Shreveport-Bossier has its fair share of beloved burgers. Some are popular because they’re simple, affordable and old-fashioned, like the cheeseburgers at George’s Grill or Panos’ Diner. Others are off-the-beaten path gems, such as the excellent burgers at Gullos Fresh Produce and Bake Shop, Ferrier’s Rollin’ in the Dough or the Bear’s Den in Haughton. And others – a sort of “freshman class” – are a combination of delicious, creative and unusually large. In this third group, I’d list burgers like The Kraken from Abby Singer’s Bistro, the Katrina Burger at Marilynn’s Place, and just about any of the specialty burgers from Fumblebrewski (3142 North Market St., Shreveport). But among the burgers at Fumblebrewski, the Who Dat Burger stands out.
The Who Dat Burger ($11.99) is a half-pound beef patty topped with blackened jumbo shrimp and remoulade sauce. The idea of a hamburger topped with seafood may not exactly sell itself, but it tastes great. My dining partner looked at me like I’d lost my mind when the Who Dat arrived at our table. Then, after taking a bite, she promptly devoured half of it.
Other specialty burgers on the menu at Fumblebrewski include the First Snap (topped with bacon, cheddar cheese and a fried egg), the K-2 (mushrooms, onions and Swiss cheese) and the Juicy Julie (the patty is stuffed with cream cheese and jalapenos and topped with bacon). The restaurant itself feels more like a bar than anything else, but welcomes families. About 25 flat screen televisions encircle the dining room, and the waitresses are on a first-name basis with regulars, who belly-up to the bar and chug frosty mugs of beer. Like their specialty burgers, Fumblebrewski can be intimidating. But take a burger-loving friend and an appetite, and I’d wager that you won’t leave disappointed.
