California Grill opened its second location in Taipei’s East District (東區) last summer, but recently expanded its previously tiny storefront. The restaurant, which is right behind the Sogo on Dunhua South Road (敦化南路), is plainly decorated but roomy and, like California Grill’s Yongkang Street (永康街) location, features a flat-screen television that plays TV shows of extreme sports on constant rotation. The footage might give you ideas for how to burn off the calories you’ll consume in the form of California Grill’s hamburgers. The restaurant was founded by two Americans in 2007 and features patties made with 100 percent USDA beef. Vegetarians and health-conscious diners will also find plenty of options. All burgers are served with a side of salad or thick-cut fries.
A standout on California Grill’s menu is the Mofo burger (NT$195), which is a beef patty or teriyaki chicken breast topped with bacon, American cheddar cheese, BBQ sauce and garlic mayo on a white bread bun (a tofu version is available for NT$175). The smorgasbord of flavors, from the savory bacon to the sharp cheddar cheese, is satisfying. Another particularly decadent option is the western bacon burger (NT$205), beef or teriyaki chicken topped with strips of bacon, BBQ sauce and cheddar cheese with a heap of crispy, fresh onion rings on top for some extra crunch.
California Grill has three burgers on its menu made exclusively with chicken breast. The best is the very flavorful teriyaki chicken breast (NT$155), the worst for your arteries is the breaded fried chicken sandwich (NT$165) and the most original is the hidden valley (NT$195), which is topped with red onion, sprouts, pepper jack cheese, bacon, is smothered in ranch dressing and comes in a whole wheat bun. Despite the very piquant ingredients, however, the hidden valley sandwich was bland compared to the restaurant’s burgers. The pepper jack cheese and red onions were the dominant flavors and overwhelmed the other ingredients, including the juicy chicken breast.
Address: 1, Ln 238, Dunhua S Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市敦化南路一段238巷1號)
Telephone: (02) 8771-9423 Average meal: NT$250
Open: Mondays to Saturdays 11:30pm to 9pm; Sundays noon to 9pm
Details: Chinese and English menu; credit cards not accepted
If you can’t decide what to order, consider the sliders platter (NT$250), which includes four mini-burgers (beef, chicken, salmon and tofu) and a salad or fries. The slice of Canadian freshwater salmon fillet was plump and delicious (it comes as a regular-sized sandwich for NT$200), while the tofu, marinated in a sesame, soy and ginger sauce, was also surprisingly satisfying, even though its texture is softer and less toothsome than the meat-filled sandwiches.
California Grill offers three salads. The Green Goddess and Napa Valley (both NT$160) are topped with hot, freshly grilled chicken breast and are hearty enough for meals by themselves. The Valley Girl is the house salad that is served as a side with hamburgers and is NT$140 when ordered as a dish.
The restaurant’s weekday lunch specials (NT$159 each from 11:30am to 3pm) include a Napa Valley, Green Goddess salad or two classic beef, teriyaki chicken breast, tofu or breaded fried chicken sliders with French fries or salad. Each set includes iced tea (soda for NT$15 more).
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