Can I get some fries with that shake?

A dining experience at the Burger Cache

By Stacy Abad
Northern Light

Burger Cache may seem like a typical burger joint, but this establishment has a unique niche: Each time you dine you have a chance to win a thousand bucks. Sweet deal, especially if you're a struggling college student.

Located on Northern Lights and Lake Otis, next to the College Village mall, Burger Cache is close to UAA. The restaurant, equipped with a drive through, offers the popular Alaska combination of Chinese food and greasy burgers

Burger cash is locally owned and family operated. The business was opened in 1985. Since then, 120 people have won the $1000 cash drawing held each month. Each customer is given a card to enter the drawing. Odds of winning the drawing are about one in 15,000.

My 3-year-old daughter came along on my first burger Cache visit. We ordered a cheeseburger, fries, and junior chicken nugget meal, which included fries and a drink. The workers were friendly. Orders are placed at the counter, and food is either brought to the table or bagged to go. We didn't have to wait long for our food. The portions were good, and the fries were hot and nicely crisp, but the tomatoes and lettuce on the burger could have been a little fresher. It took some prodding to get my daughter to eat her food, but she finally champed down a nugget and exclaimed, “Mom, these are yummy!”

Burger Cache's interior lends a classic diner feel. The air is heavy with grease, plastic booths invite customers to kick back and Coca-Cola signs add a splash of color. The walls are covered with cheesy pictures of customers that have won the cash drawing.

While hamburgers and fries are a worthy standard for fast food diners, don't forget the crown jewel of a greasy meal: the milk shake. Burger Cache offers an extensive list, including hot fudge, cherry, banana, pineapple, caramel, strawberry, blackberry, and marshmallow.

The vanilla shakes weren't setting any milkshake records that day. The fat straw deceptively conjured images of a thick, creamy shake. But the shake was so thin it could have been sucked through a coffee stir stick and it was too sweet.

All shakes aside, a trip to Burger Cache is satisfying: a full stomach and a new place to grab a quick bite.