Photos by ChiHon Kim ()
Korean food is great and all, but sometimes the craving for a good burger takes over and the hunt is on. In Pyeongtaek, several restaurants have burgers on the menu but with limited options. So, where do you go to satisfy those specific cravings?
Down a narrow alley near the Anjeong-ri Gate, Juicy Burger & Fries might just be the spot for you. The 16-seat joint has been serving up some tasty burgers for the past three years, always has a crowd, but is oh, so worth it.
My hunt for the best burger brought me to Juicy Burger & Fries on a Friday evening. I was surprised that despite the number of neighboring nice pubs and restaurants, this place was drawing in the crowd.
Inside, the red-and-white-checkboard decor reminded me of In-N-Out Burger, which the owner said provided some of the inspiration for his restaurant.
The menu consists of 12 different burgers ranging from a simple American bacon cheeseburger ($7.82) to the Juicy Premium Burger ($14.82). The Premium burger is a beast with two beef patties, bacon, grilled mushrooms, fried eggs, tomato, onions, dill pickle, swiss cheese, lettuce served with a side of French fries.
Instead of going with the burgers on the menu, I went for the “build-your-own” option. I chose two slices of swiss cheese, jalapeños, bacon, grilled onion, cabbage, slices of avocado, then topped it with mayo for 1,290 won ($10.71). Also, a good tip to remember when ordering: Always get two! If you opt for two slices of cheese, you’ll get a 500-won discount.
My burger was cooked to perfection and the veggies were crisp and sliced thin. The bacon brought a heavy smoky and meaty flavor, with a slight crunch. The bun on this burger held the toppings and meat well despite being soft and buttery. All of the ingredients in this burger were so fresh, making every bite flavorful. My only gripe was with the cabbage; Juicy’s menu says lettuce but all burgers here come with cost-friendly cabbage.
There are many other options to customize your burger, like grilled pineapple, different cheeses, grilled chicken, egg, and chili for an additional charge.
I decided to skip the fries, but diners around me were munching on the Cajun fries and cheesesticks, making me regret that decision. Don’t forget about their drink menu. Juicy stocks an impressive beer selection ($3.29 to $ 4.94), as well as different soft drinks, fruit juices, and creamy milkshakes.
I was pretty happy with the choices I made for my burger and will definitely make my way back down the alley to Juicy’s Burger & Fries more often. Check out this great burger joint and build the burger you’ve been craving!
• Address: 113-134, Anjeong-ri, Paengseong-eup, Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do • Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. • Website: https://www.shuttledelivery.co.kr/en/restaurant/menu/878/juicy-burger
