There are times in this life when your craving for a burger and fries goes beyond the usual fare; when raw, guttural primal instinct leads you to seek out food that is big, indulgent, and fun to an almost ostentatious degree. For those times, there is CGK (Crazy Good Kitchen). Boasting titanic-sized sandwiches that assertively and deliciously demand your attention, shakes, topping-heavy fries, and even acai bowls, CGK recently opened its second location on Newbury St., expanding from its original Malden roots, where it already has a strong reputation among locals in the know.
CGK is one of those places that graciously rewards and satisfies a big appetite and an empty stomach. It may invoke late college night quests searching for that mythical perfect burger, unrivaled in its sprawl and splendor. At CGK, the portions are instagrammably generous and undeniably filing. If you arrive hungry, you will leave happy. The names of some of their offerings will give you an idea of the atmosphere and energy that goes into the food- “Hot Mess and Cheese” features shaved steak and grilled onions while “‘Merica Style” is your basic blue-collar burger, but with a bit of extra heft. Alternatively, their fried chicken sandwich options also hit the spot. There’s the regular one with housemade cole slaw, a spicy one, and one with bacon. There’s even one with ice cream and maple syrup on top if that particular urge strikes you. The chicken tenders are great for sharing or going solo, and the variety of flavors and dipping sauces provide a good reason to return and experiment with different combinations. For the less carnivorously inclined, don’t worry- they have a veggie burger and a salad as well. Or you could have a little more fun and add your own layers and toppings to a frozen acai bowl. The shake menu also offers some classics in addition to a few house specialities. There’s also a bar with beer and wine. The size of their menu may not be as big as their burgers, but the number of options indicates that what they do at CGK, they do well.
What also sets CGK apart from other places is that it’s owned and operated by a family with immigrant roots. Originally from Brazil, the family still works on site to ensure a level of outstanding quality and down to earth trustworthiness. It brings a certain charm to the restaurant, distinguishing it from some of its more corporate neighbors.
There are indoor and outdoor seating options available, making it an ideal destination as the weather warms up. It can be a bit busy during peak hours, so you may want to call ahead and book a table or if you want to order something for a quick pick-up. But even if you do end up waiting, it doesn’t take too long for a seat to open up. You’ll definitely want to check it out and see for yourself why Crazy Good Kitchen lives up to its name.
SAMPAN, published by the nonprofit Asian American Civic Association, is the only bilingual Chinese-English newspaper in New England, acting as a bridge between Asian American community organizations and individuals in the Greater Boston area. It is published biweekly and distributed free-of-charge throughout metro Boston; it is also delivered to as far away as Hawaii.
