Local

A Pleasant Surprise

On beautiful day last month, I decided to go out for lunch at Local Gastropub, a bar/restaurant that I rarely visit. I walk past it often when I'm going to places like the Flying Saucer, The Blind Bear or Bardog. For some reason, its social scene doesn't appeal to me and I don't know why. However, that didn't apply when I took my lunch break, for the objective was to satisfy my hunger. In choosing Local, I assumed that sliders were on the menu (which would have made it a subject of my next "Battle"), but I was wrong. Disappointed, I looked over the menu to see what Local offered. While doing this, I checked in on Foursquare, an app that tells your friends where you are and provides tips about your location. The latter played a key role in my decision on what to order, for one of my friends said the Local Burger was "amazing." Unlike fellow blogger Seth of Best Memphis Burger, this person isn't exactly a "foodie," just someone who likes to have fun. So if an average person (which I mean in a good way) is praising a burger, I felt that I should give it a try. Or rather, a second chance because I wasn't impressed with it when I had it a few years ago. It wasn't bad, but not good (or bad) enough to blog about. To be fair, I might not have been in the right state of mind when I had it, so I gave it the benefit of the doubt. Any reservations I had about the burger were erased when I took my first bite.

The Local Burger, while not "amazing" (I'll apply that tag to Roxie's), is very good. It starts with the meat, which is a lean ½ lb. patty of Donnell Farms dry aged ground beef that is nearly flawless. It didn't have much in the way of seasoning, but quality beef doesn't need it if it's properly prepared and cooked. Enclosing the beef and its toppings (including the Swiss cheese; other options are available) is a toasted egg bun that is "fresh," both figuratively and literally (I wonder if Bluff City Bakery makes this). The burger was nearly perfect, even though the excessive amount of mustard in it (made in-house) was distracting. Putting that flaw aside, the Local Burger is very comparable to The Majestic Grille's burger in terms of taste and overall quality. It seems that my friend knows a little something about food.

SIDE NOTE: Delicious garnishes such as fried egg and bacon can be added for two dollars more. Another option is foie gras ($5 extra), a delicacy that I wanted to add but couldn't afford.

In addition to the burger itself, there were other impressive things about my lunch. The fries, sprinkled with herbs and Parmesan cheese, were very delicious (and also similar to Majestic's). As a stand-alone item, the fries make for a great snack (or "bar food"), especially with ketchup or its very tasty mayonnaise. I don't know if Local makes it, but I'll praise it regardless. The mayo had a nice vinegar-like flavor to it and was creamy in texture. Unlike most mayonnaise that look gel-ish (to coin a phrase) and unappealing, the pleasant appearance of Local's mayo was enticing. Served in a cup, this "amazing" mayonnaise bolstered both the burger and fries. Overall, everything about my lunch was great and was well worth it.
I'm glad that I took the time to visit Local for lunch. It's a really nice bar/restaurant with a great atmosphere for socializing and relaxing. In addition to burgers, Local offers a nice selection of appetizers and entrées that most of my friends say are really good. Personally, I have never had a bad meal there and probably never will.

Website: www.LocalOnMain.com