Long Beach has a new popular burger & shake joint. We decided to give it a try

There’s a new occupant at 206 Jeff Davis Ave. across from City Hall in Long Beach.

The Camphouse Burger Bar opened its doors in July and has quickly become a hot spot for lunch along the brick-paved sidewalks of downtown.

Inside the white, tree-bracketed building is a packed house. It has a simple, wood grain interior and it fits the vibe of its gulf side decor. Seven wooden ducks watch over the bar and an oversized crawfish scans the dining room for leftovers from the rafters.

But there are no leftovers here. Plates come up empty and folks leave with milkshakes to-go. There’s only one reason the lunchtime hours are slammed here: the burgers.

You won’t need much time going over a menu. It’s hung on the far wall and chalked on it are your four options: three house burgers or craft your own.

The house options start with the Camphouse Burger. Two beef patties with cheese, caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato and comeback sauce. Then there’s the OCBD burger. A pepper jack cheese-topped, double patty burger with bacon and mayonnaise. Finally, you have the All American. Again, two patties. This one with lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles and All American sauce.

If you build your own you can choose from other toppings, including mustard, candied jalapenos and smoked Gouda. You can even swap out your bun for a gluten free version or trade your beef for turkey or veggie.

I built my own, but it was essentially a modified version of the Camphouse Burger without the cheese. I paired it with sweet tea and a strawberry milkshake.

The patty was well-seasoned without being overly salty and really carried the flavors of the caramelized onions. The bun held up well, but the generous patty portions made it a battle. It’s an incredibly savory meal that is washed down wonderfully by the sweet tea.

And the shake makes a good finisher. The shakes also come in vanilla, chocolate and salted caramel. The burgers are prepared in a simple, two-man kitchen that efficiently handles orders.

The Camphouse Burger Bar is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and closed on Sundays. If you’re a burger fan, you can add it to list of the Mississippi Coast’s must-visit hamburger joints.

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