Michael S.
Yelp
I'm torn. It was truly the best of meals and the worst of meals, all rolled up into one. Let's tease out the intertwined aspects.
Price. I'm immensely grateful for PDX serving food at street prices, without a screw-you airport markup (as does, for example, SeaTac). Being able to buy a burger that costs about as much as a burger is something not taken for granted by the frequent airport traveler, so there's that.
Convenience. Burgerville's preparation was quick but mindful enough that they asked me to wait for a fresh batch of fries rather than serve the existing supply. I'd expect that from a neighborhood restaurant but not of a fast-food place pushing food to hungry, rushing travelers. Kudos to the kitchen staff.
Service. Friendly, patient, cheerful, and wonderful at explaining the aspects of the menu (which, when you think of it, they have to do hundreds of times a day as waves of passengers flow on by). Nothing but really good thoughts about Burgerville's service.
Taste. In the end, this is the bit that matters most. The burger I had was competent, adequate, filling. The meat could've been more caramelized or crisped, to bring out the umami. The add-on ingredients were all ok, but there was a lack of salt, or acid, or something to make the whole thing pop. The bun just held things together without much fanfare, which felt like a letdown. A quick swipe of mayo and a moment on the grill and it would have been a party in my mouth.
Burgerville seems to be the go-to burger chain in Oregon, much like In-N-Out is in Central/Southern California. (Neither chain holds a candle to Little Big Burger (OR), Five Guys (west coast), or, swoon, Super Duper (CA).)
I'm glad I had reasonably inexpensive, filling food in an airport. That's what matters on a hectic travel day. I wish I could've had a four-star meal; it was *so* close, and could be done for a few moments of time with the existing ingredients at hand, and perhaps one day I'll ask to step into their kitchen and show them how it's done :-)