By Kelli J. Cook

FUN TIMES + GOOD FOOD = FUN FOOD! It’s as simple as addition. A trip to Fuddruckers equals a tasty and entertaining meal for the whole family. When I asked my two junior reviewers for restaurant ideas for Georgia Family’s birthday party issue, both chimed in "Fuddruckers" as their first choice. And I must confess I’ve got some pretty smart kids. The atmosphere, food choices, service, and "kid fun" stuff together make for an ideal party spot for kids who have outgrown traditional playground parties.

Let’s start with the food and service. When you walk in the restaurant you place your order at the counter. The menu is incredibly diverse—soup, salads, sandwiches, steaks, shrimp, and most notably, their burgers (they’ve even added an ostrich burger for the daring health conscious folks). Inscribed in its logo, the restaurant boasts having the "World’s Greatest Hamburgers." I was instantly sold. I have finally come to realize that any thoughts of one day becoming a vegetarian need to be tossed out the window because sometimes I just have to have a good juicy hamburger! I’m also a cheese lover, so I ordered the 1/3 lb. Triple Cheese (Monterey Jack, cheddar, & Swiss) Burger ($4.99). Ben ordered the BBQ Rock (cheddar, bacon, & BBQ sauce) Specialty Burger ($6.99) and Alex really stretched his cuisine horizons by tackling the Kid’s Menu Hot Dog Meal ($2.99). None of us took the "Hankster" challenge—a huge one pound burger stacked with American cheese, bacon & mushrooms ($7.99). Ben also ordered a side of French fries ($1.29) and we decided to share a chocolate shake ($2.49). Drinks are a little pricey to me ($1.39), but the great thing is that the soda fountain is set up in the middle of the dining area so you can have unlimited refills.

After we ordered we found a centrally located table so we could check out the surroundings. There are televisions strategically placed and those incredibly frustrating I.Q. peg games are on each table (no, I’ve never gotten even close to being a genius). Alex immediately headed for the "Machine Shack"—party headquarters at Fudds. While there are tables in the center of this room, kids and adults alike were congregated at the variety of pinball, racing, and various video game machines. We asked about party arrangements and were told that room reservations are as easy as a phone call! And if you’re not having an official party but are out for a birthday dinner, they will surprise the honoree with a Fudd Brownie Blast Sundae and sing Happy Birthday.

Our name was called when our food was ready—and then it was off to the Topping Bar. Here you will find every condiment imaginable to crown your burgers with. We all but ran back to our table to begin munching on our burger creations. I knew everything tasted great because there was complete silence at the table while we devoured our dinners. All of their bread and buns are baked fresh daily, helping make these burgers extra delicious. Alex had a yummy chocolate chip cookie for dessert (it came with his meal), but Ben and I were too stuffed to order anything else. However, their ice cream sundaes looked so good that we’re going to make a special stop just for dessert one afternoon.

While the restaurant is self-service, employees circulate the dining room to clear your plates and make sure you have everything you need for a great Fuddrucker’s experience. I was very impressed by the enthusiasm displayed by the two young employees with whom I spoke. They were young, energetic, and obviously proud of their restaurant. And they certainly should be. Because of Fuddruckers, I now have an understanding of "FUN FOOD." It’s simply addition!