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BURGERS
Everything at Bin 77 Bistro and Sidebar is delicious, including
the Bin Burger — a gourmet beef burger with caramelized onions,
fire-roasted garlic ketchup and roasted bell pepper aioli. The burger’s
received local props for being an approachable, casual menu item that
stands out among the more fine-dining, Italian-influenced dishes.
The bold flavors of the burger pair perfectly with many reds on the
wine list, like the Tuscan Podernuovo a Palazzone. But don’t overlook
the cocktail list or the selection of beers — a burger’s best friend.
Note: Although it has an extensive food menu, Bin 77 is considered a
bar, so kids under the age of 18 aren’t permitted.
(10111 Perkins Rowe, Baton Rouge)
Another hidden menu item gem at a more upscale restaurant is
the burger du jour (on Beausoleil’s new bar-only menu) with
toppings that change daily according to the chef’s whims and served
by what’s been called one of the best bartending staffs in Baton
Rouge. Beausoleil also has a classic cheeseburger with caramelized
onions on its lunch menu, which is ooey-gooey delicious.
(7731 Jefferson Hwy., Baton Rouge)
Even though it’s a national chain, the only Louisiana location of
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar boasts
one of the best burgers in the city. The Prime Burger is made with
the best-quality meat scraps and topped with your choice of cheddar,
Swiss or bleu cheese, along with thick slabs of smoky, peppered bacon.
It’s only available at the bar, though, so belly on up there — especially
for Happy Hour, between 5PM and 7PM, when this $10 burger can be
had for only $8.
(7321 Corporate Blvd., Baton Rouge)
Baton Rouge-based Walk-On’s Bistreaux and Bar, with
locations throughout Louisiana and expanding into more of the South,
is the place to go to watch the game, drink a beer and have a burger.
Try the Stuffed burger oozing with American and mozzarella cheeses
and topped with bacon on a sourdough bun. Or the Jalapeño Jack
topped with Pepper Jack cheese, fried jalapeños and chipotle mayo.
They’ve also got the classic burger and classic burger toppings like
mushrooms and Swiss cheese, bacon and fried egg, and BBQ sauce,
cheddar cheese and bacon.
(Multiple locations in the Greater Baton Rouge area — the original
location is located at 3838 Burbank Dr., Baton Rouge)
Your Mom’s Restaurant & Bar has locations in both
Baton Rouge and Hammond, and its burger game is on point.
Some of the state’s most original burgers — like the burger
topped with a boudin patty; the burger topped with fried
pickles, Pepper Jack cheese and ranch dressing on a jalapeño
and cheese bun; the Aloha burger topped with grilled ham and
a BBQ-sauce-marinated pineapple ring; and the Peanut Butter
and Jelly Bacon burger — populate Your Mom’s menu. Also, the
name Your Mom’s is pretty awesome.
Everything’s made from scratch, and the hand-formed burgers
are all a half-pound. When you include the insane toppings,
that’s a big ole burger. Wear something you don’t mind getting
burger juice on. Or a bib. Your Mom says so.
(111 E. Morris Ave., Hammond and 250 W. Lee Dr., Baton Rouge)
When your group can’t decide between sushi and burgers, head over
to Cate Street Seafood Station in Hammond. Not only does
it have a very diverse menu, but the burgers are creative and executed
to perfection.
Executive Chef Jason Wong says that his kitchen grinds its meat in
house from its ribeye, filet and sirloin steak trimmings. The standout
burger on the menu is the Hangover burger, a half-pound, handmade
patty topped with Pepper Jack cheese, fried egg, bacon and avocado
on a pretzel bun. The eponymous Cate Street burger is also a winner,
topped with mozzarella cheese, sautéed mushrooms and baby spinach.
This place also has a great beer list and live music, and occupies a
historic former train station.
(308 S. Cate St., Hammond)
The Mariner’s Inn in Hammond has been serving up steaks
and burgers since 1979. You can get one of their half-pound burgers
on Texas toast, French bread or a house-made bun, baked daily.
Try the Cajun-style Black & Bleu burger topped with the restaurant’s
bleu cheese dressing while studying the antique firearms (and a
cannon) on display, or try the Mushroom-Bacon cheeseburger they
call “the Heartstopper.” You get your choice of sides, which includes a
baked potato with butter, sour cream and chives.
(117 W. Thomas St., Hammond)
MOOYAH is the local outpost of an international chain that plays
hard in the game of beef. It’s got an old-school-diner vibe, and its
griddle-cooked burger can be customized — choose bread, sauces,
fresh vegetables and other toppings. MOOYAH’s also gets props for
having a decent gluten-free/low-carb option for its burgers: You can
put one of MOOYAH’s specialty burgers — or one you built yourself —
in an iceburg lettuce wrap called the Iceburger.
(6555 Siegen Ln. #6, Baton Rouge)
Coming Soon: Bud’s Broiler
In the very near future, New Orleans’ local bare-bones burger chain
Bud’s Broiler will open its first Baton Rouge location to share the joys
of 65 years (and counting) of chargrilled burger goodness. It’s about
as basic as you can get, and economical to boot. Although straight-up
dressed hamburgers and cheeseburgers are always a good bet, try
the much-loved #4, topped with grated cheddar cheese (New Orleans
style) and your choice of chili or hickory sauce.
Bud’s Broiler hopes to have its Baton Rouge location (4343 Nicholson
Dr., Baton Rouge) open by football season of 2017, so stay tuned for that.
photo by Caroline Ourso