Is the new Woody’s in Ocean Springs as good as the former spot? I put it to the test.

Woody’s Roadside restaurant has been a mainstay in Ocean Springs for ten years, but they moved to a new location last Memorial Day, and business has been better than ever.

Even with the trials and tribulations of the coronavirus pandemic, Woody’s has continued to do well, transitioning at first to takeout and delivery, but now open for inside dining, according to the governor’s recent executive order.

Even with 50% seating available inside due to COVID-19, many people are opting to continue to use takeout or delivery. It seems this just might be part of the new norm everyone is talking about, but either way, if you are up for a great burger, this is the place to go.

Of course, the menu has a lot more than just burgers, with a wide array of other good things to eat, like Royal Reds, po-boys, steaks, BBQ, salads and some great appetizers too, like their famous onion rings, but burgers are what Woody’s is known for.

What makes these burgers so good, outside of the creativity of the pairings, is that the beef is ground just before serving, is from a single source, and is never processed or frozen. That is one heck of a good start.

There are fifteen burgers on the regular menu, with the Woody’s burger, Hangover burger and Cruisin’ Burger the best sellers, but hold on! There are also five burgers that are made with a blend of meats, that include Andouille sausage, chorizo, lamb, certified Black Angus and bison. That’s pretty creative.

I tied the Big Ben and found it delightful. It comes with house made balsamic mayo, applewood bacon, lots of blue cheese, lettuce, tomato and I just loved the marinated red onions. It also comes with tumbleweed onions, one of the most interesting takes on fried and battered onions I have ever encountered.

I also got a good look at the Cruisin burger, which is topped with chipotle mayo, fried jalapenos, bacon, pepper jack cheese and is topped with two cheese bombs.

If you want to build your own burger, there are almost two dozen options, including nine kinds of cheese, guacamole, pulled pork, sauteed mushrooms or onions, and the famous tumbleweed onions.

But, really folks, when you take a look at the burger combos that Woody’s offers, like the Top Shelf burger, that comes with house made garlic ailoi, caramelized onions, sauteed mushrooms and Swiss cheese, why bother?

If you are not in the mood for a burger, there are six tacos to choose from, including two that I thought looked really good. The Spicy Sweet Chili, was tempting, but the Korean pork taco, with thinly sliced pork tenderloin, marinated in a ginger garlic marinade and topped with Asian slaw and sriracha ailoi looked delicious.

If you haven’t been to Woody’s in a while, now just might be the right time, dine in or take out, and I think you will love it!.

If you go

Woody’s Roadside

Where: 3008 Bienville Blvd, Ocean Springs

Hours: Monday-Sunday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Call: 228-265-7758