The Grind Burger Bar at Section 17, Petaling Jaya

Skeptics insist the Klang Valley’s burger bandwagon is overcrowded, but the lines of repeat customers at MyBurgerLab, Burger Junkyard, Crayon Burger and Burgertory show these outlets are transcending the hype and proving to be delicious destinations.

Add one more to that suburban shortlist: PJ’s Section 17 now hosts The Grind Burger Bar, which (unlike the other eateries listed above) operates everyday for both lunch and dinner, moving into the row that’s renowned for Kanna Curry House.

Grind House Burger

Begin with the Grind House Burger, featuring a freshly ground, hand-pressed Aussie beef patty topped with egg, bacon, caramelized onions and natural cheddar cheese in a house-made brioche with The Grind’s secret “Dracula Sauce.”

Pork Burgers

The Grind, opened by a trio of buddies, spices up its selection with pork; our pick’s the peppercorn-crusted one (RM16+ with herb-laced fries and salad).

Chicken Burgers

Fans of fowl might cry foul that chicken merits merely one mention on the menu: a butterflied thigh basted with teriyaki sauce (RM16+).

Vegetarian Burgers

Vegetarian balsamic-infused portobello burger with grilled peach and baby arugula (RM17+) So far, lots of succulence, but no surprises. Wait: The twists come next.

Hot dogs

Every (hot) dog has its day: For a sausage fest, The Grind has unleashed a Big Black Dog, comprising pork bratwurst coated with chili pork in a charcoal bun.

Bun-free Burgers

A tall order: Bun-free burgers can be customized here. This plate’s piled high with (deep breath!) pork patty, beef patty, bacon, fried egg, poached egg, Swiss and cheddar cheeses, baby arugula, portobello, sauteed mushrooms, caramelized onions, grilled pineapple and peach.

Wine

Crucially (for us, at least), The Grind becomes the first of these friendly neighborhood burger bars to serve wine. Glasses cost a fair RM20+; cheers!

Cider

Sure, The Grind might not possess myBurgerLab’s creative bravado, but it’s still a welcome entry to the burgeoning burger scene. Did we enjoy our lunch here? Definitely.