I wasn't really hip to the whole hot dog craze until I got to New Orleans where Andouille and boudin are staples. I would indulge time to time, whenever I would go to Chicago or was able to get a Polish dog somewhere but beyond that, Oscar Mayer was not going to be my friend. With that said, as one of the newer kids in town, I was interested to see what Fat City Franks NOLA was all about.
First impressions create the impression (at least for me) and when I drove up and saw a clown decorated barn, I could have easily been scared, but I thought it was really cool, fun and funky. Bright colors bring me joy and I was happy that the inside of the restaurant reflected the same theme. For a hot dog joint, it was fairy big and was setup like a sports bar. I don't know how much I would want to sit for hours, watch a game and eat only a hot dog (they serve beer and wine too), but that seems to be what they are going for. They apparently sell wings and burgers but I didn't see that on the menu unless it is just reserved for sports events.
The biggest seller of Fat City Franks NOLA was the bun, it was super duper soft, delicious and lived up to their baked fresh daily claims! Their sausages are also made locally and I was very impressed. Their dogs are definitely worth of the term gourmet, and although the price tag was a tad bit high, the size compensated for it as did the plethora of options and toppings. I ordered of the menu and got the Tokyo Joe Dog (Andouille Sausage, Asian Slaw, Wasabi Mayo, Sesame Seeds). I love spicy and it had a nice, subtle kick to it!
You also have the option of selecting your choice of frank from 12 options (think bratwurst, alligator, shrimp, polish, etc) and your toppings which is endless. My fiance wasn't intrigue by any of the specialty dawgs; he wanted something spicy and they recommended he get the Cajun Smoked. He topped it grilled onions, mayo and sauerkraut. He fell in love with hot dogs that day.
Although I have yet to go to the other popular hot dog place in New Orleans, I really liked Fat City Franks NOLA and will go back.The staff was really friendly and welcoming.
Fat City Franks NOLA
3224 Edenborn Ave, Metairie, LA 70002
(504) 301-0325
www.fatcityfranksnola.com
Right off the bar, what I liked about Company Burger is that they have their own parking lot (no searching for parking yay!!!).
Decor-wise, it is pretty similar to most "gourmet" burger chains. The inside of the restaurant was nice, but it was a beautiful day out so I sat outside (besides, I get better lighting for my food pics). It is counter service, so as you enter, they have menus at the door. Once you decide what to eat, place your order, wait to be called and then sit and eat.
The options are pretty limited (4 burgers, a hot dog and grilled cheese) but they all sound good. Burgers are a dime a dozen but making you own pickles, mayo and fresh baked bread daily, it is far more appealing. My fiancé AKA Burger Boy had their namesake Company Burger with a fried egg and bacon thrown on top. He loved it but what can I say, he loves burger!
He paired the burger with the Onion Rings. They were good sized rings with a very light, flaky batter.
I never had a Lamb Burger, so I decided to try it. The size was good and it came with Feta, house basil mayonnaise, red onions, and chili mint glaze. On paper it sounded delicious but it had too much sauce and then started to make my bread soggy and I do not like soggy bread. I didn't enjoy it as much as I felt I should have but I am thinking it I ask for less sauce next time, I will be able to enjoy it a little bit more.
I had my burger with the Sweet Potato Fries. They were tasty.
Company Burger
4600 Freret St New Orleans, LA 70115
(504) 267-0320
www.thecompanyburger.com
In South Florida, there is no shortage of burger places. From franchises to local stores, new burger joints keep popping up. You may have heard of one called BurgerFi (and may have already eaten there), however, I felt that it was my duty to check out for you.
I knew of the burger chain, and have seen them everywhere but while I have been away (living in New Orleans), I never knew one had opened up in my hood. I partake in burger indulging yet try to be somewhat healthy (occasionally) so Burgerfi's approach to focus on healthier, all-natural ingredients is very appealing.
Natural Angus and never frozen patties sound great but how do these creations taste? A look at the burger may have you feeling a little disappointed (it is very petite), but it is piled with topping and biting into the branded burger which is cooked well done, you will be happy to know that it doesn't lose its juiciness. All in all, a BurgerFi Cheeseburger is a nicely balanced burger, which my 9 year old niece said was the best burger she ever had.
I think it is really disrespectful to the burger to not have fries to eat it with. The Fresh Cut Fries were tasty but left something to be desired. The addition of one of their fry topping may help with that though.
We also sampled the onion rings which were a lot better. They were huge, freshly cut rings that are generously breaded with a slightly sweet batter, then deep-fried to golden brown crispness.
The Wagyu Kobe Beef Hot Dog was more than just your regular dog. You could noticeably taste the difference in quality of the meat and I'm sure the rest of the dogs are like that too.
The Milkshake was thick but not too thick. It was of good quality and consistency.
Lastly, if you are a member of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Foursquare, you can use your status to get a Free Frozen Custard. It is creamy and delicious and you can add the toppings of your choosing.
Yeah, the food is fresh and taste great but it is important to note that the burgers and hot dogs are pretty small, and the meals are a bit more expensive than one would expect, but overall, we enjoyed the offerings at BurgerFi.
BurgerFi
2810 Weston Road Weston, FL 33331
(954) 306-0077
www.burgerfi.com
To Find a Location Near You
www.burgerfi.com/locations
