Lenny's Burgers - Heaven for your Nose

I have lived in the Phoenix-metro area my entire life, and I only recently started going to Lenny’s. Last week was just my second time ever going. For a burger that I’m actually spending over $10 on, I’m actually pretty satisfied. There are multiple locations throughout Phoenix; the one I visited this time was on Glendale Avenue, just west of the I-17.

I always dig the diner feel, but that’s just me. I have yet to try their milkshakes, but the signs that indicate the different flavors always make them very tempting. After I (frighteningly) quickly devoured my burger – a mix of hunger and necessity of getting back to work – I made my way over to the bathroom. If I was there anyway, might as well make a stop.

I was stopped in my attempt by a notice that customers had to get a key from behind the counter in order to use the restroom. I notified the woman working at the register (very sweet, by the way. Awesome service all around) that I would like to use the bathroom. Not exactly sure what she did on her side – seemed like a keypad or button control – but I was granted access.

The first thing I noticed when I walked in, and the main thing I noted, was the scent of the bathroom. I’m not sure what voodoo or magic they do, but that was the best-smelling bathroom I have ever had the fortune of visiting in my entire life. It did not smell like burgers. It did not smell like potpourri. I can’t pin-point the smell, but it was fantastic. Like a unicorn in a bubble bath. Maybe one day I will learn the secret of the magical scent behind Lenny’s, but I am not worthy.

The second thing I noticed was the trash and overall mess. Which, considering how lovely it smelled, the actual mess was surprising. Trash was dropped on the floor between the toilet and the trash can on the opposite wall.

Next to the toilet, a toilet brush was found sitting in liquid chemical. While it is in a cleaning chemical, keeping the brush continuously wet could lead to issues with the brush itself. Not letting the brush dry out completely means that the toilet brush is sitting in dirty solution – completely undoing the potential cleaning effects of the chemicals.

Behind the sink, there was a part of the wall that was damaged. It didn’t look deep enough to have potential rodent or infestation problems, but probably something that should get fixed at some point.

Looking at the mirror, I could see why Lenny’s only wants customers in the bathroom. Multiple patrons have carved words and names into the actual glass of the mirror. This isn’t something I would hold against the facility owners; they can’t really be expected to change or repair the glass each and every time someone decides to be inconsiderate enough to vandalize. But it does say something about the overall area.

The bathroom was very well stocked. The toilet paper dispenser had brand-new rolls and there was plenty of soap.

So – Let’s Break It Down

Cleanliness

2/5 A lot of trash on the floor, and the issue with the toilet brush

Smell

5/5 I would give more points if I could. Unicorns and the Snuggle bear can’t even measure up to the scent of that bathroom.

Stock

5/5 Stocked to the brim

Space

4/5 Single occupancy for the bathroom – understandable to ensure only customers are in there. It was rather large for single occupancy

Lighting

4/5 Very bright, and matched the overall lighting for the actual dining room

Environment

3/5 With the etchings on the mirror, you can tell it’s probably not the best part of town. But overall the diner feel is pretty cool, and the privacy of single-occupancy is nice

'Wow' Factor

3/5 I should probably give it a ‘2’ based on cleanliness and sanitation. But it was so well-stocked and smelled SO good, that it was more surprising than I was ready for.

So out of the potential 35 total, Lenny’s Burgers on Glendale Ave’s women’s restroom came in at just 26. No, I have not shut up about the smell. Check it out on your own if you’re curious about it. I know I will be back to see if that was a one-time thing. Absolutely would stop here again, for the food and the scent-periment.