Monday Munchies: Muse Fresh Burgers hits fast food mark

I've always suspected fast-food joints in the 1950s and '60s were far better than they are today.

• Uniformity surely didn't mean completely soulless food with empty calories.

Most small-town retro hangers-on — like the former Susie Q or Barnett's Dairyette — usually leave me wanting. And new burger joints like Five Guys and Shake Shack are expensive both in price and caloric intake.

The setup: Enter Muse Fresh Burgers in Bentonville.

• I ordered the Muse original ($11) with two patties, cheese, bacon, mayo, grilled onions and the orange Muse sauce.

The verdict: These are what fast-food burgers should be.

• It's fast. That's the bar, and it's met.
• It's good. It's a straightforward burger made with hand-patted ground beef.
• They're focused. Burgers, chicken nuggets and salad on South Walton Boulevard, and burgers and dogs on Southeast 14th Street.

Next time: I'm itching to try Muse's Ghirardelli chocolate shake ($6).

Check 'em out: Locations at 1500 S. Walton Boulevard and 3000 SE 14th Street in Bentonville , or 1323 E. Centerton Boulevard in Centerton .

• Open Monday-Saturday, 10:30am-8pm.