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    Bit to Do

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    At 12:30 on any given day, the made-to-order burger joint - Bunz - has a line nearing the front door.  It’s lunch time.  Menus are passed down the growing line and the sound of sizzling burgers fills the air.  Brian Taylor, Bunz manager since the beginning, is cooking orders behind the single countertop.  He’s flipping patties and talking to hungry customers like he’s been feeding them for years.  A pair of regulars asks him how he’s been and why he wasn’t working the last time they were in.  Bunz has “tons of regulars,” according to Brandon Detenber, the owner.  Detenber is behind the same countertop.  He’s next to a plastic hamburger tip jar taking orders on an iPad swivel while simultaneously helping Taylor fill them.  It’s just the two of them today and most days, really.  They have a close-knit staff of about five or six.

     
    Image: Kelli Goings | Brian Taylor (left), Brandon Detenber (right)
     
    Bunz Gourmet Burgerz has been nestled adjacent to the Highland Avenue and Baxter Avenue for the past seven years.  You’ve probably missed the mustard yellow and ketchup red façade — it’s not necessarily in your face like Wick’s or O’Sheas.  It’s tiny inside; there are only a couple of tall diner style tables and some pop culture prints on the walls, but therein lies its charm.  There are no servers, set tables or bus boys.  Your food is made in front of you, called out and ready to be picked up in a classic diner basket.  It’s just a good old fashioned, friendly burger joint.
     
    Image: Kelli Goings | "The Beer Cheese
     
    Image: Kelli Goings | "The Baxter Avenue"
     

    There are 10 different burgers on the menu, crafted by Detenber with the exception of the beer cheese recipe - that’s all Taylor.  “He is Bunz Burgerz. He’s the man,” Detenber laughs.  They have signature burgers that vary in style from, the spicy “Red State” (Detenber’s favorite) made with grilled jalapeños and hot sauce, to the neighborhood favorites like "The Highland" with feta, olive blend and fried capers.  Despite having mouth-watering signature creations, at Bunz, there are no limitations.  You can order a signature burger and change things up or start from scratch and build your own.  “You can do whatever you want here,” says Detenber.  

    If it’s 11 at night and you’ve had a couple beers down the road and are in dire need of a juicy patty with bacon, egg, avocado, blue cheese and hot sauce, they’ve got you covered.  If you’re visiting for lunch or need a quick bite to eat, ordering the local favorites might be your go to.  Taylor swears by the The Beer Cheese burger, a double burger topped with homemade beer cheese, habagardil picklez, grilled onionz, bacon and Bunz sauce.  Other favorites include "The Baxter Avenue" and "The Lexington Roadhouse."

    Next time you’re in the Highlands starving for lunch or in need of a hangover cure, Bunz might just be the place.  Plus, they deliver and take online orders!

    Bunz Burgerz
    969 BAXTER AVE
    Louisville, KY 40204
    Mon - Thurs 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
    Fri 11 a.m. - Midnight
    Sat Noon - Midnight
    Sun Noon - 8 p.m.
    bunzburgerz.com
     
    Cover Image: Kelli Goings
    Katie Molck's picture

    About Katie Molck

    Loretta Lynn is the best country music singer of all time and if you don't like pickled foods, you can leave.

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