Lefty’s Burger Shack
8317 27th St W, University Place, WA, 98466
Lefty’s Burger Shack Menu
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Visit below restaurant in University Place for healthy meals suggestion.
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Visit below restaurant in University Place for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
8317 27th St W
University Place, WA, 98466 - Phone (253) 565-0887
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 7:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Drive-Thru : No
Caters : No
Categories
Burgers
Burger or Hamburger is savored as the most desired fast food meal in the United States. A hamburger is basically a sandwich prepared by stuffing ground meat patty, generally beef, between two slices of a bun cut in half. Hamburger is also famous for its seasoning. Most popular condiments used in hamburgers in the United States are mustard, mayonnaise, and ketchup. Besides ground meat patty, hamburgers are also stuffed with lettuce, onions, tomato slices, pickles, and cheese.
Hamburgers are also categorized into two types in the United States. Fast food hamburger and individual hamburgers served at restaurants are two basic types of burgers served in the United States. The individual hamburgers served at restaurants are prepared using everything including lettuce, onion, tomato, and sliced pickles as well as melted cheese on the patty or crumbled on top. American restaurants also serve veggie burgers for those who don't relish meat. Cheeseburgers are also hot favorite in the United States.
McDonalds is the most popular fast food burger restaurant serving different types of burgers in the United States. On the other hand, there are several restaurants such as Burger King are famous for serving the best hamburgers in the United States. Most burger restaurants in the United States often serve hamburgers with French fries and other condiments. If you have a liking for burgers in the United States, then you won't be disappointed. You can easily find the best burger restaurants in your city on our Restaurants Listings directory. Check the reviews and ratings of the top burger restaurants and savor yourself with the best hamburger in the city.
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Barb M.
My husband and I took our GKids there yesterday for dinner. We arrived at a good time as there was not a long line to order, however, soon after we placed our order the line grew. We all thought the burgers were good, the milkshakes tasty and cold but we would not order the french fries next time-they tasted frozen and were not good at all. Not only did they have no flavor but they were not seasoned well either. They should really look into serviing hand-cut fresh frnech fries or no friies at all. I ordered FRings (half fries/half onion rings) and the onion rings were better than the fries but I could do without them as well. We will go back and hope they continue to do business there as it was nice to have a better-than-avg burger joint close by. P.S. If you do order the froes/rings they are really cheap with giving out the ketchup and fry sauce......we had 4 people and they gave us one packet of ketchup and one fry sauce.
(4)Sp M.
This is what a burger should be! In a sea of mass produced burger fast food and casual dining options, this is a through back to a real burger experience. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Byron M.
Stumbled across this place after a round at Chamber's Bay. Nephew and son pulled it up on their iphones and we decided to give it a try. Boy were we impressed. Hamburgers (double bacon cheese) were excellent! Frings - fries and onion rings - perfect choice. Fried pickles were delicious. Best hamburger I have had in a while. Thank You!
(5)Katie P.
I live about a half mile from Lefty's. This is dangerous. Good thing I have self control! Sometimes. The burgers are SO GOOD. The milkshakes are PERFECT. The Onion rings and fries are OH MY WORD. And the fries sauce, YES. I give this place 4 stars because I had a home birth and the only thing I wanted to eat after pushing out my 8 pound baby was a burger, onion rings, and milkshake from Lefty's and guess what. THE WERE OUT OF MEAT! WTF? How can this happen? At a time like this??? That was extremely disappointing. All in all this is a very yummy burger place.
(4)Anna E.
I got the viking burger today and I wasn't a fan. A huge burger the size of your head sounds like a good idea when you're extremely hungry, but in reality it isn't. The bun was extremely mushy and soggy from the excessive amount of grease and there was just way waaay too much beef. So thick that it didn't cook all the way through and it was still pink inside. Not a big deal for someone with an iron stomach like me, but still worth noting. A burger that size needs a thinner patty for a better bun-to-meat ratio and so the beef actually has a chance to cook all the way through. Perhaps if you ask for it without bacon you will have better results. Maybe if you ask for the bun to be toasted it will hold up better as well. To me it mostly just tasted like a grease mop. Besides that, this place actually has really good food. Most everything is on point.
(5)jon w.
It get's two stars for being an independent business. Burger: Saltiest burger I've ever eaten. Will never go back because of it. Fries: Average Shakes: Decent
(2)Michelle S.
Umm.... hours on here say they close at 9. Got there at 730 and they were already cleaned up and leaving... ?
(1)J p.
good burgers, fries, onion rings, and shakes. i really like the frings (fries and onion rings) and the house dipping sauce. great prices, quality, and value. don't let the weather scare you--eat in your car. i'm a repeat customer.
(4)MJ F.
Don't get me wrong...I am more than happy to see a new family run business here in U.P...but if I must be critical...Lefty's still needs a bit of work. I had a deluxe cheeseburger and my husband had the double deluxe. We both agreed that the patties seemed a little dry and the Burger needed some more "secret sauce" on it. Overall it wasn't a bad Burger...but we've had better. Now for the positives...love the onion rings/fry sauce combo and the marshmallow milkshake was delicious! Lefty's may not be perfect(yet!), but I will happily continue to support this local business!
(3)Bo H.
It's too bad Lefty's is so far away....too bad for my gas tank, because I'll fight traffic to eat these burgers. Lefty's is an old school burger shack. No dining room or table service and not a drive-in. Place your order and sit at one of the picnic tables with other burger lovers; you're sure to have something in common. There's a variety of menu items and combos to choose from, all very affordable. Even the kids meal is a bargain, but I suppose anytime kiddo eats the whole thing I'm happy. Lefty's also makes excellent shakes, my personal fave is the banana. Note: there isn't really a public restroom at Lefty's, but if you have a toddler squirming in your arms they'll sneak you in the back door. Anytime an employee bends policy so my kid doesn't pee themselves earns my repeat business.
(4)Heath H.
Amazing food. Super slow service. If you want to have some amazing food, and are in a bit of a time crunch, you will want to look at another business. However, if you want amazing food. And have plenty (I mean plenty) of time, definitely go here. Their burgers and onion rings are fantastic. Didn't care for the fries. (They charge extra for the tartar and fry sauce). No bathrooms! None in the area. That's a massive downside. Also, depending on the staff, you will either be treated amazing (Montana is great) or treated like you were served by a high school graduate who's never had a job in customer service before. But, it's fantastic burgers.
(3)Matt G.
I live right down the street from this Hole in the Wall. I love this place. Yeah it's not really appealing to the eye but it's a great "greasy spoon" Prices aren't that bad but hey, I get what I pay for.
(5)Joe B.
Updating. Went yesterday. The meal was nothing like my review from two years ago. The burger was thin and had way too much lettuce. It was super bland. The fries are nothing like what is pictured in my previous photo. They are exactly as pictured on mm's review. Try picking these up and dipping into tiny fry sauce cup. Fry sauce all over your fingers. Boo leftys. Only good thing was the fry sauce. It's improved.
(2)m m.
It was Saturday night. I craved a burger, stopped @ Lefty's and ordered: A Deluxe cheeseburger , Fries, fry sauce And large soda For $9 I got a razor thin beef patty lost under a heavy bun and lettuce by the lettuce. I struggled to pick up the 1/4 - 1/3 inch fries (yes I measured- see the photos I posted) In all, very disappointing and a far cry from the last time I visited (see my previous review) hopefully the owners read this , consider the feedback and adjust accordingly the portions. Hint: $1 more buys a tasty thick patty burger and large freshly cut fries @ Beach Lunch and other area burger eateries. Great burger, fries 3 stars, onion rings 4 plus, wait a bit longer than it should be- measured against frisko freeze. 5 star burgers, 3 star service 3-4 star accompaniments
(1)Michael T.
My lady and I went to Lefty's this evening and the food was amazing. Cheeseburger and onion rings are the hit. Best burger in town easily.
(5)Amanda M.
This place has an old school burger shack feel to it; actually, that's exactly what it is. There are a few benches outside, a front window to order and pick up from and absolutely no cover. Great for hot and sunny days but does nothing for you when the rain comes down. (I'm interested in seeing if there are any remodels coming around with the PGA tour happening this year.) I've never eaten a hamburger. Ever. Yes, I realize how weird that sounds but I always find something else to eat. In this case, I got a corndog, a milkshake and we had shared fries and fried pickles. My corndog was burnt on the outside and cold on the inside, the fries were nice and crispy but the fried pickles were a little too sour and salty for my liking. The milkshakes are on point though... Always have been. This is a fast and easy place to grab a go-to meal but nothing I'd make an effort or go out of my way for.
(2)Becky C.
The burgers are good, fries, onion rings and fried pickles are delicious... Oreo milkshake it yummy! Service is slow... So hopefully you come when it isn't busy. Ambiance is not great considering its in the middle of a run down strip mall... But it is good for the old classic burger taste! No covered seating or bathrooms and a tad over priced.
(4)Brandon H.
Went there for the first time yesterday and it was delicious. Good prices, good food, interesting location, but absolutely worth it.
(5)Ronald C.
Great burger! I had the double bacon cheeseburger. Definitely worth the drive and wait. Lefty's really brought me back to when I was a kid growing up in SoCal. The feeling of eating at one of those mom and pop burger stands by the beaches or the ones you find in some little neighborhood. I also had the chili cheese fries. Their chili has beans (not usually my type of chili) and it had really good flavor. I will be back to try other burgers!
(4)Alyssa R.
Great food, amazing fried pickles and burgers! The wait can be really annoying though.
(5)Sheila G.
I love my onion rings brown, almost to a burnt crisp. I am so glad that Lefty's cooks it the way I like it without me having to ask them. I actually hate crinkled fries but again, they cook it to a crisp which taste pretty awesome, especially when paired with their homemade tartar and fry sauce. I've only tried two burgers so far - one with mushroom and the other with blue cheese. Both were pretty good. I think I'll try their cheaper burgers as it does get pricey. On our recent visit, we paid 12$ for a burger (which had the blue cheese), frings (onion rings and fries), tartar sauce & fry sauce, and milkshake. Would that be considered expensive? I would also like to mention that their deep-fried pickles were a hit to my taste buds. The only downside is that they only have outdoor seating (or your car) so it's not ideal to eat outside during the cold months, unless of course your preference is different from mines. When it does get warm and sunny, eating there just makes it more satisfying. Their parking situation at this point is great because they are situated in an empty business lot. It will definitely change in the future as construction is currently being done. FYI, they take both cash and credit card. Someone told me that they only took cash but they were misinformed.
(5)Jonathan M.
Great local burger place. Their shakes,fries, and burgers all taste awesome. They are a little on the slower side to get the food out, but it's always worth it
(4)Shannon H.
5 stars EASILY!! The best burger joint in Tacoma. Picnic table seating (or your car). Totally worth it! The people are friendly! They accept credit and debit cards. It looks like they're demolishing the surrounding buildings. Hopefully they'll put in newer ones and spruce the area up a bit.
(5)Austin H.
I found the true best double bacon cheeseburger in local. Hand down. I never getting tired of it.
(5)Richard H.
Went with a Single Cheeseburger, with fries and a Pineapple milkshake- the fries where Meh, I most certainly had better ones, these were obviously came from a store or wherever they got them, as they are your basic crinkled cut fries, didnt seem to be seasoned very well IMO. The burger, was ok- it was good, but nothing to write home about, so overall, It didnt had the wow factor IMO, I've also had better burgers elsewhere. The Shake however, was pretty good, she gave me a spoon saying it will be thick, since it was the first shake of the day, I thought it was good,and thats what I went with because they have Coke products here, IMO ait seems like was real ice cream.I did like the fry sauce she gave me for the fries, that was pretty good IMO. Overall, if your in the area, its worth a stop by, but otherwise, there are probably better options elsewhere, so overall I cant give it a strong recommendation or a dont go here lol, It is a place though, that only has outdoor seating, or in your vehicle seating- which aint a bad thing, unless its real cold outside or raining hard lol
(3)Allen S.
If you have been looking for that burger shack from high school this is it. We have looked at many years to find a burger shack big is like our high school days we have found it.
(5)John R.
Ahhh, this place is ok but nothing great. It looks really cool on the outside so I really expected better food. Their single mushroom bacon burger was rather small with a thin patty and lacked flavor. I did enjoy they're Frings. I would never go out of my way to eat here but if I'm in the area and hungry I might stop back in again. However, I'd probably order a 7" Nathan's hot dogs and Frings, rather than their burger.
(2)Lindsey S.
We ordered bacon cheeseburgers, frings (fries w/onion rings), and chili cheese fries. The bacon cheeseburger wasn't greasy. They use thick cut bacon and slather yummy fry sauce on the bread. Would order again with onion rings. The chili cheese fries were ok. Rated 3 stars for ok chili cheese fries and for waiting a while for the order.
(3)Cherly J.
Great location, I love the idea. I ordered a chili cheese dog, fries and a chocolate milkshake. Milkshake was perfect, I was able to drink it through the straw immediately. One thing I would suggest, new benches! I almost fell when I leaned my arm on one to get ready to sit down, it was not sturdy at all or safe for that matter. Food was pretty good, I'll be back again.
(3)Katie P.
I live about a half mile from Lefty's. This is dangerous. Good thing I have self control! Sometimes. The burgers are SO GOOD. The milkshakes are PERFECT. The Onion rings and fries are OH MY WORD. And the fries sauce, YES. I give this place 4 stars because I had a home birth and the only thing I wanted to eat after pushing out my 8 pound baby was a burger, onion rings, and milkshake from Lefty's and guess what. THE WERE OUT OF MEAT! WTF? How can this happen? At a time like this??? That was extremely disappointing. All in all this is a very yummy burger place.
(4)Drew Q.
A MAN'S MAN a Review of Lefty's Burger Shack Ladies if your looking for a place to take your sweetheart for some good ol' fashion hamburgers and shakes this is the place! Your sugar lips will appreciate the thought because what is the closes thing to a man's heart other than your beautiful face... food! Your buttercup will be smiling ear to ear when you serve him up with some double meat hamburger patties! I got the double deluxe cheeseburger with crinkled fries and fry sauce on the side. I had to do it so I also got some deep fried pickles! The burger was juicy and delicious! If I had to compare this to other similar burger joints Lefty's would be a very close 3rd behind Frugals (1st) in Spanaway, followed by Lakewood Best Burger (2nd). Another Yelper said the fried pickles were a bit spicy but more like salty than spicy. Buttered pickles are always salty so the fried pickles may be a little too much for some people. Next time I'll try the onion rings since imma big fan of onion rings. Next time tho homies! This might be the only time that your tender paws will ever let go of your hand because he'll have to hold his double deluxe cheeseburger with both of his man mitts. The place is located in a vacant parking lot surrounded by broken down buildings that the fine citizens of University Place are probably ashamed of due to it's unkempt conditions but do not let the location scare you! You are located in University Place where the fuzz (police) are probably watching you ever since you rolled up into UP with your hoopty and expired tabs. Place is run by youngins so don't expect a lot... they haven't gotten that $15 minimum wage per hour in UP yet so keep your expectations at a low standard. The quality of food is good and service wasn't bad but my standards are like a bucket of shrimp. I haven't notice any restrooms so be aware that if you get the runs you might be SOL... Lefty's is a outdoor location surrounded by benches to sit down and eat or if your trying to be on the down low because your cheating on your diet plan and don't want to be seen by your trainer then the other option is to eat inside your hoopty with the expired tabs. Don't worry the place has a huge vacant lot where you can park anywhere and your broke down looking hoopty will blend easily with the old buildings! So it's all good!
(3)Kimi H.
Definitely a must go if you're in the Tacoma area. They take a bit longer than most burger joints, but trust me, for the price and portion, it's worth it! Not only do they have great burgers, but I'm crazy for their beer battered pickles! YUM! :)
(5)Nathaniel Y.
I come by here all the time, the cashier is nice and the burgers always come out amazing. Not only do they provide a good atmosphere, but also provide top notch burgers and fries! Check this place out
(5)Jon M.
Dropped a star because the service is so slow. 20 minutes for a burger and fries is insane. Food was still great.
(3)Daniel J.
I like the place a lot. It's a great old school burger joint...what more could you ask for? They have unique sauces that I implore you to check out.
(4)Gene B.
The surfing theme and generally sunny disposition of Lefty's Burger Shack in Tacoma belies the fact that is located on the edge of an abandoned shopping center. Something about this burger shack just resonated with me. I ordered the standard bacon cheeseburger and the equally standard chocolate shake, but I went with the deep-fried dill pickles, because, when was I going to see them again? There was a little lunch rush when I was there, maybe eight or nine of us and it takes a little time to get your food, because they are cooking it to order - the way it's supposed to be. This was the first place that I saw the term 'frings'. Frings are a half order of french fries combined with a half order of onion rings, for those who want the best of both worlds. In addition to the burgers, one of which is a mammoth one pounder, available on the hand-written menu board you can get hot dogs, chili dogs, corn dogs and a couple of different chicken sandwiches. They even have chili fries, nice! The bacon cheeseburger is a quarter pound chuck patty and it's cooked perfectly. It has a nice golden brown crust on it and even though it's cooked through it's still juicy and tender. The cheese was melted and cloaked the beef like a cozy comforter and the bacon was nice and crispy. The bun was soft, yet strong enough to keep a hold of all the burger components. It was toasted and it had a smear of their secret sauce, which was of the Russian dressing variety. A little shredded lettuce, chopped onion and dill pickle slices completed the ensemble. For this style of burger ( i.e. not cooked to temp) it was close to perfection. They nailed all the little things that contribute to a great burger and it really came through in the final product!
(4)Leah J.
I would technically get this place 4 1/2 stars but since that's not possible I gave them 5. It's in a rundown parking lot with empty businesses but I love the way the building is painted, the surf boards for seats, and the beach theme. The burgers are awesome and just what I was looking for here in Washington! I also love their crispy fries and their fry sauce (it'll cost you $.25 but it's worth it!) The prices aren't too bad but the total always seems to be kinda high. I had a generic chocolate shake, it was good, not awesome (especially for the price) think I'll try a different flavor next time. There is no indoor seating so you must get it to go (no drive thru, just walk up) or use their outdoor seating, basically picnic tables that are kind of falling apart. The service is friendly but a little slow but overall I love Leftys and will be back whenever I crave a good burger! They do accept debit/credit cards and are not cash only as on reviewer suggested. *There's an awesome park nearby, take the kids there when they finish their milkshakes and ice creams!
(5)Nate T.
If your ever in Tacoma this is the place to go. Their burgers are just amazing. So are their fries and beer battered onion rings. And if you can't decide which ones you want they do offer the half order of both. This place is alot better than Frisco freeze and is better priced. The building itself is made like a old style burger place. The building complex around it in the parking lot seems to have gone to the wayside but lefty is still holding strong from what I can tell. Will definitely be back for more.
(5)Katina J.
Stopped in here after a long drive, I was totally craving onion rings and had heard some good things. I was going to get a shake also but there were quite a few people waiting. I ordered the rings and heard someone say they were almost out - I should have taken that hint and asked for a refund. My order was up in record time, I thought the bag looked small-but benefit of the doubt right?! After all this was my first visit. And I was short a penny...and the lady at the counter said, "no problem!" Well...I'm sorry, but the six (6) small rings in that bag were a huge disappointment . (It left me wishing I had gone to Burger King) and that's sad for me. I don't eat onion rings often, maybe once a year, so when I want them, I need them to be on point. Epic fail, I won't be back. That star...was because of the kindness of the cashier.
(1)Jacklyn W.
Love love love love Lefty's!! Quick and simple burgers that hit the spot. I'm a big fan of Frisco Freeze and the menu items have the same type of taste but without having to drive downtown. It's really nice to be able to stop by and get a good burger that isn't fast food. There is no indoor seating just like Frisco but the food is worth it. Lunch in the car for winter time or picnic tables when it's summer. Great shakes with tons of flavors! Very friendly staff and overall a great burger shack!
(5)Chris W.
First time here, I've lived about 3/4 of a mile away for months but for some reason haven't stopped by before today. Wow, I've been missing out. I tried to go all out with their one pound meat behemoth Viking burger, but sadly they were out. My consolation prize was the bacon bleu cheese burger (with onions). A couple bites in, I realized that these guys are really putting together something special down here in University Place. I will definitely be back.
(4)Matt C.
What's not too love about this place, everything is the BEST especially the frings. Out of all the burger shacks such as Frugals, Best Burger, Frisco Freeze, Delongs Delux, Quick Pick, Little Holland, Leftys is the place to go.
(4)Sp M.
This is what a burger should be! In a sea of mass produced burger fast food and casual dining options, this is a through back to a real burger experience. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Byron M.
Stumbled across this place after a round at Chamber's Bay. Nephew and son pulled it up on their iphones and we decided to give it a try. Boy were we impressed. Hamburgers (double bacon cheese) were excellent! Frings - fries and onion rings - perfect choice. Fried pickles were delicious. Best hamburger I have had in a while. Thank You!
(5)Anna E.
I got the viking burger today and I wasn't a fan. A huge burger the size of your head sounds like a good idea when you're extremely hungry, but in reality it isn't. The bun was extremely mushy and soggy from the excessive amount of grease and there was just way waaay too much beef. So thick that it didn't cook all the way through and it was still pink inside. Not a big deal for someone with an iron stomach like me, but still worth noting. A burger that size needs a thinner patty for a better bun-to-meat ratio and so the beef actually has a chance to cook all the way through. Perhaps if you ask for it without bacon you will have better results. Maybe if you ask for the bun to be toasted it will hold up better as well. To me it mostly just tasted like a grease mop. Besides that, this place actually has really good food. Most everything is on point.
(5)jon w.
It get's two stars for being an independent business. Burger: Saltiest burger I've ever eaten. Will never go back because of it. Fries: Average Shakes: Decent
(2)Corinne M.
I was really disappointed when their posted hours said one thing, but they were closed up early the other night. After reading other reviews, I'm not the only one who's had this problem. So, we went the next day, and because it was a really warm day, they were running out of onions, mushrooms, and other things: Come on, be prepared, or make sure someone is on hand to make a run to pick stuff up if you're running low. I want to go somewhere consistent and reliable, a place that is properly ran, and they are not making that mark right now. I still love the food, and the atmosphere. I grew up in Yakima where you have Miners, Majors, and Kings Row, and nothing can ever beat those, but for Tacoma, Lefty's comes the closest. I still plan on coming back, but I'm not as thrilled as I once was, as it seems to be poorly ran.
(3)Zach M.
One of the best spots for a burger and fries in Tacoma/UP. Burgers, fries and onion rings are all delicious and the fry sauce is really good. Always have had great service and no problems with food at all. Would recommend to anyone that loves burger joints.
(4)Chelsea Laine H.
This place is right down the street from our house so we decided to give it a try...glad we did! My husband loved that they grilled their hot dogs! Wish they had more of a selection for vegetarians, but they did have a veggie burger so at least there is something!!!!! The fries were great and not greasy, but a little salty...just like fries should be! They had a nice long list of shakes, but we didn't try any this time. Overall a great place to grab a quick lunch that isn't your standard (and horrible) fast food. YUM!
(4)Erin M.
I'm assuming this was just an out of character visit, but my burger was burnt and missing toppings. And we were somehow charged about $6 more than we should have been. And the woman helping was sort of annoyed is asked her what kind of sauce was "Lefty's Sauce" so I could figure out if my mayo-hating husband would like it or not. I'll try it again at some point just because the ratings are so good, but this visit was a disappointment.
(3)Charles P.
HUGE FAN!!! This place can cook up some mean burgers. Just one awesome greasy burger. The fries kind of sucked, but heir onion rings are of of this world. Get the onion rings. Prices are fair, ran by local people (big plus in my book). Shakes are pretty good. Not the best peanut butter shake I've ever had, but it did it's job. The size of the double bacon burger is out of control. The amount of fries and onion rings well...... There's a lot lets just say that. 16 oz is the regular serving for the shakes (big enough). I will be going back. On a quick note I don't think there is any indoor seating, It was a really nice day when I went so I didn't need it. but there are three tables and a couple of surf boarders attached to the side of the building you can sit on.
(5)Andrew S.
Great Taste, Great Service & Great Price all rolled into one is the best way to describe Lefty's. We have driven by a million times and never stopped. Finally we put the brakes on and stopped in for dinner. Our loss. We should have stopped long ago because now it will certainly be a regular stop. Food was awesome. Burgers cooked perfectly and season just right. When was the last time you ate at a burger place that actually prided themselves on fresh meat. Being as that this was our first time, the lady behind the counter waited on us patiently as we pondered what we wanted because everything looked so good. All I can say is if you haven't been, you are missing out. Can't wait to come back.
(5)Ashley R.
A complete 5 stars. No hesitation at all! I usually debate on whether I should get a small or large fry and today was no different. But since dinner was only a couple hours away I went with a small. And the small was more than enough! I was so pleased with the portion I was given. My husband got the frings (onion rings and fries) and they didn't short him at all either. The fries were seasoned to perfection and don't get me started on the bacon cheese burger!!! That was absolutely delicious!!!! It was also seasoned to perfection. I really love a burger that comes with tomatoes and lettuce automatically. I am going back very soon to try their mushroom swiss burger!
(5)Blaze R.
Lefty's is the best burger shack within 20 miles of Tacoma. The burgers are loaded with delicious toppings and the fries are complemented by a perfect fry sauce. The staff is also always willing to alter toppings to suit your needs. I will always be a loyal customer.
(5)Corinne P.
Pretty good burgers.... Fresh ingredients and a good sauce that they put on the burger... The other one enjoyed his bleu cheese burger... The only thing I didn't like was the onion rings... They were burnt and greasy as all hell.. Cheap and delicious... I will go back...
(4)Chris B.
Being a lefty myself, I had to give this an extra star for the name. But as burger shacks go, you can't beat the combination of menu options, including garden burgers, nathan's hot dogs, shakes, pickle chips, and even a whopping 1 lb. burger for the super hungry. The quarter pound burger tastes great, and actually feels heavier than the average joe, because of all the fresh condiments they put on it. Lefty's makes their own tartar and fry sauces (really good!) and also make a few other items like the homemade kraut with bacon dog. The prices are reasonable and inexpensive. It's an odd little spot in a mostly boarded up strip mall, but it's catchy with it's surfing theme, and a great little find for the neighborhood and beyond.
(5)Ramon A.
Been going here for 2 yrs now. Best burger joint in tacoma. I love it. Burgers, chicken, fries shakes are always on point. Staff very friendly will miss it when I miss.
(4)Gary S.
Un-believable dbl bacon cheezburger...O-M-G....you just won't find a better taste, or better quality burger...I dream about that burger-and I've had it several times-always the same!
(5)John B.
Stopped for a bite after flying kites at Chambers Bay Park... My wife and I both had mush burger, fries, fry sauce, yum - good cheap eats!
(4)Kim P.
SO I don't think I'm being biased or playing favorites, if anything,We I think I am being a harsher critic due to the fact that all I have heard is GREAT things about Lefty's...... I actually honestly have never heard of this place until they became the sponsor for my daughter's softball team. I don't go that far into UP and just never noticed it but once I yelped it, we couldn't wait to stop by, plus my daughter wanted her "free" milkshake!!! Pulling up we were smiling to see the "Shack" almost literally in design. Outside seating? yep! Luckily it was a rare chance of sunshine and we were able to enjoy the benches and umbrellas without freezing. Daughter went to town and ordered a bacon cheeseburger, chili cheese fries and her caramel "free" shake:) Myself, I couldn't wait to order the onion rings and decided upon the swiss mushroom onion melt, ooohhhhh yeeeaaaaaa!!! The food came out pretty promptly and the portions were ridiculous!! Cute ketchup packets and if you have a couple quarters, try the spicy fry sauce, YES!!! The kid couldn't finish half of anything, except the shake of course, me I did a pretty decent job of getting mine, hahaha! I really can't wait to go again, but I need to not make this a regular as nothing on the menu screams, "healthy" or "light"........
(5)Sam W.
I forgot what I ordered but it seems like they have figured out how to homemake and improve the legendary bigmac sauce. The pineapple milkshake was also good.
(4)Grindy S.
Review based on the onion rings and shake only. Rings were hot and fresh, and substantial. Shake made to order from scratch. Well done.
(4)DeVonte G.
This place rocks! Excellent customer service, the ladies here are so sweet! Their fries, onion rings, burgers, and chicken sandwich's are all delicious and you must try their fry sauce. Also they are family owned so why not support a local family!
(5)Anna H.
The burgers are good but what I really love are the deep fried pickle chips. The pickle chips are crispy and a little spicy, I keep coming back for more. Definitely not fast service, expect to wait, but at least they cook the food when you order it.
(4)Richard T.
My son says their hot dogs are FANTASTIC! and he knows his dogs :). Try the peanut butter chocolate shake too.
(5)Anne J.
Amazing burgers, fries, and shakes! Sadly they were out of pickle chips so I couldn't try those but hopefully I can next time! We will definitely be coming back!
(5)Annabell M.
This place is great. Their food is delicious and very low priced. Staff is always nice. The owner is the nicest lady and loves when I bring my dog. She always gives her a strip of bacon :) so needless to say, my dog is always excited when we swing by here to pick up food on the way home. Oh, just don't go here if you are looking for a place to sit on a rainy day. Their seating is outdoor so I recommend coming on a sunny day or on a day when you want to eat at home.
(5)Ana B.
This place is good, the onion rings are huge and crispy, burger was decent and milkshakes were good but not thick enough. We waited about 25 min. for 2 burgers, 2 onion rings and 2 milkshakes. We were pretty hungry so it felt like 45 min. I don't know if we'll come back, there are other places with equal quality food that don't take as long.
(3)Justin D.
We tried Lefty's for the first time this week. It's definitely going to be our go to hamburger place. It looks like the crinkle cut fries have been replaced by hand cut fries. That's always good for a +1 when it comes to ratings. We had bacon cheeseburgers with a side of onion rings and fries. No complaints for either one of us. In fact my wife said she liked it better than Frisko Freeze and Pick Quick.
(4)Stephanie M.
My husband and i were looking for some different vegetarian options by us and noticed that they had garden burgers on the menu so we decided to give it a try. The burgers were awesome! I had the garden burger and he had the deluxe garden burger. The patty was crispy not soggy or overcooked like some places. We split a large fry and pickle chips and both were crispy and not overly greasy. Overall this is a place we will eat at again.
(4)Caitlin L.
Great family owned burger shack! Delicious burgers, large portions, and pickle chips, what more can you ask for?
(5)Rose M.
After reading the reviews by my fellow Yelpers, I decided to give Lefty's a try. Surprisingly the location, as deserted as it may seem, there were quite a few customers. My boyfriend and I, in our endless search for the "perfect burger" were a little skeptical. I mistakenly ordered the Jr. Cheeseburger, thinking the burger patty was smaller but in fact it was a patty with just ketchup and mustard. I also ordered deep fried pickles and a small soft serve cone. My boyfriend ordered a bacon cheeseburger with a large order of fries and the house fry sauce. As I excited as I was to hear that Lefty's serves fried pickles, the fried pickles was probably the worst I've had. The batter fell off and it was overly salty. I would have like a sauce to compliment the chips but the undistinguished fry sauce was all I had. The small soft serve cone was good. I have had it before.... My boyfriend described the bacon cheeseburger as ordinary. As he described, the patty tasted frozen and he felt like the fry sauce was overwhelming. It would be nice to see a more inspiring menu. Be imaginative with the names, serve a Lefty's inspired burger. Be original, be creative. The surfer inspired burger shack was unfortunately nothing new and nothing grand. With such a unique name and distinctive décor, especially for University Place, the place offered nothing original. Doing classics must be executed with precision. The patties are frozen and the fries taste bagged. Where are the homemade fries? Where are the homemade patties? Where is the effort and where is the care? Frozen food won't make me want to come back At the very core of every review, one must ask themselves would you go back?
(2)jill a.
Great place for a burger and onion rings! Love the location near Titlow Beach! It's quintessential old-school!
(5)Jim S.
Great neighborhood burger spot, like they used to be before fast food joints. I especially recommend the buffalo chicken sandwich and their Frings. As for the wait, yeah it may take more time than Mickey Ds but the food is being cooked to order, rather than sitting under some heat lamp. Chill out, it's worth the wait!
(4)Jennifer B.
Nothing special. Tried it when they opened, and cool that they have an onion/fries combo option, but burgers were dry and service slower than would be nice. Also not easily accessible- out ordering and sitting in the pnw 9 months of the year is dicey
(3)Willis S.
It is amazing to see a negative taken to a positive. Lefty's Burger Shack sits in the parking lot of what used to be something more. Now it is surrounded by a mostly empty suburban style strip mall whose probably fallen victim to bad location (lack of traffic). However This cute little 50's style burger drive in seems to have a line of people outside of it every time I drive by. The outside has a fresh coat of paint & cool murals as well. you gotta give this place credit it already has 8 reviews which is a lot for most restaurants in University Place on YELP ( thinking that the YELP demographic does not reside here...perhaps). Part of me thinks the reviews are so good because everyone is just so happy and relieved that a thriving business found its way into a blighted strip mall and others love the cool nostalgia of a burger drive in. I'll have to check out this place and update my review soon!
(4)Robert O.
I live 5 blocks from Lefty's, and the owner lives just down the street. I love the local atmosphere. We have to support single-location, home-town burger places like this, too few are left to be found, and thankfully: Lefty's puts out a great burger! Being able to stroll down on a warm summer evening and get an order of Frings and fry sauce has to make my property taxes higher! (Never mind, Pierce County... they're high enough.) This place has been a treasure since they opened. The difference between a real old-fashioned drive-in burger and a McSawdust - you know what I mean. Admit it - you're salivating now. I read in other reviews about the location in the "closed-down" strip mall. This is not due to poor location or any other problem - the existing buildings are being razed to allow construction of a new housing/retail center complex. This area was once, and will be again, a center of interest in University Place, and Lefty's will be smack dab in the middle!
(5)Mark F.
Awesome food! Great prices! This place is exactly what i think of when i crave great burgers and fried sides! From the fried pickles to the chili cheese fries, AMAZING! Nice hometown feel and friendly service.
(5)Alli M.
Best burger joint in Tacoma! Delicious burgers, fries, onion rings, fried pickles, and milkshakes! What more could you want? Very friendly staff.
(4)Mark C.
Hamburgers and fries are very good. Only outside dinning (benches in the parking lot). Shakes are made with soft serve, so not worth trying.. If you are a hamburger Connoisseur you might want to add this to your list for a try. Seems to be a neighbor hood favorite. Starting Aug 1st 2013 they only are taking cash. Which is very inconvenient.
(4)JoAnne B.
I usually get to-go because I live near by, but every single time I've been here they forget something. It gets annoying.
(3)Scott J.
Good food, fun atmosphere. Lefty's is a walk-up burger joint that offers all the greasy, artery-clogging delights you crave. The decor is that of a 1950s surf shack, complete with surfboard benches and rockin' '50s tunes. We had burgers, hot dogs, fries, and onion rings (they also offer "frings" - half order of fries with a half order of rings). The burger was good; I'd give it a solid B. The hot dogs are good also, but nothing spectacular. The fries were a bit disappointing - too salty and a little limp for my taste. The beer-battered onion rings were great though! The service was excellent! Very friendly and personable without being pushy or annoying in the least. So for some good stick-to-your-ribs food with a slice of nostalgia, catch a wave to Lefty's next time you're in University Place.
(4)Tabitha B.
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! Be warned though you may not be able to finish all of your food!
(5)D. C.
THIS IS THE PLACE ! Great owners, and even greater food ! Loads of parking and a good laid-back location ! This is the type of food that your parents talked about !
(5)Clint S.
The burgers are great but show up early...they take a while and there us usually a line, the Viking burger is 1 lb of burger deliciousness...I prefer the rings which are HUGE...with the spicy fry dip.
(5)Marcus S.
Favorite burger joint in UP, and it's close to my work.
(5)Vic M.
I've highly anticipated the opening of Lefty's ever since we observed the beginning of the renovation process. It's got a cool retro vibe going on while staying true to traditional Americana cuisine circa the 1950's. The only knock on the place is that it does not offer inside seating. Maybe in the future? The place will lose business in the winter without adequate shelter for it's patrons. *edit 7/27/11, if they aren't going to offer inside seating they are going to have to figure out a more accomodating way to cater to the patrons that want to eat at their picnic tables. They need more tables and they need to place condoments and napkins/lids/straws outside for patrons to take as needed. I realize those things cost money but it comes across as tacky when you withhold those items and keep them behind the counter.
(2)Ben M.
Great burger, awsome onion rings, they need to work out a few bugs but its expected from a first time owner. Im sure they will have it figured out in the near future. I give it 5 stars for the friendly service, good food and the fact that its obvious they are trying.
(5)Carolyn K.
We live right down the street from this place and are so excited that Lefty's decided to open in UP. I've had to cut back on junk food (trying to lose weight), but seriously this place is the best. The burgers are out-of this world good. Ten million times better than a drive thru place. The pickle fries are delicious. The owners are nice and part of the community (Gig Harbor locals). My daughter asked me to order Lefty's for her birthday party coming up, which is how I stumbled on this yelp page. I wish Lefty's had a website. My complaints: 1) no indoor seating in a place that rains 10 months out of the year = fail. 2) benches are so close to the road, super dangerous for a mom with young kids 3) the wait time is ridiculously long, even if there is only one other person in line. I've never waited less than 15 minutes, sometimes it's been more like 30. (I've been there at least 10 times since it opened. Probably closer to 20.)
(5)MJ F.
Don't get me wrong...I am more than happy to see a new family run business here in U.P...but if I must be critical...Lefty's still needs a bit of work. I had a deluxe cheeseburger and my husband had the double deluxe. We both agreed that the patties seemed a little dry and the Burger needed some more "secret sauce" on it. Overall it wasn't a bad Burger...but we've had better. Now for the positives...love the onion rings/fry sauce combo and the marshmallow milkshake was delicious! Lefty's may not be perfect(yet!), but I will happily continue to support this local business!
(3)Christine A.
I love these burgers. This place is a fast food shack, and as we all should know shacks are just slightly better than trucks because you know they'll always be there. Lefty's is the just right endless summer cheesy, valley girl/dude food fix. The backdrop is a dead strip mall, but I was oddly charmed (that probably says more about this reviewer than the establishment). You eat outside or in your car, so go on a sunny afternoon for lunch. The burgers aren't huge, but a meal is enough to share with two people. Burger+Frings+Shake = too much for one person to consume without falling victim to a food induced coma.
(5)Larry G.
When they first opened we couldn't wait to eat there. They have pretty decent, previously frozen burgers, good fries, and love the shakes. The cooks tend to over salt the burgers and the grilled onions, even when you ask them not to. Prices are ok for what you get.
(3)Michael P.
The Bacon Blue Cheese Burger is spectacular. If you ask, they will put extra blue cheese crumbles on it, it's heaven on a bun. I also love the seasoning on their fries and the brilliant concept of "frings" (1/2 order of fries with a 1/2 order of onion rings).
(5)Kay B.
My husband took me to Lefty's for a 'Date Night'. WOW! I totally enjoyed myself. The food. The music. The whole atmosphere ROCKED! LOVED IT!
(5)Aaron M.
Burgers were alright, Both wife and kid were satisfied.But My burger was somewhat less tasting rather odd. (Under-cooked and very seasoned with something) It just didn't taste right. Positives; French Fry portions - huge so if you like a lot of fries ( and I mean a lot) go large but if not stay with the regular. Milkshakes were also a positive with several favors including (marshmallow and butterscotch) I would give another star but paying for forgotten fry sauce as well as again an odd tasting burger I just couldn't. Really hoping for more, but overall average.
(3)Michael G.
In my humble opinion, Lefty's has taken over where the ORIGINAL Little Holland (OLH) left off: Drive in only burger shack with delicious, consistent (so far), juicy, drippy, yummy, burgers. The onion rings are fantastic: onions perfectly cooked, batter done light and crispy. The previously frozen crinkle fries are a bit lacking, considering that the burgers and ring are standouts. I know this was a debate the owner had prior to opening, but I would venture to say they should go with hand-cut. I've got something to say to those who complain about the wait, the seating situation and the bathroom issue: I see your mouths moving, but I don't hear any words coming out. ANY kitchen would get backed up with the amount of volume they're dealing with. They are not allowed to have indoor seating without an ADA approved restroom, and the building is too small to put one in. OK? I don't think anyone ever asked Mikie at OLH to use the restroom, nor did anyone complain about it. Just be prepared! The place gets busy. Be ready to eat in your car or take it home. Well, I guess you can complain all you want, because I'll definitely be going back. Maybe it's not a good thing that they're 2 minutes from my house?
(4)Randall E.
Pretty damn good burger ! Fries, onion rings and even the deep fried pickle chips were very tasty. If you are in town looking for a real burger joint, you gotta go to Lefty's.
(4)R W.
Lefty's is bad. -Frozen burger patty, shredded lettuce, and diced onions, do not make a quality burger. -Flash frozen, crinkle cut fries are weak. -The onions rings didn't seem fresh, but it wouldn't have mattered because they were slightly burnt. -Two burgers, fries, and onion rings took 18 minutes to make. There were only two people before me. Sure seems slow when you are standing around in the parking lot. Please let me know when I can get my $11 back.
(1)Vince A.
Great to have an alternative to fast food chains. I like them better than Frisco Freeze and Best Burger. All the same type of idea. Good fries (wish they'd stay with the crinkle cut..a couple of times they have had thinner greasier fries) good burgers and good shakes. Giving it an extra star because I like to see new businesses in University Place and I know what kind of crap and hoops the town made the owner jump through to get approval to open a new business in what appears to be a bombed out area in the middle of University Place. She'll continue to get my patronidge.
(5)Reylan F.
The pickle fries are yummy and true regular fries were great. Not over done and burnt or soggy. Fresh! Gonna get a burger next time.
(4)Deb K.
Just moved down the street from Lefty's, had to try it. OMG!!!! The best Cheeseburger I've had since moving to WA 4 years ago!!! Sorry Dick's but Lefty's has got you beat by a MILE!!! The onion rings were great too. Not too much breading just right. Everything was hot & fresh! I'm going back FOREVER!!! Hang Ten Lefty!!
(5)Gene D.
I just love this place! Great burgers for a very reasonable price ( $3.95 for a Bacon cheeseburger, American or Swiss) You have to eat in your car, or, weather permitting, on one of the picnic tables nearby. All of the burgers are 4 napkin good, the kitchen knows their job..it's served on a non-custom, but good Kaiser type bun, chopped lettuce, etc. Good pickles! I haven't had the fries of the Fringles, but I understand that the fries are frozen crinkle cut. I really just go for the burger and a shake, the shakes are great, and the friendly staff will make one with any ingredient they have. Good foofd, fantastic staff, a good value. Try a strawberry-banana shake!
(4)David Marshall C.
Still beats anything with a drive up window. Decent burgers, fries and good rings. Good milk shakes too. The buns are the tell tell part of a good burger shack, Lefty's got it right.
(4)Matthew M.
First off, I will mention the wait, since that seems to be a lot of people's concern. I went late (7ish) on a Sunday evening, and the waiting area was completely full. The wait for my food was around 15min, which isn't fast, but not as long as some people are experiencing. That being said, it might have just been the time/day, so bring your patience. As for the food, I wasn't blown away. The deluxe cheeseburger wasn't bad, but didn't awe me. Seems like I've tasted the "secret sauce" somewhere else. I also got an order of their "frings," a basket of fries and onion rings combined. The fries were crinkle-cut (not my preference) and slightly soggy. The onion rings on the other hand were the one item that I really liked. They weren't soggy at all, in fact, they looked slightly burnt, but still crunched deliciously in my mouth. The ladyfriend got a strawberry shake, but didn't seem too impressed. Overall, I probably won't go out of my way to go to Lefty's. It was good, but far from great. I still think the award for burger shack goes to Pick-Quick in Fife, although that is a considerable drive from University Place. NOTE - I witnessed the staff denying a little boy restroom access. I don't dock them any points given the nature of the restaurant, but it's worth noting if taking the little ones there.
(3)Steve R.
Great to have this place in U.P., good burgers, Frings fries and onion rings mixed together.....Nice..... Worth stopping.....
(3)Angel S.
I'm loving them so far. They aren't amazing, but they're better than the golden arches up the street. ;) I love the old town feel, and they definitely have applied that to their business. Relatively inexpensive, a decent burger, and I LOVE THEIR SHAKES. Very yummy. :) If you're looking for a simple snack lunch or dinner. I would check this place out.
(3)S B.
I am dibetic and physically handicapped. N0rmally, if grabbing lunch while running errands I will seek out a place with a drive thru. Today, I pointed my car at drive-thru-less Leftys for a quality meal better than the fast food joints. What a mistake. Part of my meal was a corn dog that turneD out so overcooked that it was mostly black and tastED like burnt toast. The crinkle fries were also overcooked. I saw on the menu that they had both sweet tea and unsweetened tea. But they had no artificial sweetener (Splenda, Equal) for the unsweetened tea. Worse yet, the woman at the counter couldnt understand why I wouldn't order the sweet tea. What restaurant doesn't train their staff on the dangers of sugar to a diabetic? I had the usual 15 min wait. I sat there wondering why this business doesnt have a website or online menu so I could have phoned in advance or ordered online? And finally, why no customer restroom? I guess they are legally compliant but it sure can be inconvenient. I don't know if I will be back. All of my complaints are easily addressed at every other hamburger restaurant in U.P.
(2)Nanci S.
Great burger! Crinkle fries were rushed a bit so not quite the crispy they should have been. Line was long, wait was longer but well worth it! Get the speed up and cook the fries longer and this will be a solid 5 star burger joint.
(3)Brian R.
We were so excited about this place: glowing reviews, in U.P., decent prices. Well, I guess that with great expectations comes great disappointment. Mrs. decided to take pity on me and brave the heat by herself to go pick up some burgers and frings yesterday. First of all, she reported that it was crazy busy and she had to wait about 40 minutes for our food. Acceptable, due to the weather, I guess. She ordered a deluxe cheeseburger with fries for herself and a bacon cheeseburger with frings for me. Cardinal sin, my rings were burnt. No forgiveness for this, especially if it took 40 minutes. Someone, during all of that time had to realize they were burnt and could have made them over five times by then. The fries were ok, garden variety frozen crinkle cut with the typical fry sauce (ketchup and mayo). Now to the burgers. The deluxe came with lettuce, tomato, onions and cheese. The burger was not over dressed, which can sometimes be a problem. But it was almost to the point of being under dressed. The flavor of the beef stood out, but not much else did. Also, it was previously noted in other reviews that the buns are toasted, but ours sure weren't. For a place that does so much business, we expected a nice fresh bun. Ours were border line stale and dry as a bone. My burger suffered from the same problems, under dressed and a dry bun. The only saving grace was the bacon. Can anything really be awful that has bacon on it? We might give Lefty's a try again in another couple of months, once the weather turns and the lines thin out. But for now, we will stick to one of the many Herfy's franchises around. Still our top choice for a decent burger in UP. PS, we wanted to try the shakes, but they would have been a melted milk mess by the time we got our food.
(2)T M.
So, I am taking a star away from my original review because they have not improved enough since the first time I visited. I've been back twice since then: once I had the burger again - still tastes like a frozen patty to me. Their fried are terrible, and their onion rings seem to be verging on burnt these days. The last time I went I got their buffalo chicken sandwich. The chicken patty was just not good. You know when you bite into something that was once frozen and has been reheated and it is stringy/gummy? That was the chicken patty. I had to bite strategically with my molars to try and gnaw parts off - yuck! The wait, however, was not nearly as long as the first time... and it just got at least one person shorter!
(2)Michelle S.
Umm.... hours on here say they close at 9. Got there at 730 and they were already cleaned up and leaving... ?
(1)J p.
good burgers, fries, onion rings, and shakes. i really like the frings (fries and onion rings) and the house dipping sauce. great prices, quality, and value. don't let the weather scare you--eat in your car. i'm a repeat customer.
(4)Barb M.
My husband and I took our GKids there yesterday for dinner. We arrived at a good time as there was not a long line to order, however, soon after we placed our order the line grew. We all thought the burgers were good, the milkshakes tasty and cold but we would not order the french fries next time-they tasted frozen and were not good at all. Not only did they have no flavor but they were not seasoned well either. They should really look into serviing hand-cut fresh frnech fries or no friies at all. I ordered FRings (half fries/half onion rings) and the onion rings were better than the fries but I could do without them as well. We will go back and hope they continue to do business there as it was nice to have a better-than-avg burger joint close by. P.S. If you do order the froes/rings they are really cheap with giving out the ketchup and fry sauce......we had 4 people and they gave us one packet of ketchup and one fry sauce.
(4)Matt C.
What's not too love about this place, everything is the BEST especially the frings. Out of all the burger shacks such as Frugals, Best Burger, Frisco Freeze, Delongs Delux, Quick Pick, Little Holland, Leftys is the place to go.
(4)Corinne M.
I was really disappointed when their posted hours said one thing, but they were closed up early the other night. After reading other reviews, I'm not the only one who's had this problem. So, we went the next day, and because it was a really warm day, they were running out of onions, mushrooms, and other things: Come on, be prepared, or make sure someone is on hand to make a run to pick stuff up if you're running low. I want to go somewhere consistent and reliable, a place that is properly ran, and they are not making that mark right now. I still love the food, and the atmosphere. I grew up in Yakima where you have Miners, Majors, and Kings Row, and nothing can ever beat those, but for Tacoma, Lefty's comes the closest. I still plan on coming back, but I'm not as thrilled as I once was, as it seems to be poorly ran.
(3)Zach M.
One of the best spots for a burger and fries in Tacoma/UP. Burgers, fries and onion rings are all delicious and the fry sauce is really good. Always have had great service and no problems with food at all. Would recommend to anyone that loves burger joints.
(4)Bo H.
It's too bad Lefty's is so far away....too bad for my gas tank, because I'll fight traffic to eat these burgers. Lefty's is an old school burger shack. No dining room or table service and not a drive-in. Place your order and sit at one of the picnic tables with other burger lovers; you're sure to have something in common. There's a variety of menu items and combos to choose from, all very affordable. Even the kids meal is a bargain, but I suppose anytime kiddo eats the whole thing I'm happy. Lefty's also makes excellent shakes, my personal fave is the banana. Note: there isn't really a public restroom at Lefty's, but if you have a toddler squirming in your arms they'll sneak you in the back door. Anytime an employee bends policy so my kid doesn't pee themselves earns my repeat business.
(4)Heath H.
Amazing food. Super slow service. If you want to have some amazing food, and are in a bit of a time crunch, you will want to look at another business. However, if you want amazing food. And have plenty (I mean plenty) of time, definitely go here. Their burgers and onion rings are fantastic. Didn't care for the fries. (They charge extra for the tartar and fry sauce). No bathrooms! None in the area. That's a massive downside. Also, depending on the staff, you will either be treated amazing (Montana is great) or treated like you were served by a high school graduate who's never had a job in customer service before. But, it's fantastic burgers.
(3)Matt G.
I live right down the street from this Hole in the Wall. I love this place. Yeah it's not really appealing to the eye but it's a great "greasy spoon" Prices aren't that bad but hey, I get what I pay for.
(5)Joe B.
Updating. Went yesterday. The meal was nothing like my review from two years ago. The burger was thin and had way too much lettuce. It was super bland. The fries are nothing like what is pictured in my previous photo. They are exactly as pictured on mm's review. Try picking these up and dipping into tiny fry sauce cup. Fry sauce all over your fingers. Boo leftys. Only good thing was the fry sauce. It's improved.
(2)Gene B.
The surfing theme and generally sunny disposition of Lefty's Burger Shack in Tacoma belies the fact that is located on the edge of an abandoned shopping center. Something about this burger shack just resonated with me. I ordered the standard bacon cheeseburger and the equally standard chocolate shake, but I went with the deep-fried dill pickles, because, when was I going to see them again? There was a little lunch rush when I was there, maybe eight or nine of us and it takes a little time to get your food, because they are cooking it to order - the way it's supposed to be. This was the first place that I saw the term 'frings'. Frings are a half order of french fries combined with a half order of onion rings, for those who want the best of both worlds. In addition to the burgers, one of which is a mammoth one pounder, available on the hand-written menu board you can get hot dogs, chili dogs, corn dogs and a couple of different chicken sandwiches. They even have chili fries, nice! The bacon cheeseburger is a quarter pound chuck patty and it's cooked perfectly. It has a nice golden brown crust on it and even though it's cooked through it's still juicy and tender. The cheese was melted and cloaked the beef like a cozy comforter and the bacon was nice and crispy. The bun was soft, yet strong enough to keep a hold of all the burger components. It was toasted and it had a smear of their secret sauce, which was of the Russian dressing variety. A little shredded lettuce, chopped onion and dill pickle slices completed the ensemble. For this style of burger ( i.e. not cooked to temp) it was close to perfection. They nailed all the little things that contribute to a great burger and it really came through in the final product!
(4)Leah J.
I would technically get this place 4 1/2 stars but since that's not possible I gave them 5. It's in a rundown parking lot with empty businesses but I love the way the building is painted, the surf boards for seats, and the beach theme. The burgers are awesome and just what I was looking for here in Washington! I also love their crispy fries and their fry sauce (it'll cost you $.25 but it's worth it!) The prices aren't too bad but the total always seems to be kinda high. I had a generic chocolate shake, it was good, not awesome (especially for the price) think I'll try a different flavor next time. There is no indoor seating so you must get it to go (no drive thru, just walk up) or use their outdoor seating, basically picnic tables that are kind of falling apart. The service is friendly but a little slow but overall I love Leftys and will be back whenever I crave a good burger! They do accept debit/credit cards and are not cash only as on reviewer suggested. *There's an awesome park nearby, take the kids there when they finish their milkshakes and ice creams!
(5)Nate T.
If your ever in Tacoma this is the place to go. Their burgers are just amazing. So are their fries and beer battered onion rings. And if you can't decide which ones you want they do offer the half order of both. This place is alot better than Frisco freeze and is better priced. The building itself is made like a old style burger place. The building complex around it in the parking lot seems to have gone to the wayside but lefty is still holding strong from what I can tell. Will definitely be back for more.
(5)m m.
It was Saturday night. I craved a burger, stopped @ Lefty's and ordered: A Deluxe cheeseburger , Fries, fry sauce And large soda For $9 I got a razor thin beef patty lost under a heavy bun and lettuce by the lettuce. I struggled to pick up the 1/4 - 1/3 inch fries (yes I measured- see the photos I posted) In all, very disappointing and a far cry from the last time I visited (see my previous review) hopefully the owners read this , consider the feedback and adjust accordingly the portions. Hint: $1 more buys a tasty thick patty burger and large freshly cut fries @ Beach Lunch and other area burger eateries. Great burger, fries 3 stars, onion rings 4 plus, wait a bit longer than it should be- measured against frisko freeze. 5 star burgers, 3 star service 3-4 star accompaniments
(1)Michael T.
My lady and I went to Lefty's this evening and the food was amazing. Cheeseburger and onion rings are the hit. Best burger in town easily.
(5)Amanda M.
This place has an old school burger shack feel to it; actually, that's exactly what it is. There are a few benches outside, a front window to order and pick up from and absolutely no cover. Great for hot and sunny days but does nothing for you when the rain comes down. (I'm interested in seeing if there are any remodels coming around with the PGA tour happening this year.) I've never eaten a hamburger. Ever. Yes, I realize how weird that sounds but I always find something else to eat. In this case, I got a corndog, a milkshake and we had shared fries and fried pickles. My corndog was burnt on the outside and cold on the inside, the fries were nice and crispy but the fried pickles were a little too sour and salty for my liking. The milkshakes are on point though... Always have been. This is a fast and easy place to grab a go-to meal but nothing I'd make an effort or go out of my way for.
(2)Becky C.
The burgers are good, fries, onion rings and fried pickles are delicious... Oreo milkshake it yummy! Service is slow... So hopefully you come when it isn't busy. Ambiance is not great considering its in the middle of a run down strip mall... But it is good for the old classic burger taste! No covered seating or bathrooms and a tad over priced.
(4)Brandon H.
Went there for the first time yesterday and it was delicious. Good prices, good food, interesting location, but absolutely worth it.
(5)Sheila G.
I love my onion rings brown, almost to a burnt crisp. I am so glad that Lefty's cooks it the way I like it without me having to ask them. I actually hate crinkled fries but again, they cook it to a crisp which taste pretty awesome, especially when paired with their homemade tartar and fry sauce. I've only tried two burgers so far - one with mushroom and the other with blue cheese. Both were pretty good. I think I'll try their cheaper burgers as it does get pricey. On our recent visit, we paid 12$ for a burger (which had the blue cheese), frings (onion rings and fries), tartar sauce & fry sauce, and milkshake. Would that be considered expensive? I would also like to mention that their deep-fried pickles were a hit to my taste buds. The only downside is that they only have outdoor seating (or your car) so it's not ideal to eat outside during the cold months, unless of course your preference is different from mines. When it does get warm and sunny, eating there just makes it more satisfying. Their parking situation at this point is great because they are situated in an empty business lot. It will definitely change in the future as construction is currently being done. FYI, they take both cash and credit card. Someone told me that they only took cash but they were misinformed.
(5)Cherly J.
Great location, I love the idea. I ordered a chili cheese dog, fries and a chocolate milkshake. Milkshake was perfect, I was able to drink it through the straw immediately. One thing I would suggest, new benches! I almost fell when I leaned my arm on one to get ready to sit down, it was not sturdy at all or safe for that matter. Food was pretty good, I'll be back again.
(3)Richard H.
Went with a Single Cheeseburger, with fries and a Pineapple milkshake- the fries where Meh, I most certainly had better ones, these were obviously came from a store or wherever they got them, as they are your basic crinkled cut fries, didnt seem to be seasoned very well IMO. The burger, was ok- it was good, but nothing to write home about, so overall, It didnt had the wow factor IMO, I've also had better burgers elsewhere. The Shake however, was pretty good, she gave me a spoon saying it will be thick, since it was the first shake of the day, I thought it was good,and thats what I went with because they have Coke products here, IMO ait seems like was real ice cream.I did like the fry sauce she gave me for the fries, that was pretty good IMO. Overall, if your in the area, its worth a stop by, but otherwise, there are probably better options elsewhere, so overall I cant give it a strong recommendation or a dont go here lol, It is a place though, that only has outdoor seating, or in your vehicle seating- which aint a bad thing, unless its real cold outside or raining hard lol
(3)Allen S.
If you have been looking for that burger shack from high school this is it. We have looked at many years to find a burger shack big is like our high school days we have found it.
(5)Drew Q.
A MAN'S MAN a Review of Lefty's Burger Shack Ladies if your looking for a place to take your sweetheart for some good ol' fashion hamburgers and shakes this is the place! Your sugar lips will appreciate the thought because what is the closes thing to a man's heart other than your beautiful face... food! Your buttercup will be smiling ear to ear when you serve him up with some double meat hamburger patties! I got the double deluxe cheeseburger with crinkled fries and fry sauce on the side. I had to do it so I also got some deep fried pickles! The burger was juicy and delicious! If I had to compare this to other similar burger joints Lefty's would be a very close 3rd behind Frugals (1st) in Spanaway, followed by Lakewood Best Burger (2nd). Another Yelper said the fried pickles were a bit spicy but more like salty than spicy. Buttered pickles are always salty so the fried pickles may be a little too much for some people. Next time I'll try the onion rings since imma big fan of onion rings. Next time tho homies! This might be the only time that your tender paws will ever let go of your hand because he'll have to hold his double deluxe cheeseburger with both of his man mitts. The place is located in a vacant parking lot surrounded by broken down buildings that the fine citizens of University Place are probably ashamed of due to it's unkempt conditions but do not let the location scare you! You are located in University Place where the fuzz (police) are probably watching you ever since you rolled up into UP with your hoopty and expired tabs. Place is run by youngins so don't expect a lot... they haven't gotten that $15 minimum wage per hour in UP yet so keep your expectations at a low standard. The quality of food is good and service wasn't bad but my standards are like a bucket of shrimp. I haven't notice any restrooms so be aware that if you get the runs you might be SOL... Lefty's is a outdoor location surrounded by benches to sit down and eat or if your trying to be on the down low because your cheating on your diet plan and don't want to be seen by your trainer then the other option is to eat inside your hoopty with the expired tabs. Don't worry the place has a huge vacant lot where you can park anywhere and your broke down looking hoopty will blend easily with the old buildings! So it's all good!
(3)Kimi H.
Definitely a must go if you're in the Tacoma area. They take a bit longer than most burger joints, but trust me, for the price and portion, it's worth it! Not only do they have great burgers, but I'm crazy for their beer battered pickles! YUM! :)
(5)Nathaniel Y.
I come by here all the time, the cashier is nice and the burgers always come out amazing. Not only do they provide a good atmosphere, but also provide top notch burgers and fries! Check this place out
(5)Jon M.
Dropped a star because the service is so slow. 20 minutes for a burger and fries is insane. Food was still great.
(3)Daniel J.
I like the place a lot. It's a great old school burger joint...what more could you ask for? They have unique sauces that I implore you to check out.
(4)