When Louisvillians think of Jeffersontown, the last thing that comes to mind is local anything. The independent and proud food scene is a joke, but that might be changing. Wonderful and delicious restaurants like Guaca Mole and Mussel and The Place Downstairs (soon to be Cena) are popping up and getting the SouthEast end something to work with. Lucky’s Market has opened, too, giving the citizens of J-Town a place to shop for local foods.
Mussel and Burger Bar is an exceptional restaurant that resides in J-Town. Recently in the press for being one of the best burger joints in the nation (article here), it's pretty clear that they're doing something right. That’s why I decided to finally check it out.
The atmosphere was unique; it felt somewhere between upscale dining and a sports bar, but was perfect for a casual (but delicious) dinner. Our waiter, Mike, was great; he was enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and helped us shuck our mussels (it was our first time).
First off, try the short rib nachos. I know what you’re thinking: “Who wants to eat nachos with mussels?” – you do. They were salty and piled high and perfect. Our mussels came out next; we got the blue cheese pancetta. These mussels were amazing, and I wanted to drink the broth it came it. We also ordered (two rounds of) the Bulliet Red and an Old Fashioned, which were equally excellent.
Mike suggested we get the BBB (Breakfast Bacon Burger), so we went for it. A fried egg topped off our medium cooked bacon cheeseburger. It was unreal. We also got fries cooked in duck fat – highly recommended. I don’t think our burger lasted more than two minutes before we devoured it.
Too stuffed to move, we got dessert. Obviously obsessed with bacon on anything and everything, we got the bacon beignets. They come with both a coffee sauce and a vanilla sauce. I couldn’t tell you which was better – they were so good. Everything we had was amazing.
Prices are pretty reasonable, and portions are excellent, too. For four cocktails, two appetizers, an entrée, and a dessert, $70 is a great price (especially for the quality of food here).
If you’re looking for one of the best burger places in the nation, Mussel and Burger Bar should definitely be your top pick. Lucky for us, it’s right here in Louisville (home). Located at the corner of Hurstbourne Lane and Taylorsville Road (not Shane Co., though). Opened Monday through Thursday 11:00am till 10:00pm, Friday from 11:00am-11:00pm, Saturday 12:00-11:00pm, and Sunday from 12:00-8:30pm.
