Bud’s Broiler

I worked here as a high school kid 35 years ago. So many stories… Anyway, you’ve got to visit this New Orleans institution. Bud’s broiler still makes a great hamburger. So much better than fast food alternatives.

This is my favorite Buds Broiler and the cleanest by far. But I have yet to see a Buds that was sparkling clean. I see the owner there almost everytime I come. Saw one of the commenters couldnt find the red hockory sauce. If you order a #2 it comes with hickory sauce or chili. You can also request it on any sandwich. I dob that with my #6. But I agrre with you, that is a good sauce. If you go, ya gotta try the chilli cheese fries. I could recommend they clean the tables a little better, Really enjoyed my meal even though I had to wipe my own table. The food trays are certainly washed much better than other establishments.

Just ran across this place while in town on business. I was in the mood for a non-​fast food burger. This place for the bill. If this was a bar it would be a dive. The place looks like it hasn’t changed in 40 years but the business recipe is good. Simple but good food and s good price — if this place got a SLIGHT face lift it would be 5 stars. Not too much as it would take away from it but a little spiffing up would do it good. Either way, the food was great and cheap and service was quick. Will definitely stop here next time I’m in town.

Some friends who were raised in NO love Bud’s so I’ve been to this spot a few times. I’m not won over. French fries were soggy but the onion rings were okay. I don’t like a thin beef patty. What puts this a notch above McD is that you can add their special sauce or chilli to the burger. They also offer a hotdog so there is more variety on menu. A chicken sandwich too. The people are friendly. They offer crushed ice in their drinks and I am always delighted by that. The building is a throwback to earlier days and you access the bathroom from the outside. It all felt like an «experience» but nothing I would choose to do again.

We are from New Orleans and love buds broiler. Landed in New Orleans and called to be sure they were open– they close at 9pm. Rushed there, arrived at 8:53 and they refused us. The register was closed and they would not serve us despite cooks still cooking and customers still waiting for their food. Terrible service and no way to welcome locals back to the area who were dying to give your business support!

I give this Bud’s location five stars for the excellent customer service! Let’s face it, you’re going to get a delicious burger at any of the locations because this small chain is very consistent. But the service among the stores varies, with my worst past encounters happening at the City Park store. The folks working at Veterans are sooo friendly and act as though they are actually enjoying their shift at work. That is a rare find, my friends.
This location is the one I grew up going to and I will be 40 years old later this year. Nothing has changed there! The nostalgia factor also pushes it into five star territory. It’s aged, but always clean.
One comment about a previous review — the sauce isn’t «barbeque» sauce in the first place. It’s hickory sauce. Maybe some people see this as semantics, but there’s a difference between the two. They aren’t going for straight up BBQ taste, so if that’s what you are craving, go somewhere else! And don’t criticize my Bud’s :-)

Been thinking about a #4 with the hickory sauce & onions for days. Normally it’s delicious (especially from this Bud’s location) but today it wasn’t as good as I’m used to. Frozen hamburger patty WAY too big for the bun with no salt or other seasoning added to the patty. Not enough sauce or cheese on the burger. Also, the onions were cut too large & weren’t sauteed long enough to get rid of the raw taste.

Remember ketchup!
Sometimes average is a good thing. If you are opening a new restaurant and are trying to carve out your place in the world then average is a good start.
If you are Bud’s Broiler, a New Orleans icon, then average is the kiss of death.
The service was slow. I stood in a line at LEAST 10 people long. I was expecting the same good food that has made Bud’s one of the most craveable places in the metro area. When I got the counter, I noticed there were loose hairs all near the register. I tried not to think about it, and plunged ahead.
The lady at the register seemed capable enough and the order was made correctly. Well almost. They clearly are not using their signature barbeque sauce any longer. What came on my daughters burgers was just mostly ketchup. The giant pump of what was supposed to be barbeque sauce at the front counter was actually ketchup.
Now don’t tell me I don’t know the difference between ketchup and barbeque sauce because I do. All three of us at the table agreed, it was ketchup. I mean, we are southerners, and we are American, so we know ketchup!
I also know what the onion rings were supposed to taste like, and what I was given did not fit the bill. They were just off tasting. Like they had been… frozen? Surely not at Bud’s.
There were wayyyyy too many old, wrinkled, onions on my burger. And of course there are no free refills as the numerous signs posted around the establishment seem to yell out at you. Incidentally, the grammar on the signs leaves me wanting to attack them with a red pen.
I give them credit for being a solid burger joint. But its disappointing to see them take the tumble to average, and serve burgers that are supposed to have hickory barbeque sauce with plain ketchup.

When I was down there this place was so amazing and I can’t wait to visit again. There staff is very friendly and very quick. These were honestly the best burgers I’ve ever had!!! I really wish they would offer bacon as a topping and they would be perfect. I was really shocked by their cheese fries because they look McDonalds fries covered in cheddar cheese, but they taste phenomenal.
I wish a Bud’s Broiler was here in Northern VA, but we are infested by Five Guys and other burger joints sprouting up, but none compare to Bud’s Broiler.

Stumbled upon this place by accident, but it was a happy one. This place is pure Nola, rather run down in some ways – evidently carving your name on the tables is either encouraged or the owners and staff just don’t give a damn. About that at least, as they were otherwise super friendly. Burgers were tasty, as were the onion rings. Total damage for two diners was under 14 bucks.
Note that the bathrooms are outside, to the left if you are looking at the counter. Separate bathrooms for women and men, although the bathroom for women was locked the whole time I was there.
Three stars for the food, and an somewhat ironic fourth star for the atmosphere and friendly staff.

I’ll have a #4 with cheese fries please! The only thing that could make Bud’s better would be a drive thru! NOLA staple at its best.