Rouses_FB_July_August_2017

the Burger issue

Baton Rouge’s Burger Bucket List by Nora D. McGunnigle

B aton Rouge has always been a burger town, but the city and its environs are in the midst of an extended burger moment. You can find everything from that old diner classic, the flattop, to a newfangled gastropub blend, to a not-your-dad’s Peanut Butter & Jelly Bacon Burger courtesy of Your Mom’s. For big spenders, Fat Cow Burgers & Salads offers a foie gras topped Hundred Dollar Burger that ironically only costs $15. Our Burger Bucket List wasn’t easy to make, so we polled people from Baton Rouge, Hammond, Gonzales, Plaquemine, Plattenville, Donaldsonville and Zachary. Everyone had an opinion, and a favorite. Clearly, the trend is to blend. Mason’s Grill ’s Cajun Shrimp burger has been named “Louisiana’s Best Burger” by Food Network magazine and Zagat. It’s an 8-oz. burger stuffed with diced jalapeños and sautéed shrimp, then smothered with Monterey Jack cheese. The kitchen crew is always thinking up creative burgers and then pitching them head to head in a weekly “Burger Battle.” So far, the Crabby Patty burger (topped with crabmeat, grilled onions and Jack cheese) has dominated the contests, beating out contenders like the French Connection burger with grilled ham and Brie cheese, topped with an egg and fried onion strings; the Pineapple Express burger with a beef patty, pulled pork, diced pineapple, red onions and Swiss cheese; and the HindenBurger with sausage, sauerkraut, Thousand Island dressing and Swiss cheese. This family-owned and -operated restaurant opened in 1998, originally as a coffee shop (in a different location), until chef-owner Mike Alfandre started adding lunch service, then dinner, then breakfast. Mason’s is as well-known for brunch as for burgers, so don’t pass up the unbeatable combination of the Breakfast burger and their out-of- this-world Bloody Mary. (13556 Jefferson Hwy., Baton Rouge) The Dixie Maid Drive-In opened in 1946, and Baton Rouge natives have fond childhood memories of the burgers, root beer floats, ice cream cones and friendly service that’s been offered here for more than 70 years. Dixie Maid hasn’t changed too much over the years — it’s still the place to go for simple, old-fashioned burgers done right. The fresh patties are flattop grilled and served dressed with cheese and/or BBQ sauce, with optional add-ons like jalapeños and bacon available. Dixie Maid is cash only (though there is an ATM on-site) and regulars advise calling in your order ahead of time, because this local institution’s popularity might have you standing in line for a while. (4769 McClelland Dr., Baton Rouge) One of the best handmade burgers (and cracklins) I’ve eaten is at this St. Amant spot that also serves as a gas station. Fill ’er up at Duckroost Seafood & Deli with the 8-oz. Certified Angus

photo by Collin Richie

The decor at Curbside honors the burger joint’s food truck beginnings; a food truck facade is the centerpiece of the restaurant’s seating area. The brick and mortar “artisan grubbery” (as it’s billed on the website) restaurant just opened in late 2016 but is firing on all cylinders by keeping its most popular and beloved burgers on the menu — like the K.G.B. burger, topped with salty-sweet praline bacon, a runny-yolk fried egg and sharp cheddar cheese, or the Brian 3.0, which is topped with pork belly preserves, gorgonzola cheese and fried onion strings — and adding new items as well as ever-changing burger specials. Other regular standouts on the menu made with Curbside’s proprietary blend of freshly ground beef cooked to juicy perfection on a flattop grill include the GC2 with green chili relish, bacon, Pepper Jack fondue, Fritos and a Cholula® aioli, and the Naq Attaque, topped with Swiss cheese, caramelized onions, a Parmesan crisp and garlic mayo, and served with a French onion soup dipper. Wash them down with the boozy adult milkshake! (4158 Government St., Baton Rouge)

beef bacon cheeseburger. (13277 Hwy. 431, St. Amant)

14

MY ROUSES EVERYDAY JULY | AUGUST 2017

Made with