STACKED Food Well Built For Your Taste!

[caption id="attachment_18664" align="alignnone" width="600"] STACKED Food Well Built[/caption] I was invited to Brewfest Event at Stacked Food Well Built yesterday at the Cerritos location and I was so excited for the event. I remember first seeing this place being built from bottom to top and since then I was so curious about the place. The joint looks really very hip and inviting from the big logo and the fall like colors. [caption id="attachment_18662" align="alignnone" width="600"] STACKED[/caption]   With all the gourmet burger restaurants opening up, this was definitely one I wanted to try. [caption id="attachment_18665" align="alignnone" width="600"] STACKED drink menu and bar area[/caption] I was invited to come over for the event and as I was waiting, I had the change to take some pictures of the place. I love the way the interior looks as it's very modern and the stained glass windows gives it a relaxing casual feel to it. [caption id="attachment_18667" align="alignnone" width="600"] STACKED menu[/caption] I had the honors to meet with the Founder of STACKED who introduced himself and how he envisioned the burger joint. And he mentioned that it's not just a burger joint, it's a salad, pizza, mac n cheese, dessert joint and the best part is that you can build it the way you like it. [caption id="attachment_18671" align="alignnone" width="600"] STACKED Wake Up Call Burger[/caption] What I found so cool about STACKED was that you can build your own burger and guess what? If you're a picky eater such as that one person who orders a cheese burger without the cheese and yet still pay for the cost of the cheese, then this place is for you. If you don't want the cheese, why get charged for it right? There are many other places where you can build your own burger but it was my first time really making it my own through the iPad. When you look at the picture above, you see all the different layers of the burgers where you can customize your buns (Pretzel, Brioche, Wheat Bun, Gluten Free Bun, Lettuce bun, or no bun), patties (Angus beef, salmon, chicken breast, turkey burger, veggie, pulled pork), cheeses (American cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, Swiss, pepper jack), home-made sauces, toppings, and condiments. [caption id="attachment_18678" align="alignnone" width="600"] STACKED Wake Up Call Burger[/caption] Here is my Wake Up Call Burger which I had a lot of fun to customize. Why is it called that? Well there's a fried egg in it and the delicious sauce, bacon, and grilled bell peppers will sure you wake up your taste buds! The pretzel bun is soft, slightly sweet, and just completes the entire burger. The bottom bun soaks up all the juicy flavors from the medium-well patty and the Roasted Red Pepper Aioli. [caption id="attachment_18681" align="alignnone" width="600"] STACKED Wake Up Call Burger cross-section[/caption] To show you the delicious layers of the Wake Up Call Burger, I cut the burger in half. Surprisingly I remembered to do so because it was so good to not chow down right away. This amazing burger is composed of Angus Beef Patty topped with Swiss Cheese, Applewood Smoked Bacon, a Fried Egg, and their crispy criss-cross Homemade Potato Chips. [caption id="attachment_18676" align="alignnone" width="600"] STACKED Ghost Pepper burger[/caption] When the Founder mentioned the Ghost Pepper Burger, "G" knew he had made up his mind. He's the type not to resist anything spicy so when he heard Ghost Pepper, he made his final decision. [caption id="attachment_18680" align="alignnone" width="600"] STACKED Ghost Pepper burger[/caption] Before "G" could take a bite out of his burger, I immediately told him to cut it in half! I just had to see all the juicy layers of this burger! Hmm, this burger is not listed on the menu online so perhaps that's the reason why it's called Ghost Pepper Burger. But anyways we both loved it because of the spicy kick you get from the roasted Poblano pepper. This burger was customized to have some caramelized onions and roasted bell peppers. It was a good thing we split the burgers in half so both "G" and I were able to get a taste of the burgers. [caption id="attachment_18685" align="alignnone" width="600"] STACKED SWEET POTATO FRIES & HOMEMADE POTATO CHIPS[/caption] Time for the appetizers. My gosh, the great food doesn't stop at the burgers! We ordered a combination appetizer plate with half order of sweet potato fried and their homemade potato chips. The fries are sweet and soft, and the chips are crispy and crunchy so you get the best of both worlds. [caption id="attachment_18684" align="alignnone" width="600"] Top: GARLIC AIOLI, Right: BUTTERNUT SQUASH AIOLI, Left: SRIRACHA MAYO[/caption] The chefs here at STACKED make their own homemade sauces which makes it that much more special and unique. We tried the GARLIC AIOLI which is deliciously garlicky and pairs perfectly with the chips, the BUTTERNUT SQUASH AIOLI which pairs awesomely with the sweet potato fried which brings out a more pumpkin flavor in the sauce, and finally the SRIRACHA MAYO that pairs perfectly with both the fries and chips. [caption id="attachment_18687" align="alignnone" width="600"] STACKED Bacon Candy[/caption] So I'm not sure if this Bacon Candy is considered a dessert or appetizer. I'd say it's both. This is my first time trying Bacon Candy and it was heavenly. The bacon is cut into thick strips and cooked until it has the right crunch, and then covered with perhaps caramel? When you tear a piece, you really have to pull it apart because of now caramelized the bacon is. You just have to try it! It's a totally new foodie experience that every bacon lover needs to do. [caption id="attachment_18674" align="alignnone" width="600"] Jamaica Red Ale - Mad River Brewing Company[/caption] "G" ordered the Jamaica Red Ale and he really enjoyed it. It has a nice smell to it and the after taste is a bit bitter but enjoyable. [caption id="attachment_18675" align="alignnone" width="600"] STACKED Skinny Mojito[/caption] I love Mojitos because it's refreshing and tasty so I ordered it skinny. [caption id="attachment_18688" align="alignnone" width="600"] J.K.'s The Pair Perry Cider Farmhouse Organics[/caption] The guys from the Craft Beer Guild Distributing guided the event and let us sample the beer tap selections here at Stacked. We really enjoyed the J.K.'s The Pair Perry Cider Farmhouse Organics and the Expedition Stout. There are other Craft Beer at STACKED Cerritos such as Bells Two Hearted, Stone IPA, St. Archers Blond, Knee Deep Citra extra Pale Ale, Sudwerk Hefenweizen, plus much more. [caption id="attachment_18690" align="alignnone" width="600"] STACKED Brewfest: Hard Apple Cider, Pale Ale, Expedition Stout, and El Segundo Blue House IPA[/caption] The Hard Cider was really tasty and I like the fact that it was organic. I'm a huge fan of stouts so I was excited to try the Expedition Stout. It has a really strong chocolately coffee flavor and a strong bitter after taste but I enjoyed it a lot. I hope to find some at Hi-Times Wine Cellar. [caption id="attachment_18689" align="alignnone" width="600"] STACKED Nutella Shake[/caption] By the time it was time for dessert, "G" and I were both so stuffed. But you know the saying "there's always room for dessert" and that was exactly out saying. The waitress was kind enough to suggest her favorite shakes. She suggested the Nutella Shake where "G" immediately said yes to. You can slightly taste the Nutella but has just the right amount. [caption id="attachment_18691" align="alignnone" width="600"] STACKED Cookie Butter Shake[/caption] She also suggested the Cookie Butter Shake that caught my attention when I heard Cookie and butter together. I knew I just had to try it. The Cookie Butter reminds me of the Walkers Shortbread Chocolate Chip , 2-Count Cookies (Count of 24) all crushed up into a vanilla shake. Who knew such combination existed, but now I know where to go to get me some. [caption id="attachment_18663" align="alignnone" width="600"] STACKED Happy Hour Selections[/caption] Overall, our experience here was just amazing, we couldn't ask for anything more. I can see why STACKED stand out from the other Build-your-own burger joints. The staff were so helpful and nice and I was very honored to have been invited to this special event. I'll definitely will be coming back to try their other customizeable American favorites!