The Acorn Epicurean




DREAM JOB—Burgerwerkz co-owner Lisa Sutter takes a break.

DREAM JOB—Burgerwerkz co-owner Lisa Sutter takes a break.

Burgerwerkz:

A hidden gem

Going to Burgerwerkz in Westlake Village is like setting out on a hunt for buried treasure: When you finally find it, you know it was worth the quest.

As far as location goes, one really has to look for this hidden gem. Once you spot it, you might still have trouble figuring out how to actually get to it.

But don’t give up!

Once you arrive, you can dive right into its treasure chest of finely crafted burgers that will entice you to come back over and over again.

Owners Joe and Lisa Sutter, who’ve been running the restaurant for nearly a year now, have been providing good food to hungry people for a long time at their Jersey Mike’s in Calabasas. It was their dream to fulfill their burger concept that made them create Burgerwerkz.

Designing the perfect burger took many taste tests over a period of months, until the Sutters hit on just the right meat. They serve only Brandt beef, which is known in the restaurant world for being naturally raised, without hormones or antibiotics.

This enthusiastic couple is passionate about the Brandt brand.

“It’s a family-run ranch, said Joe Sutter of the hands-on California ranchers. “Grandpa tends the cattle and the son can be found in the fields.”

In addition to choosing the all-natural ground beef patties, the Sutters serve them on delicious brioche buns that are baked fresh daily. They’ll even provide gluten-free buns for those with diet restrictions.

And while we’re on the subject of healthier choices—which one might not think possible when talking about a burger joint—the Sutters have made sure to include lettuce wraps; certified fresh, nohormone chicken sandwiches; seared ahi, veggie and turkey burgers; and Greg Norman hot dogs, which are made from Australian Wagyu beef in natural casing.

“It’s the Australian and American version of Kobe beef,” said Joe Sutter.

In any case, the burger is definitely the gem at Burgerwerkz, where customers can choose the regular size, which is a whopping 5½ oz. of charbroiled meat, or the sliders, a generous 2½ oz. each.

Either way, there’s a large variety to choose from, such as the BBQ Bacon Burger, Jalapeno Burger, Grilled Mushroom Burger and Avocado Burger. Regarding the last, in their quest to serve only the freshest ingredients, the Sutters even harvest the avocados from their own orchard in Somis.

What also blew me away about Burgerwerkz, in addition to the amazing taste of the burgers, were the prices. I actually had to do a double-take to make sure my eyes weren’t deceiving me.

For instance, their Werkz Classic Burger, complete with fresh tomatoes, lettuce, grilled onions and special Werkz sauce is only $5.25.

Alan Matis, a retired teacher who travels around the world in search of the best burgers, agreed that the Sutters have a hit on their hands with Burgerwerkz.

The Sherman Oaks foodie— also known on Facebook as “Travelin’ Alan”—said, “I was very, very impressed. It was $5 for a gourmet burger that they could charge twice as much for. It’s tremendous value for a tremendous burger,” said the selfproclaimed “burger pig,” who’s sampled burgers in 157 countries at last count.

There’s a lot more that’s great about Burgerwerkz, including both the regular and spicy versions of their special sauce. And I would be remiss as a reviewer if I didn’t tell you that as much as I loved the beef burgers, I’m also still swooning over the incredible taste of their portobello mushroom burger.

The restaurant also serves a Brandt-beef chili, which won the Best Chili award at the Malibu Chili Cookoff, Sutter said.

In addition to providing cater- ing services, Burgerwerkz offers imported and domestic beer as well as milkshakes and ice cream cones.

It’s definitely worth a visit— or 10—to this little family gem, complete with its cool industrialvintage vibe.

Matis sums it up best.

“It’s all about the burger,” he said. “If I had a third thumb, I’d give them three thumbs up.”

Burgerwerkz is at 30869 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. in the shopping center on the southeast corner of T.O. Boulevard and Lindero Canyon Road.

Hours are Monday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

For details, call (818) 706- 8500 or visit them on Facebook or at www.BurgerWerkz.com.


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