Tuesday, May 5, 2009

NOLA Foodie Time Warp (Part 1): Bud's Broiler

Blogger's Note - This is Part 1 of a two part series highlighting the recent return of two of my favorite "only in New Orleans" eateries. Sometimes the simple meals are the ones we miss the most after they are gone.

Sauce. Just cover me in sauce.

Sure, other Bud's Broiler locations have been up and running since shortly after Katrina, but this month's reopening of the original on City Park Avenue has been greatly anticipated. (Hell, even my dog* was excited.) I could not wait to get my hands on the above #4 with sauce, grated cheddar. and onions.

A note about the hickory smoked sauce: I think one of the most underrated touches at Bud's is how they keep a pot of sauce warming on a burner at all times. A small but crucial step in the euphoria that is a #4.

In the instance of fairness, I decided to skip the french fries in favor of trying another one of Bud's specialties: #7 - a butterflied and charcoal grilled hot dog with chili, cheese, and onions. This is why life in New Orleans is worth living.

It was a divine experience, which called for much patience considering that there were 10 people ahead of me in line when I got there and 15 people in line when I left. As I ate in the upstairs dining room (which thankfully has a much improved A/C window unit), I overheard a woman talking on her cell phone while she waited for her number to be called: "Girl, you are never going to believe where I am. Bud's Broiler on City Park. I swear yo Gawd they have the same dirt on the floor. You got to come here for lunch this week." She took a bit of poetic license in her description. The joint is actually cleaner than it has ever been before, even though they somehow preserved the old wooden tables with names carved in the them. There are even a few outdoor tables for seating.

As much as I love Bud's, my feelings pale in comparison to those of The Pope. His first question upon hearing of the reopening: "24 hours?" Unfortunately such is not the case, so La Papa will have to continue making his late night sojourns to the one on Clearview. In any case, during "normal" business hours, The Pope Mobile need only make that short drive to City Park Ave to accomplish a long journey down memory lane.

* This link is safe for work. Sound is not necessary but preferential. You can fast forward to 1:30 if you would like.

7 comments:

Legislater said...

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Donnie Boy Riguez said...

Catfish Ryan just bought a 24" Redline Pro to ride with me while I'm on my 24" GT Power Series. We're going to Bud's as soon as the Redline is shipped to Lakeview.

On an unrelated note, the Huatulco Tickler is amazing. The sweet berries and the wry taste of mint blended with fine gin made the sting of Myammee's victory a little less sore.

Anonymous said...

MMMM... I have to go there as soon as humanly possible! Now I've got an acute craving. Thanks a bunch.
The #4 is my all-time favorite as well. This entry actually prompted me to go WAY back on my blog... Bud's was the subject of one of my first blog entries ever: http://passionfruitbutter.com/2008/08/29/good-things-come-in-small-wax-paper-envelopes/

Who would've known you could buy something so close to heaven itself for just a few bucks?! I certainly would never have guessed were it not for Bud's.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad the place reopened but I must say Bud's hamburgers are exceedingly mediocre.

POPE said...

a DOUBLE MEAT #2, a #9 with onions, and a large cheese fries. LOVING IN YOUR MOUTH

12 year old Hannah Montanna Fan said...

Hey Anonymous, every party has a pooper and that is why we invited you!

MaryMagdalene said...

Bud's Burger MEDIOCRE??????

That jack doesn't know sauce.