Sometimes there is nothing better than a big, juicy cheeseburger.  Normally, my fall back is Five Guys Burgers and Fries, the excellent and quickly growing chain that can be found around the Syracuse region.  However, seeing as I’m always on the prowl for something new, I decided to check out Cheeburger Cheeburger, despite it having a name I refuse to say in public.

Off Kasson Rd. in Camillus, it’s in the corner of a little strip mall and looks pretty small from the outside.  But when you walk inside, it’s 50′s inspired decor is surprisingly open.  You can take out but it’s a sit down restaurant with servers, which I found to be a little curious as I assumed it to be just like Five Guys, just a little difference.  Turns out the burgers are the only thing the two have in common as CC is also known for their milkshakes, but I’ll get to that.

Their menu is fairly basic but rich with dozens of free toppings; offerings ranged from typical fried goodness, burgers, wraps and salads.  I went with my friend and we split a basket of the rings/fries combo with the creamy jalapeno dipping sauce, which I highly recommend.  The fries had skin on them and you could tell that the rings were hand dipped because there was definitely some onion to chew on, which is a nice change. For my burger, I chose jack/pepper cheese, bacon and sauteed mushrooms with BBQ sauce.  Cooked medium, it was juicy and plenty of burger despite my choosing the smallest option.  It was a really good burger: the bacon was crispy and thick, the mushrooms actually tasted like mushrooms and the BBQ sauce wasn’t overwhelming.  Best part was that it was ready in circa five minutes as well.

But the thing that will leave the longest lasting impression on me will be their milkshakes.  With probably close to 50-60 options and near impossible ways to mix them (sign says 1,285,000 ways, exactly), they are the moneymaker.  I went with a Mud Pie, which was chocolate, espresso and crushed Oreo.  Yeah, that pretty much broke my brain with how good it was.  Rich and decadent to be sure and it was massive as well.

It’s unfair to compare Cheeburger Cheeburger to Five Guys, but since they are in the same niche market of juicy, quick casual, from the South and moving their way up North burger chains the comparison is necessary.  However, they each offer distinct options that make liking both a very real possibility.  At CC, you get more options, better dipping sauces and the ridiculously good milkshakes.  Either spot is good, but Cheeburger Cheeburger made a believer out of me.

Tags: burgers, camillus, cheeburger cheeburger, milkshakes, mud pie, ny, syracuse