I feel like Bumsteers has borrowed a lot from my favorite place in the panhandle, The Gulf on Perdido Beach Blvd in Orange Beach, AL. The burger/taco menu, the shipping container/open air chic decor and layout, the 1/2 and 1/8 sheet pans for service, and the very crafty drafts on tap. Good move.
Unfortunately though, they could not borrow the beach. Perkins Road ≠ Perdido Key. Other than that, the burgers and tacos are special. They have the style and vision to be great, and the kitchen has executed everything I’ve gotten so far to perfection. Seriously, I would go back just to have more of the Mexican street corn alone. The char-grilled beef patties have that outdoor zing to them that reminds me of Port-of-Call in NO. And the smoked brisket in the tacos was tender with just the right amount of smoke. The Cabo Shrimp Tacos are light and refreshing and perfect for sitting in the sun with a nice craft pint to go with. All the sauces were spot on, the garni fresh and I actually had to tear myself away from the Mexican risotto and charro beans to finish my brisket tacos while they were still hot. There are still a lot of things I want to try, The brisket sliders, The Ozark and Bandito burgers–and I’m really looking forward to a lunch combo of the smoked jerk wings with a side of marinated cucumbers and tomatoes. I just love going to a place that gets me thinking in advance of what I want over the next five trips.
Now they do have some indoor seating to go with the upstairs open air and the downstairs covered patio because it is BR and you can never count on the weather. They also have wine on tap, and Bartles and James spiked tonic water (this generation’s wine cooler!) and all the necessary liquors for your favorite outdoor cocktails if that’s the mood you’re in once you hit the patio. They are still working on the place, with misting fans still to come, and probably an awning for the rooftop bar area, but what they have right now will work just fine while they prepare for summer’s onslaught. Good move, Bumsteers, very good move.
