Fuddrucker’s touts themselves as having the World’s Greatest Hamburgers. Now, personally, I think that’s a really tough claim to make. I mean, I tout myself as being a true burger aficionado, and when I put my gut to it, I can slap down a pretty mean burger on the backyard grill. The Whopper, as you know, is really tough to beat, and Red Robin has a few menu items that I could potentially kill for. But, all things considered, I do have to admit that Fuddrucker’s makes a really good burger, for a reasonable price.
The atmosphere is more formal than a Five Guys, but less than a Red Robin. The ordering process is quick and easy, and the self-serve toppings bar allows full customization with no boundaries. Fuddrucker’s successfully combines the feel and speed of a fast food joint with the more substantial fare of a sit-down restaurant.
Now, although burgers are definitely my thing, I forced myself to order the item that grabbed our attention and caused us to come: the Turkey Sliders platter. Basically, three mini Turkey burgers with a side of sweet potato fries and your own topping bar creations to spruce it up. I decided to go simple on the toppings: a little BBQ sauce, tomato, dill pickle. It was truly excellent. And I liked the fact that it wasn’t marketed as some weird freak show cousin to the real burger. This turkey stood up on its own merits and really stole the show. The side of sweet potato fries was also a refreshing change from the ordinary. The only thing I would probably rethink is the raspberry dipping sauce they provided with the fries. A little too much like jam in my book.
Overall, though, I’d have to give the Turkey Sliders, and Fuddrucker’s on the whole a towering…
TERRIFIC!!
BCOM Says:
Fuddrucker’s has been in Albany a year or less, so I fully expected a clean, new feel to the place. That’s exactly how I felt as I was walking up to the cafeteria-style menu. I went classic with a simple 2/3 lb. burger with bacon, mushrooms and cheese, and a side salad. I asked for Caesar dressing, and instead received a Caesar side salad, but that turned out to be a good choice.
After placing the order, I was handed my buzzer and we went to find a seat.
Now, since I was sitting with JLam and Wipp, I’m praying to God to set that buzzer off quickly! It took about a minute for me to get tired of them sharing war stories about mechanical conquests they’ve made over the years and car problems they’ve dealt with. Fortunately, it only took another three minutes or so to get our food. When that buzzer went off, I was like a bat out of hell…
The lettuce was crisp, and the salad had just the right amount of dressing, plus some really delectable homemade croutons. The burger and bacon were well-done, exactly as I’d ordered, and the mushrooms were spread evenly across the burger (what a concept!) All engines were GO so far!
Heading back to my seat from the “have-it-your-way” (sorry, BK) toppings bar, getting ready to leave the atmosphere en route to Burger Heaven, I ran into the first (and only) “Houston, we have a problem.” Searching for clean silverware turned out to be about as easy as locating a good episode of Cop Rock.
That’s a little gross. But, I was eventually successful.
Getting back to the food, everything tasted as it should. No other surprises were forthcoming, and I had an enjoyable meal. If Fuddrucker’s cleans up its silverware problem, it would be a top-notch, Grade A establishment. For now, they’ll have to settle for…
TERRIFIC!!
And now a special treat for all you TerrificOrTurders out there:
Our first GUEST BLOGGER!!!
Wipp Says:
Well call me a guest on this blog. Being a fan of terrific or turd and a person who enjoys food as well I was truly honored when asked if I would like to post my thoughts on my dining experience at Fuddruckers. First let me state the pressure is on to meet the standards that JLAM and BCOM have with their writing skills. With that said I still don't understand how you can say "There's a weird... ack! " about a food or drink and still call it terrific BCOM has really put the pressure on by offering to pick up the tab. Now being a person who will never turn down a free meal, I just had to say yes. However, I am sure that there will be an opportunity to return the favor. I am thinking the dollar menu at McDonalds. LOL.
OK lets start with the atmosphere, Since I am a little older that my two friends I am sure I recognized some of the pictures on the wall way before they did. I did not let them know this though. Dam is sucks to get old, but it is better than the alternative. The place was clean and brought back memories of Ted's Fish Fry from when I was a kid. The stainless steel back wall was shiny and clean and being a former restaurant manager I can tell you this is no easy task. I placed my order for their new Turkey sliders. Let me state here that when I was a kid of 16 or so my friends and We would go to a place called Jack's Drive in for sliders. They were called sliders because they were grilled greasy little burgers( not steamed like White Castle) covered with smothered onions that could just slide down you throat. They were DELICIOUS. While I waited for my food I strolled over to the toppings bar. The items were fresh and the color coordination was good. What I mean by this is that they seemed to try to not put the same color fixings right next to each other. Half the battle to pleasing the pallet it pleasing the eye first. I was pleasantly surprised by the options of condiments as well. There were two different mustards as well as BBQ sauce, mayo and Ketchup. There were also bottles of different condiments as well. I decided to bring a little of everything back to the table. When the buzzer went off I thought BCOM had hit the lottery, he had jumped up so fast telling us the food was ready I almost had to check out the rest rooms. I pick up my plate or plowel, what ever the dish is called that contained my sustenance and headed to our table. First I was disappointed that my sliders did not have any onions but I should have known they were not pictured with onions. I wonder why they are called sliders.
There were three Turkey ?sliders? served with the meal I decided to fix each one differently. All three I put tomatoes, and lettuce on. The first one I put jalapeño peppers, and Heinz 57 sauce on it. My first bite told me I had chose the correct topping for my liking but did I over power the taste of the burger was yet to be determined. The second one I toned down a bit and just added pickles and a touch of Mayo. I did receive more flavor from the turkey this way. The last T burger I again put some jalapeno peppers on this time without any condiments. Again I was able to get the flavor of the turkey as well the bite of the jalapeño that I love. The T burger is a hit with me as were the sweet potato french fries which I had never had before. I do still prefer regular fries over the SWP fries. While I will probably never call them sliders I would give the Turkey Burger and Fuddruckers a
TERRIFIC!!
