Ivy Says

Though summer involves skimpy little outfits and next-to-nothing bikinis it also manages to awaken my inner burger beast. This carnivorous craving led me to Fuddruckers and although I’ve had it many times in the past, I haven’t had the chance to try out it on Lebanon until now. So my man and I drove down to Dbayeh for some serious meaty business.

The Service:

We were greeted and seated by the waiter who ended up pulling a disappearing act on us. So we tried everything to get any staff member’s attention with no avail. They would literally serve the tables facing us and somehow manage to dodge our calls. So after being ignored for a good 15 minutes I frantically began waving both hands in the air and throwing a mini-tantrum. I managed to grab the attention of a server who rushed over apologetically. I was quick to forgive, eager to sink my canines in some home-baked buns.

We started things off with a crisp traditional Caesar salad but substituted the grilled chicken with barbequed medium-sized shrimps. The dressing was generous with a prominent Parmesan flavor.

The Burgers:

We meticulously picked our Angus beef burgers, opting for the specialty selection. My man went for the giant 2/3 pounder with balsamic onions, cheese, bacon and some mushrooms topped with a hearty dose of ranch dressing. This monster isn’t for the faint of heart, but was a love affair waiting to happen.

The Fries:

The party came to a screeching halt with the wedges which looked great at first, but tasted under-cooked and slightly tough on the inside. So I was forced to share my French fries with the man, which also turned out to be quite the bland, stale disappointment.

The Other Burger:

Fortunately my juicy ½ pound burger made up for any starchy shortcomings, with one of thickest patties you’ll find around town featuring an all-time favourite yellow champ of mine, cheddar cheese, shredded romaine , tomatoes and balsamic onions. Classic and original, just the way I like my burgers, fulfilling a long-time craving of mine for the real-deal burger which I’ve been searching for in Lebanon for over two years now, a job my dear friend Johnny Rockets can get done in a heartbeat.

And like a true burger fiend I overdosed on some of that wholesome complimentary cheddar dip and coleslaw at the self service station.

The Service Again:

One would think that after the scene I caused the waiters would be on full alert, but that wasn’t the case. Again, we struggled over and over again, each time we needed a refill or a napkin. It got frustrating by the end of our meal but the staff seemed insistent on being inaccessible. Too bad for a new establishment and totally unexpected from one of the most popular burger joints in the world.

The Price Range: Around 22,000LL for a 2/3 lb burger and fries (including unlimited coleslaw and dip) if you see the size of that burger you’ll understand how reasonable that is. Lunch for two with soft drinks and an appetizer will set you back around 80,000-95,000LL.

The Verdict: Although I have zero tolerance for bad service, the burger is a force to reckon with, so suck it up and have a go.