Is a hamburger a turn-on? It is when the sandwich is made well and is (relatively) good for you, as it is at Elevation Burger. Launched last September, the friendly joint uses as its main draw organic grass-fed beef, which is nicely seasoned, grilled to retain a juicy center and slipped in a soft yellow bun. Following the same philosophy are the skinny french fries, cooked in heart-healthy olive oil and tasting of real spuds. The milkshakes, on the other hand, are the real deal: rich, thick and served with a fat straw (chocolate is my favorite). Distancing itself from the pack even further, the dining room eschews the bright colors and plastic appearance of most fast-food joints with its blond wood floors, buttery walls and a pale-blue ceiling. Because everything is made to order, your first name will be called once your food is ready -- which is pretty amusing when there are three of you with the same name in the place. "Fast food doesn't have to be junk food," read the servers' T-shirts. Agreed.

--Tom Sietsema (February 12, 2006)