The Cheeseburger Trail
In search of that most perfect of inventions, the cheeseburger.

The Judice Inn

Remember when practically all burgers came wrapped in paper? Your meal would arrive with the warm drippings staining the thin white covering. There was a decision to be made. Should you partially unfold the moist envelope, neatly revealing more burger as you chomp away? Or should you spread your paper as a small tablecloth and bravely bare hand that stack of meaty goodness, mopping the juices from your hands and forearms as you chewed?

I wimped out at the Judice Inn. I unwrapped their double cheeseburger with grilled onions to gaze on it's grand greasiness and, thinking of my freshly ironed shirt, did the partial rewrap before digging in.

I closed my eyes and returned to my adolescence when the grilled cheeseburger and chocolate shake was the Saturday night ritual. The Judice Inn burgers are a throwback to those old times when the counter help wore white and the grill got scraped several times a day. It is a taste of that wonderful age before we had ever heard the word "cholesterol".

Four paper napkins later I was basking in well fed nirvana as I washed down the last bite. I’m told it’s rude to lick the paper.

An institution and local hang out for young and old, the Judice Inn was first opened in 1947 by brothers Alcide and Marc Judice, both just back from fighting the war to end all wars. And since that time it's been a family operation, supporting the college educations of thirteen Judice children. The patrons practically hand down the booths from one generation to the next with countless locals returning to their favorite spot throughout the span of their life.

Marc Judice's son, Gerald, now mans the grill and carries forward the sixty year tradition of good food and good service. Each burger is made from their unique family recipe, seasoned to the tastes of local Louisianans and topped with their "secret sauce". Onions come on the side or grilled upon request. The recipe never changes.

The Judice Inn remains a happy little time warp for all to enjoy.

The Judice Inn
3134 Johnston Street
Lafayette, LA

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