Jian W.
Yelp
I arrived at Triple XXX on a calm Saturday afternoon, fresh off a busy and dull morning at work. Craving something soul-satisfying and delicious, I was hopeful for a meal that would hit the spot-- and boy did Triple XXX sure as heck deliver.
Walking in, I was greeted by a friendly hostess who invited me to sit anywhere, as the restaurant was pleasantly quiet. I've heard this place can get packed like sardines in a can on some days, so I appreciated the laid-back atmosphere. The vibe was practically your average, quintessential diner: cozy, clean, and with character and life. It reminded me of a childhood favorite, which instantly put me at ease. The waiter behind the counter was prompt and professional, taking my order (the Duane Purvis All-American burger) with care and ensuring everyone around me received the same attentive service, which was a nice sight to see.
When my food arrived, the first thing that caught my eye was that toasted bun. It's rare these days to find a restaurant that takes the time to toast both sides of the bun, and this one pretty much struck gold. There was the perfect balance of crisp on the outside, soft and pillowy on the inside. The patty itself was a standout; it's not overly greasy, yet not dry. I know a lot of trendy spots shown on social media like to drown their burgers in fat, but Triple XXX nailed the texture and flavor, leaving me satisfied and without feeling like my arteries have been clogged.
The other toppings--onions, tomatoes, lettuce, and pickles--added a bright, crisp, and fresh contrast to the rich, savory elements of the burger. While the lettuce didn't exactly steal the show (it rarely does), it at least added some color to the dish, letting the patty and peanut butter shine as the stars of the dish.
And speaking of... I'll admit, I never would have thought an unconventional ingredient like that would have my taste buds dancin' but the creamy, nutty flavor complemented the patty beautifully, neither overpowering nor fading into the background. It was quite the unexpected harmonious pairing, indeed.
Now, let's discuss the fries. They were the weakest link, though not by a huge margin. Aesthetically, they looked a bit underwhelming--thin and slightly wilted. Surprisingly, they had a decent crunch, but they lacked the fluffy interior I crave for in a perfect fry. This is just my opinion, of course, but all fries should strike a balance between crispy outsides and pillowy insides and these kind of fell a bit short for me. That being said, the fry oil tasted fresh, which is a big win in my books. No matter what kind of fries we're talking about , fries dunked in super stale, musty, nasty-ass, no good, rotten oil will forever be a sin.
The pickle spear on the side was a nice touch, though it played a little a game of hide-and-seek under the fries so it forced me to do some digging, but it tasted nice and tangy, and it was an overall neat addition to the meal
Overall, Triple XXX gets a solid 4.2 stars (I'll round up to 5 on Yelp). The portion sizes were fair for the price, and I left feeling full but not overstuffed. While the fries didn't quite meet my expectations, the burger was an indulgent, memorable experience. I will be back because that was hella delightful!
Cheers!