The Habit Burger Grill Restaurant Guide

About The Habit Burger Grill: History and Restaurant Overview

The Habit Burger Grill is a fast-casual restaurant chain that began in 1969 in Southern California. The company started as a single location in Santa Ana and has grown into a regional chain with multiple locations across the western United States. Unlike large national chains, The Habit maintains a more limited geographic presence, which allows the restaurant to focus on food quality and consistency across its locations.

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The restaurant is known for its straightforward approach to fast-casual dining. The menu focuses on a few core items rather than trying to offer everything. This limited menu strategy helps keep preparation times reasonable while maintaining food quality. The chain has built its reputation on fresh ingredients and made-to-order preparation, even within a quick-service format.

As of recent years, The Habit operates approximately 70+ locations, with the majority in California, but also in states like Arizona, Utah, and other western regions. The company remains relatively small compared to major chains, which influences both its restaurant experience and availability to customers. This regional nature means that not all Americans have easy access to The Habit locations.

The restaurant operates under a simple business model: customers order at a counter, food is prepared fresh, and items are delivered to seating areas or for takeout. There is no table service, which keeps costs lower and helps maintain quick service. The physical locations vary in size and setup, but most follow a similar casual dining environment with both indoor and outdoor seating options at many locations.

Practical Takeaway: Understanding The Habit's regional presence and quick-service model helps set realistic expectations. Before visiting, check whether a location exists in your area, as the chain does not operate nationwide. The counter-service format means you should be prepared to order at a register rather than expect table service.

The Menu: Signature Items and Food Offerings

The Habit's menu centers on charburgers, which are the signature item. The burgers are made with fresh, never-frozen beef that is chargrilled to order. The most popular burger is the Charburger, which comes with two beef patties, lettuce, tomato, onion, and a special sauce. This item serves as the foundation of the restaurant's identity and reputation. The burger typically costs between $7 to $9 depending on location, making it moderately priced for a fast-casual establishment.

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Beyond burgers, The Habit offers several other menu categories. Chargrilled chicken sandwiches provide a protein alternative to beef. These sandwiches use seasoned chicken breasts that are also chargrilled and come with various toppings. Chargrilled steak sandwiches represent a premium option with higher prices, typically ranging from $10 to $13. The steak option appeals to customers looking for a heartier meal experience.

The menu also includes salads, which feature fresh greens topped with chargrilled proteins. Customers can choose between charburger, chicken, or steak options for their salads. Salads typically cost between $8 to $11 and appeal to customers seeking lighter options. The salads use the same fresh proteins as the sandwiches, maintaining consistency in ingredient quality.

Side options include fresh-cut french fries, which are made daily from whole potatoes. The restaurant does not use frozen fries, which distinguishes it from many competitors. Onion rings are also available as an alternative side. Tempura green beans represent a unique vegetable side option that differs from typical fast-casual offerings. These sides typically cost $2 to $4 each.

Beverage options include fountain drinks, milkshakes, and bottled beverages. The Habit offers shakes in flavors like chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. Fresh lemonade is available at most locations. Iced tea and other standard beverages round out the drink menu. Shake prices typically range from $4 to $5, while fountain drinks cost around $2 to $3.

Practical Takeaway: The Habit's menu is intentionally limited compared to major chains. If you prefer extensive menu options, this restaurant may feel restrictive. However, if you appreciate knowing that items are made fresh to order using quality ingredients, the focused menu supports that approach. Plan your visit around the core items—charburgers, chicken sandwiches, steak sandwiches, and salads—rather than expecting extensive variety.

Nutrition Information and Dietary Considerations

The Habit provides nutrition information through its website and at restaurant locations. A standard Charburger contains approximately 450 to 500 calories, with the exact number varying slightly by location preparation methods. The burger includes about 24 grams of protein and around 20 grams of fat. Carbohydrates are typically in the range of 40 grams per burger. This information helps customers make informed choices about their meals.

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Chargrilled chicken sandwiches generally contain fewer calories than burgers, typically ranging from 350 to 400 calories. These options contain similar protein levels to the burgers but with less fat. Customers seeking lower-calorie options often choose chicken over beef products. The grilling method used by The Habit typically adds minimal additional calories compared to fried chicken preparations at some competitors.

Salads offer customizable nutrition profiles depending on protein choice and dressing selection. A salad with chargrilled chicken may contain 300 to 400 calories before adding dressing, while a salad with beef or steak will be higher. Dressing is typically served on the side, allowing customers to control total calories. This customization makes salads a flexible option for various dietary goals.

French fries made fresh daily contain more calories than frozen alternatives at some competitors, as they retain more potato content and less processing. A standard order typically contains 300 to 400 calories. The tempura green beans offer a vegetable side that is lower in calories, around 150 to 200 calories per serving. Onion rings fall somewhere between these options at approximately 250 to 350 calories.

The Habit does not specifically market vegetarian or vegan options, as the menu is heavily protein-based. Salads with no protein are technically vegetarian, but the menu does not focus on plant-based eating. Customers with dietary restrictions should review specific nutrition information at their chosen location, as recipes and ingredients may vary slightly. The restaurant's website provides detailed nutrition facts including allergen information for those with food sensitivities.

Practical Takeaway: If you have specific dietary goals or restrictions, review The Habit's nutrition information before ordering. The menu centers on meat proteins, so vegetarian options are limited. The fresh-preparation method means you can request modifications like extra lettuce or no sauce, allowing some customization for dietary preferences. Bring the nutrition information to your appointment with a healthcare provider if you're tracking intake for health reasons.

Pricing Structure and Value Comparison

The Habit positions itself in the fast-casual price range, which falls between quick-service restaurants like McDonald's and full-service casual dining establishments. A typical meal consisting of a Charburger, fries, and a drink costs between $12 to $16 depending on location and drink size. Individual items range from $2 for a side item to $13 for a premium steak sandwich. This pricing reflects the use of fresh, never-frozen ingredients and made-to-order preparation.

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Compared to national chains, The Habit's prices are moderately higher. A burger combo at McDonald's might cost $8 to $10, while The Habit's similar meal costs $12 to $16. However, The Habit uses fresh beef rather than frozen patties, which accounts for some price difference. Customers pay more but receive ingredients that the chain emphasizes as fresher and higher quality. This represents a conscious trade-off that appeals to certain customer segments.

When compared to other fresh-focused fast-casual chains like Five Guys or Shake Shack, The Habit's pricing is competitive or even lower. Five Guys burgers often exceed $13 per sandwich alone, while The Habit's burgers are typically $7 to $9 as single items. Shake Shack operates at similar price points to The Habit. This positioning makes The Habit attractive to customers seeking fresh ingredients at moderate prices rather than premium pricing.

Some locations offer combo deals that bundle a sandwich, fries, and drink at a slight discount compared to purchasing items separately. These combos typically save $1 to $2 per meal. Customers who order à la carte