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Business & Tech

Fuddruckers Offers Variety, Fun and Unusual Choices

It has freshness and quality of burgers, with an exotic twist, in a fun, comfortable setting.

"Hamburgerama" was the word that came to mind while dining at . 

Not for the faint of carnivorous in appetite, this establishment—founded in 1980 in San Antonio, Texas—has been serving the highest caliber burgers in quality, freshness and combinations for 30 years.

Part of Luby's Inc.—with nearly 200 franchises throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and Saskatchewan, Canada—Fuddruckers has also expanded to the Middle East, where the restaurant has a welcome presence in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar.  The first Middle Eastern Fuddruckers opened in May 1994.

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Demonstrating its focus on, and obsession with, freshness and quality, Fuddruckers formed Fudds Herd, its own US-born-and-bred animals on special ranches where humane treatment, open grazing, freedom to roam and vegetarian feed are hallmarks. This led to the creation of Fudds Prime, the restaurant's very own brand of beef. 

The company promises that the meat is fresh, never frozen, all-American, premium-cut, bred for taste, no additives, no animal by-products, no warming light, grilled to order and optimal marbling with prime and upper portions of choice.

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Speaking of choice, Fuddruckers is the inventor of the Market Fresh Produce and Fixins' Bar, an inclusive free array of vegetables and sauces, such as homemade pico de gallo, creamy mayo, honey or spicy mustard, all allowing customers the luxury of engaging in Fudds' "Build Your Own Burger" motto. Hamburgers are available starting at a third of a pound all the way up to a full pound, with various increments in between, to satisfy your burger needs.

Fuddruckers also bakes its sesame-topped and wheat buns from scratch each day, so that the fine-caliber hamburgers can be paired with similarly fine-caliber buns.

Drive-through prices within restaurant ambiance is the value Fuddruckers serves, so the guarantee that you never leave hungry is also accompanied by guarantees of a pleasant dining atmosphere that includes popular radio hits playing. Plus, the bank account is still in good shape after the meal.

Here's a rundown of how Fuddruckers works.

Upon entering, you get in line to place your order at the counter, where you also pay. You are then given a CommPass and signs to place at a table of your choice so that servers can bring portions of your order to you. 

When the CommPass buzzes, you bring the gadget to the counter and pick up the bulk of your order.

I started with an appetizer of Fudd's Famous Buffalo Wings and found them to be a zestful tingling treat. 

Next, I chose the 100 percent certified black angus burger combination that came with all-you-can-eat fries and a milkshake. 

The server behind the counter informed me that oreo and chocolate are among the customer-favorite milkshakes.  I made mine oreo, and upon trying I savored the bits of oreo cookie that required maneuvering through the straw without clogging. 

The whole milkshake experience harkened back to a '50s diner feel. Where was my date to sip the milkshake with!

Anyway, the bun of the hamburger definitely tasted soft and spongy fresh, with a buttery, golden sheen that was even better than it looked. The beef, with a strong flavor and elasticity in texture, gave the impression of the freshness and quality for which Fudds Prime represents. 

Plantains in shape, the fries were thick, sprinkled with red spices.

The Smokehouse Bacon Cheddar with a slab of fried chicken was nicely combined. The chicken, bacon, cheddar, honey mustard and sesame-topped bun went well together in each mouthful—it was not too salty, not greasy and had crunch.

In May 2010, Fuddruckers introduced Fudds Exotics, a healthier leaner version of its burgers using tasty game meats of buffalo, elk, wild boar and ostrich. The meat is 100 percent free of antibiotics and hormones, grass and grain fed, free-range, all-natural and without artificial transfat, and these exotic meats are served with the option of wheat buns, which are denser than the sesame-topped version.  Sides of broccoli, cole slaw, mixed vegetables and onion straws can accompany these burgers.   

I decided to venture into each of these frontiers. Ostrich was a very full bite that bordered on chewiness—it was a rigorous workout for the mouth and teeth, although I did choose for it to be well-done. 

On the other hand, Wild Boar had a lightness and sweetness, a playful flavor that tasted like a melodic tune.    

Buffalo returned me to a more muscular meat with an unfamiliar wild game scent that was heavy.

The onion straws with the elk burger were delightful slender, salty, peppered crisps. The elk meat had a seasoned wilderness taste, and the enjoyment of this gamey meat lent a pioneering spirit. 

I have to say, I rather liked choosing and adding these particular new flavors to the vocabulary of my palate, the memory of my buds.

Bridgewater Fudds was established eight years ago, and, in the last six, general manager Pietro Salinas has been overseeing the restaurant. When asked what distinguishes this franchise, Salinas said that patrons often praise its atmosphere, interior decoration, staff friendliness, cleanliness and food. 

And, Salinas said, the closing of the franchise in nearby New Brunswick has diverted that area's patrons who have been trickling into the Bridgewater one.

This franchise regularly participates in hosting Fudd-Raisers, events under the heading of "Benefit Night at Fuddruckers," that enable any organization to plan and meet for a fun event from 5 p.m. until close. A percentage—15 percent for Bridgewater—of sales achieved that evening is funneled for the selected charity. 

Fudds will gladly prepare a ready-to-print flyer and e-mail invitation for the organization in question to distribute to attendees. According to Salinas, Bridgewater Fuddruckers recently helped plan Fudd-Raisers for the local YMCA and Immaculata High School.

Salinas and his team, through the scheduling of many events from season to season, ensure that Bridgewater Fuddruckers remains a vortex of community fun. 

On April 13, Salinas said, Family Night will permit a free child's meal [limited to children up to the age of 12] with the purchase of a regular-priced adult meal.  Entertainment includes a balloon artist and a face painter. 

Every two to three months, such an event is presented to the community by Bridgewater Fudds. For those interested in discounted kids meals, every Monday through Wednesday children receive half-priced orders with the purchase of a full-priced adult meal.

And every Thursday evening, magic, balloons and face painting entertain kids in the arcade room from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Friday nights at 7 p.m. are free Texas Hold'em Poker Tournaments, and each game is a chance to compete for a seat to a World Series of Poker or World Poker Tour main event.

For patrons who would like to receive promotions, perks, gifts for signing up, birthdays treats, anniversaries specials, and updates through e-mail, Salinas recommended joining the e-club on Fuddruckers' website, an interactive space with games for children and sports fans [you can even make a "Wanted Poster" on Fudds Prime site] that emanates fun vibes to mirror the restaurant's projected image. Fuddruckers also has an established Facebook and Twitter presence. 

Around the end of April through the end of September, when the weather is reliably warmer, a car show event will be hosted every Tuesday evening from 5 p.m. until sundown, during which owners of classic cars will have the opportunity to park their trophies in front of Fudds for spectators to admire. Prizes of two gift certificates for $25 each will be awarded, a DJ will perform for these events.

Bridgewater Fudds also offers fidelity incentives to customers who purchase five exotic burgers by giving the sixth for free. The same initiative applies toward the purchase of five one-lb regular burgers. 

If this hodgepodge of words—fresh bakery, having fun, greatest burger, excellence of beef, choices, combinations, never leave hungry, never wait for a table, good time, kid friendly, pleasing the individual, value, decent prices, exotic alternatives, easygoing, games, arcade, popular tunes, gumball machines—entices you, then the next time you have a craving for hamburgers, get on over to the Fuddruckers in Bridgewater and satisfy those needs!

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