I know what you’re thinking. “Hey, a FATBURGER review… wait, Turkey?”

Well, the standard Beef burgers get all the attention here on FFC, including our recent Cheap Cheeseburger Challenge and Classic Big Mac review, so I thought it’d be nice to switch gears and tackle something we’ve not yet attempted. I assure you this is only a tease, and the traditional Fatburger reviews are in the works. Until that time comes, you should know the Turkeyburger from Fatburger is a very pleasant surprise.

You’ve got to give credit to a place with a name like Fatburger for offering “skinny” alternatives. Yep, you can get fries fat or skinny (skinny = traditional / fat = steak fries). Ok, that’s not really what I meant by a skinny alternatives. The beef Fatburger can be ordered in a “Baby Fat” version, which is a nice choice for smaller appetites that can’t handle the generously sized normal Fatburger. Also available are a Veggieburger and this healthier-than-beef Turkeyburger. For anyone seeking a lower fat alternative to regular burgers that doesn’t disappoint in the taste department, you should try this. Open your mind to the idea that a good fast-food Turkeyburger really exists.

The Turkeyburger is billed as “One lean, mean 1/3 lb turkey patty grilled and built the way your heart desires, served up on a whole wheat bun.” For review purposes I went with the works. Just give me whatever traditionally comes with this sandwich. I’m a novice when it comes to Turkey Burgers, so I trust their experience to pick the best toppings. At Fatburger restaurants your food is always made fresh to order, and you should prepare for a litany of “TURKEYBURGER!” as the staff shouts out loud.

Standard condiments on the Turkeyburger were shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes, pickles and mayo. Something not so standard was the sweet pickle relish. While the lettuce/tomato/pickle were nothing out of the ordinary (fresh enough and decent tasting) the pickle relish stood out. And I could swear there was a hint of cinnamon. Whatever it was had a unique flavor that I’m not accustomed to with other pickle relish. If I ever took a blind taste test, I would be able to distinguish a Fatburger product solely on that relish. It really stands out in a crowd of otherwise typical toppings.

Just looking at the turkey patty, one might anticipate a breaded crunchy texture, but that’s not the case. The grilled turkey is tender and moist. It doesn’t try to disguise itself as a hamburger, and I never felt the natural flavor of the turkey was being masked by anything. It’s delicious and hearty, yet still light. I was expecting it would be dry or bland, but it wasn’t. As for the bun, Fatburger’s beef and chicken items use a regular toasted bun, but the Turkeyburger uses a soft whole wheat bun, once again taking into consideration the healthier dining option that’s being chosen. All of the ingredients work well together and create a satisfying experience. This turkey burger made a believer out of me. Tasty and better-for-you alternatives are out there.

My main gripes with the Turkeyburger are ingredients / toppings that are portioned unevenly or inconsistent (too much, too little) and the burger preparation quality can be hit or miss. Also, a price of $4.49 for the sandwich alone, and $8.19 for the combo are fairly steep. The bottom line question is would I order this again, and the answer is a resounding yes! Some will say it’s sacrilegious to order a Turkey burger at a joint that boasts being “The Last Great Hamburger Stand”, but I say the Burger Gods need to make room, because as Turkeyburgers go… this one is close to heaven.

Price: $4.49 / Website: Fatburger.com

Fast Food Critic Score: B+

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Nutrition Facts - Fatburger, Turkeyburger (no cheese).

Calories - 480
Calories from Fat - N/A
Total Fat - 21 grams
Carbs - 50 grams
Saturated Fat - 4.5 grams
Trans Fat - 0 grams
Cholesterol - 80 milligrams
Sodium - 1270 milligrams
Protein - 26 grams