Here’s what you need to know about The Overpass Merchant, chef-owner Nick Hufft’s first brick-and-mortar spot in Baton Rouge, Louisiana: (1) The burger is outstanding. Order it medium-rare and the juice will run down to your wrist. (2) Hufft does this bonkers-good fried chicken with pickled strawberries, pillowy sweet potato beignets, a Steen’s cane syrup gastrique (so fancy-huh!), and beurre blanc that’s like, double-take, whoa-nelly, lick-your-plate good. (3) The beer list is excellent and includes local crafts from Parish, Gnarly Barley, and the newly launched Southern Craft. (4) This here is LSU country; come on a Friday or Saturday night and you’ll think you stumbled into a Greek life rush party. Finally, (5) see numbers 1-3 to understand why 4 isn’t a deal breaker. Weekdays are your friend, friend.

2904 Perkins Rd., Baton Rouge, LA; 225-508-4737.