I don’t like to go to Downtown Charlottesville. I’m always afraid that if I stand still, someone will think I’m a statue and throw a tarp on me. I also don’t like the fact that there are approximately 15,000 cars trying to squeeze in one of the 50 available parking places, meaning it costs you ten bucks to park in the garage.
But.
I enjoy seeing performances from the Charlottesville Municipal Band and Broadway shows like Camelot at the Paramount, and it’s Downtown, so every now and then I go.
Camelot started at 7:30 last Saturday night, so Nancy and I decided to grab a bite before the show. We chose Citizen Burger Bar directly across the street from the theater. I tried to eat there once before, but the place was packed and the wait long.
Fortunately, this time we were able to get a seat and give their burgers a try. If you don’t want to get a burger, by the way, there’s not much use in going to Citizen Burger because that’s pretty much all they have.
Well, I take that back. They also have beer. Their beer list is as long as the ‘T” Volume of the Encyclopedia Britannica. They have lots and lots of beer. I ordered a Pabst.
The beef for their burgers, they say, comes from organically inspired, college educated cattle – grass fed, no pills or hormones ever and they were all read bed time stories before they went to sleep. Not really, but it’s organic and all that stuff and it tasted pretty damned good. I ordered mine pink and it came pink. Some restaurants won’t do that. They also bring you some sort of a can stuffed with French Fries – almost more than you can eat, but not quite. I managed to eat every last one (groan) and our server was excellent.
Their prices are reasonable – in line with other better burgers – and they offer a huge choice of combinations and variations. What impressed me most was that they have their buns made from local bakeries – always fresh, always good.
If I have to go Downtown again, I would consider another visit to the Citizen Burger Bar, that is if it’s not too crowded. They don’t take reservations, but they will text you if a table is available while you wander around the mall (keep moving!).
Not that the GPS address will do you any good because it’s on the Mall where cars aren’t allowed, but the address is 212 E Main St. in Charlottesville. Their website and complete menu is available at citizenburgerbar.com.