Big Buns

Excellent food and service. We had a burger and the chicken, sweet potato fries and two milkshakes (vanilla and Oreo). Everything was delicious and we will definitely be a repeat customer!

I’ll be honest. I was expecting another run of the mill burger place. Northern Virginia, and the entire DC area, is filled with these new burger places that have popped up after the success of Five Guys. BurgerFi, Elevation Burger, Smash Burger, Z Burger, etc. The list goes on. So I figured this place would just be like all the others. How can a burger be elevated or special?
Then I had the Hot in Hefe burger at Big Buns. This was special.
Super juicy
Lots of flavor
Great use of peppers and avocado
Cheesy
Great soft bun
The Sriracha aioli was life changing
We got the cheese fries and even the fries were tasty.
I know this place is expensive. 32 dollars for the 2 burger fries and 2 drinks.
So obviously I wouldn’t eat here on a daily basis for lunch. But I would start putting this place in my rotation. Especially when I am in the area.
To me this is special and not run of the mill. You may feel the same if you can get past the price.

I ordered via Door Dash because I had a hankering for a burger and fries and I was surprised how good the burgers were.

Great burger, awesome toppings and friendly staff. I went for the first time last week and I was really happy with the overall experience. The meat was not
Overcooked and high quality; the topping options were awesome but pricey. I think the only reason I don’t give five stars is because of the price; burger fries and drink can easily get to $ 20+
I would absolutely go back… Albeit With more than a $ 20 bill in my pocket:)

My boyfriend and I were craving a good, juicy burger to nurse our hangover. Took one look at the menu and we were sold. Instantly salivating.
The menu options were awesome. You can make your own burger and choose your meat, bun/​go bunless, toppings, etc. And sauce. So many sauces. They also have «Designer Burgers» which are their specialty burgers. I chose to make my own turkey burger and my boyfriend got the Anniversary Burger. It took a while for us to get our food, but then again I was pretty hangry at this point and 15 min seemed like forever.
The turkey burger was good. Not worth the extra costs to add certain toppings and request a wheat bun. The Anniversary Burger was a little too much. It was just a ton of meat smothered in grease and cheese. It needed some type of crunch or at least lettuce/​tomato/​onion to give it some texture. I found it a little odd that my boyfriend wanted to add things to the burger but the girl taking our order advised us to not alter the designer burgers because they were perfect the way they are… hm. But the Parmesan truffle fries were delicious and were the best part of the meal.
This place was sneaky expensive. For the two burgers and the small fries and drink that we shared, it was over $ 30. I was a little disappointed with the price for just okay burgers. However, I won’t rule this place out just yet. Like I said, there are so. many. options. and I’m curious to try some different things on their menu.

My favorite burger place! I love that I can go cray with a burger and adult root beer float (which is amazing) OR keep it healthy with a tuna salad.
Nom

Big Buns you say? To me this is a fancy version of Five Guys with a higher price!
The location of big buns can be a little difficult to locate. My GPS got us to the area but we just couldn’t locate the restaurant without making a phone call! This place is tucked in behind one of the hotels (I cannot recall which one it is)!
Let start with the atmosphere! It’s definitely a very cool place with modern feel to it! As you walk in the register is to your right and to your far left is where the bathroom! There is plenty of seating jn the inside! They also had outside seating but this day it was cold and rainy so that was out of the question!
It’s time to order, well this may get a little overwhelming since you can pick your meat and your bread and if you want it as a salad or not. My wife and I both went with the wagyu beef on wheat with the choice of several different toppings! There’s a down fall to this, the fax that we had to pay an extra1.75 for bacon and .50 for wheat is a little ridiculous! The burger was pretty good, but nothing to brag about! We also went with the large sweet potato fries! They were definitely some of the best we have had but not definitely not worth the 6.50.
The food is good and some of the best sweet potato fries we have had, but its hard to pay these prices when it’s just an upscale five guys! The staff members are great! They provide quick service but all they really do is bring out your food!
We travel around to different locations to try new things, this place is good but we wouldn’t come here just to eat! It’s worth a shot if your are in the area, but it’s not worth the drive! I doubt we will come here again because it’s definitely out of out way!

I was disappointed in the food here. We were looking for s great burger, and based on Unilocal ratings we went here.
I got the collaboration, my husband got the handsome tom. Both burgers were over cooked. Mine was a little crunchy on the outside. The basic fries were stadium quality. Just run of the mill frozen cuts served like warm at best.
So why 2 stars? I got the queso fries and the queso sauce was surprisingly spicy and good. But that’s the only thing I can recommend. If in the area again looking for s burger I will try something else.

This is a nice option in Arlington near Ballston Mall if you want to escape the crowds and the over priced brunch options.
It reminds me a bit of Chipotle in the way they are set up but they have more meat options. James had the Japanese beef and I had the Bison.
Very healthy sides to add on and friendly staff.
They have an outdoor patio as well.

I love the location, facing the fountain in the middle of the Ballston area. The order counter is quick and easy and the place has an industrial feel — which also makes it insanely noisy.
Menu options are great and they have creative burgers already crafted, but I needed turkey that day. (I miss it like 3x a year after thanksgiving).
you can get these burgers with BUNS or with greens (salad style) — yay for not carbo loading (id rather consume carbs in fry form)
The place had really good burgers, but they were expensive! 2 burgers, 2 drinks and 1 hot dog withy a side of fries… $ 50 yeah, WAY too much.
Good tasting burger though but I would rather spend money at Boardwalk Fries and get their burger for half the price.

Oh my, buns! Big Buns has become my go-​to burger joint in the Arlington area.
I went to Big Buns on a Friday night with my fiancé just over a month ago. We each raved about the delicious Bison burgers we ordered. With onions and mushrooms, this burger looked small but it packed a powerful punch. Did I mention you have to add the Chipotle Pesto Aioli? Yes, yes! Order the Chipotle pesto aioli because it changes the way you eat a burger.
I’ve had several burgers in my life time, and Big Buns has become my favorite. Thanks to DoorDash, I’m now able to order it from home and have it quickly delivered to me in roughly 30 minutes. I tried it out this week and opted for the traditional Angus Beef Burger. Oh my, lord! That was one giant burger. Much larger than the Bison. Delicious. The truffle fries and sweet potatoes fries are a must-​try too! Happy to say, even with the delivery the burger tasted fresh.
Overall, Big Buns has won me over. Can’t wait for my next bite!

Big Buns is a super tasty burger place with awesome ingredients. I had the bison burger medium rare cooked in duck fat with bacon jam, pickled onions and cheddar on top of greens and quinoa. Shared a large sweet potato fries (the large is huge!). My friends had beef burgers with different toppings, everyone was satisfied. They had alcoholic milkshakes but I skipped that. A seasonal one had cereal milk — I tasted it but it was a bit strange — the mix of milk with Jameson.
The service was excellent and the employee who took our order was very helpful with my questions.
It is a little pricey if you get customizations. I ordered a «special» burger that was on the menu and swapped out my protein choice; it wasn’t til after I got the receipt that I saw they charged me for each individual topping. Our bill for two burgers over greens (one bison, one beef), plus one spiked milkshake and a large sweet potato fry totaled $ 50. Just be prepared if you do customizations…

Ordered a portobello mushroom burger to go. When I got to the place, they forgot to make my order so I had to wait. The lady was nice enough to offer a free shake for the inconvenience. BV likes free stuff. Though I hate milkshakes and am a water person generally, the peanut butter shake was amazing! What can I say? Free food tastes better. The burger was good too and I’d love to try out their other kinds too.

Oh my goodness, oh my damn… Is what Big Daym would say about this joint!
The Anniversary BRGR is NO JOKE. It’s perfect. I ordered it as recommended, cooked medium-​rare. The cave-​aged cheddar really shines on this magnificent sandwich, along with the bacon and caramelized onions.
But the meat… THE MEAT!!! I was dipping my bun in the drippings. So awesome.
I also got the Cajun Fries. Very salty, but also super delicious, and perfect with the chipotle aoli.
Beer selection is on point as well. The staff was friendly and offered great suggestions. I can’t say enough good things about this spot!
My girl and I went here after skating at Kettler Iceplex. Had we known where it was we would have stayed in the garage and walked over rather than to find parking then walk a block!

I like Big Buns and I cannot lie!
When I used to live in Arlington, I frequented this place probably once a month. Something about Big Buns that captivates me: P. It’s kind of hard to find since it’s located in the interior side of a residential/​office complex and not front facing towards a major road. However once you find it, you’ll never forget it.
Tip: Beers here are pretty cheap for the area, ranging from $ 3 – 5 for craft brews.
I usually order the Turkey burger on a whole wheat bun WITH ALL THE TOPPINGS (except for the ones that cost extra: e.g. applewood bacon and avocado). They used to have a crabcake protein which was DA BOMB, however I don’t see it anymore. The burger always comes out juicy and piled up high. Fries are extra, however I would recommend the sweet potato fries. Fried right, and just a lil pinch of sea salt.
I never have a problem finding a spot to sit in here and if there isn’t any room, there’s plenty of outdoor seating (weather permitting). Also if you want to, the cashiers will bring the burgers out to you! Great food, Great staff, Great vibe A+
All I have to say now is #BringBackTheCrabCakeBurger

We got here right as they opened. Everyone was very friendly and very helpful! Easy to navigate and lots of good options. Super clean. I thought the burgers were good, worth the money. The French fries and sweet potato fries were fantastic, and the Oreo shake was great.

Great burgers and friendly staff! Would definitely come back again!
We ordered the Gorgeous George with sweet potato fries and the Frickin Fried Chicken sandwich California style (with avocado and bacon). Everything was delicious. Can’t wait to go back and try something else.

Their «designer burgers» are to die for. Some of the best burgers I’ve ever had, in a casual but tasteful environment.

Very solid choice for a no-​frills burger joint! Located near the Ballston metro, in a courtyard, it can be slightly hard to locate (don’t expect Apple maps to lead you there!) but once you do find it, you receive a very warm welcoming from the front of the house crew.
It’s not like the concept of Big Buns is anything new– fresh, quality ingredients, made-​to-​order, with customizable options on every front– but Big Buns does it well, providing a high quality product at a reasonable price, all while supporting local vendors, breweries, and donating $ 0.50 of every bottle of water sold to DC Central Kitchen.
My SO and I arrived around 8:30pm on a Friday and were warmly welcomed with an explanation of the menu (custom burgers, a BYO option and designer burgers, already formulated for minimal thinking), their specials (a fried chicken sandwich this month and a red velvet milkshake), and the beers on tap (a rotating group of five and a designated cider line for those non-​beer drinkers). The beers included local favorites from DC Brau, Atlas Brew Works, Old Bust Head Brewing Company, Flying Dog Brewery, Port City, and Bold Rock Cider. They also feature other local options in bottles and cans. For those who prefer to combine their alcohol and dessert, they do boozy shakes and adult floats. Happy hour is daily from 3−7pm.
Custom burgers begin with a protein (wagyu beef, turkey burger, bison, veggie burger, lamb, ahi tuna, etc.), then a chance to make it a burger (bun-​wheat, butter, or GF) or a bowl (salad), lastly cheese it up, add toppings and sauces and you have your own Picasso of a meal. Or you can do what we did and go for the predetermined combinations. I chose the gorgeous George-​lamb burger, feta cheese, pickled red onion, tomato, cucumbers, and tzatziki sauce– on a whole wheat bun. The lamb was cooked perfectly and had lots of flavor. I love feta and this was a winning combination with the tzatziki sauce and the pickled red onions were a nice touch. My SO chose the hot and Hefe-​wagyu beef, pepper jack cheese, grilled habanero and Serrano chillis, pico de gallo, and sriracha aioli– on a whole wheat bun. We went halfsies so we could try both. The hot and Hefe is aptly named– my mouth was on fire after my first bite but I loved the combination of spices and the flavoring of the beef that I powered through, although with my personal taste preference, I preferred the more mild tasting lamb burger to the hot and spicy beef. We split an order of Cajun fries and the small size was perfect given the large 6oz burgers (FYI there is a larger 10oz option too) that were our main focus. The fries were crisp and I loved the Cajun seasoning which was not overwhelming as I sometimes find it to be. The fries came with a really complimentary chipotle sauce for dipping too. Our meal set us back $ 30 and left our bellies quite full and happy.
Given the endless combinations you can create at Big Buns, I’ll definitely return-​and I got my eye on that Nutella shake for dessert next time!

This place is amazing! Great service, great veggie burgers, fries and not to mention strawberry lemonade.
I also like the healthy toppings that are housemade. I will definitely be back again and again.

So far, I have eaten here twice and I do like it.
They offer quite a bit of different options ranging from wagyu beef to bison to turkey burgers and a wide array of toppings. They even offer speciality burgers as well, along side you can get truffle fries or even sweet potato fries.
Now, I’ve only ever gotten take out and each time, its incredibly messy and the bread is soggy, but I guess that is understandable. Probably better to dine-​in anyways. I just feel like the buns are quite small to handle what the burgers offer. I’ve gotten the regular angus beef burger and the wagyu burger before and both quite delicious, again — I got take out and I think makes it so it didn’t blow me out of the water, you know? On top of that, the burgers run quite expensive — plus additional for certain or extra toppings. Your burger depending what you want on it could run from $ 9 — $ 15. I will say, the truffle parmesan fries are flippin’ amazing. If I had a big ol’ basket of those, I think I’d be set — and the sauce that comes with them is super good.
All in all — I do really like burgers here and all the toppings that they offer and sides, too. Service is fast, burgers are tasty, and fixes the burger craving!

Big Buns … is sort of a misleading name, but that’s not because it’s for any lack of quality.
A bit mysterious to find since it’s tucked away in a corporate courtyard away from the view of the street, Big Buns is a place you come to with friends for good burgers and fries. In fact, they offer 10 (?) specialty burgers and a fully customizable menu if you choose to do your own thing. Additionally, their fry options are outstanding (get those Cajun fries, the heat is real).
Because I arrived just before my friend, I got a draft beer (served in mason jars) and waited around. Once my buddy arrived, we queued up at the ordering counter and asked the staff their recommendations. I opted for a Handsome Tom (leafy greens, Brie, burger, caramelized onions, truffle aioli, other good stuff that I currently forget), and it was as decadent as advertised.
Which brings me to my point about the buns: while the bun itself tastes fine, it’s not large enough to stand up to everything that the burgers here ask it to do. The buns are very similar to, if not the same as, the ones that you could typically get in the store for your tailgate or Sunday cookout. They just soak through with all the juice and grease that these burgers produce, and the middle ingredients in these creations deserve a larger and sturdier bun. Big Buns — I highly implore you to change up your bun selection for burgers that require something more substantial to complement all the hard work that goes into putting them together.
The Cajun fries were very well seasoned (no skimping here) and just the right bite size. Love the heat in the seasoning mix, and a nice cool beverage can keep that in check.
Overall, I’m really impressed with Big Buns and kicking myself for not giving it a shot earlier. It definitely deserves your attention if you’re looking for an established and quality burger joint in the Arlington area. If they can reconsider their bun options, then the sky’s the limit.

I got the original burger with mushrooms, grilled onions, cucumbers, sprouts, smoked Gouda cheese, and lettuce with chipotle aioli sauce. The burger itself is pretty good, it beats places like BGR and fuddruckers but five guys is almost just as good. The mushrooms were really tasty and the toppings tasted fresh. The only thing that weirds me out about ordering burgers is when they don’t ask how you want it cooked. Although my burger tasted fine, I wish there was an option. I also ordered the sweet potato fries and they were a little salty but overall good.

Made to order burgers which is great. I would recommend the wagyu beef which was tender and delicious. I was surprised that they didn’t ask you how you wanted your burger cooked. Also the chipotle pesto aioli sauce is a must.
The sweet potato fries were good, and I don’t even like sweet potato fries. Service was quick as well.

Not a huge burger girl however I like this place because I can customize my burger. I sometimes turn it into a salad or a quinoa bowl. I love how they have options between a turkey burger or lamb or beef.

I love that you can get any of the proteins without a bun as a bowl (salad) instead, and customize everything. However this proved to be too much decision making, so my friend and I ordered the designer burger of Handsome Tom (Angus beef, Brie cheese, leafy greens, vino cramelized onions, truffle aioli, steak sauce) and «balanced» this with an ahi tuna salad. Couldnt go without a side of sweet potato fries — which DO NOT come with a condiment. We were on our way out and realized this and one of the guys behind the counter was kind enough to just give us a siracha aioli. They have at least 10 different dips; so that was yet another extra decision to make, but the meal in its entirety was superb.

I was in a meeting with a largely older male group, who found it quite amusing when I suggested that we try Big Buns for lunch. They were, however, pleased with my decision in the end.
I love this concept — wholesome ingredients with healthy and indulgent choices. Choose your protein, choose your bun or greens, choose a side (fries and shakes). Order at the counter, server yourself drinks (organic cane sugar sodas), and your food is brought to you.
I chose the Curious Craiggers (Sushi-​grade Ahi Tuna brushed with sweet Thai chili sauce, Asian slaw, pickled ginger, avocado, wasabi aioli) over greens. The food arrived in short order. All the ingredients were fresh and interesting with great flavors that complemented each other.
I’ll happily return when I’m in the area.

Big Buns is a fast casual (read: chipotle-​tized) burger joint that is within walking distance of Ballston Mall and the Metro station. I came here with a group of friends, and we were left very much satisfied with the burgers we ordered. With a hugely customizable menu (from which you can choose to order a standard burger, a rice bowl, or a salad) and a variety of ready-​made options, there’s something for everyone at Big Buns.
I opted for a turkey burger on a regular bun with gouda cheese, mushrooms, mango/​black bean salsa, and grilled onions. In retrospect, it would’ve been a better buy if I had ordered even more toppings (they have regular toppings, which are unlimited, as well as premium toppings that can be ordered for an additional charge), but it would’ve been quite the operation to attempt to eat such a loaded burger. Overall, the burger I got was juicy, flavorful, and the toppings were equally delicious. And for eight dollars, it was a good meal value-​wise.
Two points for potential improvement:
— The buns weren’t toasted, so they compacted throughout my meal and, at times, the bread was a bit gummy.
— The cheese could’ve been more melty.

I came here on friday night because i saw such good reviews about this place! I wanted to see what all the hype was about, but I have to say it was very average.
This place gets very packed around 7pm and we waited about 10 mins in line and we finally placed our order! I really like how you can create your burger with your choice of protein and they have such a large selection of toppings. Also you get to chose what kind of sauce you want it.
After we got our food me and my boyfriend were so excited to try it, but we werent impressed. It was just your average burger and also they didnt toast the bun which i was disappointed in.
But the thing I liked was their beer selection and truffle fries. They were both very good.
Overall, this is place i have crossed off my list for food to try but I do not think i will be back.
P.S this place is very diffcult to find at first because it is not seen from the main road.

I love all of the options available for protein, toppings, and bread (you can even order a bowl).
While you have the choice to create your own masterpiece I went with the Freatom Fighter. I chose the bison burger option on the wheat bun (the lady taking our order recommended the wheat bun and I was so glad she did!!) which came loaded with shiitake mushrooms, pickles, lettuce, a parmesan wafer (yum!) and then some ketchup and dijon mayo. This combination made for one tasty sandwich that was packed full of flavor! There are also different fries to pick from. I tried the truffle fries, and the sauce that came with them was what made them extra tasty!
The entire staff working on Saturday night were really nice and the restaurant was kept looking very clean.
Big Buns is a place that is worth trying out for your next burger craving!

Big Buns is a burger place in the Ballston area that has been around since ’07, opened up by two friends. The menu offers custom burgers, burger bowls, and pre-​set ‘Designer’ burgers. I tried The Collaboration (Angus beef sauteed in duck butter, topped with cheddar cheese, bacon jam, and pickled red onions; I was a little disappointed with this burger as the patty was extremely dried out and flavorless. I opted for their ‘Original Butter Bun,’ which was extremely starchy and dry, and it really did not complement the ingredients well. In addition, I wasn’t a fan of the bacon jam and pickled red onions combo, as it made the burger very sweet). The hubs had a custom-​built one, with jalapenos, fried egg, and chipotle sauce — his patty was also extremely dried out and unflavorful, the fried egg overcooked, and the chipotle sauce non-​existent. For the fries, we tried the Cajun Fries (my least favorite, this was just Old Bay seasoning), the Parmesan Truffle Fries (topped with a generous amount of Parmesan cheese and truffle oil), and the Queso Cheese Fries (drenched with a Tex-​Mex style queso) — I actually really enjoyed the fries more than the burger itself! The fries were simple, but each had their own ‘distinct’ taste to them — the Cajun Fries were forgettable, as it was just Old Bay. However, the Parmesan Truffle Fries were quite delicious, as it wasn’t overwhelming on the truffle; this came with a very cheap small serving of truffle aioli dipping sauce that did not match the amount of the fries they give! The Queso Cheese Fries were pretty tasty, as it was cheesy melty goodness with not much heat. I also tried their seasonal Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake Shake (this was extremely watered down and had no taste of the pumpkin spice ‘cheesecake’ — pretty disappointing!). For sodas and drinks, they had the Maine Root varieties and lemonades. Service was okay, and while the burgers do not seem to be their strong suit, I did enjoy the fries: P
+underwhelming burgers
+dried-​out buns T_​_​_​T
+Parmesan Truffle Fries
+Queso Cheese Fries
+non-​existent/​cheap servings of sauces (make sure you confirm!)
+extremely watered-​down shakes
+limited metered-​parking on Wilson

This was my first try at Big Buns and I was very impressed! At first it was a little bit overwhelming with all the different options and choices, but the people working behind the counter were more than happy to guide me through my first experience.
I started off with a classic burger with lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, American cheese, avocado and «out n in» sauce. On top of that, it was happy hour so $ 3 loaded fries and $ 3.50 strawberry shake were defiantly ordered. My food came out quickly and it was delicious!!! I liked how the toppings didn’t overpower the burger. It was a perfect balance of meat, bun and toppings. The «out n in» sauce was a great add to my burger. The sauce was savory and there was just the right amount and didn’t soggy up the burger. The loaded fries were just the right portion and I loved how there was just enough cheese and bacon where it complimented the fries and not just drenched the fries in toppings. The strawberry shake was a nice dessert to finish my meal.
I have no complaints about this place! I can’t wait to go back and try out more burger combinations!

I forgot to eat lunch today so I was hungry when I went here and this place did not disappoint. I didn’t want to make any decision so I asked the cashier what was the best thing to get. She immediately told me to choose between the Hot & Hefe or the Handsome Tom. My friend got Tom and I got Hefe with the Cajun French fries. The burger was greasy but I was totally in the mood for that. I went pretty late and they had outdoor seating and it was an amazing time. They also have bottled cokes which just made my day.
I loved loved loved their sauce that came with the Cajun sauce, I’d go back just for that! Love it, reminded me a lot of NOLA. Would GO back there again to design my custom burger.

Loved it! I love places like this where there are different options for everyone!
Loved the burger «bowl» option because I’m not a fan of bread or buns lol. Got the bison burger bowl and you get to choose unlimited toppings! I got the salad with black bean mango salsa (I didn’t have any mangoes in my bowl though:/), sprouts, corn salsa, tomato, pineapple. You can choose one sauce. I got the sriracha garlic aioli which was good and spicy! Tried friend’s chipotle pesto aioli which was also bomb!
The sweet potato fries were also really good! Perfectly crispy and went well with those two sauces:)
Got a draft stout and that was also really good AND it came in a mason jar. Totally cute and totally hipster:)
It is kind of pricey $ 13 for a bison burger but I think it’s totally worth it!

Big Buns is probably the best burger place in Arlington. Unfortunately, the restaurant is a bit hidden which makes it hard to fine. But for us regulars, no lines is always a good thing.
There are numerous things I love about Big Buns, but number one is the food. I love all the options. From the type of patty to the toppings, even the different sauces. I usually opt for the turkey burger on a multigrain bun. As for toppings I tend to mix it up just because there are so many options.
My other favorite thing about Big Buns: Craft Beer. Big Buns always has a solid selection of craft beer. While most come in bottles or cans, there are always 3 or 4 craft beers on draft as well. I also love how most of the beer offerings are local, giving people a chance to try breweries in the area.
So besides the food and the beer, my last favorite thing about Big Buns is the location. Its off the beaten path in a courtyard right near the Ballston metro. If its nice outside I always opt for eating on the patio.