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The Habit Hamburger Review

Original post made by Rick, Vintage Hills, on Mar 24, 2012

"The Habit" hamburger chain opened up at the new shopping
center on the corner of Hopyard and Bernal. I have heard a lot of hype so I decided to try it out. Here is my review:

When I arrived at 11:30 am on Saturday, it was literally being overrun by the Pleasantonians. The line was nearly out the door, people were snagging tables before they ordered, and the kitchen was franticly pumping out burgers but it wasn't fast enough. The police even showed up to restore order (more about that later).

We waited patiently (around 8 minutes) till we ordered. Each of us had the #1 which is a standard hamburger, fries and drink combo. It was around 15 bucks for both of us. They gave us a buzzer and we found a table (actually a good friend saw us in line and saved it for us). We waited around 8 minutes and watched the char-grill spew flames while the customers jockeyed for position. It was loud but the booths were really nice with excellent back support.

We retrieved our burgers and I have to say, it was very good. The burger was very large and tasty. I had the sweet potato fries and my daughter ordered the french fries. As crazy as it was in there, an employee asked if she could refill our cups. That was nice. But then, I noticed a disturbance near the rear door.

An large angry man was dressing down the manager The manager asked the man to please go outside. The manager appeared to be apologizing but the man was still giving him an earful. Maybe he didn't get his order fast enough? Who knows?

We finished up and walked out and noticed two cop cars pull up and bee-line to the angry customer sitting outside. He had a sheepish look on his face while he was being interrogated by another cop. They surrounded him. Since the beginning of time, scarce resources (in these case hamburgers) always causes conflict.

So what's the bottom line on The Habit? I really liked it. My only suggestion is that you go during off peak hours because the place can get really crowded. In and Out burger is still the best value in town, but if you want to pay a little more and get a bigger burger, I highly recommend The Habit.

Comments (12)

Posted by Neighbor
a resident of Laguna Vista
on Mar 24, 2012 at 9:10 pm

I went there a few weeks ago and it also was packed. I wasn't a fan of their burgers. They were very thin and chared(yes..I know they are called CHAR-burgers there. I am not sure if you can request them not as done. We ordered the onion rings which were VERY good and I am interested in trying their milkshakes. Overall, the price was good but the burgers were anything to write home about (just to respond to an online post)=)

I am excited to see what other shops they put in!


Posted by Melanie
a resident of Kottinger Ranch
on Mar 25, 2012 at 8:42 am

I went to the one in Walnut Creek last July. I found them just okay as far as burgers go. Lots of options which is nice, however like the last poster stated they were thin and cooked well done. For the price it an okay place...no reason for lines out the door. I will say that if you are thinking of going to Five Guys this is a much better option.


Posted by Tango
a resident of Vineyard Avenue
on Mar 25, 2012 at 10:00 am

Went there last night about 6:30 and they were busy. Like the idea of the buzzer, no one is shouting a number which you may not hear. Our burgers were fine, loved the onion rings. I noticed that they don't use a lot of salt on anything. That is up to you. If you want more spice you can add peppers. They have a pepper bar. Our burgers were not over cooked and we got them in a reasonable amount of time. I would go back.


Posted by Ghetto Resident
a resident of Valley Trails
on Mar 25, 2012 at 6:13 pm

Been there twice, first time long line, but wait was not bad. Burgers/fries/shakes all good. Second time there, it was a little later in the evening, not as busy, all was good but one burger was very, very rare. Too late to go back to get another. Will go again, like it better than In n Out.


Posted by Mort
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Mar 26, 2012 at 6:35 am

Lines out the door, $15 a person for a burger meal? No thanks.
For under $15 I feed burgers to my family of 4, big ground chuck patties and oven fried potatoes. Homemade coleslaw.

I can see the appeal of not having to cook, and all the options fo the burgers, but when a place gets that packed, that appeal is gone for me.


Posted by Curious
a resident of Del Prado
on Mar 26, 2012 at 10:01 am

Has anyone noticed the smoke coming from the place? It is especially alarming on calm windless days when a cloud of burger smoke hangs over the shopping center. I wonder if they do not have to adhere to the same air quality rules as the rest of us? I would think they would want to scrub their grill exhaust a bit more to keep it from looking like a waterfront factory pumping out noxious gases into the neighborhood.


Posted by Jesse
a resident of Birdland
on Mar 26, 2012 at 10:04 am

We have enough burger joints all ready. How about some pancake houses? Some of the southern states have Waffle Houses and you can't beat their pigs in a blanket.


Posted by Davey
a resident of Vineyard Hills
on Mar 26, 2012 at 1:45 pm

Ihop will serve pigs-in-a-blanket but you have to ask them. Its' not on the menu.


Posted by shadowbozo
a resident of Vineyard Avenue
on Mar 27, 2012 at 8:20 am

Waffle house won't open any franchises in California due to the unnecessary regulations required. I'm in Tucson as I type this and have seen two Waffle houses. I'll be eating at one on Thursday evening.

:)


Posted by Davey
a resident of Vineyard Hills
on Mar 27, 2012 at 2:24 pm

Ah but the question is weather Walffle Houses' pig's-in-a-blanket are as tastey as ihops'?

Are any of those unnecessary regulations on Walffle House having to do with the outragious charges of racism that trouble makers are always making against the company? Im glad Arizonas' hot and sexy govenor roll's out the welcoming mat!


Posted by Cholo
a resident of Livermore
on Dec 29, 2012 at 2:57 pm

I almost never go out for dinner and especially not for a "burger". I usually cook food to last a few days and share with a few other seniors.

We talk a lot and none of can hear each other in a burger parlor. Plus, I don't like the smell of burgers. now, a wimpy burger is quite another story!

I prefer to cook a leg of lamb very slowly with lots of potatoes and carrots and olives. We all prefer fresh fish to anything else. We take turns cooking for each other and that's more enjoyable because we can visit all night. VIVA!


Posted by Cholo
a resident of Livermore
on May 13, 2013 at 7:26 pm

Where in the world have most of you heard of a Hobbit hamburger?

whatever that is?


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