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NOW OPEN TKTKTKTKTKt A NEW WAY TO FILL UP

Fran Scibelli reimagines an old Dilworth favorite

BY TAYLOR BOWLER PHOTOGRAPHS BY PETER TAYLOR

The New American sandwich with a lamb burger, basil mayo, balsamic onions, and blue cheese on a pretzel roll with a side of crinkle-cut fries.

WHEN YOU VISIT Fat Cat Burgers + Bakeshop early on a weekend morning, the aroma of fresh-baked bread and cinnamon rolls hits you from the parking lot. Follow the smell to the walk-up donut window to the le of the entrance, and you’ll see a dessert case that brims with maple bacon donuts, confetti cookies, and blueberry crumb cake straight out of the oven. Grab a box to take home, or sneak a bite (or six) on the spot. Nobody will blame you.

FAT CAT BURGERS + BAKESHOP

2410 Park Road fatcatclt.com

Hours:

11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily *No lunch or dinner on Mondays due to labor shortage at press time

Donut window:

8 a.m.-12 p.m. Monday; 8 a.m. until sold out Tuesday-Sunday Owner Fran Scibelli (above) greets a customer at the walkup donut window. A rotation of baked treats changes daily (right).

Veteran restaurateur Fran Scibelli is behind the Dilworth eatery and bakery, which opened in the Park Square Shopping Center in April. The 4,000-square-foot space had housed her previous concept, Fran’s Filling Station, since 2009, but a sales slump during COVID compelled her to reboot. She’d toyed with the idea of opening a donut shop for a few years, but she needed to pare down her menu to keep her costs manageable. So she added the walk-up window, gave the dining room a splash of red paint and new natural wood tables, and revamped the menu with loaded burgers, sandwiches, and a rotation of bakery items. She kept a few old favorites, too, like the New South Fried Chicken Sandwich and the Bacon-Wrapped Tater Tots. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner daily; the donut window opens at 8 a.m.

If you come for dinner, have a seat in the dining room, at the eight-seat bar, or on the patio. Order an OMB Copper or Juicy Jay from Legion Brewing, or get wine by the glass or bottle. Cocktails include the Lemon Kiss ($10) with limoncello and sparkling wine; Peachy Keen ($11) with sweet tea vodka and peach schnapps; and Loaded Co ee ($13) with Magnolia co ee, Jameson, and Baileys.

The Fat Franny (above) is a piece of fried chicken topped with pepper jack cheese and crispy onion rings sandwiched between two maple bacon donuts. The House Soft Pretzel (above, right) comes with a side of OMB Copper-spiked beer cheese dip. The Latin Wedge (right) is Fran’s spin on a traditional wedge salad.

Start with an order of Chili Cheese Fries ($6), a heap of crinkle-cut fries or wa ed sweet potato fries topped with Fran’s chili and queso. The House So Pretzel ($7) comes with a side of OMB Copper-spiked beer cheese dip and won’t last more than ve minutes if you’ve got a hungry crowd.

For something lighter, see the lineup of salads. Get a Classic Wedge ($8), Ribboned Tuscan Kale ($12), or Green + Grain ($13), and add a protein like crispy or grilled chicken ($4), salmon let or lamb burger ($7), or Impossible burger ($7.50). The Latin Wedge ($10) is Fran’s spin on the traditional wedge with avocado, corn, tomatoes, white cheddar, red pepper, and cilantro. Top it with grilled chicken or salmon for a heartier entrée.

Fat Cat’s burgers o er a plethora of choices, beginning with the bun: pretzel, potato, grain, or gluten-free. Proteins include beef, grilled or crispy chicken, salmon, lamb, or Impossible burger. Next, choose from 12 signature setups like the California ($14), topped with bacon, avocado, havarti, and house ranch; the New American ($14) with basil mayo, balsamic onions, and blue cheese; or the Hellaceous Honey ($13) with spicy honey, jalapeño bacon, and pepper jack cheese.

If you can’t decide on one combination, we recommend ordering two di erent sandwiches and going halfsies with a friend. Try the New American with lamb burger on a pretzel bun, and have the Hellaceous Honey with fried chicken on a potato roll to get more of the Fat Cat experience. And remember: These sandwiches are two-handed a airs, so ask for extra napkins and don’t be afraid to take big, vulgar bites.

If you still can’t decide, the Fat Franny ($15) is a sweet-and-savory monstrosity of a sandwich: a beef burger or fried chicken smothered with pepper jack cheese and crispy onion rings lodged between two maple bacon donuts. Eat it with a fork and knife if you must, but if you don’t leave a big happy mess behind, you’re not doing it right.

When you build a menu around burgers, donuts, and fruity cocktails, diners will inevitably follow. Come for a casual date night, bring the kids for lunch, or treat yourself to a donut if you’re in the neighborhood. Fran’s new concept is colorful, creative, unpretentious, and indulgent—but more than anything, it’s just really fun.

Don’t leave without trying: The Fat Franny ($15) is the house signature, with two maple bacon donuts that sandwich your choice of a beef burger or fried chicken with pepper jack cheese and onion rings.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: The donut window sells out fast on weekends, so don’t sleep in too late.