Boudreaux and Thibideaux Go To Krystal Burger

By Written by Charles Duffy III on March 14th, 2010

We think fast food is equivalent to pornography, nutritionally speaking. ~Steve Elbert

Fast food in New Orleans? Why, oh why, in this bastion of savory spices and succulent seafood would one ever want to fall back on fast food or chain restaurants? You wouldn’t. You shouldn’t. But for some Krystal burger will be a unique experience and therefore deserves mention. Not to mention when every restaurant and convenience store has shut down and you just want a quick cheap bite Krystal is usually your only option.

Krystal’s northern equivalent is White Castle, the eatery Hollywood made famous with Harold and Kumar. Not everyone has been to one of these “burger” establishments and are in for a rare “treat at the end of Bourbon Street.” As a matter of fact Krystal burger is the only notable fast food chain present in the French Quarter. They call their burgers “sliders.” I prefer “gut-bombs.” The idea is that instead of one big honking burger, you feast on any number of smaller burgers and enjoy the clogging of your lower GI, your arteries and the arteries of your yet as unborn progeny. But at 3:21AM with your mind riding the alcoholic tilt-a-whirl, these things are damn tasty!

Their fare is traditional fast food: burgers, fries, soda but they are one of the rare fast food joints that also offer hot dogs called Krystal pups also miniature (Chihuahuas maybe). Krystal also offers breakfast and internet access. There is a machine you slide money into and buy minutes for access to the net should you be sans computer. Good to know in case of emergencies.

Of course nothing exists in New Orleans with having a little bit of the Big Easy style and influence. Inside Krystal above the entry is a wall of fame. Signed photographs of some New Orleans legends who have “dined” within these hallowed walls. You’ll see such notables as Al Hirt, Marva Wright and Irma Thomas.