EVERETT – We’re going to blame any unhappiness on the cooks in the sports bars and pub across Snohomish County who’ve spoiled me with their quarter-pound, one-third pound or half-pound juicy burgers, which are grilled like a steak, and served on a toasted bun.
Their burgers make others fall into the deep shadows of a Pacific Northwest forest. So, it took a while for me to adjust to the charbroiled, thin patty on an untoasted bun that I recently ate at Herfy’s Burgers.
It’s not fair to compare a burger from Herfy’s with those served in sports bars because it’s my belief that bars always have the best. So, I shook off the pre-set notions. After all, Herfy’s Burgers was a noted local chain before national chains came to Puget Sound. Although the original local chain disappeared, the name lives on in these locations, as does the tradition.
The Herfy’s Burger in Everett in the Claremont Village Shopping Center is location No. 11. Others are located in King and Pierce counties, with the original in Seattle’s Georgetown.
In addition to burgers, Herfy’s menu includes chicken, fish, shrimp, halibut, salmon, catfish, scallops, oysters and clam strips plus chips ($3.99 to $12.99), popcorn chicken ($3.99 for the small) and an assortment of burgers like bacon, mushroom, onion, chicken breast, and fish ($3.59 to $6.19). In other words, if it can be deep-fried, it’s at Herfy’s.
The hamburgers at Herfy’s are more like the ones served at national chains: thin patties that customers order by number (double, triple) and then stacked to make the amount of meat desired. Unfortunately, I didn’t know this on my recent Saturday afternoon visit to Herfy’s. I ordered a regular cheeseburger ($2.79) along with a small order of fries ($1.49) and a medium soft drink ($1.59).
Although Herfy’s Burgers opened in Everett about six weeks ago, I could tell this place has been discovered. I arrived just behind a rush and there wasn’t a clean table in the place. The friendly counter staff quickly cleared a table for me as I waited with my tent-shaped number and drink in hand.
As soon as the table was cleared and I sat down, my order arrived. The fries were fresh from the fryer and I lathered them with plenty of ketchup, which sits on each booth or table along with mustard and “special sauce.”
The fries were crinkle-cut, frozen and undercooked. I suspect the cooking oil isn’t hot enough to bring them to a golden brown. The patty was thin but deliciously charbroiled. The lettuce and tomato were fresh, and topped with a mayo-ketchup sauce. It was all tasty, and better than any burger from a drive-through. More importantly, the price was right.
Herald restaurant reviewers accept no invitations to review, but readers’ suggestions are always welcome. Reviewers arrive unannounced, and The Herald pays their tabs. Contact Anna Poole at features@heraldnet.com.
Herfy’s Burgers
4817 Evergreen Way, Everett
425-252-0650
Specialty: Burgers
Vegetarian choices: Finger food such as fries, onion rings, mushrooms and cheese sticks.
Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday-Saturday; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Price range: Inexpensive
Liquor: None
Smoking: Nonsmoking
Disabled accessibility: Easy access
Credit cards: MasterCard, Visa
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