500 Degrees

Dan and I stopped into 500 Degrees while working in Center City last week. We had eaten at Rouge before with less than amazing results. Still, we were interested in trying out this new place.

500 Degrees gets points for simplicity. You walk in and order at the register. The menu only consists of burgers, fries, and milkshakes. There are several incarnations of each of these items. Prices are slightly high, but you're paying for quality and location. The best part about this place is the ability to order how your burger is cooked. I went with a medium rare burger with lettuce, tomato and american cheese.

The burger came out quickly and cooked perfectly. But I wasn't thrilled. The beef wasn't seasoned well; just a dash of salt and pepper. They could have done so much more with the meat and made a better burger without much extra effort. It's a small burger at 6 oz, but the perfect amount for lunch. The fries are served regular, spicy, or truffle in huge servings at $2.50. One order of fries was more than enough for the two of us. The seasoning on the fries was unique, not very spicy, but interesting. The fries were served with "house sauce," which was close to 100o island dressing. The fries are slices thin and fried crispy. Not my favorite, but some people were really digging them.

I didn't have a shake here, but from the looks of them, I imagine they're good, but not great. It's almost impossible to crank out high quality food at the speed with which 500 degrees operates. 500 degrees is small, with two small tables to eat at. It's loud, they play hilarious music (like Marilyn Manson and Everclear while we were eating), and you'll definitely be elbow to elbow with strangers with juice dribbling down their chins. It's pretty fun.

I've heard a lot of mixed reviews from different people, with some saying this burger is the best in the city, while other parties find it mediocre. I've done my best to accurately represent this spot, but I've had a lot of cheeseburgers across Philadelphia, and I'd be surprised if this made even my top 10.

Bottom Line: This is fancy fast food. It's still fast food though, albeit some of the best you will find in the city. If you want an actual cheeseburger and to be in and out of the door in five minutes, this spot is fantastic. If you have some more time, I'd recommend other places for lunch.

Essentials:

1504 Sansom

Hours: M-T: 11-10, F,S,S: 11-3am

Burgers: $4.75 and up, meals $9 and up

Cash Only: No

Reservations: Never