the corndogs was really good but the quality of the dog itself was questionable. I had a caramel macchiato shake and let's just say it was amazing! The caramel, the chocolate, the ice cream, the coffee - it all fit together so well and topped with whipped cream and sprinkles. What was even more impressive is that 15 minutes after I got mine, I saw someone else delivering one and it looked the same. I can appreciate that kind of consistency. While I'm fine with the prices we paid, I can see how things can add up quickly. For instance, my friend added bacon to his burger and that was $2.00. Also, when you are ordering, they ask if you would like a dipping sauce, which will cost you an additional 50 cents. I didn't know that; it may have been on the menu but honestly, I find it a little busy so I'm not sure it was in there at all. She also asked me if I wanted avocado on my burger. I said no but I'm sure it would have cost extra. Basically, 2-5 add-ons can really increase the price of your meal.
(3)
Rob D.

Great fun and excellent friendly service! Lets you build your own burger with unique topics. Their own burgers are great too. Love the pork rinds and their varied appetizers. I liked their local draft beer selections. Located in on a corner away from the main downtown attractions, yet not far. Thus, it seems like it was a hide-a-way find! Great place to have a unique burger experience.
(5)
Valerie S.

Beautiful burger, Buttery bun, root beer drink, Superb spot to eat! What an amazing start to the New Year. They've got a great ambiance, fantastic food, and brilliant cocktails. Must do in SLU.
(4)
Marissa B.

This place is bound to keep your inner child happy! You can order a milkshake here (with booze) and revel in the lunchboxes you wish you had as a kid. It is a tad bid pricey, but you're probably not coming here everyday, unless you need an extra 4,000 calories in your diet regularly. It's a treat, a cheat meal, and I loved every bite and sip. I ordered their special milkshake, Samoa, which actually had Samoa Girl Scouts cookies inside. HEAVEN! The burger I ordered, a spicy Irish special concoction, was superb, and the tater tots were crispy and delicious. I highly recommend it. They also take your Passport card, which is always a bonus!!
(4)
Melody P.

It's always great to end a run or ride with burger and beer! I finished my 40ish miles bike ride on Easter Weekend and stopped by REI drop off Andre for Warranty Tune-up. I was starving! My friend and I came to Lunchbox Lab for some dinner! We were able to get a table even there were tons of Happy Hour Crowds. I always ask for recommendations from the staff. It shows how much they know where they work for. I got a light beer (Hef) and a burger with balsamic reduction onions, crispy bacon, blue cheese burger and a side of sweet potato fries. I thought it was great recommendation and I enjoyed it! There's a couple times that I needed to ask for water. Otherwise, I was pretty happy with my burger and beer. The atmosphere was nice in a sunny day. The restaurant is clean, bright, and wide. I'd like to come back and try different burger and their milkshake in the future.
(4)
Saleh R.

Nice ambient. It issssss taaaaakkkkkiiiinnnggg fooooorrrr evveeeeerrrr... Friendly service...the food was reallyyyy salty.. Including the fryers and the burgers.. Salty damn..
(3)
Sonia C.

Pretty good place for burgers. I like that they have tater tots. I had their signature Dork burger and my husband had their regular All-American burger. I thought my dork was ok - the pork was way more well-presented than the duck, but neither meat had as much presence as the large mound of onions LL thought was somehow ok to add to the burger. I can still taste the sauteed onions when I think about the burger. My husband seemed to like his burger, but there was nothing special about it. Service was good. Tater tots were awesome. I would come back to try some other creations.
(3)
Josie R.

Food was alright, service was the real deal breaker, young female server with braces was very inattentive and on multiple occasions called my boyfriend honey, sweetie, and touched him casually, usually while avoiding eye contact with me. When it came time to pay and she saw I was covering the bill, that's when she started to acknowledge me. Also, when taking our order she asked if we wanted any additional add-ons with our burger but did not mention the additional price. Working in the industry, one can assume it will cost more, but it's just common courtesy to let people know their 12 dollar burger is gonna be closer to 17 if you want onions and avocado. Which is also ridiculous that it comes on the side! Helloooo, I ordered it, I clearly want you to assemble it. I will probably give this place a second chance, I'll just have lower expectations going into it.
(2)
Carolyn C.

Came in today with a group of five before the Seahawks game. Great waitstaff, fun ambiance, tasty food and reasonably priced. Food: 1. American Burger: traditional, juicy, and perfectly cooked 2. Blue cheese Burger: Juicy, rich, and full of flavor 3. Onion rings were big and crispy 4. Pesto and Garlic mayo dipping sauces were yummy 5. Lemonade was refreshing This was my second time coming and had a great time. Hoping you guys get a new, larger tv!
(4)
Garee B.

You can't really go wrong here if you like burgers, shakes, tots, fries, etc.... They have it dialed in! I watched it grow from a shack in the Ballard neighborhood to the multi-site setup it is now. Fantastic!!!!
(5)
Katleiah R.

Service: Bad. Maybe our server was having an off day but he was kind of a jerk (he would walk a way without responding to something we said, was a little condescending about questions about the menu...). As the first part of our experience, it didn't really make me excited for the rest of the meal. Ambiance: Good, Casual. Nice and casual - as a burger place should be. Lots of 4 person Booths. Food: Burgers - great, everything else - not worth my money. First we got a chocolate milkshake which was very mediocre. The worst part of the milkshake that on top of the whip cream was literally the stalest, chewiest, and probably oldest chocolate wafer cookie I've ever come across. It was....seriously gross. So here I was, kind of put off by the bad service, DEFINITELY put off by the ancient wafer cookie, but then I got the La Truffle Love burger and it was AMAZING (still pretty messy and greasy, but tasty). Honestly, if it wasn't for the fact that my burger was so good, I'd probably never come back. I got the sweet potato fries and they were mediocre as well. The skinny fires were alright - nothing mind blowing there either. Price: Spent a little over $30 for two burgers and a milkshake (not including tip). Uniqueness: Eh... for the name lunchbox laboratory I was expecting a little bit more of a unique menu, but it didn't stray too far away from your usual burger place. All in all, if you're looking for a good burger I'd recommend it. If it wasn't for the burger I'd give it two stars, but ...the burger was good.
(3)
Rhona K.

I don't know if this is THE BOMB for getting burgers and fries and stuff, since I'm not a big burger or fries fan, but lemme tell you, what makes me give this joint 5 stars is the incredible service. Really, the waiters make you feel welcome, have an awesome sense of humor and are extremely considerate to each customer! While we ordered he told us the history of the place and the origins of their famous "Dork" burger. We waited for our food for like 15 mins (? not sure since I was talking to some friends) and came over to apologize for the wait...offering us 15% discount off the whole check! I was like wut @__@ okay we can take that/wasn't even waiting that long. Then, when all but one of us had finished our food, he came by again just to give us ginger ale (complimentary!) to help us finish our food! SO NICE! The whole place has a really retro yet modern, quirky feel...super Seattle in my opinion. I ordered the famous Dork Burger, which was a combo of Duck and Pork...it was alright i guess, and I mainly enjoy the sauce they put on it (which resembled the white sauce in a Whopper from Burger King). The patty itself, however, tasted like ground pork with no hints of duck (whatever that tastes like). Tater tots were spot on, however, and the Horchata milkshake was perfect! For the price, not an extremely filling option for dinner, but decadent instead on the richness of what they pile on that burger. The burger itself was maybe the size in diameter of my balled up fist, but with the lettuce and tomato in it, was about 4 inches high. Nevertheless, gotta love the atmosphere and the staff! What a great experience!
(5)
Patrick B.

I'd heard friends talk of this place and I had even heard it mentioned by the guys on KISW's The Men's Room radio show. My wife and I got a $30.00 credit for just $15.00 through getmyperks.com so we headed on over. The totchos are my new best friend! The atmosphere is cool and the service is outstanding. This is a remarkable place to spend some time and money. I have been back multiple times and I've never been disappointed.
(5)
B. T.

A once delicious burger joint, gone down the corporate tubes. I use to eat here a bunch, after our most recent try (our first in a couple years) I cannot warn you enough. Stay away, the prices are high, the ingredients are clearly poor, despite some strategically placed local/organic stuff, you can just tell they get everything from Sysco and/or FSA. Gross! The forced upselling and terrible outfits everyone has to wear only add to the sad fact that they obviously make nothing in house, unless you count mixing multiple pre made things together (that's not cooking!) Seriously, what self respecting burger place serves fries this bad.. If you want a good burger using quality ingredients try Uneedaburger, 8oz, Lil Woody's, Luc, Voila, Jaks... the list of places that are better than here goes on and on, for our money if want a corporate burger joint go to Red Robin it's way better.
(1)
Bridget C.

We had a rather large party, 10 people and a baby. We had made a reservation but when we got there it was clear that someone had dropped the ball. The table was tiny, cramped and it took 15 minutes just to get that. Right as we're about sit back down and wait in frustration for god knows how long, the waitress asks if we'd like to sit upstairs in the private party room, since no one had booked it. We gladly accepted the offer and it made the night so enjoyable, it couldn't have gone better. There was room for everyone and our friend's kids were able to run around and play the arcade games in the corner. It made the night perfect and we truly appreciate the waitress who brought up the idea. Just because of that and the fact that our waiters were excellent and the food was stellar means we'd definitely go back.
(5)
Caitlin V.

Really wanted to like this place... The service and atmosphere were good but the food was TERRIBLE. The veggie burger was like a thin, bland, hockey puck and none of the sides were good. The 'jalapeÃ±o' poppers are actually just fried cream cheese balls.
(1)
Seth J.

Some of the best burgers in town. Use to come a lot on Sundays when it was 50% off the food tab. Took that away. Good drink with Tang and vodka. Like to get drunk as a mule here. There is E Honda painted on the wall from Street Fighter. He is a fat Japanese sumo wrestler who fought Blanka the green monster from Brasil. Great pickles there toooooo
(4)
Kramer Z.

Man was a disappointment. I've been wanting to try this place out for quite a while now. So for my birthday yesterday after seeing the Book of Mormon play my girlfriend took us here. First of all the service SUCKED. We didn't get checked up on, he gave us the wrong menus twice, forgot the happy hour menu, and use multiple profanities. Then we got our food. The garlic Alfredo Mac was ok. A little bland. But that upstate New York burger was so soggy we both guessed they drenched it in water for an hour before serving it. He forgot to make my drink as well. Perhaps the best part of the meal was my drunken Elvis. Would not recommend this place to anybody.
(2)
Angie L.

Talk about nickeling and diming... I love a good burger. My bf and I came here early evening Saturday. The place was pretty busy, but we sat in the bar area which saved us a wait. The hostess, this guy, was really nice and personable. This was our first time here and I was excited to sink my teeth into a good burger. My bf and I both ordered their 'Merican burger. It's a classic burger with a strip of bacon. Our waitress offered an avocado and egg on the burger which my bf said okay to. She also asked us if we wanted sauce for our fries and we both accepted. While waiting, my bf and I both ordered beers. It was apparently their happy hour. Anyway, our burgers came and it looked absolutely delicious. The waitress never asked us how we wanted the meat cooked and when I sunk my teeth into the burger, to my dismay, it was pretty rare. Also, grease/butter whatever the buns are soaked in... Just spewed all over my plate. The burger was juicy and I would say... Red Robin quality. Here's my hang up about this place. First of all, I know it's a business and you have to make every dollar you can... however, our waitress should have mentioned something like.. "Would you like a dipping sauce with your fries for an additional .50?" I mean, it's only .50.... But mention it! It was also $1 extra for a slice of avocado and $1.50 for an egg on my bf's burger that she should have said... "would you like an egg on it for an additional $1.50?" Also, we used a groupon on our meal. Our waitress ended up re-doing our check because it had given us a dollar off for our beers since we came during happy hour. I didn't understand that because we had an overage of almost $20 which we had to pay on top of the groupon, so that would cover the drinks... So what was the point of adding the dollar back on for each beer? Total for everything came to about $50 (groupon included)... Not worth it. I'd so rather go to Red Robin next time... Where at least my ranch is included. :)
(2)
Fred D.

Amazing food and exceptional service! It was super busy when we went there but the server was fast to get our drinks to us and our orders taken. The food was SOO GOOD!! Ordered the Blue Cheese burger and the Gavachos Totachos and both were delicious!
(5)
Erica W.

Had a dinner date here with some friends from work. Seeing how I am always on the hunt for THE BEST BURGER I was definitely down to try this place. They have a pretty big selection of burgers. I decided to do mine ala carte. I chose CHURKEN (chicken and turkey) instead of a beef patty, mainly because beef seems to make me miserable the next day! The presentation was beautiful. My burger had american cheese, bacon and BBQ sauce. It was good, I should have added an onion ring.... that probably wouldv'e put it over the top. It still didn't meet my 5 star guideline. Teddy's is still my #1 burger to date! With the burger you get your choice of side; skinny fries, tots or homemade chips. I got the skinny fries. They also have all these different seasonings you can put on them! I am still kicking myself that I didn't try the dogsticks! Next time I'll go for appz and beers!
(4)
Courtney D.

Burger of the Gods. Delicious! A great burger place. I have been here many times and I always leave feeling full (sometimes too full) but somehow still wanting more. They feature new burger every so often and I haven't had one bad burger. The milkshakes come in beakers too! Great atmosphere and place for a casual, delicious bite!
(4)
John M.

I came here with several friends to hangout before starting our night out. It didn't seem too busy, but our server would take a while in between time to check in on us (don't get me wrong, their staff seemed polite) I can see the appeal of the whole atmosphere, but it wasn't the greatest pizazz it was hyped up to be. In comparison, it seems like a Red Robins to me, without the douche staff. Except for their food, this was more flavorful than an RR, but no bottomless fries sadly. We did order a few cocktails, and they are on the sweeter side. No complaints there since I just wanted to try their fun mixture and blends of their funky cocktails. Overall, it gives you some dignity for a night out and you don't have to say you went somewhere lame.
(3)
Adam S.

We decided to go to LL for dinner after reading mostly good things on Yelp. It was the Fourth of July, so it wasn't terribly busy, but not empty either. We were seated promptly and brought water. I eventually decided on the Burger of the Gods. When I asked for medium rare, he said the best they could do was medium well. Really? A burger place that only does medium well? Come on. I decided to swap the beef for churken (chicken/turkey) which wasn't an issue. It came with bleu cheese, balsamic onions, and a gorgonzola spread. The burgers do take awhile to come out, but I'd say it was worth the wait. The patty itself was very good--not dried out or artificial tasting. The balsamic onions somehow worked even though I'm not an onion fan. There was a bit too much cheese, though. Scrape half of it off and you have a pretty good burger. Would I get it again? Maybe. They had a strawberry burger something special for the summer that I'd get next time if I lived in Seattle. I also heard people rave about the milkshakes. I got a small Reese's which was absolutely fantastic. They're great shakes. Service was good. When we asked the waiter if he liked certain things, he gave candid answers which I appreciate. I'd have no issues coming back to LL if in the Seattle area.
(4)
Martin C.

The rinds of life are a definite must, fresh fried pork rinds. The totchos are good as well as the corndogs.
(4)
angie p.

Unfortunately this spot is a huge disappointment. Quality of good ingredients is sorely lacking. My $12 salad didn't even taste fresh. The tomatoes were with pathetic pale color. My husband's Caesar salad, which is hyped in the menu as being exceptional, was below average. The Mac was yummy, I will say, but the burger is overcooked and the meat itself is not tasty, which is probably why so many extra toppings are added. Overall it just doesn't live up to the hype. It constantly surprises me that sub par places like this can make it with those prices. From the service to the milkshake, it did not satisfy
(2)
Nath A.

Lunchbox Lab has been on *The Big List of Places I've Been Meaning to Try But Haven't Yet Gotten Around To* for years. Well, I can finally strike it off. I went straight for the Tear Jerker -- beef, pepper jack, jalapenos, habanero mayo, Satan's tears ketchup. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it had a legitimate kick to it. Nothing that'll make you sweat, but more than the dab of sriracha mayo a lot of places put on their 'spicy' burgers. Meat: labeled on the menu as 'super-beef'. It's basically American Kobe-style beef, slaughtered with a kryptonite pole-axe (one assumes), cooked to a perfect red-in-the-middle mush. I normally like rare meat, but I think a burger should be cooked a little further. Not for safety reasons; I just like to have to chew it a bit rather than sucking it down like baby food. It also seems like a bit of a waste to grind up Kobe-style beef for a burger. But full points for flavor; it was tasty beef. Bun: yes. There was bun. Fixings: on the burger: cheese, jalapenos, and the sauces. On the side, a slice of pickle, a slice of tomato, and a small pile of shredded lettuce. A slice of onion would not have been unwelcome, and they could have probably skipped the mushy winter tomato. Assembly: not so successful. Too heavy on the sauce. I couldn't pick the damn thing up without making a mess; I had to mop up excess sauce from the sides using my fries as a sauce sponge. (Yes, OK, that bit was awesome.) The bottom bun disintegrated from the juices, so I finished my burger as an upside-down open-faced sandwich. A leaf of romaine or a slice of onion under the patty would have fixed this. Fries: matchstick variety. Crispy. Didn't need any dipping sauce besides the couple of gallons of jalapeno mayo and spicy ketchup that leaked out of my burger. Verdict: enjoyable, but not in the running for Best Burger in Seattle. Better than Red Robin and the like. Bring a bib.
(4)
Natalie G.

Oops originally posted this under the Bellevue location fixed now! Meh! I was really disappointed in my burger and the service we received. They allowed our dog in the outside seating area which was cool! Food was way overhyped both burgers we got were not very flavorful. And making your own burger was expensive! Also the fast that substitutions cost $1 each didn't make me happy. They offer gluten free buns which is good. The place wasn't too busy but the wait for food took forever and was mediocre at best when we finally were served. Our waitress disappeared on us when we wanted another drink and still didn't show up when we wanted the check. Also they made us go us to their office and print out a voucher we were using even though it said we could show if on our phone... So in the end go for the cheap creative cocktails but go somewhere else for food!
(2)
Evan R.

Went on a Sunday. While I don't always expect great service, all our food was cold. The burgers were good, but the different flavors were very subtle. The sides were very underwhelming except for the garlic tots, those were great. I will say that the milkshakes are delicious.
(2)
Glen G.

We tried to go when this joint was smaller, and just had a location in Ballard on 15th. It had a great buzz, but twice when we tried to go they had already run out of burger. So....the place might have been good once... Now? Meh. I had the Truffle Love. Burger wasn't very flavorful, and texture was kind of rubbery. Super, super greasy overall. I regretted not taking a couple of napkins and just sopping up the layers and layers of grease prior to consumption. No crispiness to the burgers on the outside. Bacon was underdone, and not crispy. Shredded Lettuce? Ah - just give me some regular old big chunks of something green. I can get shredded iceberg at Mickey D's. Sweet potato fries and tots = adequate. Nothing wrong here, but nothing to write home about. Didn't have one of their signature cocktails but they all looked fairly undrinkable to me. No thanks to Tang or Coolaid in with my hard liquor, I say. Service was...ok. Not as bad as others had noted below, but I could tell that the staff all seemed young and inexperienced. Definitely a twenty-somethings, game-day type crowd. Tried it. Don't need to go back. I can think of a half-dozen places in Seattle where you can get a far better burger with better ambiance and better service.
(2)
Maya A.

This place has great burgers, any side you can imagine to go with that and excellent service. Milkshakes are also amazing.
(5)
Santosh A.

I love the burgers over here. I am a vegeterian and they have a pretty good veggie black bean burger. I generally order the tear jerker along with tots. The mix of sause, patty and the bread is pretty good and i love them. The crispy tots add to the overall taste and experience.
(5)
Charlyene J.

Have stopped in for lunch several times and have had both good service and food from this location! Items are a little pricey, but ingredients are premium and make up for the cost difference between here and a standard burger joint. My go to items are the Homage to the Dicks Deluxe, Mac Fries, and their boozy shakes!
(5)
Mari C.

I had dinner, truffle burger, it was happy hour still so I added tots to my check. The tots were very good, kinda spicy though but enjoyable. The burger is good overall. The bun is soft and crispy, the patty very beefy since is Kobe. I wish they don't put the lettuce shredded like that, it's very hard to eat and less mayo, it's way too much. Service was friendly and good.
(4)
Edward L.

This is a burger joint, but a hip and fancy burger joint. Their menu consists of multiple pages - of burgers. We aren't talking about normal turkey or beef burgers, which they do have, but pork, duck, veggie and so on! The food is delicious and the atmosphere is great. If the weather is for some reason good in Seattle, make a point to come here during lunch and sit outside. They have great outdoor seating! If you want to come here for lunch, come early or come late. The lunch crowd is crazy!
(5)
Francisco F.

Came to lunchbox laboratory because of their $4 yelp check-in cocktail and my friends had a groupon deal. Turns out it's $5 cocktail deal and without the groupon, it's way too expensive here. I ordered the jalapeÃ±o puff balls. Three huge puff balls with very little jalapeÃ±o and a lot of cream cheese. Not the best on their menu I'm sure. The kool-aid and vodka cocktail was very sweet and I couldn't taste the liquor. I guess the only attraction to any cocktail here is that it's handed to you in a beaker. Laboratory... Oh I get it. :/ Alas, the only reason to visit the lunchbox may be the spiked shakes. I created my own: oreo, peanut butter, kahlua spiked vanilla ice cream. Yum yum for the tum tums.
(3)
Gavin C.

Our first time visiting the lunchbox. My wife and I even made this known and they were excited to have us. The service was less than desirable. We ordered from a waitress in training. That's when it went down hill. My wife and I watched 4 families get served before us. We ordered before them all. When we did finally get our food and shakes, my wife only received 1 little sliver an onion on her burger. The manager did take off the shakes from our bill. Driving over an hour to visit this place, was a waste of gas from the service we received. The food was ok.
(1)
Katherine N.

Nacho tater tots were so good with jalapeÃ±os and beef on top :) my boyfriend really enjoyed the Nutella milkshake with his burger "the hothead" we were watching the world cup US vs Portugal everything was so filling and all for under 30 dollars. The staff was friendly as well.
(4)
Chris S.

Typical burger joint. Most of a hangover cure burger (greasy and juicy). The burgers are decent but the price is ridiculous, you can get the same burger from Wendy's for half the price. $15 for a burger and fries? Only way it would make sense is its downtown, I have been to this building 5 times and been to 3 different restaurants, so I don't expect this place here long.
(2)
Teila B.

Cool little placed tucked away in Seattle. Short walk from a friends house only came across 2 crackheads .. Bt thats Seattle for u I suppose. Dnt let that scare u its a nice place w outside dinning for all 5 summer days of the year, lots of geeky folks eating bt really cool atmosphere. Drinks r fun and creative at a good price. Burgers are huge I got one w blue cheese was hella salty bt sooo good. Take down the salt content and we'd have a 5 star-er! Cnt wait to go back!!
(4)
travis l.

Interesting flavor combos and a great staff and atmosphere. I guess Im just missing the point. I wanted it to be great but my burger was undercooked, the special of the day side was tasteless and bland. Sorry guys not for me
(2)
Amanda H.

Ate at Lunchbox Lab today after hearing a lot of hype about it on the radio and social media advertising. I live pretty far south from any location so whenever I am in the city I take extra time in picking where I am going to be eating. First impression was good, a very eye catching location with flashy signs & an alluring patio set up. Hostess was very nice and personable, waitress was soft spoken but nice. We tried to order the "Buffs" but they were out. Then when my boyfriend tried to order a milkshake the machine was out of order (strike 2). While waiting for our food I asked the waitress if they had any souvenirs (key chains,tees stickers etc) since I needed stocking stuffers and the restaurant clearly took a lot of time in their design, decor and advertising I thought they must have something I could get. NOTHING. Strike 3. When our food finally came I immediately noticed the grease oozing from my hamburger. Obviously reading through the menu I had already realized they had NO healthy options on there so I just made the best of it and splurged. It was grease with a side of hamburger. Midway thru I had to peel away what was left of my bun because it was just falling apart dripping with grease. I finally gave up trying to eat it and put it down on top of congealed grease that had pooled on my plate. The French fries were identical to McDonald's but 3 times more expensive. Needless to say i will not be returning to The Lunchbox Laboratory. I left with $40 less and a stomach ache.
(1)
Justin S.

This place was so cool. Great concept and idea for a restaurant that takes this thing far above and beyond the label of "burger joint." I had the Bleu Marble burger and it was superb. I also think its a cool touch that they bring your drinks out in beakers. When I told our waitress I had never been and was just visiting, she brought out all kinds of samples and sat down at my table to give me recommendations for what to order. In the end, I went with her raving personal favorite, the Bleu Marble burger and a Snapplicious drink. Wow. The sweet potato straws on the burger and that sweet chili mayo was an incredible combo with the burger & bleu cheese. Definitely will be back.
(4)
Kristi R.

Ate here tonight and thought it was ok. Not amazing, but solidly decent. I went for the bacon cheese burger while my partner had the burger of the gods. We shared a milkshake which was really good. In a city with so many great restaurants it will be a while before I'll hit this place again but I'm glad I tried it.
(3)
Sarah B.

We tried this place through a Groupon. It looks like just a sports bar from the outside, but inside there are lots of vintage lunch boxes everywhere. The menu is definitely not a sports bar menu. Gourmet burgers and original cocktails and shakes... Make sure you come here hungry. We sat in the bar and the service was great, it's what tipped the scales to 5 stars.
(5)
Radu S.

One pro: - creative recipes and good burgers (I tried two of them: god's and le truffle) 4/5 Two Cons: - the sweet potato fries were possibly the worst I've ever had (I'm a fan of spf): undercooked, limp, with a rancid oily taste 0/5 - the staff's attitude was even worse than the fries: indifferent and pretentious 0/5 A negative customer experience overall 2/5
(2)
Mike C.

I ran across this very cool website about 6 years ago at work one day. All my co-workers were liking it too. It had a very retro look and feel. It was animated and took too long to load up but it had all these menus to which you could pick and choose all kinds of items on to your burger. It seemed like the list went on too long and there was no way they could keep that many items available for any one burger. Hands down, I had to go and try it out for myself, but it was way over in Crown Hill and I was on the East Side. Maybe over a long holiday weekend. Which is what happened. I invited some friends and we went to the original Lunchbox Labs on 15th near 85th. It was a rundown tiny place. Inside there was two double sized card tables and one of them had been split down the middle and was held together by blue gaffers tape. The hostess would bark at you if you didn't have your order ready because there was a long line of people waiting to order. Where would they all sit? But the wait was worth it. The burgers were exceptional and they would serve them on these long narrow rectangle white china dishes. Which they still have... and with garnish and fries. The fries were meatier back then. These days, I don't eat the fries because they're not the kind of fries I like, which is ok because that leaves me to concentrate on the burger. And the burgers are still amazing. Really large burgers with many options. The buns that are the delivery system are hearty and taste great and don't fall apart like the buns at 5 Guys burgers. Granted, the surroundings are much more commercial then when they started but that's going to happen to any place that is catering to the Amazon crowd in SLO, or the Bellevue crowd on the eastside. I was there last night for a new years holiday get together with some old friends. We were the original gang that met for burgers at the old place and we had a great dinner. One of the guys even thought about ordering another burger. Great metabolism... he's still skinny. The service was spot on. They were friendly, polite and spot on. Even when I ordered "well done" and it came with too much pink on the inside... they didn't complain or take very long to redo the order. We left them a nice tip. I will continue to go back to Lunchbox Labs for their great burgers. My only problem is with their fries. They really need to get better fries. Or maybe not, because if they did, I'd have to eat them... then I'd get fat.
(4)
Montie M.

Decent taps. Good burgers that walk the fine line between standing on their own merits and riding on the shoulders of added ingredients. Friendly staff. Have only been twice, once on the patio in the summer and once on the inside. Prices seemed reasonable. Waiter kept coming back to check in and refill water even after we'd paid the tab, which is unusual but nice. Will have to go back and check out the upstairs, which none of us had ever noticed before.
(4)
Meagan F.

We got the dork balls, Gavachos nachos, and the Homage to Dick burger. The nachos are tater tots smothered in cheese sauce, bacon, sour cream, and a spicy ketchup... AWESOME!! Also got an Oreo shake that was good. Everything was good.
(5)
Marelle H.

Start off by saying the food at LunchBox is GREAT, however... The service is HORRENDOUS. Being a neighborhood local, I was excited to find a cool bar with good food within walking distance of my place. First time I went in with a friend just for drinks... Service was lackluster, but the drinks were good, and the happy hour pricing was great. Went back three separate times sitting in the restaurant twice and outside once. Service was awful no matter where I was seated or who the server was. Lots of attitude, seemed irritated to have to wait tables, frustrated to answer questions, scoffed at me when I presented a Five Stars card (loyalty program), and just overall very unpleasant each time. I decided that since the food was good, maybe it should just be a to-go spot instead... WRONG. I have never in my life received such rude and condescending service! Despite my extreme cravings for one of their delicious milkshakes or burgers, I have been boycotting the establishment for about six months now... AND I've been sure to tell all my friends how awful my experiences have been. They've even had a few horror stories of their own. It really is unfortunate.
(2)
Kuren C.

We went when there was a some Football game on. The game was so loud it was hard to talk. We never got our appetizer. I asked for well-done and got medium-rare. Football fans were watching the game from the sidewalk and smoking, and it filled the restaurant with that smell that makes you want to unswallow. The shakes were room temperature, we asked why, and they said the machine was on the fritz. They were nice enough to remove one of the shakes from the bill, but why even make shakes if the machine is serving warm shakes? The staff was friendly and the food was delicious, but it's more like a smokey sports dive bar than a themed burger joint.
(2)
Erin-Elizabeth A.

Recently visited this location with my parents on a Thursday night. When we approached the hostess we were told that we'd have to wait twenty minutes for a seat. There were five open tables we could see and a slew more at their patio, one of which we sat at to wait until we were "officially" seated. Ridiculous. High point were the food and drinks which were equally tasty.
(2)
Jam R.

I suppose I missed this establishments prime. Service was horrid but that could have been because the power outage and lack of credit card machine. The food was worse than Red Robbin or on it's worst day. The place left a huge sour taste in my mouth and it seemed like it was a dive atmosphere with none of the good parts about it anywhere to be found. I will never come back to this place. Trashy and gross.
(1)
Robin M.

I loved the idea of a mad scientist making my food but he must have been on a deranged millionaire vacation. I opted to build my own veggie burger and the patty was much like a shaped, refried bean cake. The toppings were pretty good (if not overpowering) but I gave up on my burger about halfway through as did everyone else at table. The mac fries were fantastic, however. Fries topped with mac and cheese sauce? Brilliant! The Drunken Elvis shake was by far the best thing we had at the table. We opted for 3 spikes of liquor and it was perfect. With all the great places in Seattle, probably won't be making a reappearance.
(3)
Trish K.

Ok so despite living close by to this place, I really do like coming here for their burgers, specifically my favorite, the Burger of the Gods. I am not sure if it is the carmelized onions, the gorgonzola spread or maybe both. Shoot it might just be because of the fact that they have tots. Seriously, who doesn't like tots. It's bite size, portable and FRIED. If you're not a fan of onions (not exactly the thing to have on date nights. UNLESS you both have it then no one notices) you can also build your own burger and choose all the goodies. Another burger I recommend is Le Truffle Love. Once again this has onions (I'm starting to think the onion factor may be affecting my love life) but the bacon and truffle mayo definitely make this burger. Another good thing about this place is that they let you concoct your own drinks. It's reminiscent of when you were a kid and chose different combos at the soda fountain like lemonade and sprite, or cherry coke and rootbeer. To make it even better, you are able to add alcohol to said concoctions (adult version of soda fountain combos). They also have a good selection of beers on tap. Overall, a good place for burgers. Just FYI, it's not exactly the cheapest burgers since they consider them gourmet burgers.
(4)
Taylor C.

tl:dr overpriced, bad salads and a bun that dominates the burger A bit of a lunch fail. I had my first experience coming in for a lunch with friends. As I was running late, I had one read off the menu so that I could order. To make things easier, I just listed off ingredients to make my own: beef patty with pepperjack, bacon and a fried egg. Sub for a side salad. Pretty simple in my mind. There were a couple things of note when the food arrived. The bread to burger ratio is rather high. The meat tasted good but the whiteness and quantity of the bread was pretty dominant. Judging by the quality of the ingredients, I think it's an odd choice to overwhelm those with such a large bun. The burger was otherwise a good size and filling enough for a good meal. The salad was more disappointing. A very small cup of greens doused in ranch dressing. I didn't finish that one. The meal went from mediocre to aggressively subpar when I got my bill: 18 dollars before tax and tip!! Granted, I had not been able to check the menu beforehand, but the add ons were absurd. I don't remember the base burger price, but the price increased with 2 dollars for bacon (for a meager amount of meat), 1.50 for pepperjack (for a layer of cheese!!), 1.50 for the egg (fair enough) and 1.00 for the salad "upgrade" (the aforementioned tiny cup of doused lettuce leaves). On top of the 18 dollars came tax and tip. Even with checking the other options, the burgers clocked in around 14 or 15 dollars total. There's no way the quality justifies the prices. I can think of better ways to spend my money
(2)
Albert W.

Just like any other Lunchbox Laboratory...
(3)
Jessica W.

Pretty darn good burger. It's a great place to pig out on some great all American food. I miss the shoestring fries! I wish they would bring it back. Overall the place is pretty clean although some of the people that work there look "dirty". Green highlighted hair, nose ring, and fat gauges. Had body oder and turned me off a little.
(4)
Brittany S.

First of all, woah! This place was amazing! For the last couple months my fiancÃ© has begged me to try this place. Whenever I read Yelp reviews that insist the service is mediocre at best, I usually opt out. But, tonight I caved. I went in assuming it wouldn't be the best meal I'd ever had, but I would be pleasing the dear fiancÃ©. I am so thankful to say, I had an amazing time. Our server was Christopher and he was spectacular. Attentive, knowledgable and extremely friendly. He got a very well deserved 20 percent. If you have came here and received crap service in the past, ask for this guy! The jalapeÃ±o cream cheese fritters...OMG. I could eat ten. We both had burgers and they were delicious. Our drinks had a decent pour of alcohol which was nice. We don't drink often, but I have been peeved in the past from Seattle restaurants being cheap on their pour. Since we were having such a great time we decided to go for the grand finale and have milk shakes. Again, delicious! I'd go here just for shakes! Thanks Christopher for making our date night an awesome one. Until next time!
(5)
Nisa T.

Very delicious! Friendly service wonderful and delicious milkshakes so yummy
(4)
Tan Lo S.

Drinks that glow in the dark? Okay! Drinks that are served in beakers? Okay! Drinks that remind me of my childhood? Okay! This place deserves like 5/5 for display, plating, and style. I love how the feel seems so casual, but so lenient, and the menu is so fun. I can't get over the fact that their drinks were so creative! I come here for happy hour and I am so excited! This location is NOT capitol hill. I think somewhere it says it is. It's more like downtown/east lake. Anyway, their happy hour menu sounds so appealing I had to come in! Tater tots... the best thing ever, as a kid... or a grown up! I thing these tots are fresh, delicious and crunchy yum! I got their burger deal for 2 during HH with fries or tots. I think the burger was too small and not worth it. A little flimsy. Their other burgers looked bigger so I'd probably get that. This one was just small. Ah otherwise, their mac and cheese is very cheese but very strong. The cheese tastes very mild and aged. Not my cup of tea. The chicken wonton hot wing thing was delicious. I loved the kick of spiciness and i love the aoili sauce. I could eat the aioli sauce with anything yumm!!! Overall, I think the food was good, but not the best. I have to give it 4 stars for creative minds, great drinks, and great prices for HH. I definitely won't give up this place. Enjoy feeling like a kid even when you're not... don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Have a beaker of a drink :)
(4)
Gretchen H.

Went here Easter Sunday. Was told there would be a 25 minute wait for our party of 4. OK. No problem. But as I look over the restaurant I saw 5 tables within my range of vision set up and ready for parties of 4 or more. So why the wait? The burger was over cooked. Last time it was so delectable. I wasn't even asked how I wanted it prepared. I'm going to assume it was an off day, with staff who just weren't that into making the experience all it could be. We drive quite a distance to come to L.L. because its been so good in the past. I'm sure well give it another try, just to make sure.
(2)
Audrey N.

I love the location. It's not too "out there". They have outside seating and the inside is very clean. They also have an arcade upstairs. I advise you come in after you haven't eaten for a whole day, because it's TOO filling. I finish a fourth of a burger at the most, I finish half during my 1.5 hours there. haha TOO MUCH BACON! but that's awesome. My favorite burgers are the "New Yorker" and the "Hot Rod" burgers. As for appetizers, I like their hotwing wontons and the "f'n best mac and cheese". So fattening. haha. Literally like 8 stacks of bacon on my burger and that grease falling, but it's such a pretty and yummy burger. I have never tried their malt shakes with alcohol, but I have tried their "ochanga" which is like a mix of orange and red kool aid and other stuff. They're funny and yummy blends of juices. Their service though is alright. The hosts usually give this attitude of a "snob" and the times I have gone here, the waiters or whatever did not approach us often to check up on us.
(3)
Kim C.

My food was very good but the staff can use some work. I have come here a few times and sometimes I wait a long time to be seated. And I feel that my waiter or waitress's many times has two big a section to give proper service to everyone. But I have never gotten something here that I didn't enjoy and the milkshakes are amazing.
(3)
Seonstifer H.

This place deserves more of 3 1/2 stars. Burger was good, and fries were on point. Atmosphere is good, and everything was clean. Service was also pretty good. Way overpriced though.
(4)
Kelton H.

Burgers are huge and well priced. Happy hour is the best time to go because they have Gavancho's Nachos ( Nachos with taters instead of chips and hot ketchup). Also the shakes are discounted too during HH. My only complaint is that the buns get soggy quickly depending on the burger (At least that means the burger is juicy!) Go for the tater tots, sweet potato fries, shakes and burgers
(5)
Bryce P.

They don't like to party... A couple drunk people and they panic. Don't come here if you want to have a good time.
(1)
Julissa M.

Nothing really awful here-just some things didn't really hit the mark: The good: The burger buns are amazing, the refillable ginger ale is refreshing, tater tots adequate, black truffle mayo-REALLY good The bad: I'm a vegetarian trying to eat a burger joint..so I knew what I was getting into. However, the veggie option (the black bean burger) had a gritty texture and a bit overcooked. I'll be back to try some cocktails, sweet potato fries, and shakes-why not?
(3)
Christine W.

EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED. DO NOT COME. So my group of 7 came in hungry. We were told it would be a 40 min wait. We obliged and were patient. The thing was, every other group of 3 and 4 that came in after us got seated immediately with very little wait. We were then told we would be seated into two groups after waiting for 40 min. When we got seated though, we noticed that they were THREE EMPTY TABLES that could've been put together for our group. They could have sat us down much earlier. After waiting for approximately an hour, we were finally able to order our food. Thankfully, our waitress was really nice and attentive. I'm from Texas and if you have been to Hopdoddy's and P. Terry's, they are much better. Plus, they are cheaper than these burgers here. Granted, the ones at Lunchbox comes with fries or a choice of some sides with additional cost but it does not make up the amount of time the hostess made us wait. The burgers here also tasted very bland. Would not recommend to friends and will not be coming back here ever again.
(1)
David L.

Came here to grab some food and beer before seeing a show at El Corazon and I'm glad I did. The burger was excellent (I had the Tear Jerker) and the Hong Kong Hot Wings were also very good. The beer was fresh and chilled and the service was top notch. I will be back...
(5)
Marty W.

Overhyped and overpriced. Burgers are big and beefy, but the buns don't hold up. Fries tasted frozen and onion rings were awful. Friendly enough place, but once was enough for me.
(2)
Mikey S.

I was looking for a good late night burger that wasn't Dick's, so I decided to give LBL a try. Boy did I make the right decision. The fod was excellent, I had the 'Merican burger. And the atmosphere was even better! There's so much to look at in there. The labratory themed interior. Beakers and tube lights. Lunchboxes galore. I had fun just waiting for my food! I will definitely be back!
(5)
Jennifer N.

I went here for lunch this week on recommendation from my husband it was pretty good. I ordered the dork burger cause I figured I should try something different here! it was good, but I think I would have preferred a regular burger honestly! it was still good though, just not as amazing as I hoped. The best part though was definitely the skinny fries. SO GOOD!! If you go, I highly recommend you get the skinny fries with whatever else you order.
(4)
Tyler L.

A really cool place decorated with old school lunch boxes and lab equipment. The milk shakes are awesome, I had the thin mint and it was a decadent experirnce. The burger was pretty good, though the toppings were really the star. The meat was good, but not the most delicious I've ever had. The bacon and swiss was great though. Service was pretty good. I was seated quickly and checked up on several times.
(4)
Shayne A.

Lunchbox Laboratory USED to be good. We live in the neighborhood and have been coming regularly for the past 6 months, and, unfortunately, we've been able to witness a steady decline in both the food and service. When we started coming, the burgers were juicy and flavorful. They were worth the extra money on a lunch break. Now, they come out overcooked, dry, and the toppings aren't the same temperature as the patty. The capper was when my friend's fries came with a side of hair in them. The service was never great here- they were always excruciatingly slow because the burgers take 20 minutes (probably how they end up so overcooked). But in the last few visits, we haven't had a complete dish come out. Something is ALWAYS missing - salad dressing, condiments or even a "lettuce wrapped burger" without a lettuce wrap. When you're spending $25 per person on a burger and beverage, you expect a lot more, and Lunchbox has lost some loyal customers.
(2)
Thao N.

I've been here twice, once for an actual meal and once for Happy Hour. Definitely was tasty to get me to return the 2nd time. Happy Hour menu may be cheaper, but it's much much smaller, only good for a snack so I would just stick with the regular menu if you came to EAT. Plus you won't get an actual taste of their famous burgers ordering from the Happy Menu since it's mostly side dishes. This is my best friend's favorite restaurant ever and I probably would be more of a fan if I was into the whole "burgers and fries" theme, but it's definitely an upgrade from your average burger at a fast-food joint. Layout of the restaurant was cute, never had a problem with service. They had many options to build your own burger, with all the options of sauces to choose from, I'd recommend getting them all on the side. All the sauces are sooooo good especially the garlic mayo, but I doubt 5 delicious sauces would still taste delicious being smush together and combine on the burger. The bun they used was ummm...interesting in a good way, never had it like that anywhere else, texture was cool. Others might complain about the price, but I'm a strong believer in thinking you get what you pay for.
(4)
Chantelle E.

Things I did like.... The decor, drink specials, the tater tots, and the unique burger combinations. Oh and the pumpkin pie milkshake??? TO DIE FOR!!!!! Things I didn't like.... the burger size after all the toppings was a bit ridiculous, seriously a half pound of bacon where a strip or two would have been fine (maybe I just dont like bacon as much as the rest!), and my burger was a bit on the greasy side. I love the idea of this place, but I think the execution could be a little better.
(3)
Edna C.

Build your own burger !!! Love it!! Add Sweet potato fries and you've got it made! OMG and the shakes are decadent.
(4)
Ashley D.

Oh Lunchbox Laboratory, I don't understand why your service gets worse every time I visit. I had been recommending your food and drinks to all my friends, but unfortunately I don't think I will be able to continue doing that due to my last couple experiences. First of all I came one day during happy hour where my caesar salad had almost no dressing on it. I told my waiter and he brought me more dressing, but then charged me for the extra dressing. In addition, while there were few other people there my waiter rarely checked in on me and never refilled my water. I figured this was just an off day for my waiter, but then my experience on New Years Eve was so ridiculous I don't think I'll be returning. I brought my friend here since I'm constantly recommending their drinks and food to friends, and he was excited to try it out. We sat in the bar where there were only four other people (I know, I was surprised too) and waited for a server. Unfortunately, we waited a good 25 minutes before anyone even brought us a menu. The woman that brought the menu said that the male server would be over to help us shortly, but that of course never happened. We waited 45 minutes and kept trying to get his attention to order drinks and food or at least get water, but it seemed like he was actively ignoring us. We had planned to spend the countdown here, but finally got up and walked out since it was obvious that he wasn't going to help us. The worst part is there were only 4 other people in the bar who he was constantly checking up on, yet he couldn't take 5 minutes to bring us water and take our order. I've never had to get up and walk out of a place before, but Lunchbox Laboratory gave me that experience.
(1)
Christine Y.

It was just okay. I went in on Sunday afternoon for happy hour. The HH burgers are McDonald's like in size, patty, and bun. Actually my patties were pretty dry and even crispy. So that makes it worse than McDonald's, except that their sauce is a little more complicated. Tater tots were crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, falling nicely apart in my mouth when I bit into em. Homage to Dick's burger was yummy, of the two bites that I had. The meat was juicy and tender. Vanilla shake was average. Seems like the shakes I've had recently are all a little too liquid-y. Is it the ice cream? Too much milk? Overall kinda pricey for what it was. If you do go, I would NOT recommend the HH burger.
(3)
Jae G.

This is amazing. The burgers a fantastic, and the shakes are even better! I don't know any other restaurant that will serve you Tots! Especially the Gavacho Totcho's! Great service, accompanied with great food. There is nothing I don't like about this place. Our server Joe was very accommodating (PROPS!) I was craving another Burger Of The Gods and Orangesicle shake the very next day! I will definitely be visiting the Lab again!
(5)
Allena L.

The waiter was nice and the food was okay. Way too expensive. I got a double basil daiquiri and it was $15 during happy hour, a single was $6. Also, there was a very long piece of hair in my food. I was so hungry that it wasn't even worth a fuss, just a heads up for others. I wouldn't recommend this place for its price.
(2)
Jeffrey S.

What's better than a burger? A burger made of duck and pork. What's better than a burger made of duck and pork? A burger made of duck and pork with killer tater tots. What's better than the duck/pork burger and tots? Duck/pork burger, tots, and a shake. And what's better than that? Duck/pork burger, tots, a shake and fries. And EVEN BETTER THAN ALL OF THAT? Duck/pork burger, tots, a shake, fries, and an order of corn dog bites. Yes, judget McJudgeys. I ate all of those things here. In the name of science. In the name of living life on the wild side. Those corn dog bites still talk to me sometimes, and you've just got to wash it all down with a shake. Honestly, there's a lot going on here, despite a pretty simple menu. I sat on the patio (heaven!) and just ate and ate and ate. It was not the greasiest burger of my life, but it ain't health food. Give in to those desires and come load up on lab food. Get a special. Get an old standby. Load up on extras. And get those corndogs.
(5)
Dani C.

Visited Seattle about a year after I had move from there and had my 16year old niece, had to bring her here. She was blown away, absolutely thought it was the coolest place. We had some amazing burgers, some killer fries and threw back a couple of kool-tangs! My mouth waters whenever I think of this place! Will def be one of the first stops whenever Im back in town!
(5)
Joop V.

3.5 stars This place has offers a variety of burger and many interesting sauces and to choose (including customize your own creation). The burgers are a tad on an expensive side at ~ $12. Pair them with milkshake (with candies/booze) and you are golden! I tried their dork (pork/duck) burger and upgraded my fries to sweet potato fries and thought they was decent..not too bad..but I heard the place is better with beef. Enjoyed the milkshake with whoppers that I ordered though...truly my childhood time favorite! :) Overall, it's a casual, fun place to just gorge on your burger to satisfy that fast food crave you might be having once in a while....much better than just going to a fast food joint....but definitely not a healthy choice to go since they pack so much calories..and not many other choices outside of burgers/all the sides like salads/fries.
(4)
Ashley S.

Food is AMAZING!! Service is TERRIBLE!!! But so totally worth it anything on the menu is bomb diggity!! I highly recommend this Place but again beware the service is terrible and slower than molasses!! So bring a snack and possibly a movie
(4)
Jeremy Y.

The food was delicious and atmosphere cool and while service was friendly, it was super slow and non-existent practically the whole time I was there and we had 2 different servers. It seemed that most of the time the employees were more concerned with having lengthy conversations with themselves or their friends. As you looked around you could see everyone else patiently waiting for their food as well. It was crowded and there seemed to be plenty of staff but it didn't seem like anyone was doing anything. But, the food is really good so I may give them another chance - perhaps it was just an off night?
(2)
Octavia F.

Stopped in for their happy hour. Employees proffered chatting with each other than helping customers, but I figured it was an hour and half away from closing and they were tired. So, finally we get a server and order drinks. The server asked if we wanted double shots and my friend said sure. My friend got a milkshake and wanted half a shot of Kahula and half a shot of vanilla vodka. I got their root beer float drink. Both drinks were way too sweet and we couldn't finish them. Then the bill came. Instead being charged like a dollar more for my extra shot they charged me an extra $6!! And my friend's $3.99 happy hour milkshake was $15. Then the servers somehow magically disappeared and we were pretty angry do we paid cash and left. I assume they can get away with these ridiculous surcharges because of their location in SLU and all the techies throw money around. I'm sorry, but I thought it was super overpriced and rude. I won't be back. Ever.
(2)
Vincent I.

On a trip to Seattle a while back my buddy and I decided we would check out what we researched to be the top two burger joints out there. We were there for the Cowboys/Seahawks game, so we figured one before the game and one the day after. The first stop was Lunchbox because it was closer to where we were staying. The first thing I noticed is how unique the burger concepts were. They had a decent sized menu, with interesting names, and even included some burger specials. We tried a couple, but the one that stood out was the Burger of the gods. The bun is locally made and organic, the beef is American style kobe, and the toppings included candied balsamic onions and blue cheese. I really like the combination of salty and sweet if you can't tell from previous reviews. Another nice touch were the adult milk shakes. Again, creative concepts when it comes to ingredients and alcohol. How could you go wrong? Finally, who can't appreciate a good tater tot. Took me back to the high school cafeteria. On a sad note, we never got to go to the other place, because they are closed on Mondays. I later found a list by GQ that featured Red Mill Burgers as one of the twenty burgers to try before you die. I still wasn't disappointed in Lunchbox Laboratory though.
(4)
Chris N.

So the last review I was just upset that they misplaced our order ticket. But every place makes mistakes so it's understandable. Came back for dinner recently with family and friends since I had cousins in town. Never knew they had the homage to dicks deluxe burger. It was just like having one of those late night drunk burgers at dicks expect I was sober and the burger was a little more fancy but boy was it good! Definitely going to get that next time I'm there and always gotta get a nutella shake on the side.
(4)
Michelle F.

Really disappointed. I always have such high hopes, but the burgers never love up to (or anywhere near) expectation. Sad panda. This last time, both our orders were supposed to be gluten free. His was not. It had to be remade. In the meanwhile, I are mine because it was getting cold. I was finished by the time his came back out. But they forgot the sauce (the only moisturizing factor on this burger) and he had to request that, too. When the bill came, it was over $50 for two burgers and a shake. Mine was only par at best (below par, truthfully), and his was so far behind we couldn't enjoy it. This experience, compounded with my last few experiences tell me that the Lunchbox Laboratory is not worth it. At all.
(1)
Rossana Y.

They serve milkshakes in beakers. How cool is that?? Being a former science student in college, I definitely geeked out when I tried this place for the first time. I shared the Truffle Love burger and Bleu Marble burger. Truffle Love was good but I felt that the burger tasted a little saltier than what I anticipated, probably due to the amount of bacon they put in...but it's not that bad. The Bleu Marble itself was actually pretty tasty and I really enjoyed the blue cheese that was in it. Add a side of tater tots or sweet potato fries and you got yourself a complete delicious heart attack meal. Oh and get the chocolate milk shake to wash it all down! A couple other cool features about this place is that they have a bar for serving alcohol as well as happy hour. I'll have to come back to try their happy hour menu which I heard was pretty good.
(4)
Camille G.

Best burger I've had in a long time- or ever! It was cooked medium well to perfection, seasoned just right. I got mushrooms that were not over sautÃ©ed at all and the secret sauce is delicious! I got garlic tots that reminded me of going to a mariners game and the garlic mayo was a perfect pare. Not too much garlic at all. The service was great as well, the server being there to fill my water cup frequently, answer questions right away, and was super personable. We got some buff pops that resembled jalapeÃ±o poppers and they were also - wait for it.... PERFECT. Not too spicy, but still had that bite that made you take a drink of water after. My kind of spicy. And to top it all off, we got a boston cream donut shake that took the cake and was definitely the cherry on top (literally). I will be back here soon. Very happy with everything and I would give a sixth star if I could!
(5)
Christine W.

I came here on my visit to Seattle. The restaurant was so cute, I loved the theme. The drinks were super delightful - they came out in beakers. And having a science background I was super excited. I ordered the toxic tang which was delicious. However my friends ordered the Folsom Prison and Snapplicious and they were not fans. The burgers were nice and juicy. You can build your own burger or get one of their famous ones like the "dork" burger (duck and pork) or "turken" (turkey and chicken). They have delicious fries or you can substitute for sweet potato fries. I thought this place was unique because it had a variety of powdered seasonings on the table to add to the fries. It was fun trying all the different flavors of seasoning. I would recommend this place if you're craving burgers and fries!! It will definitely bring joy to your life.
(4)
Gilad B.

Awesome burger experience. The guys at lunchbox lab try hard to amaze. Their burgers, sauces, boozy shakes, and apps are all fun and different. enjoy
(4)
Yah Babo D.

First time eating at this location but I would say I prefer this one over the Bellevue location due to space and views. Ordered something spicy and it sure had a kick to it. Perfect since I love spicy food. The burger was cooked well but as usual with most hamburger joints everything is soggy. But I'd rather have a juicy delicious piece of meat than a mouth drying cardboard piece of meat. The drinks were strong even though it was early afternoon we didn't care. I would go back to this location again.
(4)
L T.

Dude. This place. I saw a Groupon for it and my brother had raved and raved about the dork burger (duck and pork) so I decided to buy it. I went in with my boyfriend for their early happy hour after we got off work and it was seriously awesome. The bartender was great and super cool, personable, he knew the menu inside out and even made up the drink I was drinking (too skool for kool - which was DELICIOUS), the tatchos were RIDICULOUSLY good (I got the hot sauce on the side and thankfully because I'm a wuss and it was HOT) and the place over all was just awesome. Definitely recommend this place. The dork burger is good I'm just not a fan of duck or pork on their own but it was juicy and tasty and the sauce was great and the mac and cheese was great. I will definitely be back and will bring all my friends! This place was fantastic.
(5)
Yen D.

Fresh pork rinds and the tater tots are sooo addictive!!! Where else can you get fresh pork rinds? I came here for their hh and got their 2 cheeseburgers with a side of tater tots and fresh pork rinds. To be honest, the cheeseburgers although made with better meat than McDs, didn't stand out to me, rather the fresh pork rinds that were sooo crispy and the tater tots that were crispy and fell apart in my mouth are well worth it. If I worked around that area, I'd go there 2 to 3 times a week for their pork rinds mainly because it's fatty but oh soo good!!
(4)
Yuri R.

If anybody reads most of my reviews, they're usually positive, high scores and trying to find something good to say. I seriously tried to be generous on the scoring here and to be honest, I think this is the best score I could seriously give Lunchbox. I don't know what all the hype is about. The prices are traveling on the intersection of Exorbitant and Why? The food is only good if you like tasting more condiments, sauces and gimmick and not the actual main course. People will say, "oh no, the seasoning salts, you must try the seasoning salts!" I bet I could blindfold everybody in there, sprinkle these various seasonings over tater tots and nobody would be able to distinguish the differences. The service is okay and it should knowing how pricey it is to eat here. Atmosphere? I believe that Chili's ad more and more that more life happens at one of their establishments. It's not remarkable. I'm not big on going to 13 Coins because the clientele has gotten a little sketchy over the years but you leave Lunchbox thinking to yourself..."maybe it would have been worth potentially getting mugged to experience a delicious meal...yeah, I have regrets..." Again, Lunchbox is...different...but its definitely unremarkable.
(2)
Brett C.

Fun environment, tasty burgers, and creative milk shakes. The retro toys and decorations provide a fun ambiance as you gore yourself with mountains of meat, potatoes, and damn awesome milk shakes (they make milk shakes that taste like your favorite childhood cereals). Unleash your inner fat kid. Go to Lunchbox Laboratory.
(4)
Angela V.

The food was okay. I've had better burgers for cheaper and with better service. Service here was atrocious! I was having a nice lunch with a best friend of mine when at the end of our lunch we encountered the worst waitress I've ever met in my life. Our nice lunch here was ruined! I have never been so disrespected and treated so rudely by a customer service employee! She wasn't our server, however, we didn't see our server in awhile and flagged this one waitress down to ask her a question about our bill. We had a Groupon we had told our server about and just wanted to know if we could apply it to our bill that was handed to us earlier. After I asked her my question, she rudely replied, "I didn't hear a word you just said!" She then proceeded to roll her eyes and told us, "Next time tell your server beforehand that you have a Groupon because it's time consuming". First of all, we did tell our server right after she introduced herself and before we even ordered. Second of all, there was no need to snap at me for asking a question. She then snatched my friends phone (as the Groupon was on her phone) without saying anything or even asking her if it is okay to take her phone and walked away. She clearly was shaking her head as she walked away and came back and rudely and aggressively gave back my friends phone. The rude waitress came back and attempted to apologize...with a sarcastic and rude tone however. "Sorry it's just been really busy and all these Groupons just take a lot of time." I'm pretty sure that making the customer feel guilty and stupid is not included in how to apologize or treat a customer. I was appalled with how the waitress treated us! This person should not be allowed to have any interaction with customers ever...only if you want customers to feel disrespected, disgusted, appalled and stupid, because that is how we felt leaving this place. We felt better after talking to the manager, but I don't think I will ever be coming to this location ever again.
(1)
Andrew U.

Pros: 1) Burgers here are usually good, but definitely not the best for the price. Cons: 1) Very slow, especially if you ordered at the bar. 20-30 min is a norm. 2) If you asked for some changes, they could just forget about them, so you get not exactly what you asked. 3) Super noisy
(3)
Paul T.

The first time you go to Lunchbox Laboratory, it is a true Seattle experience. But after that one visit, the allure was truly worn off. I had the The Queen Regent from the weekly experiment menu. This consisted of lamb, Goat Cheese, Lunchbox Onions & Sweet Fig Aioli. As I am not a fan of fig, I opted out of the aioli. The problem with LL is simple: they try to hard to be over the top, and frankly have forgotten one simple thing. That is taste. Instead, you are overwhelmed with one thing. In this case, that is goat cheese. I do like goat cheese, but it was over used. The lamb meat was not at all seasoned, and tasted bland. Lamb should be juicy, and when done right, full of flavor. This had neither. Instead I tasted the earthy powerful goat cheese. Not what I want in a burger. And honestly none of the flavors mixed well, which is key for a good burger. In short, LL is fun for a first time visitor, or if you plan on sticking to what works, which is a simple cheese burger. While there are unique choices and over the top ideas, I'm sad to say that most of the time you should over look those. On the plus side, they have awesome mac and cheese, awesome drunken shakes, and mixed drinks.
(3)
Audra B.

After visiting the new LBL in Gig Harbor I took my wife out to eat here knowing she would love the veggie burger and the various stylings. To be honest, the menu is a bit overwhelming. It's not the easiest to navigate and could use some tweaking to make it more user friendly. It was a cold day outside, and I'm guessing with the doors constantly opening, it was FREEZING inside here. I'm a big gal with lots of padding, so I felt a little bad for the kids that I know must have been freezing. We each had a milkshake which was heavenly delicious. (and probably wasn't the best idea with the chilliness in the restaurant. The food was delicious, but does take a little time to get to the table. The one thing that really irked me was the waitresses decision to write on the top of the receipt what 15% 18% and 20% tip would be. I found it rude and led me to leave a lower tip than I would have normally.
(4)
Nick T.

LOVE LOVE LOVE. Could you guys please open a location in snohomish county?
(5)
Andrew W.

Burgers are usually perfectly cooked (medium rare to medium on the inside with an almost crispy outer shell).... And that's the most important thing to me in a burger place. Great beer selections too. The shakes are more milky and less ice cream which makes them easier to drink, but not necessarily better. They do have some interesting shake flavors though. Fries are just average. Service is friendly, perhaps overly so. The decor is "suburban bar" -- but you don't come here to see their lunchboxes.
(5)
Karen L.

I've always wanted to try this place, but was always too lazy to actually make the effort. I ended up buying a groupon-type deal from Bloomspot and it was expiring soon, so the boyfriend and I decided to come here on a weekday just a few days before the deal expired. I was hoping there would be no wait but we waited for about an hour! Thankfully, they took my number down and we walked around REI, but still. They were really nice about it, though, and apologized for the wait. So we ended up ordering the nutella chocolate shake, buff pops (kind of like jalapeno poppers), the Dork, and the Burger of the Gods with tater tots and sweet potato fries. Okay, so let's break it down: Nutella shake: Delicious, but small! I think 6.50 is way too expensive for such a small shake. Buff pops: Not exactly what we were expecting (our server presented us with a big plate of 3 small poppers... EH??), but they were yummy and satisfying nonetheless. Dork: Duck and pork patty. I took my first bite and felt like I got smacked in the face with savory goodness. I think it tasted much better without adding the lettuce, tomato, etc. I ended up picking them out. Burger of the Gods: Good, but not as flavorful as the Dork. Tater tots and sweet potato fries: Just what you would expect. I love tater tots and these were perfect--crisp on the outside and flaky and soft on the inside. In general, the prices aren't too bad in terms of the burgers, so come on down if you're looking for a delicious burger and don't mind shelling out a couple extra bucks.
(4)
Sarina B.

Not sure what's been going on here lately... My first experience at Lunchbox Laboratory was pretty decent. Early winter of 2013. Stopped by with a friend to enjoy their happy hour menu (awesome $5 drinks and great food prices). Second experience was spring of this year, during Comic Con weekend. Another decent experience - both times had not overly attentive staff, but present, and timely. Then there was last week. Reading other reviews around the same time, I see I wasn't the only one to experience whatever virus of terrible service seems to be going around Lunchbox lately. I'm not sure if it was due to sitting outside (it's been great weather in Seattle, can you blame us?!), or if the current staff is to blame. Stopped by last Tuesday for happy hour after work. Had slow service throughout... until it got to the point of getting the food and drinks, then it became downright terrible. Right after our food was brought out, I waited over 15 minutes with an empty drink (and no water, either) before I even saw the waiter come back around again. When we later cashed out, we were first given the black waiter's pad filled with receipts and change, rather than our bill... okay, dude. Just out of it, I guess. But then we made the mistake of coming back Friday, with friends. We again sat outside due to the nice weather. We then spent easily 15 minutes before even being greeted (the seating hostess at one point apologetically brought out a round of waters and promised again that the waiter would be by). The place was not very busy inside or out, and there wasn't an apparent reason for poor service. Waiter finally comes around and takes our drink orders, then leaves without asking if we wanted to order food. Another 10 minutes go by and we get our drinks, and the food order is then taken. The food then comes out from a server, who promises to return with cutlery (I ordered a burger without the bun due to needing to avoid gluten for health reasons). Server never returns. I continued to wait, and wait... we went inside to ask the seating hostess. Finally some cutlery arrives. But our beverages are gone, and have been for quite some time now (and again... our water was gone too). We lined all the glasses up at the edge of the table in hopes of stimulating someone to come by, but that still was another 5-10 minute delay. Overall, the food and drinks are still consistently good as they were, but definitely do not come here expecting decently basic service. Since my first two good experiences were seated inside and the past two bad ones were seated outside, I'm going to give it one more shot and try sitting inside again, but I won't be expecting much.
(2)
Selina N.

I always get French fries for some reason but the tater tots are really good! Crispy and delicious. The burgers here are not bad, much better then red robins or your regular burger joint. Sometimes the burgers are a little bit messy, but oh well. The milk shakes do look super delicious but I have yet to try one.
(5)
Saviya R.

My boyfriend and I got an order for take-away. It was the messiest, over rated burger I've ever tasted. I ate about 3 bites and I was done. 40 bucks for 2 burgers and drinks come on really? I say stay far far away!
(2)
Sergio B.

Amazing food. One of the best burgers I have had in Seattle. What ruins it is that it takes so freaking long. Lunch took almost 2 hours with 70% of it was just waiting for the food. And we even went early to try to beat the rush.
(3)
Janet O.

Wow! Thanks to the lady concierge and Yelp we dropped by. So worth it! It's located in a very nondescript area of Seattle and is quite new. Hip and artsy place. We were on a burger hunt before the sit down dinner that night and was super impressed with this place. They're supper busy but the staff here are amazingly fast and friendly. I had the Pumpkin Shake and Truffle Love Burger. To die for! The Pumpkin Shake was everything I imagined it would be. Creamy and thick and loaded with the nasty stuff that makes you forget your name:)$5.50 served on a 400 ml beaker reminiscent of your high school mad scientist days:) Juicy burger with sweet potato fries on the side. Perfect combo! I could hardly eat dinner that night. I was F.U.L.L! Outside sitting available with a heat lamp. Much needed in Seattle. Their new menu is called an "experiment". What a catchy phrase! I'm a fan! .
(4)
Aileen C.

Really think this place is overpriced. $15 for a burger (a typically casual food) ? Taste wise yeah the flavors good, but the bun is always soaking wet by the time I get it and the patty is too tall so the middle of the burger tastes extremely raw. I like my burgers a pink in the middle but this actually is pasty in texture. My server has always been great, but I've noticed that servers here try really hard to avoid any table that is not their own. And the hostess is terrible. I saw her say she would be back with a menu for the table behind me and she never did, then I asked her for a box said "ok" and went back to the stand where there was no one there and eventually did what I think is the "rude thing" and get my own box. I would recommend only coming here for happy hour. food: 3.5-4 star service: 2 star price: not worth it
(2)
Damon M.

I loved this place! My girlfriend and I went here for lunch and we were more than pleased! The dork ( duck and pork) was amazing! The service was great despite how busy they were. The atmosphere is fun and I felt very welcome! Great restaurant!!
(4)
Erica C.

We randomly decided to eat at Lunchbox one day, since we have never tried it before. When we entered the restaurant, it took a while for someone to greet and sit us down. Although, the hosted was very friendly!. The atmosphere was pretty cool, lots of things to look at. The menu wasn't too overwhelming, and they had lots of yummy options. I ordered their special that day, which was a Mac N Cheese, and some sweet potato fries. My boyfriend ordered their signature burger. The mac n cheese was really good, i could barely finish it. And who could go wrong with sweet potato french fries?!. The sad part was my boyfriend didn't enjoy his burger as much, it was overcooked and it looked like it a sloppily plated. And, the service was memorable, not in a good way. He was friendly, but you could tell he was rushing us. After, he checked on us one time, asking how everything was then dropped the check on the table... (Which in my opinion was a bit rude, only because we weren't even done with our food yet.) Overall, I'm not sure if I would go back... maybe to give it another chance to redeem itself... if i did, it would be for the Mac N Cheese!
(3)
Gina K.

Hubby and I are LBL fans but we usually go to the Bellevue location. This past Sunday we headed over to Seattle for a change. It was fun! This LBL is a little more funky and laid back. They have thier Rumpus Room with pool and video games upstairs (which we didn't partake in) and I thought their bar was a little more traditional bar-like. So they have weekly "experiments" - different toppings on the burgers and flavors for the mac and cheese and a new infused booze (although I think the booze changes monthly). I am proud to say we tried one of each. Hubs had the Sherman is greater than Bayless burger. I can't remember what's on it but he enjoyed it. A lot. I had a cocktail made with the infused booze - pear and lemongrass infused vodka. I had that in their Kool-Aid of the week, which was Blue Raspberry Lemonade. It was delicious! And the mac and cheese was parmesan blue cheese which we brought home for my daughter. She loved it. She's a mac n cheese freak and I don't think she's one there she didn't like. I had my normal Burger of the Gods. That thing is so good. I always say I'm going to have something else, and once or twice I've had an experiment that is made with the "churken" (Turkey and chicken combo) but I order the burger of the gods 98% of the time. It is perfection. And tater tots. Crispy delicious sauce holders. I usually get black truffle mayo to dip them in. Yum! My hubby, B, is partial to the Satan's tears ketchup. I've tried that before and it's pretty spicy. If these guys tell you something is spicy, it is. Our service, at times was slow, but for the most part was attentive. Water was kept full, drinks were replenished as they should have been. Food was hot when it was brought out. We sat in the bar and the bartender, Luke doubled as our server. He did a great job of keeping it under control. I love the Bellevue LBL but I think when it's just the hubs and I we may want to venture down to the more funky SLU location.
(4)
Loo M.

Their regular menu items are a little pricey. What I really love about Lunchbox Lab is their kickass hour! It's the best! Incredible deals on food with reallllly good drinks for only $4! It's one of my favorite places to go for quick delicious food and strong drinks. They also have an upstairs with free arcade games, pool, and a small scale shuffle board. Can't beat that! If you feel like spending some money, their shakes are out of this world!
(4)
Kat L.

Like many others, I think they were better when they were at their Ballard location. Prices are the same but you get less food. It's still my favorite burger place in King county and I have been here at least once a month since they reopened. So lets keep this short and sweet: 1. They have happy now, um a $14 burger for 6, hell yes. 2. Ask for the salt rack -- my personal favorite combo of salts is bacon, habanero, and smokehouse salts on tator tots! There are a lot more on the rack. 3. Milkshakes are over priced, if you're not craving it go for a fountain drink 4. Tang Mimsoas?!? hello! yes! 5. Their chip and dip taste like canned french onion dip with chunks of bacon and is difficult to dip - pass Service is always super friendly! Besides the dip, I really have never been disappointed by their food. Also feel free to make up your own burger, sometimes that's half the fun!
(4)
Steph C.

During my first visit to Seattle a few years ago, I had an excellent burger in the tiny eccentric shack that used to hour Lunchbox Laboratory. Ever since then I've wanted to go back, and was undeterred by the change in venue. Unfortunately the location was only one of many negative changes. I felt very much like I'd met a brilliant old friend, who in the interval since our last acquaintance had become a vapid frat bro with a passion for Two and a Half Men. The original Lab had personality. This one has TVs. It's spacious, which is a positive change, I guess, with a lot of tables and a decent patio. But the atmosphere is pure sports bar, the kind you can find anywhere between the coasts. Service was friendly enough but spotty. Took a long time to get basic things, like water, and the check. Still, I liked our waiter. I loved the dork burger at the old spot, and I was really excited to eat it again. I remembered the way the thick patty leaked juice down to my wrists, my pure carnivorous pleasure in digging in. This Dork came with a signature duck and pork patty, topped with Monterey Jack, onions, and garlic mayo. It was tragically disappointing. The flavors were fine, standard, whatever, but the patty was overcooked. It was thinner than I remembered by half, which might account for the difference. It yielded not a single dribble of juice. My husband Matt B. got a beef patty and his was similarly bland and dry. We had fries and chips with our burgers. Fries were mediocre, chips were pretty good. And finally, vanilla and Nutella shakes. These had great texture, creamy and just thin enough to sip. I preferred the vanilla, as the Nutella was too sweet, something I didn't find when I had it at the old spot. Matt loves burgers and shakes, and I assumed Lunchbox Laboratory would be a home run. It ended up being a passable lunch, one we wouldn't seek out in our own city. The old Lunchbox Laboratory is dead, and I guess Seattle has to deal with its boring zombie.
(2)
Davin L.

Flipping through the reviews here, I don't get people complaining about a burger costing $14. It's called quality over quantity, people. It's not hard to comprehend. Last time I was in Seattle for PAX Prime, almost my entire food budget for the trip went here. This place would've got my stamp of approval for the tator tots alone (not many places do them perfectly like LL does, much less have them). But with a delicious assortment of high quality-burgers, including the Dork Burger, tasty appetizers, unique drinks in lab beakers, and killer milkshakes, there's no way to walk out of here unsatisfied. Unless you're on a diet or diabetic. In which case, you should just GTFO. Open one in Chicago, please!
(4)
Paul M.

Over-staffed, under-serviced, and on a steady decline (which is disappointing). Once a great burger place ... Sad.
(1)
Justin I.

Amazing. If you are visiting, it is a must!!!!! I used to work down the street and would stop in for a burger and beer after work. Great place to have amazing burgers.
(5)
Stefanie F.

They have a Lamb Curry Fury burger right now (on special) that is really unique. It has a dough pouch with yummy stuff inside on top of a juicy lamb burger. I love that they offer reg fries, SWEET potato fries, loaded fries etc. options are key for me since I come here with a variety of types of people. The dÃ©cor here is really cool. The service was very good. Very accommodating to our food restrictions and had no problem double checking things with the kitchen. They currently take the Prime/passport which makes this one affordable meal! We also tried the mac and cheese , radiator style pasta, as an appetizer it's so darn good! I highly recommend this dish if you are looking for smiles and pure contentment. Their drink special are very strange, some with tang, just interesting "laboratory experiments". They have great prices for their happy hour drinks too. The shakes and lemonade come in a beaker and the shot come in a test tube within a beaker full of ice cream shake. The flavors of all the burgers are great and they do some organic items. The fries style is skinny. The sweet potato fries are good but very skinny crispy style.
(5)
Mohammed A.

Really bad service the last three times I went there. The last time I was there, the appetizer arrived aftertbe entry, they missed up our order, food was cold, and had to ask for our water and soda glasses to be refilled otherwise they were not going to do it. It used to be much better but not anymore.
(1)
Kaitlin N.

One of the best, most juicy and flavorful burgers I have had in Seattle. There are so many options and the tots are amazing. Speaking of tots, do yourself a favor and order the tachos. You will not regret it. The milkshakes are fantastic and even better when you add booze to them. The Elvis milkshake was by far my favorite. The food and drinks are a bit expensive but you will not leave hungry. One of the most satisfying meals I have had in a while.
(5)
Christine Z.

2 burgers, 4 Rainier tallboys during HH $20!!! I like their burgers... Kobe beef, average of 6 slices of bacon, unique sauces & toppings, how could anyone NOT like them?! During HH, their burgers are even better - roughly $5 instead of $13+. 3.5 stars for burgers, 5 stars for cheap HH. *** A note to all the Yelpers complaining about not being able to make substitutions on their LL burgers: Quit your whining!!!! If you really don't want to eat one of their creations, check out the BUILD YOUR OWN BURGER and make it the way YOU want! GEEZ!!!!
(4)
Emmy R.

What I ordered (as listed on their menu): Truffle Love - Super-beef patty, Swiss cheese, bacon, lunchbox onions, bacon, black truffle mayo What I got: Tear Jerker - Super-beef patty, pepperjack cheese, lunchbox onions, jalapenos, habanero mayo, Satan's-tears ketchup Things I love on a burger: Swiss, bacon, truffle anything Things I don't: pepperjack cheese, jalapeÃ±os, Satan's-tears anything Not the same. At all. Not even a little. Ok, ok...mistakes can happen. But even if I had gotten the correct burger, nothing else about the entire experience inspired me to drop another $50+ at this establishment. So sad.
(2)
Danielle C.

Service here was a bit off when I came to this place with my boyfriend and his flatmate. First, we were seated, but nobody came to serve us for a good 10 minutes. Finally we asked the hostess if someone was going to serve us, and she said that someone would be right over. Then she said she could take our orders, but when we gave her the orders, she hesitated and then asked for us to wait, and she would go fetch an actual waitress. Weird. When the actual waitress arrived, we gave her our orders. She was like, "Uh huh, uh huh" to us, but then she said "wait I have to go get a pen" ... if you were going to listen to us ordering stuff, why would you pretend that you could memorize it in the first place?! Odd. Not to mention that she was also wearing an "I love Anal" pin ... is this the right place to wear it? Or am I just not used to the Seattle vibe here? Anyway, the food here is enormous - I guess it better be considering that burgers will cost you around $15-$20 here! They top the burgers that have bacon with a LOT Of bacon (probably like at least 6 strips) - but my friend and I both agreed that the bacon was not that great, and it could have been a lot crispier. I got the "Smoker" burger - it was a patty with BACON, some onions, smoky mayo, and lettuce/tomato. It was basically a gigantic greaseball with the bacon flavor mostly masking the entire burger's flavor. I'm a bacon fan like any other, but I didn't ask for a bacon sandwich! The bar has some TVs so you can watch sports on them. A big plus. Anyway, maybe I should have gotten something else... I did get to wash my food down with red Kool-Aid (I never see Kool-Aid being served at restaurants, so big love from me).
(3)
Elizabeth L.

Holy heartburn! A delicious death, if one must. Had the Smoker - Lunchbox takes its bacon very seriously. Fries are good. The sweet potato fries were rather bland, unfortunately. Friends happily munched on the Flyin Hawaiian and the Santa Fe Slammer. Great selection of boozy shakes and ...Tang mimosa? Amazing.
(4)
Jack C.

Love Lunchbox Laboratory. Truffle Love is my go to but will also experiment with the lamb burger and the dork patty occasionally. It's a little on the pricey side but well worth a splurge for a tasty burger. Go with the fries and the habanero salt. I did recently stop in for lunch during work and it took over 90 minutes to get our food and get out. The waiter never explained what was happening or even apologized. The food was great as always but the bad service and communication was concerning that things might be slipping so I'm going 4 stars instead of 5.
(4)
Peter D.

I got the Dork (pork+duck) burger with sweet potato fries and it was surprisingly good. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it had loads of flavor. It was not tough at all, but rather soft and moist. I don't understand when people complain a burger is too tall to eat...that's not necessarily a bad thing really. I opted to cut it in half which made it way more manageable. The sweet potato fries weren't soggy or greasy, but had a nice crunch to them. I also ordered a Banana shake and that was super good. A small, which isn't that small left me wanting more. There was a deal, buy 1 burger, get the second for $5 which meant everything came out to $10.96. Definitely worth it! (Deal's after 3pm only for a limited time.)
(4)
Kristen E.

Visiting Seattle for the first time and we stopped here after a night of wandering the city (around 9:30 pm-ish). We were seated quickly and our server was very attentive and friendly. We tried the dork balls (recommended by our server), tearjerker (with avocado added) with sweet potato fries, burger of the gods with skinny fries, and a nutella shake. Yum. Good portion sizes, a fun take on burgers, fries, and milkshakes! The tearjerker is indeed just that, pretty spicy! I added avocado to sort of thwart the heat. The burgers are messy and kind of difficult to eat due to the height of the bun and ingredients kind of spilling out but it's a tasty mess. It's not fussy, just good, fun food. If we're ever in the area, we'd probably stop by again!
(4)
Kate S.

My burger pwned me. There was never any hope. The moment it came out I knew I was done for -- I mean -- there was more bacon on the sucker than there was patty! I forged on bravely, but I should have not ordered a milkshake. I was weak and half price happy hour prices made a Nutella Shake sound irresistible. (And it was quite delicious!) I should have ignored the side of crispy tater tots I got. But fancy flavored salts (the smoked and the rosemary being my favorite) lured me into popping several of those delightful potato snacks into my mouth. My burger was waiting though, patiently. Cheese oozing menacingly, a delicious layer of spicy green guacamole threatening to drip onto my face and clothing -- so much so that no amount of napkins could protect me. I started my attack with a knife, thinking perhaps if it was cut in half I could manage. I lacked the necessary skills, and couldn't even hack my burger in twain. It laughed and bled the aforementioned guacamole all over my fingers. At this point I was desperate, and pounced on it like an animal - biting and chewing, knowing full well this was a last ditch effort and I would never make it. I forged on valiantly, but in the end there was no way I was finishing. It was a delicious defeat. Next time i'll return better armed, and hopefully will finish whatever mad Frankenstein burger creation I come up with.
(4)
Sam C.

Been here twice for trivia night thru Geeks Who Drink! I love the theme of the restaurant and the food as well. Burgers are pretty epic and filling -- a good sloppy mess to fill your tummy. Shakes are terribly good as well -- you can actually taste the flavors/candies that they mix in. Triple thumbs up for that! Parking can be difficult, but that's not uncommon in that part of town.
(4)
Sandra S.

I really like this place, it's fun, and has a great menu. Not all of their burgers are a hit, but I like that there are so many options to customize your food. I've brought a few people with me here and it's always a blast, great when you have people visiting from out of town but don't want to get stuck in the Pike Place Market trap.
(4)
Jessica H.

I ordered the truffle love burger it was pretty good. The bun was toasted on the grill and the truffle mayonnaise was pretty delicious. The kobe beef patty was grilled just right. Lunchbox laboratory is delicious and I would definitely go again but their ad in the front says "where 6 slices of bacon is just average." I love bacon and all but the bacon was a bit overwhelming. This was the first time I have ever had to take bacon out of something. These guys are a bit pricey but you can't expect kobe beef to be cheap.
(3)
Joshua B.

Now I see what all the fuss was about. Recent news about the owner's untimely passing actually prompted me to check this place out (is it morbid to mention that)? He definitely leaves behind a legacy of burger innovation and yumminess. RIP Scott Simpson - I poured out some burger grease in your honor. I had the Burger of the Gods and it was one of the better burgers I've ever had. Yummy beef, with the right amount of marbling and spices inside of it, topped off with blue cheese, gorgonzola and carmelized onions. The sweetness of the onions was a great match for the melty cheesy goodness. I also had tater tots on the side (just to spice things up a bit). My kid got a kid burger (plain, natch) but it was also fantastic by itself. I thought the savory dipping sauces they brought out were a nice touch as was the array of "homemade" salts - as if you needed more salt! Half the menu is taken up by a "build your own creation" burger menu and the other half is the salads, appetizers and specials of the month. It's a little overwhelming for a first-timer, but for these prices I'd expect lots of options I wouldn't get at a normal burger joint. You can always add extra cheese or bacon to anything, and they're pretty flexible on the sauces (except on the speciality burgers). Lastly, if you have a vegetarian with you there's at least a bean patty option. Which brings me to why I think there's such a range of reviews here. When you're charging upwards of $12 for a burger, people will have really high expectations. I think that the flavors alone merit a positive review, but I can see that those who frequent lots of the new fancy burger joints might fail to see why this is worth the 25% premium over any other place. Reminds me, in a way, of Po Dog - the fancy hot dog place. Some people just can't get over paying $7 for a hot dog - and if that's you - stay away from Lunchbox Laboratory too. This location right around the corner from Cascade Park and REI lets me feel like I can burn off my burger - just a little, anyway. I'll be back, for sure, but not often. Neither my pants nor my wallet can take it.
(4)
Matt C.

Cool venue with decent music and laid back decor. The servers and waitstaff were prompt and friendly with plenty of recommendations when asked. The shakes are top-notch, can't find any better quality. The burgers are unique, delicious, well-prepared, and fast. They constantly have new "experiments" on the menu and most are very tasty. The skinny fries aren't really my favorite but I understand many people prefer them prepared that way. If you are interested in a burger for lunch or dinner you would be hard pressed to find a better option than this and the milkshakes are a must have no matter what you order to eat. Trust me - they're worth the splurge.
(4)
Cash M.

5 Stars is just not enough, this place was a total surprise and its so close to us. Well after we lose the 10lbs of weight we put on we will be visiting with a vengeance! The in house drink... "giggitty" was priced good and tasty. The weight staff was also super friendly and working the tables like a rock star. Only complaint, the shared bathroom between MAD pizza and this place was a total mess/stinky inside. First world problems. We did go on a Sunday late afternoon so we had plenty of seating if you have a child with you/stroller. 100% looks like a bar from outside but family friendly once inside. They also have nice music selection playing while you are devouring your food.
(5)
Howard L.

This place was Washington's winning entree for Food Network's "50 States, 50 Burgers" contest, so I had to drop in. I tried the signature dork burger - duck and pork patty, garlic mayo, carmelized onions, and some monterey jack cheese. It was sort of like a turkey or veggie burger, and while I enjoyed the novelty of it, I prefer beef for burgers. It's on pricey side at $12.99 for about a 0.4 lb patty. They had some nice looking Kobe beef burgers, and I may try to return one day for one of those. Lunch with a dork burger, a side of sweet potato fries, and a Nutella shake at $6.50, came out to about $26 all in. You can also custom order your burgers any way you want them. It wasn't super busy when I was there, and it took maybe 15 minutes on the burger.
(4)
Jenna S.

The Smoker Burger made me wish I could Marty McFly myself an hour in the past and eat the burger for the first time all over again. My dude was too busy with his face buried in the Truffle Love burger to notice that I was about to leave him for this burger. If you don't come here, you're an idiot.
(5)
Samantha E.

Apparently Lunchbox Laboratory is kind of a big deal. It was on a friend/coworker's Seattle Bucket list, so a group of six of us tried it out last night. Their burgers are made out of Kobe beef. Really, you could stop reviewing right there, because I don't think it's possible to make anything bad out of Kobe beef. They were cooked perfectly-- even though they're not that thick, they're still a little pink in the middle. "The Smoker" and "Big Blue Marble" both got good reviews at our table. The pescatarian went with the black bean burger and said it was good as well. I did a build-your-own with beef, pepperjack cheese, lunchbox onions, buffalo ketchup, and mayo. While it was possibly one of the messiest burgers in my lifetime, it was also one of the most delicious. I had the potato salad and it was tasty, but I wished I'd had the tater tots. (Note to self: going to burger places when you've given up deep fried food for Lent will make you sad.) The shakes were good as well; I can vouch for the chocolate cherry especially. Service was fast and friendly, if not particularly memorable. She was good about splitting the check. They also had a good drink and beer selection. I ordered a Fat Tire and was kind of surprised to get a can instead of a bottle, but I am loyal to New Belgium and not a bottle snob, so we're cool. Lunchbox Laboratory just may have lived up to the hype. RIP, Scott Simpson, your experiments were highly successful.
(4)
J K.

They moved to my neighborhood! But it's just not the same without: * The super cramped line * The overwhelmingly confusing and towering blackboard menu * The inadequate seating * The one waitress frantically taking everyone's orders * The wall of lunchboxes from my childhood * The gas-station-style bathroom outside * The cars noisily rushing by * The dirty... everything I thought I would prefer to eat a burger in a nice, normal, clean restaurant. I thought I would appreciate a calm, courteous waitress. I thought I would like the cushy seats. But I didn't realize that the original Ballard location was more than just burgers and tots. It used to be an experience. It used to be hard work. You had to earn the burger. Now it's just too easy. But the burgers are still good. The tots are still divine. And the shakes are still to die for.
(4)
James M.

When I came to Seattle I visited the original hole-in-the-wall location of Lunchbox Laboratory in Ballard. It was small and a little dirty but the food was amazing and original. Now that they have moved, they have dramatically improved their facilities and I'm sure their business has improved with it. They have taken the metal lunchboxes and transferred them to their new home in South Lake Union. With their move, the selection of food drinks and sides has expanded, but I can't help but notice that the quality and that little something that made their burgers unique has changed. Their burgers were made from what they called "super-beef" (3 high cuts of beef together or something like that), I'm not sure if this is still true... History aside, this is my go-to place for a burger in Seattle. It is also a place I only go to once or twice a year because I go all out on orders and it can get incredibly unhealthy. I usually leave so full that I can barely walk and can't feel my left arm (if you know what I mean). Their sign out front does say, "Where six pieces of bacon is just average." Take a look in to the owner and his story if you have the time. They have expanded on their name as a "laboratory". Milk Shakes come in beakers (spike them with test tubes filled with your choice of alcohol) and changing burger recipes are called experiments along with other food items. If it's your first time here get the Burger of the Gods, the Dork, or a burger with lamb. Order the tots and make sure you get all the variety of salts provided (look for the bacon salt). Get a milkshake; I recommend the Nutella or Boston Creme Donut milkshake. Service is good. I've never had to wait for a table. It's a relaxed and informal setting. Everyone seems down to earth. They have inside and outside seating (good during the summer). Waiting for your food can seem a long time when you're hungry and you see a messy burger served to someone next to you. Prices are a little high in comparison to other burger joints, but I think you get what you pay for. And for a place I only go to once or twice a year, it's not a wallet-braker by any means. My mouth is watering now, go take a look at the pictures on their website and I can guarantee yours will too.
(5)
Harold B.

This location has folded more times than a summer lawn chair. It's not bad. Great Burgers...of coarse it's the most exspensive Burger You will ever buy. Cool theme until you realize they have drilled holes through all the 70's memorabilla...(Painful) ...If you are starving, just happen to be in the neighborhood, and just got paid...I highly recommend it! Meh. I've experienced better.
(2)
Caitlin R.

I'm not really a burger kind of girl but I LOVED this place and am already dying to go back. They have some awesome pre-created burgers but what's even better is they have a great "make your own burger" menu with ridiculously delicious spreads and options. But be careful, they are HUGE portions! Oh, and don't forget the boozey shakes. Always a plus! Definitely go!
(5)
Faith Y.

First of all, check out their new menu STAT because they revamped it and tossed in some salads, appetizers and new burger offerings as of 3/25/11. Of course not that I would know the difference because this was my first steps through LL and after the experience, although satiated, I felt a supreme sadness that I hadn't fought harder to try their old location in Ballard. The space is big with a bar right smack dab in the middle but it reminded me of a very public, very busy burger joint. Not what I pictured when I thought of a local burger dive that's won piles of awards and accolades and the admiration of Yelpers nationwide. We tried one of their "experimental" appetizers: Buff Pops. Basically jalapeÃ±o cream cheese flash fried in medium sized balls w/ buffalo/sour cream sauce on the side. The cream cheese was half frozen in the middle and I just felt like I was eating giant gobs of cream cheese which is all kinds of gross. The waitress replaced the appetizer w/ a different one which was yet another cream cheese concoction of salmon cream cheese and sesame crackers (our choosing though). Tasty but wholly unremarkable, I could easily put it together on my own w/ groceries from QFC. The Burger of the Gods was pretty measly compared to everyone else's burgers and fine enough. Again, nothing to write home about especially for $13 and that was one of the cheaper burger options on the menu. Even though a friend and I split a burger and appetizer, it came out to $20 per person. Puh-leez, that's just preposterous. Some pluses and suggestions (not all of which I tried mind you): - Vegetarian is a bean patty - They have a "dork" patty which is a mixture of duck and pork. Score! - A bajillion sauce options but none which are offered with the fries, sweet potatoes or tater tots. Why not? If you got it, flaunt it - Handmade shakes in a multitude of flavors w/ seasonal rotations (beware, it'll set you back almost $7 and doesn't come with extra in the original shake container a la Red Robin) All in all, I'm most likely going to continue to take my business to Red Mill or Blue Moon. Both have tastier burgers in recent memory and won't kill my wallet. The ghost of their reputation precedes them and I wish them luck but won't be raving much about this place in future.
(3)
Sarah M.

I was really bummed that there was nothing very appealling on the happy hour list burger-wise. It was mostly plain burgers or burgers with cheese. Then you had to pay for the extras which kind of defeats the purpose of happy hour. So lucky for them, we ended up ordering off of the regular dinner menu. We shared a nutella milkshake which was PHENOMENAL. Let me rephrase...my husband ordered a nutella milkshake which I then stole from him. We took turns stealing from each other. Most would call this sharing except I'd hardly call it that since we were both to try to sneak it away from the other. We probably should have just ordered another one. Lesson learned. Oh, and it came in a beaker which made it 100 times cooler. I had the Truffle Love burger with sweet potato fries. While I'd skip the fries the next time around, the burger was also AWESOME. I loved the truffle mayo on it. The burger was evidently greasy but not the disgusting kind (aka Dick's burgers). It came with all of the fixings and I could barely get it in my mouth! I loved the carmelized onions on it, too. The bacon was a little fatty for my taste but obviously still made it delicious. This place is WAY expensive for a burger. Around $34 for 2 burgers, fries, and a milkshake. I say come here for the burgers and a shake for an occasional indulgence.
(4)
Noelle M.

I got the veggie burger and sweet potato fries. The veggie burger was ok- morning star black bean burgers are way tastier and thicker then the burger here. The sweet potato fries were delicious! And the sauce that came with it was good too. I'm giving it 2 stars because the service was horrible. When we got there the hostess was not at her station and when she did get there she quickly picked up the phone and had her back towards the door, twirling her hair with her free hand. We ended up sitting at the bar because there was no wait to sit there. The bar wasn't even busy but it took a very long time to get our drinks and for our order to be taken. Everyone who worked there seemed stressed and customers looks annoyed with the lack of service. So for ok food and horrible service I don't think I'd go back.
(2)
Jocelyn F.

when i told people we were going to seattle, this was the place that was recommended to us! We stumbled upon it by accident, and I really wish I was more hungry, because everything we had was fantastic! For starters, we got a free side of tots with dipping sauce for "liking" them on facebook. Awesome! We had the buffalo ketchup, which was so good, I wish you could buy it by the bottle! My husband had one of the experiments, the hong kong hot wings. Delicious! I had the burger of the gods with bacon, sweet potato fries with sweet chili mayo sauce. So good,I really wanted to wash it all down with a boozy shake, but my husband would have had to roll me back to the hotel! Great meal, one of my favorite places we ate in Seattle. We will be back :)
(5)
Jean Y.

If you've never been to the old LBL, you can probably skip this review. I can't stop comparing the old and new LBL in my head, so this review focuses on comparisons. The burgers at the new LBL are good, but they are missing some of the intensity and overall decadence of the burgers at the old LBL. The burgers have gotten smaller, and the bacon slice count seems to have decreased - not that these are bad things. On the bright side, I can now actually finish a LBL burger without feeling nauseous, but I don't feel as wowed by the first few bites either. Other things I noticed missing from the new menu: -mac and cheese :( -different types of flavored salt to go with tater tots :( -1/2 lb burger option :( Just kidding. I'm not sad about this one at all. My only attempt at eating a 1/2 lb at LBL made me feel like shxt for hours. The overall vibe of LBL has changed completely. Old: Run-down shack with eclectic wall decorations and rickety tables with cracked glass tops. New: Yuppy location with high ceilings, booths, and a full bar. Old: Order before you sit down. Get snapped at if you somehow failed to understand all the ordering options. Pick up your own silverware and napkins. New: Get greeted by a hostess and attended to by a server who encourages you to take your time with the menu. Old: See and smell the burgers being made a few feet away. New: Kitchen is removed from customers. Old: An entire board of daily creations where each burger is a name and a list of ingredients. Another board with overwhelming build-your-own-burger options. New: A pageful of burgers, each one with a cheesy paragraph-long description that has the ingredients in bold letters. A bit dumbed down. These changes are not all negative. The location change was probably better for business too. However, LBL has lost a lot of the eccentricity that really made eating there memorable and made it a cool place to take out-of-town guests.
(3)
Allison A.

I used to love this place in Ballard. But the service at the new location kind of sucks. I'm not sure if that's because the place is so big compared to the old joint and it's harder to manage, but last week we ordered two burgers and it took about an hour to get 'em. And it was not super busy, servers were just kind of spacey. Knowing this, we asked for the check as soon as the burgers came...and it took almost 30 minutes. We had to ask three separate people before we finally got a response. So whatever, I get that everyone has off days...but this is totally par for the course here, lately. The whole place is having an off year. I love me some Burger of the Gods, but I don't want to have to commit to an 1.5 hour meal to get it.
(2)
Praisye S.

This place was one of the best burgers I ever had. I had a moment of panic when I heard the Lunchbox Lab in Ballard had closed, and when one of my friends told me that they moved to downtown i'm very happy about it. The concept of the place is really nice compered to the one in ballard. I was pretty disappointed with the limitations of the new menu at the first. The burgers are way smaller and don't taste the same now. Also, no more Mac and cheese as the side dish is a big disappointed for me. I really dont know what happened to them. It's definitely a step down!!
(2)
Nikki H.

So. An update is in order. It's about a year later and we've been back a handful of times. It seems to have gotten worse and worse each time. This afternoon we decided that we're never going back. I found myself questioning the quality of the ingredients. I didn't mind the prices before, but for the prices, I don't want to feel like I'm in a dive bar that happens to serve food... We don't eat a lot of "junk" food (sugary sweets, breads, fried food) and I was actually kind of pissed off that I wasted one of my few junk days on lunch here. No longer enjoyable. (I have a very strong suspicion that the tater tots are just Oreida or something...) Below is my original review:// We just finally made our way over to Lunchbox Lab. We LOVED it. Even the milkshakes, which I got though usually am not a huge fan of - wow. Boston Creme Donut milkshake. YUM. I go the Truffle Love burger, my husband got the Homage Dick's Deluxe, for sides we got the tater tots and mac n' cheese. We have no complaints at all. Everything was really good and they were super nice to our 16 month old son (who got many bites of all our food). Yes, the burgers were a little messy to eat. So? As for the prices - I have to laugh when I read reviews complaining about the price of the burgers. You do realize these are primarily KOBE BEEF burgers, yeah (in addition to the lamb, etc)? Please read up on Kobe Beef and it's quality + price before complaining about $12 burgers. If you want burgers that cost less, then go somewhere that does not serve Kobe Beef burgers. If you see Kobe Beef on the menu, you should know what to expect.
(3)
Debra H.

The Good: Good location, no wait on a Saturday at lunch time, easy parking. Tater tots and sweet potato fries were delicious. Good service. The Not so: Churken burger overly salty. Homemade chips and dip, thought the chips might be freshly made and warm (not) and the dip just wasn't good to us. Others at the table enjoyed their burgers.
(2)
Gerardo D.

As paleo eaters, we are doing a tour of the various burger places in the city. When we go out for burgers we try to stick to "basic" paleo eating for major things (no bun/lettuce-wrap, sweet potato fries) but we allow ourselves some indulgences like dairy, some batter, we don't change or remove ingredients from burgers, etc. Lunchbox Laboratory s paleo-ness: bunless burgers are an option, as well as sweet potato fries. Also you can have double patty and extra bacon on all burgers - music for paleo eaters ears. Food suggestions: Every burger is special and great in its own way. The Burger of the Gods remains a staple, but also the more innovative Dork or a more classic Smoker don't disappoint at all. Appetizers are also great, our favorite is the Buff Pops - not strictly paleo though. On occasion, we go for a cheaty milkshake since they're really good. Ambience: casual. It looks like an old diner, and when it's hot they have an outdoor area. 5 stars: great burgers, great sides, great appetizers, good location, paleo friendly. What else?
(5)
Raquel D.

Sooooo... after a couple of days of eating the most delicious, healthy meals in Seattle, we came to this place. Hmmmmm. This place was delicious, don't get me wrong! I just left feeling so sluggish and stuffed. It is exactly what you want, if what you want is a messy burger on a slightly greasy bun. This is seriously not an insult, because I do sometimes crave a messy burger on a slightly greasy bun! This is a good thing, I swear! I just don't think it was what I was craving when I actually had it. But! With that said..... I had the Native New Yorker burger. What a tasty hot mess! Buffalo ketchup, monterey jack.... mmmmmmm. So good. And so many side potato options! I had the tater tots, which were unfortunately not very good. Kind of just tasted like straight up oil. My friends chose the fries and the sweet potato fries, and both were delicious, with the sweet potato fries stealing my heart. We also ordered the chips and dip for the table, and those were phenomenal! That dip was the bomb. The overall impression of the burgers my friends had ranged from disappointment to complete happiness. The disappointment came with the fact that one friend's burger basically had raw bacon in it. This is a friend who always orders crispy-bordering-on-burnt bacon for breakfast. So that wasn't so hot. Now. For dessert. Kind of. THE SHAKES! We started on these before our burgers, but didn't finish them until after. Super indulgent. Yowza. I had The Drunken Elvis. I've never had an alcoholic shake before and was slightly scared, but oh man. That was delicious. It is served with a little test tube shot that you invert into your milkshake on your own. That alone was adorable. Friends had the Nutella and the Reese's Peanut Butter, non-boozie shakes. No complaints here! All-around awesome. So..... yes, I would definitely come back to this place and try another burger and shake. Maybe on a moody day when the only thing that can make me happy is chocolate and greasy foods. (If I lived in Seattle and wasn't just visiting, I'm pretty sure I'd eat here at least once a week.... woooof.)
(4)
Richard A.

Stayed away from Lunchbox Lab for a year and a half, decided to give it another try last Friday. Burger had a yucky bitter taste possible from an unclean grill but I was too tired & hungry to send it back. Plate was served with a wedge of still wet iceberg lettuce that was supposed to be my garnish. Bun was cold. Why can't they do what is supposed to be their core competency well? Tater tots were Ok if not very warm. Chocolate milkshake was very tasty although I'm not sure why they serve them in an iced tea glass.
(2)
Sharon F.

Warning: CAPS LOCK ALERT! I stumbled upon Lunchbox Lab on my first week in Seattle. At first I was confused - was this a resto that needed to be wacky to attract customers, or was it wacky because it's awesome? Two hours and a food baby later, my suspicious were confirmed. It WAS awesome. AND wacky. AND I just died and went to burger HEAVEN! My friend and I popped some Buff Pops, became Dorks (duck pork genius!) and my mouth is still crying over the Tear Jerker (not for the faint stomached). To this day I still cannot figure out how they make their Lunchbox onions and have ruined many an onion on research. Our server was super friendly and had an impeccable knowledge of the beers they had on tap. Only beef (pun intended) was that it took a long time for the burgers to come out and during that time I drank more beer than I wanted to...that may just be part of their wacky master plan. Come here to feed an ENTIRE starving village and leave satisfied!
(4)
Elaine P.

Couldn't wait to try out the burgers after seeing the pics on the website. Decor was fun and campy. Unfortunately the decor couldn't trump the sub par offerings. The hamburger patty was mushy, and way too rare. When asked, the server informed me that all patties were cooked to a medium rare. There was no sear. It looked like the burger had been steamed. The bun was grease logged. i gave up after eating 1/3 of the burger, though the server avoided asking if there was a problem. Fries were fine. Shakes were the highlight, though small and spendy. They rang in at a whoppin' $6.50. I'll stick with Zak's in Ballard.
(1)
Tina O.

I was so sad when they moved because their original location was right by my house. And in their new location, they don't have the huge overwhelming chalk board full of build-your-own-burger items on the menu, though, I heard they will bring that back eventually. Their Le Truffle Love burger is amazing!!! I will always go there for an excellent gourmet burger but be ready to spend some $. About $13 for a burger but worth every penny. RIP owner Scott Simpson. You left behind quite a legacy.
(5)
Scott A.

Great place for lunch. The new location is much nicer than the little house they used to be in. The burgers are great, but they are a bit overpriced for what you get.
(4)
Minda W.

Good! Tasty! The beef burgers here are very delicious. The dork was waaaay soggy though. Their boozy shakes are interesting in that they basically just give you the shots on the side to pour in on your own? Kind of a messy endeavor, haha, but not really many complaints. Their fries are tasty as are their chips and sweet-potato fries. Their Satan's Tears ketchup was really good too! I wouldn't recommend the dork, but I will recommend their burgers!
(4)
Ramzey S.

Ordered a Kobe Beef burger with Lunchbox onions, BBQ, Pepperjack, Sweet Potato fries, and a Nutella Milkshake. The meat was cooked just the way I like it, but at 13.99 - it better have been. While the shake was good, I'm not sure if it was 6.50 good. Presentation of the food is great. Plates come out clean and modern
(4)
Ravi G.

Had the Dork burger, pretty good. Waitress was friendly. 4 stars, but knocking one for the unfriendly hostess.
(3)
Michael F.

The burgers are definitely 4 star. The sides are OK including red potato salad and sweet potato fries. The noise level is so deafeningly loud all we wanted to do was hurry up and get out. My head continued to ring after leaving. This is one of Seattle's best burgers and, perhaps, as a take out it might be possible to enjoy it. As it is, eating in it's impossible to enjoy your meal. About that pricing: lunch for two, no alcohol, no extras, and a tab reaching $40 seems steep Kobe beef or not.
(3)
Kenrick J.

Great burger place with exquisite milkshakes. The prices are good and the burgers are not too heavy (if it is at all possible)
(5)
L G.

Wow - I love this place. Best burger and best milkshakes in Washington. Perhaps the entire Pacific NW. I just wish my diet would allow me to eat here every day.
(5)
Sheila L.

Different location but still the same great tasting burgers plus more! The plus more would be the added appetizers such as their dogsticks!! Mini corn dogs dipped into their homemade sweet corn batter and deep-fried to perfection with two sauces - BBQ and a pesto kind of sauce. SO good! And the restaurant itself is even better now with open space and high ceilings. Definitely more room to stretch! My sis and I came here and we ordered a nutella shake, dogsticks, and the Hothead burger with a side of sweet potato fries.. All split in half! It was all really good and we were so stuffed!! They also will bring out their different salts if you ask such as their cinnaspice salt for the sweet potato fries. :)
(4)
B B.

I've been here twice and I think the food is pretty good. I'm only giving four stars because I think the burgers and substitutions are a little pricey. Between the decor, the food and the shakes, this place delivers a diner vibe more than anything else. The burgers are messy, but good, I appreciate that they have a gluten free option for the bun, but it's a dollar extra for the substitute! Whaaaat?!? That's a little steep on top of an already $13 burger. The shakes are delicious, both spiked and virgin. I think this is a good place to come when you just want to eat a lot on a relaxed Friday or Saturday night.
(4)
John K.

My girlfriend works at Amazon, so we went to this place for lunch because it was nearby. Would not recommend. The service and atmosphere were great, no complaints there. There are some interesting burger choices on the menu--it looked promising. The problem with this place is that the burgers are too damn expensive for what you get. It literally cost us over $40 for two burgers and a coke... The food tasted OK, I've had better, but it wasn't bad. The burgers were somewhat small, and stacked fairly high (which made it difficult to bite). The fries came in a small round bowl next to the burger. The value was simply not there. I'm not asking for Dick's-type value, Lunchbox just charged too much ($13-16) for an average tasting burger.
(2)
Missy M.

Great food awful service. AWFUL SERVICE. Too bad, the food is great. Not worth it though.
(2)
Suor K.

Great addition to the South Lake Union neighborhood. This is a great place for lunch, if you can get a seat. It gets very busy around noon, but if you come early you'll get a spot immediately. I had the Truffle Love burger and a vanilla shake. The shakes are quite tasty, and so was the burger. Be prepared to get messy as the burgers are quite large. The burgers come with a side, one of which is tater tots!
(4)
Natalia G.

Best Comfort food Eva!!! Ok, if you are feeling like you need some good mac n cheese, some bomb burgers, wings,nachos, fries, milkshakes------THIS IS IT!!! Words cannot describe how mouth watering all the food here is. Its called a laboratory because they invent amazing dishes, nachos with tater tots, wings inside a wonton with blue cheese dressing, skinny fries (super yummy). Happy hour couldn't be cheaper, they even make up their own alcoholic beverages. This is a must go place before you die. Go, go, go!
(4)
Victor T.

Best burger in Seattle. I do miss the locale in Ballard. My heart still goes out to the chef's friends and family. He had a genius food mind and is the reason I still stuff my face with his creations. Thank you, Scott Simpson.
(5)
Mohammed R.

I started going to the Lunchbox lab when it was in Ballard, it was a great experience. The new location has several pluses: More seating, more drinks, outside seating area during the summer, happy hour prices for happy hr. Over all it is great. The only minus is some minor changes to the menu. My only wish for lunch box lab is to offer a whole wheat or a whole grain bun, and an organic burger, after-all this is Seattle and not the south.
(4)
Karen H.

Great everything! Seriously, its ALL good.
(5)
Greg R.

So here it is, two months later. I said I'd go back and see if they ironed out the kinks. I've actually been back a couple of times before this, both times hoping that this would be the day we'd find the expanded menu with the appetizers, that the burgers would be fixed, only to be disappointed each time. We had this labeled as our Last Pilgrimage, in honor of the untimely death of Scott Simpson (RIP, sir; you will be missed). We were going to go one last time, make sure they hadn't in fact expanded the menu or corrected anything this time either, pour one out on the patio for our old burgers, and never come back again. Rarely have I been happier to be wrong. Kinks: ironed. Appetizers: served. Mac and cheese: back. Burgers: repaired. Dork: returned. Salts: at your table. Big board: on the menu. It was like waking up on Christmas morning and finding everything you wanted under the tree, along with a few things you didn't even know you wanted until you found them. The appetizers were not *quite* as amazing as they had been that first Saturday on the Grand Re-Opening, but they were still excellent. The Buff Pop Fritters were soggy, but the filling and sauces were as delicious (and spicy!) as I remember, and the outer coating still tasted good, even if it lacked stiffness. We also ordered some of the new pork rinds, which seem to have been cooked in-house; they were light and airy, and went well with the provided ranch dressing (extremely thick, creamy, and well seasoned) and an interesting vinegar-based sauce whose ingredients I couldn't quite place. Some other appetizers we didn't order, but were on the menu, were the old Carnival Dogs, as well as another new item which is apparently smoked cream cheese and crackers, which doesn't sound quite Lab-by, but it's there if you want it. There were salads too, but coming to the Lunchbox Laboratory to get a salad sounds like trying to get a good steak at Cafe Flora. Still, if you want 'em, they're there. Shakes? Yes please. I had Maple Bacon. A special shake for the day introduced in the finest experimental Scott Simpson tradition, the sweet and salty did a great job offsetting one another and it went very well with the savory feast to come. Nutella shakes were also ordered and they were as good as we recall them from the Old Days - no odd crunchies this time. Then came the piece de resistance, which put the burgers front and center, back in the spotlight where they belong. While there's still no option for a 1/2 lb patty, they will double patties up for you for $3, an option we all chose to exercise. I had the Dork -- yes, the dork's back, and there's a burger on the menu named after it. It was moist, greasy, well-seasoned, and all-around delicious, with the jack cheese, garlic mayo, and Lunchbox (seasoned, sauteed) Onions rounding out the flavors nicely. And yes, when I bit into it, it exploded satisfyingly onto the plate, dripping goodness throughout the meal, just like Scott intended. The buns are not the overly starchy, fast-food-style buns of two months ago; they are smaller versions of the original organic Kaisers, well-toasted and satisfying, holding the burger together properly without invading your mouth with a doughy aftertaste. They've also cleverly shrunk the buns, so your burger now exceeds its boundaries properly despite the patties being the smaller quarter-pound ones. My fiancee' had Tom Selleck's Mustache, which is served straight up as a double Kobe beef, double cheese (american/jack) burger with bacon, garlic mayo, and spicy ketchup; this too dripped everywhere and tasted exactly how a burger once touted as the best in the world should taste. Our other companion rounded out the mix with the Big Blue, a new burger with blue cheese and bacon, and double patties. His shirt is still suffering from the initial bite where the burger blasted bacon and blue cheese all over his chest. I think this is exactly how it should be. He reported great satisfaction when his mouth was empty enough to respond to questioning. The mac and cheese, as previously mentioned, is also back, and this was considerably better than it had been on the Grand Re-Opening. They offer only one flavor right now, but that flavor is enough. It's your basic American/Cheddar mac done perfectly - saucy, super cheesy, and all-around delicious. Prices are still high - our meal came to about $100, before tip, for all three of us. But that's OK. I'm willing to pay extra over the old place to get a comfy booth, nice servers, and alcohol option. Service was, by the way, plenty good, if a little harried. They were super-busy, after all. My companion mentioned, at the end of our fabulous meal: "This is still not quite the best burger in the world. This is just a tribute." Possibly so. But they've finally turned the new Lunchbox Laboratory into a place that is a fitting tribute for the old, and that's good enough for me.
(5)
Jolynn P.

Awesome burgers! They were pretty darn messy to eat though! Service was good, always made sure our water was filled and everyone was really nice! We wanted to get a booth instead of a table and they made sure we got a booth as soon as possible! Minus one star for the overcooked fries though but will definitely be back!
(4)
Erica L.

This place is so cool! Has a really fun vibe, and the servers/hosts are all really nice! Came here for the first time for a lunch date, and we had so much fun! Great for hanging with friends, dates, and family time! The mac'n'cheese with crumbled bacon was so creamy and cheesy, and the Caesar salad on the side was good too! My boyfriend got the super burger with blue cheese, and that was yummy too! Also, try the milkshakes! We got peanut butter and it tasted just like a blended reese's cup! Overall, this place was delicious, and had reasonable prices as well! Definitely coming back (:
(5)
Katherine C.

This place has some great burger combos. I like that the fries are shoestring. The burgers are very filling and huge. The shakes are great. The appetizers are big so be cautious on ordering or you will fill up before the burgers. The spicy burger isn't spicy.
(4)
Vicky L.

Company event here. Good place for party. They didnt provide cocktail that day, but the milkshake was not bad. Refreshment is all about cheese, since it is not my thing, no comment on that..
(3)
Christopher Z.

Pros: - Really interesting burgers. My favorite is the dork (duck+pork). - Good alcoholic milkshakes. Lots of different choices and they give you a good amount. Cons: - Burgers are too big vertically. There's no way for you to get the buns between your teeth. - A bit on the pricey side. Probably will cost you around $15
(4)
Jennifer D.

Start your review...Great menu for the burger fan! Cool cocktails and a fun and funky vibe.
(4)
Thuy D.

Not much of a burger fan, but I actually enjoyed what I had here alot. First time ever that I was able to finished the whole burger and fries all by myself and that says alot. Forgot what I had, but it was delicious and goes down great with a nice beer. The down point is that it's a bit spendy for a burger, came here with a half off coupon. Would like to come back here again, but not sure if I want to pay full price for it. Service was pretty slow....took a while for our server to get our order and he basically disappeared once we got our food.
(3)
Daniel K.

really good service and happy hour, they also have trivia nights on Wednesdays...
(5)
Kevin M.

I checked out this place and unfortunately didn't care for the place full of smoke and prices for the burgers seem to be a little out of control food was sloppy and burger was under cooked. I also think wait staff seemed too busy to help anyone
(1)
M T.

I loved the original, greasy lunchbox lab shack before it moved to South Lake Union. The more modern lunchbox lab is still nice and the burgers are decent. Went for late night milkshakes and fries the other night and the Girl Scout Thin Mint Milkshake I had was pretty fabulous. The skinny fries were perfectly salted, next time I'm getting tater tots.
(4)
Natalie P.

I happened to be here with some friends for the late night happy hour on a Tuesday night and ordered a Boston Cream Donut shake. It was definitely worth it with all the goody bits of fudge on the bottom. I haven't tried their food, but since the milkshake was so good, I'll have to come back and give the rest of the menu and huge selection of salts a shot.
(4)
Jess M.

Vegetarian Burger Review: I really wanted to love Lunchbox Labritory. We've been twice now. Both times the veggie burger has been a disappointment. It tastes like someone just mashed black beans out of a can together, with no seasoning, and then deep fried it. It is mushy, bland and too big for the bun it comes on. Both times have left me with a stomach ache. Additionally, the sweet potato fries are not that amazing either. We did try a milkshake the first time we went and it was pretty darn tasty. My meat eating cohorts did enjoy their burgers.
(2)
Chelsea V.

The menu here is an amazing and decadent list of American junk food, and everything works incredibly well together even if some combinations sound like a chain restaurant fever dream. I never order the same thing twice! The shakes are also pretty wonderful. My only reason for 4 rather than 5 stars is that sometimes the service is a little unfriendly and/or slow, but it's never been anything serious or that would prevent me from returning. I will wait for the tater tots as long as needed!
(4)
Sarah Y.

First of all, it took 20 minutes to get my take out order (all i ordered was a burger with tots on the side) When I finally got to eating it about 10 minutes later, I was highly disappointed. The tots that came as a side tastes better than the burger I paid 14 dollars for. There's bacon on the burger and it still didn't save it. The sauce was messy and tasted like a combination of mcdonald's tartar sauce with mustard... I came here with high hopes after checking out the menu online and seeing it featured on a few sites when I was checking out dining around this area - as I'm at Seattle for the first time. Definitely not worth the money when it comes to the burgers.
(1)
Julie S.

Ok, we all know the food is good so I'll get onto why this place was worth a write :) I came here for a 40th birthday party upstairs and I had a blast. I was surprised at how kid-friendly this place turned out to be. I also love the old style arcade games that we could play for free. So my boyfriend and I finally got to beat "House of the Dead" without running out of quarters and bills. And the banquet room has their own bar. On my list, for a great venue for a party.
(4)
Nerick M.

I've heard many great things about Lunchbox Laboratory and had to try this out with some friends for happy hour. They have a nice outdoor area for those sunny days after work. I ordered off the happy hour menu and thought it was a great value for what I got. I had a couple of their sliders with sweet potato fries and an awesome Boston cream milkshake. Oh, man, that shake was killer. I would recommend any of those shakes with their burger dishes. I have yet to try their signature burgers and am looking forward to it whenever I'm back in that area.
(3)
John M.

Gut buster, which didn't exactly live up to the name. In some ways a good thing. I had the Dick's Deluxe burger which was good, but heavier still in how it hit me. The tater tots were so so and the nutella shake was not as heavily flavored as I would have expected. To its credit I prefer Lunchbox Laboratory to either Uneeda Burger, or The Counter which are pretty much the same deal. Overall kind of a meh..
(3)
Paul R.

Really really great burgers....I would go back again. One thing to take note of is not sure why all the flavored salts when my fries came coated in salt from the kitchen est
(4)
Casey Y.

Best burgers I know, priciest burgers I know. Their new location is definitely much more modern and roomy (huge plus) than the last one. I enjoy the emphasis on experimenting with food and think that more restaurants need to push this kind of philosophy. Awesome selection of sauces, meats, burgers, sides, etc-
(4)
Shawn M.

Delicious burger joint with bar (that's all it is but for a burger place it's very good). They don't seem to do much else but the burgers were exquisite. Portions were adequate, not huge but we left satisfied. Staff was friendly and quick, place was clean. We came early evening and there wasn't any ambiance to speak of that time of day. As far as value you'll pay more here than at say Red Robin/Applebees.
(3)
W C.

Overpriced, too salty, just very difficult to eat. Definitely not going back.
(2)
Sandro M.

This place is heaven if you are a meat-eating, carb-loving, beer-drinking human over 21. The burgers are outrageous (try the dork meat, you won't regret it) and I dare you to eat one without getting it on you. The onion rings, breaded in panko, are some of the best around. Seriously. You also get some great service here. Ryan, Chris, and Matchew make it that much better. Seriously, eat here.
(5)
Melissa C.

I used to love this place, but after coming in several times and trying out at least half of the burger menu, I have to say I'm a bit disappointed at how many of the burgers taste so similar and are quite greasy. The dork (duck + pork) is definitely an interesting twist to traditional burgers, while the truffle burger has zero truffle taste and their take of the dick's secret sauce is just thousand island dressing. Last time I went, the tater tots were so oily that oil drip out of them! Their shakes, however, are so heavenly that I think it's worth to just go for the shakes. Having old school arcade games upstairs is definitely a plus! :)
(3)
Chris C.

We had heard of this place but never been before. The burgers all seemed interesting, though the place is somewhat pricey. The "Dork" patty (Duck + Pork) is very good. We'd definately go back, but because of the price, it'd be an occasional occurence, not a regular one.
(4)
Joshua M.

This place is ridiculous. If you go and don't try their rotating Mac and cheese, you've lost your mind. Burgers, tots, Mac and cheese, and brews. It doesn't get better than that!
(5)
Ryan B.

One of the best burgers I've had and even better shake!! For the price you cannot beat this place!!
(5)
Mercedes B.

I had been wanting to go here for a while and I missed going to the Ballard location. The service was good, and I lucked out and made it for their Happy Hour pricing. Yay! I got a cake batter milk shake (which comes in a beaker), a Native New Yorker burger with added bacon and sweet potato fries. The burger was great. I loved it. Same goes for the fries. The milk shake was delicious but it seemed small compared to the size of other milk shakes at other places? It could have been because of the container it was served in. I'll make sure to go back but only during their Happy Hour since the prices are so much cheaper.
(4)
ChefRD M.

Not bad !!! Had a dork burger and a hot-head burger. Dork was just ok, hothead was awesome! Sweet fries and crispy (they were!) tots were great. Paid extra for some dipping sauce ... But didn't get enough to make it worth it. They had a bunch of extra flavored salts... All were greasy and needed to be cleaned. My table just happened to be the table that the staff would squeeze between instead of going around... This was really annoying. And a bit on the expensive side. So the food gets a 4, everything else a 2.5 .... So 3. . I will totally return for that hot head burger! It was a big ,messy, yummy burger! ( maybe just take away next time )
(3)
Robert Y.

Officially found a burger joint better than Red Mill! I had the truffle love burger and it was perfect... The bacon, the bread, the truffle mayo.. all reeeally good... they even had tater tots... I don't think I've had those since high school :) Two things I didn't like with Lunchbox Laboratory is that the prices are kinda steep for burgers and you cant get rare or medium rare...
(5)
Casey W.

Came back for another try. They have added the build-a-burger option. The options are a bit overwhelming. The Satan Ketchup is now Satan Habenaro and a lot spicier - overwhelming actually. Maybe two grades? It was good - one burger is still enough for two.
(4)
Hety O.

The food and shake is really good but the service SUCKS! This is my second time here and both times were horrible. I thought I would give it another chance but nothing has changed. Regardless if the food is good, I will not come back.
(2)
Harley Q.

HYPE- don't believe it. My expectations were way too high and as a result was a bit disappointed. I work a few blocks away and tried it out on my lunch hour. After waiting 1/2 hour or so for the overpriced ($13.99- truffel love burger) it that wasn't anything that rocked my socks. Not to be too compainy but we sat by the door and patrons were overflowing the tiny waiting area and never closed the door, normally I wouldn't care but it was 40 degrees outside. Overall, not the greatest.
(2)
Linda M.

Best burger ever! Colin is darling.
(5)
Ty H.

Pretty simple review-- THE best burgers and shakes in Seattle, with an unbeatable happy hour and an overwhelming amount of choices.
(5)
Sarah B.

For some reason I found the wrong address online for this place and when I called to figure out where they were located the guy who answered the phone was a complete asshole about it. Otherwise the food was pretty good.
(3)
A N.

It really 2.5, but I'm rounding down. The burgers are just ok. Lots of fatty toppings to try to hide the fact that the burgers are just ok. tater tots were room temperature, that's a no no. Again lots of fatty topping combinations, but nothing that blew my mind. I think I would have liked this when was in highschool or college. I guess my palate has become more discerning. I wouldn't go back with a groupon type deal, and i wouldn't suggest this for u either. If you want a great burger go to west Seattle and visit the swinery.
(2)
Michael A.

This is one of the best burgers I've ever had...very messy though!
(5)
Bret M.

Loved the Burger of the Gods. Their Angus is fantastic and the honey cured bacon is amazing. I really enjoyed the sweet potato fries too. My GF was happy with the Gluten Free buns and said the ingredient quality was terrific. She raved about the basil mayo, which I found quite tasty.
(5)
Peyton B.

The food is great, one of the best burgers I have ever had. However; the pricing is out of line, about 40% above mark up would still leave them a substanial profit. When i want to pay 13 bones for a burger i will make it myself. Fyi...i am a chef in seattle, nothing against this joint but it is just stooooopud.
(3)
Carrie B.

I was looking forward to this because I love meat and especially bacon. Well, the prices are astronomical and the food is... adequate. It really wasn't the huge portions everyone mentions. Six slices of bacon? Only if they were gnome-sized. It was good, just not epic. And the nice sweet potato fries needed a dip. One 125-lb woman and one toddler left satisfied, but not wowed. Go to the Market House corned beef place instead - same neighbourhood, cheaper, and at least half a pound of meat on every sandwich.
(3)
Mikea R.

I ordered the naked burger. My patty was kinda cold and bland and my fries were really greasy. So I probably won't be going back.
(2)
Greg F.

The burger was great, although smaller than I expected based on the menu description and the high price. The beer selection was fair, with a small selection on tap but a pretty good supply of bottled beers. They skimped on the sides and served fries in a little tin cup. Cute. Maybe I'm spoiled by the burger places that serve a cheaper, larger burger that is more food than anyone needs to eat in one sitting. LL's burger was good, though. Service was friendly. I plan to return and try some of the other speciality burgers on the menu.
(3)
Joe P.

Absolutely amazing burgers. Great place if you love bacon, as they just pile it on, but each of their burgers are great in a special way. Definitely a place to go for a burger fix. I have friends an co-workers that rave about the place and they haven't even been there.
(5)
Joseph D.

Enjoyed our lunch here. Right size to share. Tasty.
(4)
Ellie L.

mmmmm! :) so good. I had the dork (duck and pork burger) - ohmygosh you need to try this. definitely going back to try the santa fe burger too. everything on the menu - salads, experiments, everything - sounds so delicious. their buns are organic and their meat is fresh kobe beef. their crispy tater tots are perfectly crispy. they've also got a decent happy hour - order a drink and the appetizers/happy hour menu is decently priced. they've got whopper, resse's, and nutella shakes - yum! the one bad thing with the "experiments" is that there are no substitutions allowed. they also charged 50cents for ranch :( still, totally worth it.
(4)
Nelson Y.

Don't let the 3 star rating fool you. This is the best burger joint in Seattle... now it's pricier than other places, but their innovation and pure tasting bliss makes it a special occasion everytime you go. Order the Dork burger with tater tots, and you'll have to agree with me.
(5)
Chris Y.

I agree with many others here...the new LBL doesn't have the same charm as the old place. But nonetheless, still one of the best burgers in Seattle. I had the Burger of Gods and pretty close to the old LBL, but for some reason it looked smaller and flatter. Maybe less caramelized onions??? What I miss the most is the small All Clad pots they put the tater tots in...I really hope they reconsider bring them back...
(4)
B G.

This is my favorite burger in Seattle end of story. I've been to all the other custom burger joints in town, some are here, some are gone, but this place and some of the history behind it is almost like a "landmark" to me. I love the blue marble burger and their tots are always perfectly golden. The appetizers and drink/cocktail choices are innovative and tasty. This is my go-to place for a good gourmet burger.
(5)
Rhondalei G.

I had the Truffle Love with my fave, sweet potato fries! Also had the Scooby Punch with my meal. I actually had 2 and they creeped up on me. The patty was juicy, but I wished for more truffle flavor. Overall, a good meal and I will be back to try some of the other tasty looking burgers on the menu.
(4)
Thaddeus G.

If you're an astronaut or just love Tang, this is the place for you. Either way it's a great place to get a burger.
(3)
Eastlake B.

About once every 2 weeks I get a craving for a Burger of the Gods. Hands down the best burger I've ever had...although the Native New Yorker comes close. Last time I was in, I had a cupcake batter milkshake and was glad I did...although I'm not sure my wasteline did.
(5)
matt C.

Awesome truffle mayo on a perfect roll. Love the sweet potato fries!
(4)
Michael H.

Great food, a tad bit overpriced for lunch. On 2/12/12 I emailed management with my recent dissatisfying experience with slow service: "I just got back to my desk after devouring a delicious lunch at your SLU location. Despite how amazing the food was, I received awful service from my table's waiter. We asked our waiter a total of FIVE times for the check before he actually brought it to the table with no apology for forgetting. The times we asked for our check ranged from when we first received our food to the time our table was cleared of our plates. It's not just this particular waiter either! I've been to LunchBox Laboratory a few times since moving to Seattle in September and each time has been particularly slow service, especially when it comes around to getting the check. Most of the time this is not that big of a deal, but today I nearly missed a meeting as a result of our waiter's negligence. It's unacceptable and his tip reflected that. Hopefully this gets into the right hands; I would hate to never visit LunchBox Laboratory because of bad service."
(2)
Junior B.

This place could be so much better than it is. Their food is alright and it's a really good idea, but this restaurant reeks of a place that has no manager and is instead run by it's immature staff. I'm not a customer service Nazi. All I need is someone to be cordial and bring my food/beer and I'll take it from there. However, the young hostess that seated us both times that we were there was extremely rude. The bartender was too busy taking "smoke" breaks (which is fine as long as I have a full beer first) and trying to act cool to be bothered much. I don't like going out and having the staff act as though I'm inconveniencing them. The two stars they earn are because they have vegetarian options (but not for happy hour/lame). There are plenty of establishments in Seattle that are happy to have your business so I would suggest supporting one of them instead. They really need to get a manager in this place cuz it has so much potential.
(2)
Torstors D.

meh. a bit spendy for a burger joint. its nice that they have an outdoor patio for those gorgeous sunny days. not super blown away by this place and would likely not return.
(3)
Marie B.

best burger ever!!!!
(5)
Karen C.

Wanted to give it 2.5 stars. Food was great. Atmosphere was fun. But service was left to be desired, and the prices are inflated. You can't go wrong with either the sweet potato fries or the tots. Warning: no dessert menu, but you can always order one of the shakes as a dessert. Probably won't go back.
(3)
Rita F.

Okay, I gave them another chance and I'm a lot more impressed this time around. The menu is still pretty limited but at least this time they had the veggie burgers. All the burgers sound amazing, I could hardly decide but I have to say, the burger I ordered was delicious. I think it was called the smoker. I'm really not a fan of their fries (too skinny and crunchy) so I always go for the tater tots but they have this jalapeno ranch that is absolutely amazing! Definitely stick with the taters and jalapeno ranch...you won't be disappointed.
(4)
Ava A.

I've wanted to try this place since it was in ballard, so when my friend had a groupon, I was excited to go. We got the Hothead and the Big Blue Marble, cut them in half and shared so we got to try both. They were just OK-the meat wasn't dry, but it was more greasy than juicy, and for kobe, not that flavorful. The bacon was lame-thin sliced and kinda overly chewy/stringy. Even though one was supposed to have blue cheese and the other pepperjack and a jalapeno ranch sauce, we couldn't really taste the difference! Thank god we had a groupon, because for $14/burger I expect much better. Nothing was bad, but nothing was great, and I won't be going back.
(2)
Tali H.

The Dork burger was delicious and the Nutella shake was tasty! I ordered pork rinds as an appetizer, but I didn't realize how many they would give me. They gave me a MOUNTAIN of pork rinds. It was kind of intimidating. The rinds weren't even that good. Also, the service was pretty slow when I was there, but it was midday and the restaurant was quite crowded, so I'm not gonna hold that against them!
(4)
Stacey P.

I love Lunchbox Laboratory! Their burgers are super delicious. Their "Burger of the Gods" is divine. It is just perfectly cooked with delicious gorgonzola cheese with blu cheese crumbles on a tasty bun. Their Barbie Banana-tini is light and tasty. A great drink for those who love bananas but don't want an overwhelming taste. I had their corn dog appetizer and was thoroughly impressed. Best corn dog that I have ever had. The greeter was lukewarm at best. He seemed annoyed that we didn't want to sit outside for trivia night, but being that I was with a group of friends who hadn't seen each other in some time we wanted to be able to talk among ourselves. Our waitress more then made up for him though as she was prompt and courteous. When our drinks took awhile she stopped by the table and told us that there was a backup in the bar. I don't know if we would have noticed if she hadn't said anything, but that she did was very professional and we appreciated that. There's a lot of paid parking lots around the restaurant, though I would recommend that if you go late at night, go with a group. The first time I went to Lunchbox it was very late at night and we parked a little over a block away from the car. On the way back we were followed by two guys who kept ducking out of sight if we glanced back at them. We quickened our pace and got in the car. Once we were in the car they went back and hid behind a pony wall. It didn't scream safe.
(4)
Coty H.

I love Lunchbox Laboratory. Their burgers are my favorite in the city. They have their own experiments you can try or you can customize your own burger. The prices are a little expensive, but completely worth it in my eyes. They offer gluten-free buns but unfortunately the tater tots and fries are not gluten-free (they are cooked in the same fryer as other items). Don't forget to try their cocktails and milkshakes (but you really have to go with a big appetite for those!)
(4)
Kimmy C.

I have never been to the original location that was located in Ballard. The waiter told me that the old one only had 3 tables with a long ass line. Also, there were more menu options in the old location. Everyone was telling me how disappointed they were because they took out a lot of their old menu items. This one was very nice and large with plenty of seating. I came on the second day that it opened. We were immediately seated in the large booth. I ordered the truffle love burger it was a good burger. It wasn't amazing as i thought it would be because it was sooo salty. Every one of my friends at the table complained on how salty the burger was. The bun was delish. It did not fall apart like the burger buns from The Counter. I also had the nutella chocolate shake which was delicious... but extremely filling. I can't believe a shake costs 6.50..... Our waitress was nice and helped us split up the check. Bonus points for her. Shouldn't servers be grateful for the splitting of the checks. Generally, they get more tip when the checks are split anyways. Tip 1: Parking is not so fun in this area... prepare to search for parking. Tip 2: TATER TOTS
(3)
Brad R.

Fantastic place to grab a gourmet burger and a beer in the South Lake Union location. While it may not be the best in the city it's definitely worth a visit. I love the sweet potato fries and all their burgers are made with Kobe beef. There beer selection is better than average and the atmosphere has tons of cool decor to talk about. My only complaint would be that it's a bit loud, otherwise it's a great burger. Like any good custom burger joint, it's going to cost you a pretty penny so don't come here if you are looking for a discount burger. My recommendation would be to add goat cheese and get the habanero dipping sauce.
(4)
Romero M.

Good food, although it is kind of a gut bomb. Milkshakes were amazing. Big portion sizes, you could probably share and both be full. Overall, I would try them again.
(3)
Pat F.

Had heard positive things about Lunchbox Lab in its former location in Ballard. I noticed the new location in South Lake Union on the way to REI. Returned a day later and was disappointed by the experience. There was a foul-up in getting a seat; it took nearly twenty minutes. The hostess gave us a milkshake for our difficulty. It was quite good. Can't say the same for burger. First the buns were huge and bland...the meat was dry and overcooked. My burger was called the Homage to Dicks. Next time I will just go to Dicks for a better burger and save $12. I advise you to do the same.
(2)
Sam T.

I come back here for the sizzle of pork rinds...they are consistently the best I've ever had...and they still sizzle and pop 10+ minutes later... The burgers are solid - they modified the Dork which was needed... Still hit or miss for me...and more miss...but still worth coming back and trying something else...the sauces and happy hour are solid...
(3)
Kristen F.

I feel a little bit foolish after writing my previous defense of LL. I returned for my third visit to the new location and to be completely honest, I am not chomping at the bit to go back anytime soon. What happened to inspire such a 180? Two words: The Service. My second visit is the exception -- we were quite pleased with our server's demeanor and helpfulness, but my other two visits...man. We had this snippy, rude waitress who made every requets seem like it would take a gargantuan effort on her part. News flash: you're serving hamburgers. Get over yourself and respect that I am a paying customer who deserves good service. I am not an overly demanding patron, I am friendly and outgoing, and I tip very well when I feel it's been earned. More upsetting than my server's attitude was her willingness to follow directions. I ordered a burger to go for my manly vegetarian man - the truffle love with a black bean patty instead of beef and minus the bacon (I explicitly asked for this!). It was a less than pleasant surprise for him when his first bite included the ends of three strips of bacon. Don't get me wrong, I'm still a fan of the food. I ordered the carnivoricious bliss of the original truffle love and, apart from being overwhelmed by the saltiness of the bacon, I have to say that it was worth fasting during the following few days (swimsuit season is just around the corner. maybe...). It's my absolute adoration for Lunchbox's embrace of excess: all burgers are chock full of exotic, inventive, gourmet ingredients and biting into that burger is almost like falling in love. The high quality food redeems Lunchbox Laboratory, but I'll only go when I feel combative enough to take a beating from bitchy servers.
(3)
Madison G.

I've ate here twice now and neither times have I been dissatisfied. They truly make amazing burgers. Unknowingly, both times I went was during their "Kick Ass Hour" aka Happy Hour. In all honesty, I probably wouldn't go back during a time when it wasn't HH. The burgers I ordered from the HH menu are $14 on the regular menu and $5 on the HH menu and there's no difference in size. Sure, there's a few good burgers on the regular menu not offered on the HH menu, but you can add your own toppings for .50 on a HH burger to make it the same and it will still be cheaper. The first time I went, they were slow but the staff was friendly. This second time, they were slow and didn't give the best customer service. It took them 5 minutes to see my dad and I in the "Wait to be seated" area and then when he sat us down, he walked away and some other guy came by 3 minutes later and basically threw the waters on the table silently and walked away. Our waitress was nice but never checked back until she gave us our check. It was pretty bad since it wasn't even busy.
(3)
Solisco G.

A-OK! The burgers taste good, the sweet potato fries are good, the potato salad is good, and the milk shakes are great! The food is all good, but the burgers are a bit messy with all the suaces and toppings. The milkshakes come with a test tube look-a-like full of alcohol, never had that before and wasn't sure how it would taste... but it was great! It was all good but I think I would rather have a more simpler burger. I did not see the calories listed on the menu, but the burgers seem to be packing some serious calories. Especially if you wash it all down with a milk shake.
(3)
Jay H.

In the swirling mists of Seattle there is a legend that is only spoken of when the full moon rises and shadowed beasts flap their wings to the beat of the hoofed steps of the ravenous horde. This legend speaks of an epic burger and disastrously magical shake that will drive the most steeled mind to ruins. As is the case with most legends only parts of the tale are true. There is a swirling mist, there is a ravenous horde and there is some slightly less than magical food. Leave your glaive and sorcery at home, kids... it won't be needed to slay your hunger here. I had very high expectations for the LL and really it was just a matter of high expectations meeting high prices, having a baby they named low food yield and all of them opening up a restaurant together. When I dined here after a Sounders game there were only a few people inside enjoying quiet conversation and all manner of noms. The gal who seated me was a bit curt but I find that is the case at a lot of Seattle establishments so I don't take offense at it. While I waited for my buddy and his lady friend I was left to my devices... which really means I was ignored for 15 minutes so I played on my phone (on Yelp Talk I'm sure). Broseph and lady arrive and our server arrives in a puff of smoke and sparkles. She never really comes across as anything more than borderline friendly... like you couldn't be sure if she was joking when she just called you a cotton headed ninny muggins. The joint was clean, well lit, decorated with all manner of cool wall art and lunch boxes. I really enjoyed looking around while my friends and I conversed about worldly affairs and had only the most intelligent conversations. The bathroom was hidden inside a labyrinth. At any moment I was expecting David Bowie to banish me inside an oubliette BUT the bathroom was clean and well lit so it's all good in the hood. I ordered a chocolate chip mint shake. It tasted a little odd and came in a glass the same size as my hand. No, I'm no giant cyclops with monstrous hands; I'm merely a man with an appetite and normal sized man hands. So the shake was odd tasting and small. Take a Sharpie and write disappointed on my forehead. Burger and fries time! YAY! Put it in my mouth! I made my own burger with cheese and bacon and meats and enticing things like sauce and goodness. I put so much stuff on my burger that when it arrived on it's tiny little bun with it's tiny little self I felt my stomach cry and my taste buds packed up and took a vacation. I was literally shocked at the size of the burger... especially for the price. If we're being honest with each other... it was a damn fine burger. It was quite delicious for the four mouthfuls it took me to devour it with my normal man sized mouthhole. My fries were quite good and crisp. I ate most of them sans sauce (they do provide all sorts of seasonings to dump all over... everything.) and after everything was said and done I found myself still hungry, wondering why it cost so much and if I would be judged by my cohorts or God himself if I ordered another just to fulfill my need to not be hungry any more. Alas, that golden fleece was not mine to be had at that juncture... my hunger stayed and we left. I would come here again if someone owed me a lunch... and I would fore go the shake and order double on my burger and fries. It would be delicious and satisfying. But if you're looking for a good cheap burger, fries and shake there are many other places to go that will provide quality portions with their lower prices and they won't require a burger buffet of sorts. So bottom line here is don't fall for the illusions and be prepared for your normal sized tummycase to not be filled but your taste buds will likely love you for your burger noshings.
(3)
Tina W.

Contemporary burger joint. You can build your own burger or choose from their very large selections of burgers, sides, and appetizers. They have a large selection of meat types and toppings: duck, chicken, pork, bacon, beef, lamb, cheddar, blue cheese, Swiss cheese, goat cheese, etc. They even have variety salt and seasonings on the table. We tried the rosemary salt and liked it. I ordered the burger with the balsamic onion on the menu with a side of sweet potato fries. The burger was very sweet due to the onion, I never had a sweet burger before. I am a McDonald's kind of person, so the gourmet burger tasted good but not crazy good to me. I really wanted to order a shake with my meal, especially the Nutella one, they have a large shake selection, and they all sound so good, but I couldn't order them because I wasn't able to finish even half of my burger. They sell quarter pounder only, so it might be good to split a burger with someone then order a drink and/or a appetizer. I will definitely come back again with a certain picky eater who insist on having only All-American style food and dining experience. Eating can get messy around here, but they do a good job keeping their tables and chairs clean, I appreciate that. I give 3 stars for the food, plus 1 star for the novelty experience.
(3)
Patrick L.

After hearing about it for so long, I finally got to try it out. I never visited the old location, but the new location is right by a couple of my fav shops (REI & Sno Con). Ample outdoor seating which was great for sunny days like today. Plenty of tables/booths and bar seating inside too. I like that they give you the option to build your own burger, customizing every aspect of the burger, much like The Counter & Five Guys. It just so happened that our late lunch coincided with their afternoon happy hour, which worked out great. It's a very limited selection of burgers, but they are about 1/2 price, and sides are $1 off. I ended up eating 1/2 of a Burger of the Gods which was got some tang from the balsamic onions, and they were conservative with the bleu cheese which wasn't too strong either, so it didn't overpower the burger. I also had 1/2 of a Native New Yorker, to which I added bacon for an extra buck. What a deal, b/c it was something like 6 strips of bacon! It was my fav of the 2, but a little too much ranch slathered on it. I really loved the buns, buttery and toasted to perfection. Sweet potato fries met my expectations pretty standard. Same with the anorexic/skinny fries, which are basically just shoestring fries. We asked for a recommendation for something special to dip it in, so the waitress got us some pineapple mayo that normally comes on the Flyin' Hawaiian burger. The hint of citrus and sweetness was really great. Interestingly they refused to cut the burgers in half in the kitchen, but did provide knives so you can do that yourself. Apparently this place is open til 11 at night, so I can definitely see myself returning for some late night fat kid action one of these days (I mean nights). Bottom line, the burgers were good, but honestly not worth the regular $14-15 pricetags. You can find burgers elsewhere that are just as good or better for that price or cheaper. At the 1/2 off happy hour pricing, the burgers/sides were worth every penny.
(4)
Lisa H.

First place I went to in Seattle. It was delicious! They had the Arrested Development special so my friends and I got the following: - Steve Holt -- Slow-Roasted BBQ Pulled Pork, Cheddar and Coca Cola BBQ Sauce with Sweet potato fries. - I Just Bleu Myself -- Super Beef, Bleu Crumbles, Bacon and Red Wine Bleu Cheese Butter with Mac fries. - The ShemalÃ¨ -- Churken (Chicken + Turkey), Swiss, Bacon, Lunchbox Onions and Macerated Kumquat Puree with Crispy tots & Bluth's Original Chocolate Frozen Banana Shake. - Mediterranean Marvel -- Lamb patty, feta, lunchbox onions, pepperoncinis, basil pesto mayo with Crispy tots. (I am a sucker for pesto!) They were all delicious! The servers were really friendly too! I really enjoyed this place.
(4)
Thomas L.

This is not a place where you can find value... but the novelty and how good the burger is make up for the high price of the items. I had the tearjerker and it had a nice kick to it, the only negative was that the patty needed a little bit more seasoning, other than that the rest of the burger was well-balanced. I also love that you can choose to have tater tots instead of fries (or sweet potato fries, chips or potato salad). Classic: oreo cookie shake served in a beaker. I'm going back for some Truffle Love next time!
(4)
Jayme T.

I was quite disappointed by lunchbox laboratory. Their burgers were mediocre and lacked flavor. I tried the New Yorker. Their bun wasn't ordinary. It wasn't toasted or had any noteworthy flavor. The burger meat was lacking in flavor. It didn't have a distinctive taste. It seemed like a thicker McDonolds burger patty. The buffalo ketchup was overwhelming. You couldn't taste the ranch because the only buffalo flavor took over the whole burger. In additional, it was so messy, I had a hard time eating it. The tater tots were good. You can't go wrong with tatter tots. They were nice and crispy, just how I like them. The mac n cheese was a nice surprise. It had a strong Parmesan flavor. the spiral noodles make the flavor stick better than other types of noodles. The mac and cheese was probably my favorite part of my meal. The almond joy milk shake had the potential to make me fall in love, but I was left disappointed. They did a good job of obtaining the flavors of the almond joy but it had a tangy/tart aftertaste. I'm not sure if it was spoiled milk or what. =/ Overall, I don't plan on going back. The server was kind but the quality of food was there for me.
(3)
Pradeep R.

Pretty good burgers. A little greasy for my taste though :( The milk shake was mind blowing, literally :D
(3)
Tom M.

Should try the nutella shake... The experimental burgers are lovely and so are the regulars... Good happy hour timings...
(4)
Susie G.

Their burgers are HUGE!!! One could easily share one! The corndogs are also super yummy! Great drinks, Great Food!
(4)
ty p.

W Lis Cort Jordan gotta love the cocktails and delicious burgers 2bomb Hype was well SUBSTANTIATED , best burger no question, big time essential bakery buns Kobe patties and killer toppings,w FOUR DOLLAR drinks!
(5)
Mydao H.

To me, it was simply not the best burger ever. It was actually burger and bacon overload. I can't believe we spent $50 for two people and we didn't even get any alcohol. The both of us each ordered the Homage to the Dick's Deluxe burger, $13.99. WTF. I got taters and my friend got chips. Burger was super huge it wouldn't fit in my mouth. I had to take it apart and eat just the patty. I couldn't taste the cheese or the sauce, just tasted the grease and bacon. I l LOVE bacon, but they put way too much bacon on it and it was just a salt and grease feeling in my mouth. We also ordered the mac and cheese, but it was made with Blue cheese and some other cheese, and although the flavor itself was good, it was also really salty. The restaurant space is nice. They didn't make much changes from when it was South Lake Grill, just different decor with old school lunchboxes throughout. The best thing about this place was the hand dipped shakes. At first it was kind of weird because it was pretty much melted ice cream. We got the Nutella shake ($6.50) and they split it in two small glasses for us. I give it 2 stars because it was just ok and I felt like crap afterward because it was just too much crap I shouldn't be eating anyway. Too expensive for ok burgers.
(2)
Opal D.

Updated menu with lamb, bean, and duck/pork mix burger patties as well as the classic kobe beef! Delicious and absurdly large portions. Brought a coworker and he was astounded by the place - said it was the best burger he's ever had. Took all my will power to resist getting a shake (tip: they can do those to-go)! Metered street parking in SLU. They take credit cards. Good service.
(4)
Mallory G.

This place is super fun. They have a cool layout and a really chill staff. You can customize an awesome tasting burger (I had duck and pork with truffle mayo) and add things like bacon salt and Satan's Tears ketchup. I took family from out of town here and they loved it. Prices are reasonable and servings are large. Plan on it being a bit greasy but really tasty and unique. I'm excited to come back and check out their happy hour.
(4)
Doston R.

I dislike this chain a lot. The burgers are so-so. The "super beef" isn't even grass-fed. The staff is unhappy to be there. Go ahead and try it, but there are no real redeeming qualities. It's got a lot of "flair" for sure - a lot like a TGI Fridays has flair, which should have been the first red flag. If you want a similar quality burger, go to Blue Moon burgers a few blocks away and pay half the price (for grass-fed) with less hassle and less flair. If you want a burger that's actually worth the price you'll pay at Lunchbox Laboratory ($13.99 for a burger, on average), you'll still pay less at Uneeda burger in Fremont for a FAR superior burger. Avoid this rip-off and its miserable staff - they'll serve up your over-priced burger with obvious disdain and you'll walk away thinking "huh?".
(1)
Robert G.

The burger looks small but it's tall..and delicious! And anyone who loves Nutella, get the Nutella milkshake! So good. The fries and the tots are perfectly fried and the decorations are really cool. I saw some drinks being served in beakers. I like the idea of having different experiment items on a different menu. Pretty expensive, however, hence the dock in one star.
(4)
Katie C.

Deliiiiicious burgers! I'm totally in love with the dork patty- a magical blend of duck and pork that's warm and fatty and drool-inducing. Mmm Dork Patty, I'd marry you if I could. I guess if things don't work out with husband #2 you'll still have a shot. I think you're amazing. The starters here aren't to be missed either- the jalapeno cream cheese thingamabobs are fantastic- giant balls of cream cheese with chopped jalapenos, served with not-too-spicy buffalo sauce. Watch out for the hotness though, it varies: I've ordered them twice and had very different pain-levels to tolerate in each order. For your convenience I have looked up the proper name for this menu item, and it is "Buff Pops". Go order them. Cocktails are super fun here, with the specials always ranging from WOW THAT'S SWEET to OH MY GOD MY TEETH ARE DISINTEGRATING. There is a mimosa with Tang that's delicious (and makes you feel uber-classy). My boyfriend ordered "Barbie's Bananatini", and proceeded to announce to the world [via facebook] that he had found a magical new cocktail and loved life in Seattle. I'm knocking a star simply because, while the food is always outstanding, the prices here are very high.
(4)
Tracey S.

Great place for amazing burgers and drinks. The variety of different burgers and drinks are amazing and very nostalgic.
(4)
Giena L.

I've never been to the old lunchbox, so this is based solely on the new one. It was nice, cutely decorated with kitsch. But the menu was lacking. For a place that's all about burgers, the options seemed limited, and according to the other reviews, there was a time when experimentation and the like were hailed. But alas, that was then, and this is now. Although there is a lack in burger choices, there are a ton of options for milkshakes, so it's good if you love milkshakes. The side items were scarce. Wish there were more fresh items, like a salad or fruit. But I'll settle for the tater tots. When the food came, I got frustrated. I mean, the burger was insurmountable. Not because it was huge, but the height of the thing. You couldn't even bite into all of it, you either got lots of bun, or meat and no bun, and everything was sliding out the back. Oh, and they give you a knife, but where's the fork? All in all, it was okay, but don't believe the hype.
(3)
Ember W.

I've been here twice now. First time was for their happy hour. Decent finger pickings and cheap drinks. Atmosphere is nice inside for rainy days and they have a toasty fire pit to sit around during cool summer nights. If you order one of their burgers, order the sauce on the side. I had the Blue Marble and it was drenched in sauce. I couldn't taste any blue cheese. Disappointing. Servers are friendly and quick!
(3)
Barbara H.

Went with my family for lunch and we had burgers, fries and shakes. Good experience good service, and their lamb burger was fantastic. My daughter loves the chocolate shake. Overall very good!
(4)
Kim O.

Burgermania! So many burgers so little stomach space! I love the serving sizes! Ginormica with sides of some starch. Get the tots! The smoker is awesome! It comes stacked with onions and bacon! The havarti and smoked pepper mayo were the flavor toppers. I loved every bite and very messy. What I like to do with my burgers is that before I eat them, I take off the top bun, make sure that everything is evenly lined up so with every bite I won't miss a thing! I also add in the tots so I can get that extra crunchy taste! I know some people don't do that, but I LOVE it. Adds that extra crunch/starch to the burger! I got a strawberry shake to accompany my burger and boy were my eyes bigger than my stomach! I tried my best to eat all of the burger, the tots AND drink all of the shake. I walked out of that restaurant with a giant happy stomach. Another visit I ordered "Eric Wedge's Moustache Sandwich". For those who do not know who Eric Wedge is, he's the Mariner's coach. It was a pulled pork sandwich mixed with a sweet tangy bbq sauce and coleslaw. I'm a huge bbq pulled pork lover and this was pretty good for a burger joint. I usually look forward to bbq pork sandwiches from bbq restaurants but here at Lunchbox, they did a great job with the flavor! The meat was also tender and very tasty! I also added tots to the actual sandwich. Oh boy, this sandwich is even messier than the regular burgers! If you're feeling burgerlicious, come here and order DOUBLE the meat for a tummy filled time!!
(4)
Morgan F.

I'm super on the fence about this place because I have been here twice. The first time was over a year ago before I moved to Seattle, and I was absolutely crazy about it and couldn't wait to go back. The last time I went was a few months ago. My boyfriend and I shared the Tear Jerker with tots and had a side of the mac n' cheese. The mac n' cheese was delicious, and the tots were crunchy, seasoned perfectly, and pairs well with satan's ketchup. The burger on the other hand was...I don't know if it was greasy or all the sauces that made it soggy, or both but it was a bitter disappointment. And yes...it is tagged on the more expensive side for a burger place. I do enjoy the kool-aid cocktails though! I don't know when I will back, but I will give it another go some time.
(3)
Tim U.

Burger spot for burger lovers. A good selection of uniquely crafted burgers. A little on the expensive side, so I don't eat here very often, but worth it when I do. If you are a shake lover, this is also a great place to wet your whistle. Probably top 3 in Seattle for that matter.
(4)
Melissa S.

My Dad and I eat dinner here about once a month after he's finished his chemo at the SCCA. It's great that they are open until 11 pm. No matter how late it is, we can have dinner after a long, stressful day. The food is good. I love the Mac & Cheese. I've had about 5 different varieties, all of which have been good. The burgers are okay. I love how friendly the staff is! We have the same waiter usually and he ALWAYS asks my Dad how he's doing and how the chemo is going. That means so much to me. I will admit this place is LOUD! Between the volume of the music and the voices bouncing off the concrete walls and floors, you have to raise your voice to be heard. I would love to see them lower the music, but maybe I'm just getting old.
(4)
Michael P.

So Friday I was looking for something new so my girlfriend and I decided to give this place a try off of the hill. There were quite a few things I noticed quickly: 1. Everyone had a screaming kid with them 2. Nearly everyone was over the age of 35 with a sad/dazed look on their face 3. The staff gave off the vibe that they really didn't give a crap about their service and hated their job. The hong kong chicken wraps sounded good on the menu with chicken, chives, sourcream, and creamcheese. After it arrived the middle had a consistency of tuna fish and even had a slight fishy odor...so just know that if you order them. Ordered 2 of the burgers they both came out really pink, but we both like medium burgers so that wasn't an issue. Overall the burgers tasted really really good but the next day let's just say we had a bit of food poisoning. Definitely would go with well done if I were you... It goes on though.... The waitress served a vegan lady some pork burger and after 2 bites the lady started freaking out, talking about how she had to puke it up while her two friends looked on in horror. Anyways just take this advice, if you aren't looking for the SouthLake Unions version of Red Robin then don't head here. You should try Julia's on Broadway for a good burger and sweet potato fries.
(2)
Laura N.

I've been back a few times now for Trivia on Thursday nights, and I have to admit their happy hour kinda rocks! My coworkers and I always order way to much food and it is so much cheaper than the normal menu. Off the happy hour menu... The little burgers (only little compared to their giant normal burgers) and fries are tasty and cheap. The Mac and cheese is 2 bucks, the shakes are way cheaper, and trivia makes me happy. Get there early, it's upstairs at 7pm.
(4)
Joedinho M.

The burgers are certainly very very good borderline amazing. Shakes are also very good. If the food wasn't so overpriced I'd go here much more often and give them a better rating. The food is quite a bit overpriced however and during my previous visit they brought out the wrong burger. That made me sad.
(3)
Hikaru N.

I chose to eat here with some friends prior to catching a flight from SEATAC. It is clear from the moment you step inside that the restaurant aims to go off the beaten path from the wide variety of burger choices/options to alcoholic drinks (milkshakes!?) as well as the retro 80s style decor. The burgers here are pretty solid, but substantially overpriced relative to the quality. While the burger was good, I cannot justify spending $13 for a burger which is not outstanding. I really liked the side of tater tots with the options of various sauces. I really want to give this place four stars, but the quality combined with the prices simply makes me unable to. Oh well, that is life!
(3)
Dan L.

Loved this place. Knocking it 1 star only because it was a tad bit expensive and there isn't room for big parties, but that doesn't take away from the quality of the food. I ordered the Santa Fe Slammer and it was fantastic. I personally love my burgers dripping in grease (if I'm going to eat fatty, I eat fatty) so this burger was just up my alley. The burger itself wasn't overly greasy though but it was cooked medium rare just how i like it and it had a hefty amount of BBQ sauce on it. Adding all the fixings and this led to a giant burger that I couldn't finish but really wish I could. I ordered sweet potato fries as a side and I have to say they were good. Nothing amazing but they were the perfect crunchiness and softness which is great in a sweet potato fry. Since I love sauces the fact that they had about 19 or so different ones was a great sell for me. I added the black truffle mayo as a dipping sauce and holy crap. So rich and tasty (although I could definitely feel the unhealthiness later). I also tried the Satan's ketchup and that thing has a huge kick to it. Also had the Butterfinger shake with some shots of baileys. Very tasty, although a bit overpriced for a shake. Still good though. Definitely going here again next time I visit Seattle.
(4)
Jordan B.

Happy hour is the best! Totally different individual drinks and menu. This place has taken a whole new feel on burgers and especially Mac and cheese. Always a new variety every day makes me wish I could handle the calories! For sure my new favorite monthly treat! Little pricy but worth it for the experience. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Kris C.

I heard about this place from a friend so the fam and I decided to head up to Seattle this morning and try it out. Lunchbox is off of exit #166 and after a few turns you're there. It's right on a corner and within about 30 seconds walk of the Seattle REI. We got there right when it opened so there was no crowd and we had the place to ourselves. Most of the tables are 4 seaters with the ability to go up to 8 if they put some tables togther. There's an upstairs section as well that looks like it can hold around 30 people. The burgers, milkshakes, and service were all good. The only thing I was let down on was the size of the burgers. The website photos led me to believe they were going to big but they were fairly normal. Had no issues putting down the God of Burgers. The wife had the Dork burger but only finished half. She said it tasted like onion too much. I recommend this place based on their burger combos. They are good but not mind blowing. The best thing they have going is the shakes. The wife got a nutella shake and looked like she was in heaven.
(3)
Lesley D.

Funny, the Dork burger got me in the door, but the Truffle Love burger had me at hello! They let me substitute a black bean patty (because I'm insane and I don't eat red meat) and it was really quite good. Typically vegetarian burgers are dry crumbly and/or flavorless...not the case here! The tater tots were instantly kicked up a notch with the various seasoning salts they have to choose from. The habanero salt was the perfect addition! Truffle Love + Tots with a side of Jalapeno Ranch = $15. The decor struck me with a Jetsons meets an elementary school cafeteria vibe, in the best way possible. Pros: Creative burger selections, including various forms of animals and vegetables PBR and Rainier tall boys! 2 large TVs in the bar for sports Interesting drink concoctions, many of which are only $4 Easy street parking Cons: The service was a bit "off"
(4)
Marilyn V.

I've been here a few times for lunch and I think I just go back for the bacon and tots. Their burgers are HUGE and pretty tasty, but I don't think their prices are reasonable to justify coming here often. The menu is set up for you to either select a preset burger or to make your own burger. I usually make my own burger and add bacon (which includes 6 strips!) and add tots on the side. I say if you're in the area check it out, but it's not a place I'd go out of my way just to visit.
(3)
Eric N.

This was a very tough place to judge based on the price and enjoyment of the food. While the hothead burger was delicious my arteries were clogging by the second. With the high price I hesitate to come back so often and I don't eat that many burgers in the first place.
(3)
Michael C.

If you're near South Lake Union and want a tasty burger - these guys have you covered. The tater tots were good too (order them loaded), but the star of the show was the ultra-creamy mac and cheese!
(4)
Tiffany Valentine W.

The food was good. The service was good. We ordered a mac fries and chocolate shake. both were delicious and filling. afterwards we enjoyed a orange Julia and root beer cocktail. upon checking in on yelp, I received a coupon for "$4 happy hour pricing special on signature cocktails" and the waitress refused to honor this coupon. it only works on happy hour drinks, even though the coupon says it works on signature cocktails. this wasn't expected but we enjoyed the meal nonetheless. we ordered several cocktails and paid full price nonetheless. I loved the sciency experimental feel to the restaurant though. the decor consisted of beakers, lunch boxes and sci fi action figures. they have an experimental menu with a variety of obscure concoctions that sound delicious. I will definitely return to try them!
(3)
Ashley P.

Yum. I got the Mediterranean Marvel. It was peeerrfectly cooked. The burger was juicy and each ingredient's flavor carried. The bun absorbed all the juices and just made the experience that much better. Can we also talk about the drink options. The milk shakes are fantastic, but you can also get TANG! What...is that still around? Well anyway, it is kinda fun just to bring back childhood memories but now add the EtOH! Price is good for what you get. We ate outdoors, not the best location for view. Indoor sitting looked fun! I will be going back some day.
(4)
Stephanie O.

Fun and quirky place to grab a burger. A slightly over priced burger, but still tasty. They add 6+ pieces of bacon to the burgers, which is a little over the top. I wish they had an option to save $3 and have less bacon. That being said, the burgers are good, the drinks are fun, hello, root beer flavored vodka "floats"! And the staff is nice. There is a nice outdoor seating area and they serve Tang and Kool Aid! Just like having your lunch packed by mom. If you are in the Cascade area stop by and give them a try.
(4)
Jennifer P.

I love this place, but my waistline does not. The burgers here are incredible, along with the sides. I usually order the ode to the Dicks burger (I forget the exact name), with mac and cheese as the side. Also, they serve their mimosas in beakers. Who doesn't love their mimosa in a beaker? The atmosphere here is great for friends to get together and grab some drinks. I love the art on the wall - who doesn't love an E. Honda painting on the wall? All in all, this place is fun, the food quality is great, and the diversity on the menu is wide.
(4)
Anne R.

As a burger lover I have to say that I have never been disappointed after a meal at a Lunchbox. The creativity of their burgers and shakes makes for a mouth-watering and oh-so-satisfying experience. The staff is always friendly and they have a good selection of beers on tap. If you can make it to happy hour it's always a bonus!
(4)
Liz C.

Pull out some napkins and get ready to be drowned in sauce. I was craving a burger really badly. Not just any burger like Red Robin status, or even anything like fast food burgers. I wanted the real deal, a real, beef, made to order, burger oriented, high quality ingredient, burger. I honestly was looking for something that would make my mouth water and my stomach yearn for more. Although I heard of a variety of burger places to try such as 8 oz, Quinns, and Uneeda, I decided that I wanted to give Lunchbox Laboratory a try. I don't regret coming here at all. We arrived on a Saturday evening around 6:30 pm. The place was filled, but we only had to wait about 5 minutes. We were then seated and water was served along with our menus. If you look around the place, there are tons of lunchboxes, hence the name Lunchbox. And then there are also a lot of beakers and science equipment, hence the latter of the name Laboratory. It's a cute little place with fun decorations. We already knew what we wanted being the foodies that we are. We like to look at the menu online so that we can come in and just order and eat. However, we did receive their weekly experiment menu and saw something that we had never seen before: a thin mint shake. Now thin mint shakes aren't something that you can find everywhere, especially when Girl Scout Cookie season is over. So don't expect that the thin mint shake will always be present at Lunchbox Laboratory since they too, will run out of thin mint cookies. We decided, being the thin mint lovers that we are, that it was too good to pass up this weekly experiment. As we waited for our burgers to come, our thin mint delicacy came out. It was beautiful, a malt color with whipped cream and a thin mint cookie. Two straws for my boyfriend and I to battle it down. The first sip, and I was in love. I could taste those crushed up thin mint cookies. This is every thin mint lovers dream. The shake was fantastic and prepared our stomachs for the savory burgers to come. We waited what seemed like a long time... longer than it normally takes for food to come out. We waited and waited, saw other people get their food, watched them eat it in awe, and continued to wait. Until that glorious moment where our waiter came with our food! I ordered the Uptown New Yorker burger while my boyfriend got the Tear Jerker (being the spice fan he is). We both took other Yelpers' recommendations and got the tots instead of the fries or the sweet potato fries. Just an FYI, they charge 50 cents if you want dipping sauce. I personally don't think it's worth it, but hey, to each their own. Also, the waiter will ask you if you want bacon, egg, or avocado in your burger but they won't tell you the cost of each item. Be aware that it costs extra to be put these in your burger. Don't just say yes expecting it to just be free. The burgers looked glorious. Sauce was dripping down and my stomach was so ready. The lettuce, tomato and pickle come on the side and so you have to lift up that bun and put the veggies in. Then, it's time to devour. I couldn't fit the burger in my mouth. My upper lip just barely scratched the meat. So I knew that it was time to lay down the knife. I had to cut that bad boy in half and then I could finally eat the thing from top to bottom. Now I am no expert food critic. I couldn't tell what was in my burger for the life of me. There were so many sauces and so many flavors that it was an explosion in my mouth. All I know was that it was down right delicious. The burgers come automatically as medium unless you want it well done. There is no in between. However, because it is Kobe beef, they recommend it as medium. This was my first time eating the meat as medium and boy, it was real good and juicy. That was some high quality beef right there. It's messy. It really is. I had to go through over 5 napkins because there was so much sauce just dripping down my hands and fingers. It was so worth getting dirty for. Every bite was so heavenly and I knew that this was the burger that my stomach had been waiting for. The tots were great too! Oily, and crispy and good with ketchup! They also have a spice rack that comes out if you want to season your tots. There are quite a few spices, but I liked my tots plain. My boyfriend thought that the tear jerker was amazing and had a spicy kick to it. He thought this burger was beyond expectation. Surprisingly, we both eat a lot, but this burger and side really filled us up. I was very pleased. Service wise, our waiter was very kind, bubbly, and humorous, but she never came to check up on us. Thankfully we loved our burgers so we didn't really need to be checked up on except for a water refill. Overall, great experience here. I loved their messy burgers and their tots. The thin mint shake, so good, so good. Good thing they have a giant stack of napkins ready for you to use!
(5)
Christopher M.

I liked it. The food was good, the banana cream pie milkshake was delicious and the decor was nostalgic.
(4)
Marc M.

Value is not a word you would ever associate with Lunchbox Lab. The burgers are not that off the hook to validate spending roughly $20/person. Got the Tear Jerker which tasted good, but certainly didn't pack the punch it claims. And they put the milkshakes in a skinny ass glass to cover up the fact they're giving you maybe 8 ounces. I'm pretty sure the originator of this place would not be too happy with what his establishment has become - smoke & marketing.
(2)
Cynthia J.

When you are craving a delicious shake and burger, lunchbox laboratory is the place to be. They offer all different types of flavors of shakes in large sizes with or without alcohol.
(4)
Laurie S.

Wow!! Met a friend for lunch here today and I must say, I'm impressed! Who wouldn't love a place that serves Kool-Aid and Tang?! They have a nice menu of funky burgers or you could build your own. I had the hot head with sauce on the side. It was just the right amount of kick! I washed it all down with a creamsicle shake. Did I mention the best part? THEY COME WITH TATER TOTS! I will definitely be back.
(4)
Tracy I.

The portions are pretty huge here! I was really excited to try this place out, and needless to say I wasn't disappointed. The only thing that I would change about this place is the way they cook their burgers. I typically like my burger a little pink, but they unfortunately do not accommodate those type of requests. Their dipping sauces are tasty, but kind of lame that they charge for additional sauces. In short, yup, I'd go back.
(4)
Mitch N.

Had "The Smoker," today for lunch along with a side of sweet potato fries. The burger was very juicy, and had no shortage of bacon on top. Seriously a lot of bacon. Can you have too much bacon? Possibly, and this could have been that occasion. I'm not a fan of their overcooked crispy bacon... While the meat was very meaty in flavor, I felt it was a tad oily, or overly oily. Still the flavor was awesome none the less. The fries were crispy and seasoned well.
(3)
Brett J.

Between the 10 or so pre configured burgers plus an extensive assortment of meats, toppings & sauces to build your own - there is really something for everybody here. My burger was delicious - juicy & flavorful. Lunch for 2 was $45 before tip (with milk shakes) so it's not for those days you're trying to pinch pennies. For the next 3-4 weeks of sun - they also have the perfect patio.
(4)
David Y.

Don't believe the hype. This place is okay. It's decent. The burger and fries are good. You'll be full. But, the price is not in line with what you get. There are better places to get a burger for a lot less money.
(3)
Kimli W.

I love this place. I've been a handful of times, and each time it's been a taste explosion in my mouth. The service has always been good, the food AMAZING, and LL is likely the only place I've ever said "wow, there's just too much bacon on my burger". Was brought here by Seattle friends, and have since brought several Vancouverites down with me to experience it. Plus, after you've eaten yourself into a coma, you can walk across the street to REI and buy gear to work off all the calories you just consumed. I'm a fan!
(4)
Alex H.

Great food and great service! The bar has all sorts of crazy cool drinks to try!
(5)
Jason M.

really fun cocktails, and the dork burger was a delight. Service was slow on Saturday at 8pm, but our server comped us a round of drinks (without us complaining) which is great. I loved the HIpster sidecar cocktail
(4)
Vas S.

Totally overrated and overpriced. A freaking rip-off that's milking mob-stoked fame. If you don't believe me, be my guest and go.
(1)
Sagacious T.

I've been hearing about this place for months, finally walked over after work with my girlfriend for dinner. I am seriously blown away. I want to drink their sauces; they're SO delicious. Got the Gavacho's Totchos; tater tots covered with cheesy sauce, sour cream, bacon and spicy ketchup. Followed with burgers...it doesn't matter which ones, they're all so good. Pro tips: try adding the spicy "Satan's Tears" ketchup to the Mac and Cheese. And try dipping the sweet potato fries in a side of their signature burger sauce. Their amazing and unique mixed drinks are served in beakers and don't even get me started on their shakes. In a word: heavenly. Eat here often. That is all.
(5)

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Address : 1253 Thomas St
Seattle, WA, 98109
Phone (206) 621-1090
Website https://www.lunchboxlaboratory.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:00 am - 11
Mon : 11:00 am - 11

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Drive-Thru : No
Caters : No

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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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Lunchbox Laboratory

1253 Thomas St, Seattle, WA, 98109

Lunchbox Laboratory Menu

Appetizer Experiments

Burger Experiments

Lab Faves

Virgin Shakes

Beverages

Salad Experiments (Archived)

Mac and Caesar Salad (Archived)

Virgin Shakes (Archived)

Boozie Shakes (Archived)

Fish and Fries (Archived)

Build Your Own Burger (Archived)

Healthy Meal suggestions for Lunchbox Laboratory

Appetizer Experiments

Burger Experiments

Lab Faves

Virgin Shakes

Beverages

Salad Experiments (Archived)

Mac and Caesar Salad (Archived)

Virgin Shakes (Archived)

Boozie Shakes (Archived)

Fish and Fries (Archived)

Build Your Own Burger (Archived)

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