The first time I ate at a Fuddruckers restaurant, I was on vacation with my parents. I was only 8 at the time, so I don’t remember the experience as vividly as they do. They vowed never to return to the restaurant, which wasn’t difficult considering there wasn’t one nearby until a few years ago. Now we have 2 in the area, and I thought I’d give it another try.


Service

Fuddruckers is a little different from other restaurants. It’s like a step between fast-food and dine-in restaurants. You have to go in to order. You pay, give your name, get your drink, then sit down. When your order is ready they call your name, and you pick it up at the counter. You get your own refills and condiments. When you’re finished, you don’t have to put away your own trash. Someone will get that for you.


Surroundings

I sense somewhat of a beer theme here. At the counter you'll find many bottles of beer waiting to be bought. There are neon beer signs serving as decorations throughout the restaurant. They have a small smoking section hidden behind a glass wall, which divides the dining area into 2 rooms. There is a TV going in each room with a sports program. At the same time, you can expect to hear oldies music. Each time I visit, I hear the same 50s songs I heard the time before. There are a few arcade games in the corner for your gaming pleasure.


Hamburgers

This is the specialty. I don’t usually eat hamburgers unless I find myself stuck at a McDonald‘s or Burger King. I also don’t see paying $5.00 for a hamburger, but I don’t care that much for them. My husband, on the other hand, almost always orders a burger. He likes Fuddruckers because he can order the size burger he wants, usually 1/4 or 1/2 pound. They cook them the way you like. He usually gets his medium well, but it is always cooked to his specification. The burgers come plain. There is a condiment and topping bar to add whatever you like to your burger. My husband is an extremely picky eater, and he likes the fact that he can get only cheese and mayonnaise on his burger. As I recall, one thing my dad didn’t like about this restaurant was that he had to put his own burger together. I think it’s a good idea because this way you can get what you want without having to worry about picking stuff off.


Other Food

I usually order the hot dog. This is the only restaurant where I would order such a thing. After I tried it, I was hooked. It comes on a toasted bun, and I order it with chili and shredded cheese. The chili is so good. The hot dog is so plump, you have to eat it with a fork! The fries are wedge-shaped, and come seasoned. They also have salads, nachos, chicken sandwiches, and a barbeque sandwich. They have a few kids’ meals too. The kids’ portions are smaller. They can get a grilled cheese, hamburger, or hot dog. The plates come with fries and a small soft drink for about $3.00-$4.00. They also get a coupon for a free cookie from the bakery when they finish their meal. The cookies from the bakery are pretty good. They also have brownies, rice-krispy bars, and a few other sweets.


Recommendation

Overall, Fuddruckers is a pretty good place to eat. If you like hamburgers cooked fresh, the way you like them, then this is the place to go. Even if you don’t like hamburgers, you can still find something good to eat. The hamburgers are a little pricey, but I can eat here with my husband and son for just under $20.



Recommended: Yes