GetGo Kitchen

GetGo Kitchen is a development by GetGo gas stations, which are part of the larger family Giant Eagle food stores in the Ohio River Valley. It’s kind of like a Sheetz or Wawa in how you play with a touch screen until you eventually arrive to a decision you normally regret.

According to their website “GetGo is all about innovation and convenience.” I would probably also add “pissing off drunk people who just want a goddamn bagel sandwich at 3am because they’ve been waiting for, like, a fucking hour.”

This day, however, I was completely sober and leaving work when I thought I’d fill up my gas tank and grab a bite to eat. I bypassed my usual touch screen routine of making multiple “practice orders,” deleting everything, and starting all over again;  instead, my attention immediately was drawn to the bold ad on the front screen: “NEW BURGERS!”

I was delighted to find three types:  Fiery Jack Burger, Bacon Cheddar Burger, and Build Your Own. I can’t resist anything described as “fiery” so the choice was easy, especially after reading the description:

Fiery Jack Burger:  Jalapeno Peppers, Roasted Peppers, Onions, Hot Pepper Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, Chipotle Mayonnaise

I opted for the additional “meal deal” which adds a drink and bag of chips for a small fee, and printed my receipt. I picked out a bag of Cheddar Ruffles and filled up my 22oz cup with Dr. Pepper. I went to the register to pay and found out the Cheddar Ruffles aren’t part of the chip deal and would cost me an extra 30 cents.  So I splurged a little.

Then, something occurred in GetGo that has never happened before to me: the cook called my number.  I didn’t have to wait, I didn’t have to mingle around the front desk, pretending to be playing on my phone or texting.  It was uncanny how fast it was.  It couldn’t have been more than 2 minutes. I really have no idea how they physically made my burger that fast, but I wasn’t about to question their methods (precooked, microwave?).  I sat down at the tables inside (this is an advantage of GetGo Kitchen over regular GetGos) and unwrapped my fiery feast.

I guess they added mustard too.  A lot of it.  But whatever.  This picture doesn’t do it justice really. Except for how sloppy and messy it looks. That was real.  Here is what it looked like when I finished.

Burger Ratings:

Burger: 8

I hate admitting it, but this thing was actually really great. I really am baffled how they pulled it off. I thought the stack of gooey toppings was going to be too much, but they all came together in a near perfect blend. The peppers weren’t overpowering, the cheese was melty the way I like it, and the patty was cooked to a moist and tender medium-well. Each bite I kept thinking that I must be going crazy. Why was this burger tasting so damn good!? In retrospect, I’ve realized that my tragically low expectations for this burger likely skewed my perception.

Side: 5

I love Cheddar Ruffles. But they’re still just Cheddar Ruffles.

Environment: 5

This GetGo was the nicest one that I’ve ever been to. It had recently opened and everything still felt like new. Two big flatscreen TVs hung from the ceiling on either side of me, playing pre-coverage of the NFL draft. There were two plush chairs which I was tempted to sit in, but I opted for the standard 2-person table. No one else was eating at any of the tables which made me feel a little lonely, but random sketchy customers did come in and out during my meal, paying for gas, buying lotto tickets, and screaming at their children to “git over here NOW.”  Despite it’s refurbished state, it’s still a gas station.

Value: 7

The touch screen advertised this burger at $4.49, but with the customized meal deal the total came to $7.06.  Still not bad.

4928 Baum Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA‎ 15213 - (412) 681.1883‎

Tags: ANGUS, getgo kitchen, giant eagle, pittsburgh, ~GUEST REVIEW~

Listed Under: 7 - Real Good