Terminology

The six-point scale

There is no neutral rating. Every burger either earns a chase or sends you running—choosing a side is the whole point. The scale runs from −3 to +3 with no zero, so a review always takes a stance and simply signals how strongly.

Every review lands on one of six values — three ways to Chase It (+1 to +3) or three ways to Run Away (−1 to −3). Higher numbers mean a stronger pull in that direction.

Chase It

• +1

  Swing By

  — Worth stopping for when you’re nearby.

  This is a good burger when you are already in the neighborhood or passing through. It is worth stopping in, but it is not necessarily a destination on its own.

• +2

  Chase-Worthy

  — Worth making a special trip.

  This burger belongs on your checklist. It is worth going out of your way for and making a dedicated trip to try.

• +3

  Ultimate Chase

  — GOAT-worthy. Go as soon as possible.

  This is an exceptional, memorable burger and potentially one of the greatest of all time. Move it to the top of your list and go chase it now.

Run Away

• -1

  Avoid

  — Tolerable, but avoid it when possible.

  The burger is tolerable if you are already there with someone or have no other practical options, but you would not choose this restaurant yourself.

• -2

  Drive By

  — Don’t stop—choose somewhere else.

  Skip this restaurant and keep driving. Even if someone recommends it, suggest going somewhere else.

• -3

  Run Scared

  — Avoid at all costs.

  Cross this burger off your list and delete it from your brain. The experience was bad enough to make you question whether they should be serving burgers.

Wins & Sins

Wins are the burger characteristics that stood out for the right reasons; Sins are the ones that let it down. Both are chosen from the same tag list, and a single characteristic can’t be both a Win and a Sin in the same review.

The same tags describe both — a tag is a Win when it made the burger and a Sin when it broke it. A single characteristic can’t be tagged as both in one review.

Review tags

Burger Smile

The burger’s side-on profile — how the bun, patty, and toppings stack up into a silhouette when you look at it head-on. Chasers read that shape like an expression: a tall, balanced build is a happy “smile,” while a squashed, sloppy, or lopsided one isn’t. A quick, whole-burger read on build and presentation.

LBA — Last Bite Anxiety

How well the burger holds together and maintains its flavor, balance, texture, and enjoyment through the final bite.

Toppings

The quality, freshness, quantity, and balance of toppings, and how well they complement the burger.

Meat

The quality, flavor, texture, juiciness, and preparation of the burger patty.

Bun

The bun’s freshness, flavor, texture, proportion, and ability to hold the burger together.

Seasoning

The amount, balance, and distribution of salt, spices, and other seasonings.

Cheese

The cheese’s flavor, melt, coverage, texture, and contribution to the overall burger.

Sauce

The sauce’s flavor, quantity, distribution, and compatibility with the other ingredients.

Doneness

Whether the meat was cooked to the requested or appropriate level without being undercooked, overcooked, raw, or dry.

Value

Whether the burger’s quality, portion, and overall experience justify its price.

Presentation

How appetizing and thoughtfully assembled the burger looks when served, including its overall visual execution.

Service

The speed, accuracy, helpfulness, and hospitality experienced while ordering and receiving the burger.

Abbreviations

LBA

— Last Bite Anxiety