Combo Luby's Fuddruckers opens Feb. 19

Imagine with one stop being able to choose healthy fare at a cafeteria while those in your group who prefer burgers and fries can opt for their favorites.

That's what you'll be able to do when a combination Luby's cafeteria and Fuddruckers World's Greatest Hamburgers opens on Feb. 19 in NortheastJackson.

The combo restaurant is located south of Chili's Grille & Bar, which is at the corner of the west I-55 frontage road and Briarwood Drive, and in front of the shopping center that houses Cowboy Maloney's Electric City, Mr. Chen's Authentic Chinese Restaurant, Save-A-Lot, Northern Tool+ Equipment and City Thrift.

"We are very excited to be expanding our brands into Mississippi," said Toni Niece, vice president of marketing for Houston, Texas-based Luby's Fuddruckers Restaurants. "Geared around quality and convenience, the dual concept location is an idea fit for Jackson residents."

The location beside I-55 was selected because it is highly visible, accessible and has many potential customers nearby, she said.

"The demographics of office, retail, restaurants, hotels, homes, churches and schools very close to the location fit our model, and the fact that the location is between downtown and Madison had great appeal," she said.

Luby's and Fuddruckers sit side-by-side in a single building that faces I-55 and share a parking lot and a common lobby. Each brand maintains its own identity, interior and exterior décor, menu and dining room.

The newly constructed combination restaurant is the standard prototype, Niece said. The Luby's dining room will seat 236; the Fuddruckers' dining room, 103; and the patio, 28, she said.

"We have incorporated large 70-inch TV's throughout both the Luby's and Fuddruckers portions," she said. "We have also incorporated LED lighting."

Between 150 and 180 will be employed at the combo restaurant, Niece said.

Job applications are still being taken, she said. Job applications are available at the restaurant and online at www.pleaseapplyonline.com/lubys/.

Fuddruckers is known for serving the World's Greatest Hamburger that is made of "100 percent fresh, never frozen, all-American premium beef " and served on "made-from-scratch buns that are baked daily in our kitchens," Niece said.

Fuddruckers also features a "You-Top-It" produce bar where guests can top their burgers with unlimited lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions and pico de gallo, she said.

Luby's is famous for its made-from-scratch, home-style meals that are available "at a great value in a friendly cafeteria style environment," she said. "Luby's is about real food, real ingredients and home-cooked dishes made every day with fresh, unprocessed ingredients by dedicated team members."

The Original Burger, Bacon Cheddar Burger, and the Buffalo Burger are the top three customer favorites on Fuddruckers' menu, she said.

Fried Fish, Fried Chicken, and Blackened Tilapia are the top three customer favorites at Luby's, she said.

According to its website, "Luby's operates restaurants under the brands Luby's Cafeteria, Fuddruckers and Cheeseburger in Paradise and provides food service management through its Luby's Culinary Contract Services business segment. The company-owned restaurants include 94 Luby's Cafeterias, 73 Fuddruckers restaurants, eight Cheeseburger in Paradise full-service restaurants and bars and one Bob Luby's Seafood Grill. Its 94 Luby's Cafeterias are located primarily in Texas.

"In addition to the 73 company-operated Fuddruckers locations, Luby's is the franchisor for 111 Fuddruckers franchise locations across the United States (including Puerto Rico), Canada, Mexico, Italy, the Dominican Republic, Panama and Chile," according to the website.

Nell Luter Floyd is a shopping enthusiast. Contact her at nellfloyd@bellsouth.net