It’s time once again for a Fresno-area restaurant highlight! I’d had a long workday out of town with a colleague, and we were ready for a hearty dinner to cap off the day—burgers sounded like a good option. We wanted to try somewhere new, and Main Street Burgers, located in the Marketplace at El Paseo shopping center at Highway 99 and Herndon, was highly rated on Yelp and conveniently on our way home, so that became the destination.
When we arrived, I noticed the comic book/Star Wars-inspired font on the restaurant signage, and once inside, saw that the theme carried through. The interior is decorated with shiny black tile and comic-style posters designed for the store. There’s ample space to wait for takeout orders near the entrance, as well as dine-in seating, including a few comfy booth tables lining the right side of the restaurant. Everything was clean, and we were greeted quickly by a warm and friendly cashier.
My colleague and I both love a classic Western-style burger, so we each ordered one, along with a side of Cajun fries. Our meals were made fresh to order and took about seven minutes to prepare. They were served hot and presented nicely. The burgers were smash-style (which I enjoy) and came with cheese, barbecue sauce, and bacon just like most Western burgers. The fries were golden shoestring fries with a light coating of Cajun seasoning. They weren’t too spicy, totally approachable for all spice tolerance levels, and had great flavor. They were perfectly salted, crisp, and reminded me a bit of Dog House Grill’s fries, which are also among my favorites.
Before leaving, I also ordered takeout for my family. They opted to try the Chopped Cheese, made with grilled onions, jalapeños, and house sauce, and The Main, a double smash burger served with jalapeños, bacon, cheese, house sauce, tomatoes, pickles, and grilled onions. My husband chose onion rings as his side. Both he and my son enjoyed their meals and commented on the nice presentation — even in the to-go boxes, which I appreciated being cardboard (so many takeout containers these days are bulky plastic or non-recyclable Styrofoam). Everything tasted fresh and arrived nice and hot.
While waiting for my takeout order, I noticed quite a few people coming in to pick up DoorDash orders, so it seems to be a popular spot for delivery. There was also high demand for milkshakes — people were coming in steadily to order them, and the staff was hard at work hand-spinning each one using Thrifty ice cream, which I thought was fantastic. It’s getting harder to find Thrifty ice cream, especially with the closure of many Rite Aid stores (one of the last places it was widely available), so I’d love to go back and try a shake soon. Flavors include vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, pistachio, Biscoff, and Oreo.
A few other menu highlights that set Main Street Burgers apart:
- You can request halal beef for just $1 more.
- They offer loaded fries with or without meat.
- Street Fries come with grilled onions, jalapeños, cheese, and house sauce.
- Choppa Fries include a chopped beef patty in addition to the Street Fries toppings.
- The jalapeños used are fresh-sliced, not jarred.
Main Street Burgers offers solid, fresh food at a fair price — it was actually cheaper than a recent Carl’s Jr. stop I made, and the service is friendly and warm. The restaurant is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, and until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, making it a perfect option for late-night cravings, especially after catching a movie at the theater in the same shopping center.
They offer online ordering and delivery through partner apps. If you’re trying to locate the restaurant (since the shopping center is pretty sprawling), take Riverside Drive and turn into the shopping center at the light at Palo Alto. You’ll spot the restaurant on your left-hand side shortly after entering.
If you’re looking for a great spot for a burger in Northwest Fresno, I’d definitely recommend giving them a try!
Main Street Burgers is one of our favorites and we go often. It’s family owned too and not a chain restaurant.