Another burger joint that has been on my to-eat list, Mick’s Karma Bar. Now getting there might seem easy, but for those not familiar with the corporate Main Plaza let me help you out. Best advice is to input into your GPS the El Torito Grill address, 1910 Main Street which is between Gillette Avenue and Mercantile. Just east of El Torito Grill is a parking structure with a sign that reads 1920/2010 – Shops and Restaurants, park there. Mick’s Karma Bar can validate your parking up to 1.5 hours, so take your parking ticket with you. Don’t be like me and park in the wrong parking structure. Thankfully, it was a Saturday so the parking structure wasn’t charging. Otherwise, I may not have been so lucky and got stuck with a hefty parking ticket.
Once you park, go towards the center of the plaza where the brightly colored public art sculptures are and you will find Mick’s Karma Bar.
Once inside you will most likely see the friendly owner, Michael Schepers aka “Mick” ready to take your order at the food counter. You have a few options, so just go with your gut feeling. Since I love spicy, I went with the Karma Habanero Style Burger.
Karma Habanero Style Burger Combo $8.75
4 chile escalivada, queso fresco, garlic mayo, lettuce, onion, and tomato with fries and drink
Although on their chalk board it clearly states that their burgers are 100% premium Angus sirloin and natural (no hormones or antibiotics), it didn’t click right away that Mick’s Karma Bar’s burgers would definitely taste different. It wasn’t until Mick pointed out that most burgers are made with chunk cut, and not sirloin cut. I could immediately taste the difference with the sirloin cut, so lean and tender. What puts the icy on the cake is that their beef is ground fresh and the handmade patties aren’t made until ordered which makes the patty quite juicy. Makes me want to start grinding my own beef patties from now on at home.
Also liked that the burger used a nice cracked wheat bun that wasn’t overly bready with the right amount of veggies. Those who love steak fries won’t be disappointed either, so get the combo.
Karma Burger $5.50
Karma sauce, american cheese, lettuce, onion, and tomato
Since I was still hungry, I ordered another burger and decided on their Karma Burger. This is Mick’s Karma Bar’s version of the classic cheeseburger. A good, “simple” burger. I like that their Karma Sauce has a nice slight kick to it to remind you that its not like all the other burgers out there and has some character.
Strawberry Basil Lemonade $3.25
Whole strawberries crushed with fresh basil topped with their homemade lemonade
Last but not least, order their strawberry basil lemonade. Since you can’t have a beer with your burger, this is the next best thing. It’s quite refreshing and the best part, FREE REFILLS!
Mick’s Karma Bar
2010 Main Street, Suite 165
Irvine, California 92614
(949) 851-6316
were they cooked to order or come standard? They sound great, but look a bit more done than I'd prefer.