Fat Patty’s An All-American Hometown Classic

Fat Patty’s

An All-American Hometown Classic

Gideon Thompson

The Ashland Beacon

Having made their debut in the early 1900’s and rapidly rising to fame, hamburgers have become a classic staple in American dining establishments from coast to coast. German immigrants of the 1900’s brought with them the Hamburg-steak, served with sautéed onion and topped with brown gravy, often accompanied with a roll and salad. Hamburgers evolved quickly during the Progressive Era to better suit the fast-paced world of hardworking people on the move. To accommodate the bustling times, Louis Lassen of New Haven, Connecticut, began serving his famous lunchtime dish on two slices of bread, becoming the first establishment in the U.S. to serve hamburgers. Quickly rising to stardom, hamburgers began flying across countertops everywhere, including the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, where they were smashed between bread by Fletcher Davis. Served for over 100 years, hamburgers are now typically found on bread buns and topped according to preference.

Seated in the newly renovated downtown Ashland Arts District is Fat Patty’s, an American burger restaurant with family in mind. A welcoming menu starting with a classic, The OG Patty, a hamburger on a bun topped with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles, and mayonnaise, is a must when discovering the Fat Patty’s lineup. If you’re looking for something to sweeten up your evening dining experience, Fat Patty’s offers Jammin’ Patty, a hamburger topped with house-made bourbon bacon jam, beer cheese, bacon, crispy fried onions, and garlic aioli. Appetizers found in Fat Patty’s menu invite taste buds looking for anything from homestyle cooking with fried green tomatoes to southwest fusion with the Southwest Egg Rolls containing chicken, black beans, corn, and cheese.

A burger of the month is staged with Fat Patty’s showcasing a genuine house-designed burger with local taste in mind. This month, the Touchdown Tiki Burger is offered, bringing in the end of summer with one 8 oz. patty, two grilled pineapple rings, provolone cheese, Stingin’ Honey Garlic Sauce, red onion, lettuce, and tomato, all on a brioche bun. With seasonal changes and local events in mind, the burger of the month caters to the community and the changing scene found in the downtown area. Along with monthly menu items, Fat Patty’s offers a fun drink list with items like the 100 oz. Beer Tube for $20 and the consistent draft selections available year-round. Entertainment is a common feature of a Fat Patty’s experience, with occasional live shows from local artists such as Billy Cantrell, who recently performed at the venue on September 25, 2025.

Unique to the Fat Patty’s Ashland location is the building that the restaurant resides in. Erected in 1907, and coincidentally around the same time hamburgers were invented, the McCleary building found at 1442 Winchester Avenue is listed in the National Registry of Historic Places. With 84 total structures found in the Ashland Historic District, the McCleary building stands out with a clean exterior and classic architectural nuances still adorning the structure. If you need a meal and a day of sightseeing, the Arts and Historic District are a great place to take in the local arts and shop some of the boutique stores within a short walking distance.

Whether looking for an award-winning burger, as Fat Patty’s has been recognized and awarded by Reader’s Digest as best burger in West Virginia, or taking in the scene of downtown Ashland with friends and family, a great burger experience awaits. There are locations in Teays Valley and Barboursville, WV, that offer an NFL Sunday Ticket, providing customers with plenty of snacks and meals to drive them through the games. If you find yourself outside of Ashland in neighboring communities, there are locations found in Morehead, KY; Huntington, WV; Barboursville, WV; and Teays Valley, WV. All stores open at 11 a.m. and close varying by location. Catering is available to Fat Patty’s customers and can be ordered with Amanda Moore at 304.751.5856. Found at 1442 Winchester Ave., Ashland, KY, Fat Patty’s awaits your burger dining adventure with open doors and a family-focused scene for all ages.