The South has its fair share of unusual dishes, including boudin, a Louisiana delicacy. But have you ever had a slug burger? Before you turn up your nose, you might be interested to learn the history. And no, it’s not made of slugs!
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The History of the Slug Burger
During the Great Depression, Americans were struggling to get by, especially when it came to food. The slug burger was created by adding flour or soy to beef to help it last longer. It was called a “slug burger” because it cost a nickel, then called a “slug,” or a “dough burger.”
The place the dish is traced back to is Weeks Diner, which opened in 1917 in Booneville. It’s since closed, but there is no shortage of places to eat the dish, usually served with onions, pickles, and mustard. There are restaurants in Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee with them, and there’s even a Slugburger Trail and annual festival serving the dish! Note that most of these places are cash-only.
Want to see even more places serving the slug burger? Check out this story on AL.com.
Where to Eat a Slug Burger
Borroum’s Drug Store, Corinth, Mississippi
During my research trip for a story, I found that Borroum’s Drugstore served my favorite version of the slug burger. Located in a 1843 brick building, it’s also the oldest drugstore in continuous operation within the state. In fact, the same family still runs it.
Set up like a soda fountain, there are a handful of tables and counter seats with antique pharmacy items and Civil War memorabilia covering the walls. Be sure to order your slug burger with a side of “spicy fries” and an ice-cold milkshake.
C.F. Penn’s Hamburgers, Decatur, Alabama
I heard about this spot from my friend Nicole Letts, author of Unique Eats and Eateries of Alabama. Charles Franklin Penn opened his first restaurant in 1927 and a second location in 1939, which is the only one that remains.
They originally cost 10 cents. The burgers have since become beloved by the late Elvis Presley and Time Warner chairman Don Logan, both of whom had them delivered. The restaurant is now operated by the third generation of the family.
Johnnie’s Drive-In, Tupelo, Mississippi
Elvis Presley fans flock to Johnnie’s Drive-In because it was one of his favorite spots growing up in Tupelo, where he’s honored with a booth bearing his photo and a plaque. But you’ll have to go early to get this sought-after spot.
The restaurant opened in 1945 and serves the dough burger cooked on a flat top grill using a secret recipe, served with chips. It’s managed by the second-generation owners from the family that purchased it in 1980.
Latham’s Hamburger Inn, New Albany, Mississippi
Latham’s Hamburger Inn is a small restaurant in a converted alley that has been open since 1928. The narrow space is covered in antique signs, and diners are welcomed by Thelma, a mannequin in the window.
The burgers are made with a beef and flour mix, cooked in a cast-iron skillet. Wash it all down with a Coca-Cola, which used to be bottled in New Albany.
Slugburger Cafe, Corinth, Mississippi
There’s been a restaurant on this busy stretch of US-72 since the 1970s, but the current version, Slugburger Cafe, opened in 2003. A local crowd settles in early in the morning for a hearty breakfast, which includes biscuits.
But it’s the namesake slug burger that it’s so well known for. This version uses pork with potato meal and grits as the filler.
White Trolley Cafe, Corinth, Mississippi
Corinth is the town best associated with the slug burger, and the restaurant most locals will suggest is the White Trolley Cafe. Open since after World War II, it’s named for the real trolley that once sat outside the building.
The eighteen-stool counter service restaurant has a long-time legacy for locals and visitors alike. The slug burger is served on a soft bun with raw onions.
Other Slug Burger Spots to Try
- Busy Bee Cafe, Cullman, Alabama
- Fat Cats Too, Crump, Tennessee
- Hugh Baby’s, Nashville, Tennessee *only on Fridays
- Nesmith’s Hamburgers, Moulton, Alabama
- Pat’s Cafe, Selmer, Tennessee
- Wink’s Diner, Selmer, Tennessee
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I bet the folks that originally ate these would rise up from their grave at the prices being asked for today!!!