Boogie Burger (with cheese) @ Boogie Burger.

Indy Burger Guy visited Boogie Burger on August 8, 2016.

In my head, I like to imagine that Boogie Burger in Broad Ripple was founded by super-cool, beef-eating hippies who love good food and great music. For all I know, that’s exactly how it all went down. (Except that it’s totally not. In his book, Restaurant Winners, Boogie Burger founder Mark Radford details his life prior to starting up the restaurant. Apparently he was once a sales rep for Big Pharma. Whaddaya know?) Two things I know for sure, though: (1.) Boogie Burger has a relaxed, welcoming, come-as-you-are atmosphere that makes it easy to feel at home, and (2.) Boogie Burger makes one serious burger!!

You notice there’s something different about Boogie Burger as soon as you walk in (even sooner if the old refurbished dune buggy is out front). It’s a small space – maybe 35 seats inside total, though plentiful outdoor seating is an option – but the space is used quite economically, employing bar seating where possible. Bright reds, oranges, and yellows are inviting and remind one of the ’70s. The music piped in overhead is catchy – these are songs you know, ones to which you know all the words by heart.

All of these things get you in the door and make you feel like staying. What keeps your butt in the seat, though, is the burger!

If there’s one thing the casual atmosphere of Boogie Burger fails to do, it does not prepare you for the level of freshness and quality that you’re about to sink your teeth into. Boogie Burger is a gourmet burger experience wrapped up like an unassuming diner. Every bite is a harmonious balance of flavors, seasonings, and fresh toppings.

For this trip, I settled on the standard Boogie Burger with cheese (American, of course) along with the standard toppings (which, for Boogie Burger, means tomato, lettuce, mayo, red onion, and a dill pickle spear) served on a toasted kaiser bun. (If you choose, you can add either bacon or peanut butter – or both, I presume – but I opted out of that… this time.) The first thing you notice as you bite into a Boogie Burger is the quality of the beef – 1/3 lb. of Black Angus beef seasoned to tasty perfection. And the balance is right on: none of the toppings overwhelm or distract from the beef, which ought to be the focal point of any burger you try.

And the toppings are fresh and quality – ripe tomatoes, beautifully melted cheese, and crunchy onion. My only complaint is the use of iceberg lettuce as opposed to a leaf or romaine lettuce – but this is really more of a minor nitpick than anything. Even the bun holds up to the very end – which either means that Boogie Burger is incredibly picky when it comes to bun selection, or their burgers aren’t as greasy as others I’ve had. Either way, this burger is incredibly well-balanced from start to finish!

Sides at Boogie Burger are served separately, but combo options are available as well. My Mrs and I highly recommend the garlic fries, covered in fresh minced garlic and chopped parsley. They’re one-size, but we found that a single order can easily be split (though you may find yourself wanting to eat the whole thing – and, if that’s the case, I certainly can’t blame you). You would also do well to save some room for one of Boogie Burger’s award-winning hand-dipped milkshakes, which are thick and tasty and come in a variety of wonderful flavors!

Be sure to make a stop by Boogie Burger for the best, most unassuming burger experience you’re likely to have in Indy!

EXECUTION: 3.0/3.5
APPEARANCE: 1.4/1.5
TASTE: 4.4/5.0

FINAL RANKING: 8.8/10

THE DETAILS
Boogie Burger
1904 Broad Ripple Avenue
Indianapolis IN 46220 US
boogieburger.com
Cost Range: $$ ($7-$12)*

*Though both the Boogie Burger and the Boogie Burger with cheese came in under $7, the bulk of the offerings lay between the $7 and $12 range.