Eat This Now: The Glutton at Grinders

The Glutton at Grinders // Photo by Alexander Omorodion

You pull open the wooden door and slither into the nearest booth. You stare at the menu, and the menu stares back. Though you feign a state of pensiveness, you both know what monstrous dish awaits. 

A wry smile creeps across the face of the waitress as you utter the cursed words: “Give me The Glutton.”

In anticipation of the task ahead, I received an extra plate, a fork and knife, and a swath of napkins—all of which proved to be much needed. The pressure mounted further when Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir” began echoing through the speakers. 

The Glutton ($21) comes piled with six patties, three mozzarella sticks, pepper jack and cheddar cheese, bacon, lettuce, and grilled onion, with chips on the side. The smell of the grilled beef and onions hits you before the burger even arrives at the table. 

Smash burgers generally aren’t known for cheese pulls; however, the mozzarella sticks make each bite of The Glutton feel include some fried mozzarella. Brown sugar-coated bacon brings an undertone of sweetness, while the lettuce and grilled onion balance the umami of the beef and the multiple forms of cheese.

Short of dislocating my jaw, fitting this burger into my mouth was a task in itself, but a task worth doing.  

The nerves going into my gluttonous burger experience at Grinders were simultaneously unsettling and comforting. On the one hand, I’d never been nervous before eating a burger, and on the other hand, what better time to experience this than the spooky season? In fact, Grinders Crossroads is hosting a weekend Spookeasy Halloween Pop-up Bar through Halloween.

Though I was only able to eat half before asking for a take-away box, this experience taught me something: a great burger can send chills down your spine.

Grinders has locations in Crossroads and Lenexa.