000408 Ostrich Burgers Are the Thing at Fuddruckers

Beverly, MA - One evening, Matthew Lamb, Director of Operations for Fuddruckers in Northern Virginia, was dining out in a plush Washington, DC restaurant. “I ordered a $30 steak filet. It was incredibly lean and delicious.” The fact that he was eating ostrich for the first time was not an issue. “Then a light bulb went on in my head. If the steak is this good-imagine the burgers!”

After eight years with the Fuddruckers restaurant chain, Lamb took a chance at his locations. Was there room for ostrich burgers at the home of the World's Greatest Hamburger?

Judging from sales, Lamb's answer was a resounding yes. Since ostrich burgers were added to the menu at the 11 corporate Fuddruckers locations in his area, they have really gained popularity among guests. Lamb claims he could serve you an ostrich burger, even without the famous Fudds' fixins, and you would find it hard to tell the difference.

“We had a family of four come in one night -- two got beef burgers, two got ostrich,” says Lamb. “Before they left, they came back for two more ostrich burgers. Once our guests get over the fact that it's ostrich -- the reaction is great,” say Lamb.

Lance Appelbaum, co-owner of Fossil farms Ostrich provides ostrich meat to more than 30 Fuddruckers Restaurants-the only national chain serving ostrich in a large number of locations. “We have been astounded by the public's acceptance of ostrich over the past few years. It has become the gourmet's meat of choice; not only for it's flavor, but it is really very lean.”

Because of the low fat content in meat, Lamb suggests his guests order their ostrich burger medium rare to medium. “We have added another truly gourmet burger to our menu. And. As with all the burgers at Fuddruckers, the ostrich meat is ground fresh -right in the restaurants.”

An ostrich burger at Fuddruckers is $4.99 for a 1/3 pound burger, as opposed to $3.99 for beef. “Right now, each location is selling around 150 ostrich burgers per week. “We have seven more restaurants in my area that will be adding ostrich burgers to the menu before spring,” adds Lamb. “If this upward trend continues, no restaurant will want to keep their heads stuck in the sand!”

Ostrich burgers are available at Fuddruckers corporate locations in Maryland and Virginia. Franchise locations in New Jersey and Pennsylvania also serve ostrich burgers with more to follow throughout 2000.

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