The Habit

The Habit is another one of those local California chains that might be a little tiny bit more chainy than my average review, but hey, it started out as just one restaurant in Santa Barbara with quality 24 cent hamburgers...and it only has chains in California. Well, think what you must. I admit, I'm touching on this chain mostly because it feels more like a local joint.

The Habit in Glendale is in a mall area with several other fast food style restaurants and corner stores like Ralph's, Ross, Michael's and Staples. It has a corner spot right on the main drag so it is easy to see from the road. Since this is a shopping center, there is plenty of parking--as long as you don't mind a little walking.

We arrived on Sunday around 1pm and it was pretty crowded inside the restaurant. After walking in, however, we realized it was a lot larger restaurant than it looked from outside. At this restaurant, you order at the counter, sit, and wait for the staff to call your number and then go pick up your food.

The menu is small but concentrated. There are basic charbroiled burgers, a couple of simple sandwiches--tri-tip, chicken club, albacore tuna, a couple of salads, fries and onion rings, and a few shakes and malts. The prices are pretty good, a bare-bones burger runs you about $3.00 which is not unlike something you'd get at other fast food burger joints.

I ordered the charbroiled burger with everything and cheese (it costs extra for cheese) and a chocolate malt. The burger comes with lettuce, tomato, mayo, pickles, and caramelized onions. The malt was only $3, but I felt there was a lot of whipped cream that I didn't really need. It was made with real ice cream and powdered malt and the powder stood out a little too much. The malt wasn't exactly drinkable at first and I wished I had gotten a glass of water to go along. The burger was delicious. It sounds pretty normal from the description, but something was different. I think there was some kind of seasoning mixed with the meat. I added swiss cheese to my burger and it melted in perfectly. But, I think that defined the burger and made it different was the caramelized onions. I think this burger rivals California's most famous burger joint, In & Out.

Everyone else in my party ordered a burger as well with the addition of fries. The fries were crispy, golden, and freshly made.

The speed in which our order was ready, and the friendliness of the staff really helped this restaurant stand out from other fast food establishments. The manager was actively involved in handing out each meal to each customer. While we were there I saw the bathroom being cleaned (even though it was in the middle of the busiest lunch hour), the ketchup being replaced, and the counters being wiped down. One lady even offered to take our trays to the trash for us. The restaurant was very clean and very comfortable. The Habit is a place I can see myself going to again, I might even make a habit of it.





The Habit
249-F North Glendale Ave.
Glendale, CA 91206
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