| Atmosphere:
|
8 |
The
large, block-letter sign, “White Hut,” accurately describes it,
as the tiny white building is no larger than a hut. Sawdust covers
the floor and the only seats are the twelve floor-mounted stools
lining the cream colored Formica counter. The cooking is done in
the open, behind the counter short-order style.
|
| Menu:
|
7 |
There’s
nothing posted or printed, only what Phantom’s waiter called a “human
menu.” According to him, they serve “ hamburg, cheeseburg, hot dog,
fries, chips, and soda, period.”
|
| Appetizers:
|
8 |
While
waiting for his sandwiches, Phantom started on the pile of hot,
crisp hand-cut Fries. They were done to order, so they arrived needing
only a sprinkle of salt and a puddle of ketchup. Between mouthfuls
of scorching hot fries, Phantom cooled his mouth with swigs of the
sublimely sweet Stewart’s Orange Crème Soda.
|
| Entrees:
|
8 |
The
Hot Dog arrived first. The frank was crisp and riveted with cracks
from a bath in the fry-o-later, before being finished on the grill.
The top-cut buns are toasted in a sandwich press and all together
each bite brought a simple expression of joy. White Hut’s Cheeseburgers
start out as ordinary griddle burgers that are elevated by the addition
of fried onions. The mound of onion strings sits on the back of
the stove and slowly caramelize adding a sweet counterpoint to the
robust beef and sharp mustard.
|
| Desserts:
|
N/A |
(multiple
by 1.1)White Hut doesn’t offer dessert, so Phantom helped himself
to another Stewart’s soda—an old-fashion Crème Soda.
|
| Portions:
|
7 |
Despite
the average size of the burger and fries, Phantom felt full.
|
| Service:
|
9 |
One
of the charms of White Hut was the crew behind the counter who made
Phantom feel like a regular the moment he sat down.
|
| Cleanliness:
|
9 |
It
was the little things the staff did, like the cook constantly scraping
clean the grill, which made the White Hut such an inviting environment.
|
| Value:
|
10 |
Shhh.
Phantom doesn’t want any more people to know about the tiny restaurant,
so don’t tell anyone that his Cheeseburger, two Hot Dogs, Fries,
and three sodas only cost eight bucks and change.
|
| Location:
|
8 |
Located
on Memorial Ave. in West Springfield, about a mile and a half from
the Eastern States Exposition where they hold the Big E every autumn.
|
