Passing Copeland’s is a daily occurrence for us. And there is a new banner for everything they do. It almost gets me every time. The banner up now advertises the lunch menu starting at $11.99 for entrees, with an upgrade available for $2 more. Lunch specials are pretty readily available and always have been, but they have lately become much more appealing, or so it seems.
Of course, there are the A-list places where two courses average $25, but this one at Copeland’s is even better than it looks, because a drink is included. I finally had to go in and see the menu. There are appetizers and entrees, and each can be upgraded for $2 with the duck gumbo or a house salad. I have had the gumbo, but don't remember it especially well, so that tells me that I can take it or leave it. This time, I tried a house salad, leaving the Caesar option behind.
Lately, I am in a big All-American mindset with the 250th birthday coming up, so I chose the Smashburger Melt, which turned out to be the cheapest thing on the menu. A Smashburger Melt was $10.99, and it included fries and a drink.
I learned today that the house salad was no more memorable than the gumbo, even though I had it with the Peppercorn Ranch dressing, which seemed too thin today. It was a generous salad with nice mixed greens and plenty of tomatoes, as well as croutons. Still meh.
The little burger was very nice. I have lately been having less luck with the patty quality in these ubiquitous smashburgers. These were very nice burgers. Nice grind and nice flavor, though the taste was eclipsed by the caramelized onion. I didn’t notice that in the description. I was too busy making sure the waitress (who was terrific) told the kitchen to bring the fried egg on the side. I never pass up an opportunity to eat eggs, but I do not understand the trend to have a yolk run through everything I eat.
This was a tasty little burger with an ordinary bun. I got it dressed, and the cheese was also of good quality. A person could do a lot worse for $10.99 than this. It’s definitely not brilliant, but I chose the least of the options.
It’s impossible to ignore the Copeland’s banner when I pass, but I’m glad I went in for this one.