Off Broadway Burger: Fukuoka’s OG Expat Burger

EDIT May 31, 2022: The owner’s name is Luis, not Louis. I have since corrected this post. Sorry, Luis.

Sometimes, you get a little homesick. I was recommended a burger shop which served burgers made with American beef. The White guy working at my local udon shop told me that the owner was originally from New York City. I quickly forgot the name of this fine establishment, but I remembered it was near Tenjin. Upon further digging, I went to US Burger for the first time. Recently, I found the correct burger shop. Here’s my experience at Off Broadway Burger and Bar, located in Fukuoka’s Tenjin-kita neighborhood.

About Off Broadway

Off Broadway first opened in 1993. Luis, the owner of this fine burger establishment, moved to Fukuoka in 1993, quickly opening a bar in the eclectic Tenjin-kita neighborhood. His burgers evolved over the years, evolving into his take on a New York City-style burger. He closed his original restaurant a few years ago, reopening at a new location not too far away from the old shop.

The Burger

Like other Fukuoka burger establishments, Luis uses American beef. His patties are thinner, wider, and leaner. The beef was quite tasty, and didn’t leave me feeling greasy afterwards. This is the kind of burger one can eat all the time.

Where Luis excels is with his sauces. His Off Broadway 93 Burger can be ordered with his classic sauce, or with his creamy jalapeño sauce. In addition, his burger includes jalapeño peppers, giving expat patrons a spicy yet juicy kick to their delicious burgers. If you’re looking for heat and kick, Luis has got you covered.

The burgers also come with a side of fries, and little American flags as decoration. I appreciated how the fries were included with the burger, whereas my buddy Jim sells them separately.

The Experience

Luis loves Fukuoka, and it shows. He greets guests to his establishment and took time to chat with my friends and I. One of my buddies was also from New York, so he and Luis hit it off as they were chatting about their shared experiences. In fact, Luis even knows my friend’s coworkers!

There was also a DJ playing various tunes, including classics from Simon and Garfunkel, Christopher Cross, and others. The vibe was very upbeat and positive. Safe to say we had a great time eating here.

While we came here for the burgers, my friends enjoyed some alcoholic drinks. Glad I no longer drink, as the drinks themselves cost as much as the burgers! Then again, this is an expat bar near Fukuoka City’s nightlife street.

The Price

The burgers are competitively priced. For a little over 1,400 yen, you get a delicious single-patty burger with bacon, lettuce, tomato, jalapeños, and sauce, along with a side of fries. There is a table charge of 500 yen, so be sure to go here with friends to reduce the impact of said charge.

Conclusion

Jim’s got some competition with Luis. Actually, what am I talking about, Luis is Fukuoka’s Expat Burger Senpai. While I have eaten at Off Broadway once, the restaurant lives up to its name, serving New Yorker-approved New York-style burgers. The atmosphere is lively and clean, and the mood is positive and energetic. Plus, the price is reasonable.

If you’re looking for a friendly face, and some spicy kick to your burgers, Luis has got you covered.