TACOMA — About 600 diners are going to get free burgers and fries, with no strings attached, this weekend.
The Habit Burger Grill in Tacoma’s Westgate neighborhood expects to open its doors Feb. 14 at 2601 N. Pearl St.
The restaurant will have three practice runs Saturday and Sunday. The first 200 diners who show up at each will get a burger meal.
The California-based chain restaurant is known for its flame-grilled burgers, tempura-fried green beans, crunchy-coated onion rings and tri-tip steak sandwiches. Charburgers made with fresh beef start at $3.65. A combo meal will set you back $7.99.
The owners of the Tacoma restaurant also operate four other Habit Burgers, from Silverdale to Shoreline. They have plans for more.
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Here are the free-burger events, plus a look at two charity events where burgers are not free but proceeds will benefit local organizations.
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Free burgers:
Three sessions spread across two days this weekend.
Saturday (Feb. 10) will have two burger giveaways from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Sunday (Feb. 11) will have a burger giveaway from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The first 200 visitors at each of the giveaways will get a charburger with all the fixings, fries and regular-sized beverage. No strings attached, but they’ll only serve 200 diners at each session. Expect a line.
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Charity fundraisers:
These are not free events. Menu items will be full priced with 100 percent of proceeds going to charity. USO Northwest will be the beneficiary from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Sunday (Feb. 11). Nourish Pierce County will benefit from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday (Feb. 13).
Never been to The Habit Burger Grill? I visited two of the closest locations in Kent and Silverdale. Here’s a first-bite preview:
The concept: Fast-food service and seating with upscale food options that won't break your budget. Pricing is in line with upscale fast-food burger restaurants that operate in Tacoma: Shake Shake Shake, Red Wagon Burgers and Burger Broiler.
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%Diners order at the counter and take a pager that buzzes when an order is ready. Modern dining rooms have serve-yourself condiment and soda stations, a comfortable interior and a Generation X-approved soundtrack.
The menu: Six varieties of flame-grilled burgers, called charburgers, with myriad topping options ($3.65 to $6.25, a la carte). Plus a la carte sandwich choices of tri-tip steak ($7.55), chicken ($6.25 to $7.55), chargrilled tuna steak ($7.55) or a veggie burger ($5.55). Also, salads ($4.19 to $7.99). Sides include French fries ($2.29), onion rings ($2.55), tempura-fried green beans ($2.99) and sweet potato fries ($2.99). Shakes and malts ($3.75).
Deal seekers: Get the charburger combo with a burger, fries and drink for $7.99.
For kids: Burgers, nuggets or grilled cheese combo meals ($4.59).
Burger lowdown: The Habit Burger Grill nailed it. Burgers tried on separate visits were flawless. The fresh beef arrived flame licked, the bun was toasted, cheese was melted and bacon crispy. Burgers were dressed standard with mayo. Extra sauces were free. Caramelized onions are a specialty of this restaurant, but fresh onions available. Charburgers were dressed with tomato, shredded lettuce and pickle chips (on the bottom bun, not the top). Order the tempura green beans over fries or rings.
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