by James Coulter
Sometimes when you go out to eat, you want to enjoy some fine dining. Other times, you simply want to settle for some fast food like a nice juicy cheeseburger, savory hot dog, or creamy frozen custard. If those food items sound tantalizing to you, then Lake Wales’ newest fast-food joint will be right up your alley.
Located outside of Eagle Ridge Mall along Highway 27, Freddy’s Steakburgers celebrated its grand opening this weekend. With nearly 500 eatery locations nationwide, this popular fast-food chain set up its newest shop in Lake Wales.
Freddy’s Steakburgers is famous for its frozen custard and, true to its name, steakburgers, which are prepared Freddy’s Way. What way is Freddy’s Way? According to their website: “each patty is pressed thin to create deliciously crispy edges and finished with Freddy’s Famous Steakburger and Fry Seasoning.”
Its founder, Freddy Simon, served in the U.S. Army during World War II, where he was awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star for valor. As their website states: “Freddy’s family values and patriotic service to his country is the foundation of Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers®, and these values have inspired us to do everything The Freddy’s Way.”
Freddy’s Steakburgers in Lake Wales celebrated a VIP soft opening on Wednesday, where menu items were served free to select guests including several city commissioners. Even Mayor Jack Hilligoss dropped by for a visit and a meal, and he had great things to say about the service.
“80 new jobs have been created as a direct result of our partnership with Retail Strategies and the good work of our Economic Development Council and Chamber of Commerce,” Mayor Jack Hilligoss said, according to a post on the City of Lake Wales Facebook page.
According to that same post, city staff had worked closely with consulting firm Retail Strategies “to attract restaurant and retail establishments to the area” as “part of the City’s long-range economic development plan.”
The fast food joint officially opened to the public with its grand opening on Thursday. Even with the place barely open for a day, it received praise and great comments from residents.
“I love custard and sometimes I would love to be able to go somewhere that has hotdogs,” one reviewer on Facebook wrote. “I’m glad to see Freddy’s opening up!”
“Many of us locals hope for a Texas Roadhouse type place, however, the burger/fries today at Freddie’s was pretty dang good,” another Facebook reviewer wrote.
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My boss Carl Fish and I attended the VIP soft opening on Wednesday. I ordered the Jalapeno Pepper Jack Steakburger. (Because the food I usually order can be classified as either “spicy” or “not spicy enough”!)
I was not disappointed. The steakburger was nice and juicy, almost like a smash burger, with both the meat and bun being perfectly melted in your mouth. The best comparison I can make is the Brake Burgers with Brake Sauce at Brake’s Burger Garage.
I also had a side of chili cheese fries. (Because, in the words of Homer Simpson, only cheese has more cheese!) My only real nitpick was that it came with diced onions. If I had known that, I would have told them to leave them off. Otherwise, the fries were great, especially with the signature Fry Sauce. (And luckily for me, it also came with Jalapeno Fry Sauce!)
Finally, for dessert, I ordered a frozen custard Dirt and Worms Sundae, vanilla custard with gummy worms and crushed Oreo cookies. Personally, I don’t know the difference between run-of-the-mill ice cream with frozen yogurt or custard. It’s all frozen dessert to me. Either way, the frozen custard was soft and creamy.
I certainly recommend this new eatery. If you’re looking for a place that combines the best of Steak n’ Shake with Culver’s, this new fast food joint should be up your alley.
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Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers is located at 23525 US Hwy 27, Lake Wales, FL 33859, outside of Eagle Ridge Mall. For more info, visit their website at: freddys.com
