"Burger is truth, truth burger...

...that is all/ ye know on Earth and all ye need to know."  John Keats said that in his "Ode on a Mid-Rare Quarter Pounder."  Words to live by.

I work at TruBurger, which, if you don't know—and if you don't know, where've you been?—is one of the many burger joints that popped up out of absolutely nowhere this past summer.  I used to like working there, and now I realize I don't get paid nearly enough to be the only cook who leaves the kitchen properly clean every night.  So I'm quitting.  Soon.  But not before the semester's over, because my term project will deal with these various burger joints and the environments at each, for both customers and employees.  I can't give up my inside information.

So here we go.  I'll briefly introduce the three players and give a run-down of their stats.

Trū Burger

Facebook page.

Price range: $7-12/person
Patty size: 4.5 oz
What's up with the beef?: It's from Creekstone Farms somewhere in the Mid-West. USDA certified Premium and Natural.  Not organic or free-range.  Corn-fed.
Yeah, but what's up with the FRIES?: Cut in-house.  From Idaho. $2.
Vegetarian Options? A vegan beet and black bean patty ($4.50, like the beef burger), and grilled cheese ($3.50)
Yelp rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Company Burger

Website.

Price range: $9-14/person
Patty size: 3 oz.
What's up with the beef?: From their website, "antibiotic-free,
hormone-free." I'll look for more information, but I think we can infer that organic or free-range beef would be advertised as such.
Yeah, but what's up with the FRIES?: Will further investigate.
Vegetarian Options? Grilled cheese ($5), but no vegetarian options with significant protein.
Yelp rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Jucy Lucy's

Facebook page.

Price range: $10-15/person
Patty size: 8 oz.
What's up with the beef? They do not mention their beef source on Facebook or the menu. I'll investigate in person.
Yeah, but what's up with the FRIES? No information other than they cost $2.50.
Vegetarian options? There's their "Ellen Veggie Burger" for $9.85.
Yelp rating: 3 of 5 stars

Just a note, none of the information about Tru Burger is anything I knew just by virtue of working there.  I looked for all this information on these restaurants' menus and available online information.  The Company Burger hides its prices on its online menu, and Jucy Lucy's doesn't mention the quality of their food either online or on their menu.  Something to think about.

Armato out.

The Gym Environment

Over the past few months I have been going to the gym three times a week and working out with a personal trainer in attempts to get out of my freshman 15, which is going into its third year. I never really noticed the gym’s environment until Professor Bell brought it to my attention. Unlike the student rec plex, Simply Fit is packed with MILFS (I will assume no one needs that explained). First lets start with the gym’s aesthetics. Every wall is covered with mirrors except for the windows in front. You are left with no choice but to see yourself for the duration of time you spend there. Then there are TVs suspended from the ceilings in front of countless machines. Now lets move on to the people. The majority of women are in their mid thirties to forties, and they all look ten times more “fit” than the twenty something’s I see on campus (including myself & my friends). They are all clad in their Nike tanks, which are clearly matched to their shoes. Then there is me, 21yrs old and in an oversized t-shirt and baseball cap, huffing and puffing next to the mom that is running her ass off on the treadmill making it look effortless. What is it with this age demographic? Do these women only get to interact with other people (besides their children) at the gym? Are they trying to prevent their husbands from cheating on them (funny thing is they end up cheating on their husbands with the trainer)? I look forward to reporting back on my findings.