Country Burger (Arlington WA)

Date: May 12, 2025

Location: 3110 Lakewood Road, Arlington WA

Website: https://thecountryburger.com/

Specializing in fresh, hand-made burgers and shakes,  Country Burger is located in the Seven Lakes community of Snohomish County, on a lovely sun-dappled road that winds through the forest canopy between Lake Ki and Lake Goodwin.

I went for The Country Burger with northwest beef, ham, cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, pickle, and dill dijon, on a toasted handmade bun.

1 Aesthetics — A bit of a mess, presentation-wise, but it sure looks yummy. 6.5

2 Flavor —  Finally, a proper smash burger! Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, bursting with deliciousness. A tad too salty for my taste (especially with the addition of American cheese, ham, and bacon), but the dill dijon brings welcome complexity to the flavor profile. 7.0

3 Mouthfeel —  A firm patty, satisfying to bite into, but the sandwich lacked texture balance overall. The bacon was undercooked and chewy, and the veggies were limp. Would be improved with crispy bacon, more pickles, a thicker slice of tomato, a full leaf of lettuce, and some crunchy sliced onion. 6.5

4 Quality/Freshness —  Very fresh! Handmade buns (baked daily on Camano Island), and PNW-sourced beef, ground daily. 8

5 Integrity — Solid. Held together surprisingly well. Plaudits for the firm, fresh, homemade bun. Demerits for useless shredded lettuce. 7.5

6 Atmosphere —  Damn near ideal. A cute, quaint, clean little drive-in, on a quiet country road, near scenic camping, hiking, and fishing areas. Tasteful, minimal decor; both indoor and outdoor seating. 9

7 Service —  Outstanding! Fast and friendly. And props to the cook: smash burgers, I have learned, require real skill. 9

8 Satisfaction —  Enjoyed eating here very much! 7.5

9 Creativity/Uniqueness —  Great to have locally sourced beef on a freshly baked bun. Also, the use of tasty, tangy dill dijon as the primary condiment is a welcome embellishment. 8.5

10 Value — $12.50 for a big ole burger like this? Not bad at all. 7

I dig this joint and will return. Bonus: the milkshakes are wonderful, too. Recommended!

Total Score: 76.5