Bud's Broiler

Restaurant Review

Why It's Essential

For many New Orleanians, the first discovery that a hamburger could rise above the level of ordinary occurred at a Bud's Broiler. My eye-opener involved a Number Six in the summer of 1967, at the now-gone Bud's on Banks Street. I can recall that flavor to this day. It's a great concept: hamburgers (or hot dogs, chicken, or fish) grilled over live charcoal, served on toasted buns with grated cheddar cheese and other above-average add-ons. If Bud's executed it's brilliant, unconventional idea with better consistency and used fresh potatoes for its fries, it would make those top-ten lists you see in national magazines.

Backstory

Bud's Broiler was founded by Bud Saunders in the late 1950s. The first location was on Airline Highway, around Turnbull Drive. Then came the one on City Park Avenue, the oldest Bud's still extant. That set a precedent for offbeat locations, the strangest one being in the middle of a block of a Gentilly side street next to a cemetery. It also set a standard of very scruffy premises; even newly-opened Bud's Broilers look worn out. Saunders had it all figured out from the beginning, and the formula has weathered the decades well--even the 1990s, when Bud's became terribly inconsistent and poorly staffed. During the past ten years, the chain has become dominated by franchisees, who have typically improved the product and service. Since Katrina, Bud's has returned to the quality of its best days.

Dining Room

No two Bud's Broilers are alike. What they have in common are wooden picnic-style tables and benches, their tops carved with the initials of past customers. The carving of your own is not encouraged, but obviously a lot of people have done it. Everything else is equally utilitarian. One wall is dominated by a real chimney above the charcoal grill--the sine qua non of Bud's. The places are staffed by people who take their mission very seriously, or seem to.

For Best Results

Know that Bud's is not fast food. They make most of their sandwiches to order, and that takes a few minutes. Note that some, but not all, Bud's take credit cards.