Restaurant Review of Bobby's Burger Palace in Paramus, New Jersey

While shopping at the newly renovated Bergen Town Center (the former Bergen Mall) in Paramus, New Jersey, my husband, son and I decided to eat dinner at the burger restaurant Bobby's Burger Palace. Bobby's Burger Palace is the latest dining concept of famed Food Network star Bobby Flay.

I underestimated the popularity of this place when I suggested that we eat there. When I saw a line snaking out of the entrance, I knew it must be something special. This restaurant is a cross between a fast food burger joint and a restaurant. The way it operates is similar to the Nordstrom café, if you are familiar with that store.

When you enter the restaurant, there is a huge menu on the wall and you can decide on your order. Then you place your order with a cashier, who then gives you a cup to fill if you have ordered a fountain drink and you also receive a plastic engraved number to put at your table. That's how the server knows where to bring out the food.

I waited a full twenty minutes to order and was helped by a server to find 3 open seats. I guess it was so busy because it was a Saturday night. The décor is a cross between an old fashioned soda fountain shop and new wave lighting fixtures. We waited for our food at shiny wood tables while we sat on stool made of green pretend leather.

Now, onto the food. In two words: mouthwatering and delicious. There is only one choice of entrée here at that is a burger. You can have your burger made from certified

Angus beef, ground turkey, or chicken breast. My husband and I both had Angus burgers. The menu has 9 different burgers which are inspired by Bobby Flay's travels throughout the United States. Each burger has ingredients which are regional influences.

I chose the L.A. Burger which comes with avocado relish, watercress, cheddar cheese and a tomato. The avocado relish was made from fresh avocados and for a little kick, small pieces of red onion were mixed in. The cheddar cheese was evenly melted over the burger, then the scoop of avocado relish was added, then my tomato and a small piece of watercress. What I liked about the Angus beef was that it was very lean. There was no fat and juice dripping down from the burger as I ate it. I ate every bite because it was such a treat.

My husband ordered the Dallas Burger, which is spice crusted (the spices tasted like barbeque flavor, with a hint of smokiness) and is topped with coleslaw, Monterey Jack cheese, BBQ sauce and pickles. To add a more spicy taste to the burger, he added a dash of chipotle ketchup to the burger. He gave it a thumbs up.

My son had the Kid's BBP Burger Deal. It is a plain burger served with or without cheese. A small side order of fries and a drink are included. The side order choices for the adult meals are French Fries, Sweet Potato Fries or Beer Battered Onion Rings. My husband and I ordered the Sweet Potato Fries. They tasted fine, but were served only at room temperature, as if the fries were made first and were sitting out while the burgers were being made. Next time we will try the onion rings.

If you are really hungry, you can order a milkshake with your meal. We ordered fresh lemonade instead. The lemonade wasn't from the fountain, but made fresh from real lemons. The family next to us ordered milkshakes and they looked thick, as though you could eat them with a spoon. Maybe we will try it next time.

So far, there are four locations of Bobby's Burger Palace, all located in the Northeast. There are two locations in New Jersey, one in Long Island, New York and one at the casino Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. Let's hope that Bobby expands this venture so that more people can enjoy his unique burgers.