50 Burger Shakes & Beer — Restaurant in Salida

I decided to finally try them for the first time last Friday because I heard from friends in the past that they were decent. Ordered the Happy Jack chicken sandwich and Cottonwood burger, garlic rosemary fries, and an Alexander the Great boozy shake. I think total was around $55 - I would've rather spent this much at McDonalds for the same amount of food because it would've tasted better. Chicken was thin cut, dry, a little tough, and the entire sandwich was bland (2/10). Beef was a little dry and tough even though it looked like it was cooked properly to medium, so maybe it was stored improperly, bad quality meat, or old (entire burger 5/10)? Fries tasted old, stale, and hard, but I did like the whole garlic pieces included even though they were soggy instead of crispy (3/10). Shake was very average, but I was more disappointed seeing that it was served in a to-go cup with a straw less than half a centimeter in diameter, which makes it really difficult and unpleasant to drink something thick like a shake because you're straining so much (3/10). Order was placed to-go and they estimated 10-12 min to me over the phone, but it actually took them 30 min (wouldn't mind if the food actually tasted fresh and well-made). Whether it was just a bad day for them or the food really does suck is hard to...

So we come through Salida a couple three four times a year. Stayed overnight this time and went to a new Mexi joint in town. They were short staffed and just sat an 18 top in a full restaurant. So yeah...time to find another place to have dinner. Drove down the road just looking and swerved into 50 Burger. I am a HUGE cheeseburger fan, an afficianado if you will, and always have them whenever I try a new place. Keep in mind that I am a kitchen guy-30 years in kitchens chefing and working the line. The sign on the door read that they were closing like right now. My wife went in and we were seated at the bar right away. Jenn was making milkshakes but talked with us about the food and backstory as she worked. We had drinks served and dinner ordered in about five minutes. I had the 50 Burger and my wife the chicken fingers. Dinner came pretty quick and hot. We watched the cooks make it and they run a tight ship. Portions were plentiful...I could not finish mine!! I am picky...just ask my wife. This was a carefully crafted sandwich. Cooked perfectly medium and a great beefy flavor from the local brisket ground just for them. I will make it a point to come back whenever we roll...

Great food, always appreciate a really good hamburger with quality meat and fresh ingredients. Having a bar inside with micro brews, etc, is cool! HOWEVER, this hamburger place is overpriced! Fifty extra cents for cheese, really!? The majority of the menu items are expensive. A typical family on vacation and on a budget should drive past. My husband ordered fries with his hamburger. The wait staff told us the cook was having to prepare them (really? A hamburger place that runs out of fries?) She brought out our sandwiches. We were almost done eating when we saw her bring out a huge pile of fries to another table that came in long after us. We still had to wait and were almost leaving when she brought them over. Again...really???? My husband complained, but the waitress explained the "chef" apologized by adding a bowl of complimentary chili. Sorry, that doesn't do it, since we were already done eating! A coupon for another visit would have been classy. For the prices being charged, I thought class would be a given here, lol. Apparently not. My husband worked in food service at one point in his life and knows that preparation and planning is vital. ...