RESTAURANT REVIEW

Elevation Burger

What does a successful NYC restaurateur, a highly acclaimed recording and mixing engineer who worked with the likes of John Lennon, Aerosmith and Richie Havens and a retired Honda/Mercedes Benz dealership owner have in common? The love of a great burger and belief there had to be a higher quality, healthier alternative for one of America’s most beloved comfort foods.

The idea percolated when visionary Jeff Feinstein (who with wife Sharon were partners in NY’s acclaimed Acme Bar and Grill plus pet stores where they placed champion Akitas and other dogs lovingly into hundreds of homes including those of Bruce Willis, Robert DiNero and others celebs) wanted to do something else that mattered in life. During his tenure raising his beloved dogs, this deeply caring man developed a consciousness and level of integrity that has driven and directed his entire life. When he heard about a burger that didn’t clog arteries, drown you in salt and lead to heart and other diseases, he knew he needed to know more. “People spend their life savings undergoing treatments after they’re diagnosed with life-threatening diseases,” he said thoughtfully. “If they’d just think about the quality of what they’re eating before they get sick, we could preempt a lot of suffering,” he said. “And people could use their money to enjoy life instead of fighting for it.” So excited was Jeff at the possibility that there really IS a burger that’s healthier and French fries that could be good for you, he called his friend of 30+ years Sam Ginsburg.

“He told me he heard about a then small franchise called Elevation Burger that literally was turning the “burger industry” upside down with a fabulous tasting burger and unbelievable French fries that were actually healthy,” added Sam. “So we went to the company’s headquarters in Virginia to see for ourselves. We came back astounded and impressed,” said Sam. “I love burgers, but rarely has one not repeated on me hours later or left me needing a nap. Elevation burgers weren’t just delicious, I felt energized after I ate, not weighed down.” So passionate about the philosophy of the company and the superior quality of the food, they brought in a third friend, now partner Andrew Santandra and Broward County got their first Elevation Burger right here in Coral Springs.

Hype aside, intellectually the whole premise of Elevation Burger, doesn’t just make sense, it makes you feel good about what you’re putting in your body. With most fast-food, along with the fear of who-knows-what’s-in-the-meat you’re eating, comes guilt. You KNOW what you’re consuming isn’t good for you, but so many of us crave that all-American burger we toss health concerns aside. With Elevation, we can have our burgers, and eat them too, WITHOUT decimating our arteries. Elevation just did something simple, smart and long overdue in my book: by creating a whole menu of mouthwatering, have-it-your-way burgers made from 100% USDA-certified organic, 100% free-range, GRASS  FED, ground-on-their-premises-for-quality-control, heart-healthy beef and raised our consciousness and taste buds to a “higher elevation.”

Here ingredients matter. And so does the experience of the customer. How many fast-food restaurants have a manager with a Johnson and Wales culinary school background? “What we loved about Brian (Manager Brian Bruk),” said Sam, “is that he gets the concept and loved it like we do.” “I’m proud of this restaurant,” quipped Brian. “It’s clean, family friendly, offering food that’s really delicious and adds to the customer’s well-being. And we cater to the vegetarian and even those with gluten issues. Many customers who Celiac disease, we make them a great burger, wrap it and all the different toppings they want in lettuce and unlike other places we fry ONLY our French fries in our oil with no other items to contaminate the oil for someone who’s sensitive.”

You simply do not get this level of concern, this attention to detail anywhere in the fast-food arena. Factor in you custom-build your burger, adding myriad toppings including caramelized onions at no additional charge; that the hand-cut French fries are cooked only in heart-healthy olive oil, and you have a dream come true. Everything is trans fat-free and good to eat. Toss in hand-scooped shakes and malts, fresh-baked cookies on an awesome menu that even remembers the vegetarian with fabulous veggie burgers, salads, grilled cheese and more and you have an eatery everyone in the family will want to visit over and over. Even the restaurant design uses renewable, nonpolluting materials like bamboo flooring and sorghum tabletops. A better burger, better for you AND THE ENVIRONMENT? Now that’s having it YOUR way. And by the way, prices are more than reasonable for such quality! 2908 N. University Dr. at “The Walk” in Coral Springs. 954.796.1999 / www.elevationburger.com  So take the whole family and give Elevation Burger a try, just please remember to tell them Parkland/Coral Springs Life Magazine sent you.

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