Elevation Burger: One with a Healthily Raised Bite

We have known for years that mass-produced patties on deflated buns are not remotely good for us, but in the rush of regular life, sometimes we break down and zip into a drive-thru quickly for some burgers on the go.

In contrast, though, carving out a name for itself on the corporate fast food scale, outweighing the unhealthy with something a bit better for our insides, and from farmers who treat cows well, is Elevation Burger—where “ingredients matter.”

Tucked into the store-heavy expanse known as Providence Town Center, Collegeville’s Elevation Burger is owned and operated by Chris Phillips, who said he felt drawn to bumping up consumer food choices locally after visiting the Phoenixville Farmers Market years ago.

Seeing the fresh produce available at the market, along with all those happy to whip out dollars for good eats, brought his attention to the notion of allowing people to dine more wisely even while indulging in a juicy burger, Phillips said.

Elevation Burger proudly boasts of serving fresh and made-per-order portions of grass-fed, organic, free-range beef and veggie patties in two varieties. With a limited but health-conscious and taste-savvy menu, those behind the counter have the opportunity to keep up with the busy bustle of lunch orders, including options for a gluten-free lettuce wrap instead of the ordinarily involved bun.

“It was a great idea and a simple concept—to do one thing and to do it well,” Phillips said about the idea behind Elevation Burger and why he felt compelled to follow it, opening his Collegeville location in October of last year.

The beef used is raised by a consortium of 30 family farms, Phillips said.

And when you dive into one of these burgers, the mouthwatering chomp between real cheddar and a slew of other topping selections lets you know that you’re eating a deliciously done, genuine from-the-farm meal with no adulteration.

French fries at Elevation Burger are freshly prepared and doused thickly in olive oil, and old-fashioned malts are a sweet treat reminiscent of 1950s burger stops.

Sustainable describes not only the food pushed at Elevation Burger, but its décor and lighting, which is more eco-friendly than that of other eateries. Recycled and aesthetically redone furniture pieces can be found on the main floor, and energy-efficient, motion-sensor light bulbs are in the bathrooms.

Franchises have popped up in Wynnewood, a bit less than an hour away from the Collegeville spot, along with New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Florida, Texas and the state where Elevation Burger is based, Virginia.

Collegeville is the ninth franchise of Elevation Burger to open, and Phillips said that by the end of this year, at least 20 should be open across the country.

New locations slated to open so far are in Maine, California and Nevada.

Overall, Phillips said that the most important factor of his operation for him is offering a great tasting product at a quality price, which plays out well considering the care put into each nibble for only a few dollars more than the restaurant's less progressive competitors.

Elevation Burger in Collegeville is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.