Bessemer’s Datburgaplase, a mouthwatering burger with an original name

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Datburgaplase 5 Bessemer’s Datburgaplase, a mouthwatering burger with an original name
Melanie Benjamin (on the right) owner of Datburgaplase in Bessemer. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now

What is Datburgaplase

That was the one question on my mind, while I drove out to Bessemer to interview Melanie Benjamin, the owner of Datburgaplase, the new burger joint in the “Marvel City” that opened in August.

I got the answer.  But first things first. Let’s talk burgers.

All Handcrafted

DatBurgaPlase Hungry Man Bessemer’s Datburgaplase, a mouthwatering burger with an original name
Datburgaplase Hungry Man Burga. Photo courtesy of Datburgaplase

If you are a serious burger connoisseur, Datburgaplase is the place for you. They offer 11 different kinds of “burgas” on the menu. Not all are hamburgers. There are fish, chicken, vegan and mac and cheese burgas on the menu too.

According to Melanie the top seller is the Jack Daniels Burga, followed by the Maple Bacon Burga. Every burger is handcrafted and the beef is a half a pound.

I tried the Classic cheeseburger and it was fantastic. No “where’s the beef moment.”   This was a real burger with plenty of meat and cheese – no skimping.  I can’t wait to go back to have a Jack Daniels burga.

The Name

Datburgaplase 6 Bessemer’s Datburgaplase, a mouthwatering burger with an original name
Melanie Benjamin (on the Right) owner of Datburgaplase in Bessemer. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now

 

I’ve got to say that despite arriving right at closing, Melanie, a Bessemer native and her staff were welcoming and very friendly. After getting all the details about her burgers, I asked the question we were all waiting for –   How did you come up with the name? 

She said. “I couldn’t come up with a name that’s the thing.  I knew I was going to open up a restaurant but I wanted a name that was going to stand out- it had to pop!    

So my daughter kept saying what about “that” Burger joint?  And it struck me – That Burger Place.

And she said how are you going to spell it? That is not unique.  So, I changed the spelling.  

Instead of That – I made it Dat.  You see, I’m her from Bessemer, and our words are slurred, so we don’t pronounce everything correctly,”  Melanie said with a laugh. 

So, the rest is history. The new burger restaurant became Datburgaplase!

Best Burgers in Alabama

DatBurgaPlase 2 Bessemer’s Datburgaplase, a mouthwatering burger with an original name
Datburgaplase menu. Photo courtesy of Datburgaplase

 If you are in search of the Best Burger in Alabama – make sure to add Datburgaplase to your list.

The burger joint is located at 1400 9th Ave N Bessemer, AL 35020 in the 150 Plaza. They are open from 11:00am to 7:00pm Monday through Saturday. They are closed on Sunday.

“Come by – we are going to give you the best burgers in the state of Alabama,” declared Melanie.

Pat Byington
Pat Byington

Longtime conservationist. Former Executive Director at the Alabama Environmental Council and Wild South. Publisher of the Bama Environmental News for more than 18 years. Career highlights include playing an active role in the creation of Alabama's Forever Wild program, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Dugger Mountain Wilderness, preservation of special places throughout the East through the Wilderness Society and the strengthening (making more stringent) the state of Alabama's cancer risk and mercury standards.

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