For burgers and more, try Burgersmith
If you consider a great hamburger with a side of fries the ultimate comfort food, take comfort in knowing Lafayette’s Burgersmith now has a Baton Rouge location serving up delicious dishes of both.
Though not on the menu, start off with the fried green beans ($4.50). A co-worker told us to give them a try, and they were delicious. Heavily breaded and deep fried, the beans come with a ranch dipping sauce and we polished them off in no time. Our efficient and charming waitress told us they are a menu test item. We give them an A+.
For our entrees, we tried a variety of offerings. The grass-fed organic beef burger ($7.50) comes on a fresh whole wheat bun and was lean and delicious. Burgersmith offers many complimentary toppings as well as premium toppings that cost an extra 50 cents. We added the premium pepper jack cheese to this yummy sandwich.
We also tried the filet burger ($7.50), a half-pound of ground tenderloin, and got it “Smith style” which means they add spicy seasonings We added the premium apple wood smoked bacon and cheddar cheese, and this juicy, juicy burger was really good. In hindsight the diner wished he’d added a fried egg as well, but that will have to wait until another visit.
The chili cheese all-beef hot dog ($4.75) was so loaded with cheese and beef-only chili we had to use utensils. For a hot-dog lover, this hit the spot. The toasted bun and two types of cheese added to our enjoyment.
The dieting member of our party chose the Smith salad ($5) and added grilled chicken ($3).This big salad had enough mixed greens to make two additional side salads at home. Filled with tomatoes, bacon and cheese (maybe not that diet conscious) and topped with a light lemon vinaigrette this was a really good salad. We liked how the hot grilled chicken melted the cheese on top of the greens. A beef or shrimp patty can also be added.
Burgersmith offers three different kinds of fries ($1.75 each) and we tried all three but could not agree which ones were best. Their fries tasted so good and were so very light and thin-cut you can’t go wrong with any choice. We loved them all but the garlic fries got the most votes.
Buttery with just the right amount of garlic they are a must try. The Smith fries have the house spicy seasonings for those who like a little heat and the regular fries taste great, too. You really shouldn’t visit Burgersmith without an order of one of these.
The ice cream ($3 each), served in chilled pewter bowls, is also a must. From the New Orleans Ice Cream Company, the ice cream is so creamy, velvety, packed with flavor and cleverly named, it was a real treat. We tried the Chocolate City, the Ponchatoula Strawberry and the Coffee and Chicory and loved them all.
The menu also features a very respectable list of area micro brews.
Don’t go for the decor because this L-shaped restaurant (the bar — where you sometimes have to place your order — and kitchen are in the back), with its cinder-block walls hung with large photos of vegetables and kids is sparse in that department. You won’t notice at all once you start chowing down on a delicious burger, though. And don’t forget the fries.
On the Internet: http://www.burgersmith.com