The Burger Stand at The Casbah — Restaurant in Lawrence

Stopped by after an afternoon of walking mass street. We didn't eat just wanted something to drink and boy! Am I glad we stopped here! They have alcoholic milkshakes! YES! you read that right! So bff orders a "bananas presley" and I order a house margarita (gotta compare them with others we've tried). Bff is busy swooning and making sure her alcoholic milkshake disappears rapidly. I tried it and I'm not a fan of bananas but DAMN, this drink knocked it out of the park! Literally no overpowering of a banana and topped with whipped cream. My magar? It was a healthy portion and she hand made it - no out of the plastic bin here! The sweet and sour tastes were perfectly balanced and the ice amount was excellent (some establishments use ice as a filler). We didn't order food but made plans to return and try the burgers. More to follow on that. The place has a good vibe and the staff is very friendly and efficient. Fyi, the tack on a 15% after taxes to your bill that goes toward the employees benefits (see photo). Staff explains why they do it and I'm comfortable with it. Definitely trying their food next time. Oh! Happy hour is 2 to 5pm and I got 3.00 off my margarita! CHEERS!

YES! BFF, her hubby, me and my hubby stopped by to enjoy food instead of the alcoholic milkshake we seem to have a propensity for. You enter the place and grab a menu and a table (folks! No hostess or server here). So we grab a menu, a table and look over the menu. Once you make a decision off you go to the "order" line (make a decision quick because its pretty apparent this place is popular). I ordered a classic hamburger cooked medium rare with onion rings. Hubby wants a chicago dog (l. Your name is noted and then called out LOUD which is good as I'm old and deaf. Retrieve your tray of food and load condiments yourself. They're also very good about providing you extras (red or white onions). The burger arrived more medium and as I've explained before, most restaurants shy away from this. Nonetheless, the bun WAS TOASTED. A first and a hit out of the ballpark. You bite into it and it's soft then crunchy-HEAVEN. onion rings were every bit as good as free state brewery. I was impressed. Hubby's "chicago dog" not even close. No poppy seed bun, no all Vienna beef frank, no bright green relish and no sport peppers (jalapeño slices-PLEASE STOP). I'll give this a 4 on burger because it wasn't medium rare and a 2 on the chicago dog. I lived in chitown for almost 40 years, please respect our food if you choose to replicate it. The bathrooms are interesting. Dark and to an old timer like me, grotty.

Well, upon awakening this am hubby states he needs a haircut and yes, truth be told, he does indeed resemble Einstein. He further states he's hungry for another hot dog ALTHOUGH it ain't gonna be a frauda chicago dogga. I'm in! Off to downtown barber (another review) and while we park I ask, "where to for a hot dog?" The reply? "Burger stand" 🙄 jeeminy. Ok, they totally botched the chicao dog but sure, ok. Belly up to the bar, we both order the classic dog and a side of fries. The dogs arrive and DANG! THEY ARRIVE. perfectly grilled and on a soft bun with chopped white onions and relish (remember you dress your own at the sauce bar). Bite into a crisp outer hot dog casing to be met by an inner well cooked hot dog. The side of fries? Hideously plentiful and fried to perfection! While the burger stand absolutely fails at a Chicago dog, they have indeed succeeded at a Lawrence dog. Lawrence dog = 10. Fries=9. 👏

Also! This sign was posted in the bathroom. As a mother, it's very comforting to know staff will help. HUGE kudos!!!

And this is now hubby's favorite place for a hot dog! He had a tooth pulled last week and literally was relegated to liquid and baby food. Anyway, he was pretty sure he could eat a hot dog and was anxious to eat "real food". 🙄 so we pile in the car and shake, rattle and roll to the burger stand. This time I ordered the corn dog. Folks! It's incredible! Mushy and...

Overpriced and quite average. Was charged an additional 15% unbeknownst me after I paid for it. After some quick math I asked the lady ringing me up why the total didn't add up. She proceeded to point me to a small handwritten sign next to the counter saying that a 15% charge was added (something to the effect of) to support restaurant workers. I really have a problem with this on many levels. This was added without my consent after the food was paid for. I left perplexed, and quite disturbed by the experience. Thoughts and reflection...

The burgers and fries are already priced quite high. I mean we're talking about burgers and fries, not steak and lobster. The food was decent, not bad, but not great either.

When customer pays with a credit card at the walk up counter it states do you want to tip with the customary options 20+, 20, 18. 15, 10, no tip, etc. I did this transaction, but then the surprise!

15% charge on my bill due to small hand written sign that was never disclosed to me until after it was paid for. It was added without my consent! Had I not noticed it like so many others before and after me...WOW! It's highway robbery.

Let's discuss the nature of tipping, or adding a service charge. Tipping, for what, ringing me up? Do you tip the cashier at Wallmart, Target, a gas station, Game Stop, Macy's, etc? The simple answer is a resounding --NO. Now if you were to wait on me; such as take my order at my table (not walk up counter), bring me the drinks I order, fill my drinks as needed, clear dishes as I use them, tend to my needs for a nice sit down lunch or dinner, you bet I'll tip. I have been there and done that myself, so I am intimately familiar with the dynamics.

Now deferring back to point 2, one could easily tip the person ringing you up and still get charged 15% if you were not paying attention. This practice is completely dishonest and states a few thinks about their business practices. -A. They don't pay their employees enough. These cashiers are NOT waiters/waitresses. They are cashiers.

-B. The practice of asking at checkout if you want to tip when using a CC is plenty. If one chooses to tip a cashier, fine, go for it. That is entirely the CUSTOMERS decision. There is no way some handwritten TINY sign that no one reads should be allowed to circumvent the customers desires to tip the cashier or not.

-C. If one were to tip the cashier after paying with CC and be summarily assessed the 15% TINY sign gratuity, that is another level of dishonestly on the business.

In closing, we have some real problems here that need to be addressed. I sincerely hope management looks into some reviews and makes needed changes. The food is decent, so let's not get carried way by gouging good paying customers. I want to support small, local businesses, but if this problem persists the word will get out.

Date of dine in and self serve, Saturday, 5/2723, around...

I went to the Burger Stand today for lunch with three other diners. There was a decent amount of people, however the staff did a great job of moving people quickly through the line. As someone with food allergies, the menu was disappointing since items that were vegan and gluten free were not indicated. I had to ask the woman taking orders/working the register questions and felt very rushed. I ended up ordering a black bean burger with no cheese or bun (there is not a gluten free and vegan bun option) and added avocado at an extra cost and the cajun fries. The other diners ordered two impossible burgers, a Kobe burger, duck fries, regular fries, a super s'more shake, a tshirt and a beer. The beer, shake, and regular fries were placed after the initial order.

When my burger arrived the presentation was slightly disappointing. However the taste was exceptional. I wish there was a vegan option or substituting avocado (or something similar) was an option for vegans because I think the burger needed the extra texture and flavor component. The cajun fries were exceptional. They were crispy and very flavorful. I would order these again.

The Kobe beef burger that was ordered medium rare showed up well done. When pointed out to the kitchen, they apologized and promptly made another. The diner who ordered this dish was very pleased. The two impossible burgers and duck fries were also enjoyed by their diners.

When ordering the shake and beer, the order was never announced (we were standing close to the bar) and only were aware our order was complete when we walked over and checked the reciept near the drink. The diners greatly enjoyed both drinks.

The woman working the register had a lull in guests so she decided to bus tables. When passing our table a napkin fell. She turned and looked at it when it fell and threw away the items she cleared from the table. This was not a problem until her hands were empty and she continued to walk by the napkin and look at it (with hands empty) and avoid it. Eventually we picked it up out of concern for another diner slipping on it.

While our meal was good, it was over $125 for 4 people. For that price I expect a different level of dining than stepped up fast food. The vegan options were lacking and left me feeling like my order was an afterthought to the other diners...