Acme Burger Company

Don't let the name fool you: There is nothing generic about Salt Lake City's newest eatery. While burgers may be the focus, Acme Burger Company's menu not only proffers a burger for everyone's taste, but a wealth of other intriguing selections as well.

With a foundation built on quality ingredients Acme offers burgers made from grass-fed beef, ostrich, wild Northwest salmon and even a housemade 3-Bean veggieburger. For those not wanting to dabble in burgerville, Skirt Teak Tataki, Curried Acorn Squash Bisque and Fresh Hummus & Eggplant Tahini with warm Pita hold their own on this creative and well-planned menu.

The restaurant is a collaboration between executive chef Adam Kreisel, Kipp Kelley and Alan Ireland. Locally, Kreisel previously served as co-owner of The Globe Cafe and executive chef for Sundance Resort. Outside of Utah he spent time exercising his culinary passion in Italy, as the private chef for NBC Executives during the 2006 Winter Games, and in the Bay Area, at Mecca and Acquerello. He and Ireland both visited our table during our meal to talk about their restaurant's approach to fine ingredients served up without an ounce of pretension. It is evident that both men believe in what they are doing and hope it will change the way Salt Lake City dines. Given their grace and humility, Kreisel and Ireland are careful to tiptoe around the obvious: despite being knee-deep in its soft-opening, Acme has already succeeded.

With so many delectable offerings to choose from, here's how we narrowed it down for our first--of what will clearly be many--visits to Acme Burger Company:



Grandma Sari's Potato Pancakes - $4

Light and fluffy on the tongue, these little slices of heaven came with applesauce and crème fraîche . For 10 bucks you can get the version with house-cured salmon.


Acme Breath Enhancer - Grass-fed beef, bibb lettuce, red onion, roasted garlic aioli, garden herb toast, provolone cheese - $8

Pure bliss! J was thrilled: hands-down the best burger in the state. Perfectly cooked and seasoned. The ingredients complemented one another seamlessly, so that no one element took center stage on the palate. The shoestring potatoes were delightful: crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. Tres bien!


Salmon Burger - Curly endive, pickled ginger cream cheese, shiso vinaigrette, pumpernickel and marble rye bread - $11

The last time I ordered a salmon burger in town I ended up with a fried patty in the shape of a square, nestled between two pieces of enriched white bread. As a Washington girl, I was entirely offended. In contrast, this little beauty from Acme is everything that a salmon burger should be--and more. The salmon was fresh, and the cream cheese and vinaigrette provided a nice zing. Very thoughtful choice on the bread, too--a tangy alternative to your basic bun.


Thick-cut steak fries - $4

Burgers come a la carte at Acme, but alas, potatoes can be ordered "your way" from the array of side options. Thick-cut steak fries, shoestring potatoes, rosemary potatoes and the potato pancakes can all be ordered in single ($4) or family ($11) helpings. The fries arrive in a cone-shaped basket, reminiscent of a smoky cafe on St. Germaine.


Chocolate Shake - $6

As far as I'm concerned, a chocolate shake creates the perfect ménage à trois when paired with a burger and fries. Whatever your pleasure, Acme delivers the quintessential food orgasm by offering strawberry, vanilla or chocolate shakes. The small comes in a chilled, oversize flute, with an ample sidecar of excess to keep your dining partners out of your glass. If the small serving makes a menage a trois, then the large must be a full-on orgy.

While I think a frosty shake is the perfect accompaniment to a burger and fries, J insists on a good glass of red wine. Fortunately, Acme has a full bar, which includes wine, beer and spirits. As I indulged in my sugar fix, J sipped a silky smooth Tempranillo.

Just when we thought we couldn't muster another bite, Chef Kreisel kindly sent out a trio of housemade sorbet: prickly pear, peach with thyme and triple berry with terragon. We managed to clean yet another plate, including the handful of bite-size snickerdoodles, still warm from the oven. Waddling out to our car, we were already planning what we want to try on our next visit. Hope to see you there.

- K

**Editor's Note: 8/03/08 We learned that as of some time in late June of this year, Adam Kreisel is no longer with Acme Burger Company. We are sorry to hear this, but glad to have seen him around at another Gourmand Syndrome fav, Tony Caputo's Market & Deli. A few teasers online suggest a risottoria may be in the works. We can't wait to find out.

Acme Burger Company
275 South 200 West
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
801.257.5700

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Sunday - Thursday 11:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Friday and Saturday - 11:00 a.m. to midnight (or so)

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