West Seattle residents David and Rebecca Makuen think they have created the world's greatest burger, but they aren't settling for a mere restaurant to house their creation. They've taken their meat national.

The Makuens are the founders of BuiltBurger, a Web-based company that creates and freezes gourmet burgers, ready to be shipped out to customers around the country.

Though BuiltBurger does not have a permanent retail space, its kitchen is located in Ballard, and the company has set up its first temporary retail location in the heart of downtown Ballard.

David Makuen said the idea for BuiltBurger was formed about a year ago, springing from a passion for grilling and an inability to find a truly great burger.

"We believe that food is in its most delicious state when grilled," he said. "We were really intrigued by being able to make the world's greatest burger."

The Makuens moved from New York five years ago and have so far found Seattle much more accommodating to grilling due to the milder weather, he said.

"In New York you can grill four to five months a year," Makuen said. "You can grill pretty much year round in Seattle."

Makuen said BuiltBurger burgers stand apart because they are infused with flavor, rather than just flavored on top.

For example, he said their top-seller is the Brilliant Prosciutto burger, which adds prosciutto, parmesan and onions to the beef.

Makuen said they wanted a business model that would allow them to start up and sell quickly to people all over the country. They found that in the frozen food industry.

BuiltBurger burgers are made-to-order in the Ballard kitchen, vacuum-sealed, packed with dry ice and shipped, according to the BuiltBurger Web site.

Their headquarters, a commercial kitchen on Northwest 80th Street and 24th Avenue Northwest, is staffed by five people who make all the burgers by hand, Makuen said.

He said their handmade process led to some lessons in efficiency during BuiltBurger's first few weeks of operation when summertime orders had to be met on schedule.

"You're never going to know every surprise," Makuen said. "The lesson for the first few weeks is to keep things simple and try to reduce complexity."

BuiltBurger's first temporary retail site, where customers can place and pick up orders, is located at Pulp, Inc., a marketing and consulting business on the corner of Ballard Avenue and 22nd Avenue Northwest.

Makuen said they chose Pulp because they love the Ballard community and recently got to know Kate Pawlicki, creative strategist at Pulp.

The Makuens are food industry beginners, with David having worked in marketing and Rebecca in publishing.

"We're somewhat new to the food business," Makuen said. "But, we've both been working in businesses that require a lot of attention to detail and building a brand."

The influence of their previous careers is apparent immediately in the space at Pulp. Posters with colorful, slightly retro graphics advertise BuiltBurger in the window, and their cow silhouette logo is visible everywhere, including on stacks of T-shirts, inside the space.

BuitlBurger has been operational for about seven weeks, and Makuen said they are already hearing positive feedback from customers.

He said people are impressed by the unique concept, the convenience and the burgers themselves.

Orders can be placed on the BuiltBurger Web site, over the phone or at Pulp. Single burgers range from $7 to $10, and packages are available from six burgers ($49.50) to 24 burgers ($146.50).

The BuiltBurger location in Pulp will be open until mid-September. Makuen said the company will be looking at more temporary sites, as well as adding further menu items.