Jesse James
It’s Friday, the end of the week, a moment we’ve all been looking forward to. Here, Friday’s are something special as we share another installment of the Downtown Burger Tour. For the past seven weeks, we have made our way around #OurOcala alongside Ocala Main Street to experience the best burgers in downtown Ocala. This week is stop number seven, and we made a stop by a location rich with history in the area; Ivy On The Square.
Ivy On The Square is an expansion of The Ivy House. The opportunity to move closer to the downtown square was a chance to bring their culinary excellence into the heart of the city. Both locations offer an array of southern staples and classics. Start with some fried green tomatoes or pimento cheese fritters, or indulge in their southern fried onion rings. They offer plenty of options and exceptional quality; however, this is the Downtown Burger Tour. We came for one thing and one thing only!
Downtown Burger Tour Stop 7
Luckily Ivy On The Square has several options for burger lovers like us. There is the IVOS burger, which is a classic topped with lettuce, tomato, purple onions, and pickles. Next up is the WAM Burger, which is host to lettuce, tomato, avocado, bacon, mayo, and Havarti cheese. The Bleu Burger boasts lettuce, tomato, and bacon, topped with bleu cheese crumbles. The Bourbon Burger includes the regulars such as lettuce, tomato, and bacon. However, it receives a dose of southern goodness thanks to onion rings, Colby jack cheese, while drizzled in a bourbon glaze. Next up, the Fried Green Tomato Burger includes lettuce, Havarti cheese, and a southwestern sauce topped with a fried green tomato. Finally, the Egg Stack Burger! This gem is topped with a fried egg, bacon, Colby jack cheese, and lettuce and tomato finished off with 1000 island sauce. All of their burgers are crafted used local farm-raised Wagyu beef and are served on the most amazing Brioche bun you’ve ever had.
We each decided to opt for something different based on our varying tastes. Ivy On The Square offers a burger that is as flavorful as it is sizable. It’s a hearty and well-made burger that is topped flawlessly regardless of your selection. While a burger might not be your first option at Ivy On The Square, it should be. Their six different variations put a unique twist on the classic, elevating burgers with their use of Wagyu beef and providing an outstanding flavor profile in the process.
Burgers At Ivy On The Square
We indulged in the WAM, the Bourbon burger, and the Fried Green Tomato burger. Each one offers a different taste and texture, though the burger itself was consistently flavorful and juicy throughout. The WAM Burger stood out thanks to the avocado and Havarti combination, while the Fried Green Tomato Burger had its own unique flavor and texture. The Bourbon Burger was a savory and hearty experience thanks to the bourbon glaze and the Colby jack cheese.
We would be remiss not to mention their array of exceptional side dishes as well. Their burgers are typically served with their classic potato wedges; however, we also had the chance to dive into Mimi’s homemade macaroni & cheese, which could be a meal on its own. Sure, Ivy On The Square might not be known for burgers, but don’t overlook the options!
Ivy On The Square served up something special for stop number seven on the Downtown Burger Tour, but we’ve got much more in store! Check out our visit to Ivy On The Square in the video below! Be sure to follow The Culture Curators and Ocala Main Street as we continue our adventures around #OurOcala in search of the best burger! Follow The Culture Curators on Facebook and Instagram for updates and behind the scenes looks. In the meantime, stay tuned for stop number eight on the Downtown Burger Tour!
Ivy on the Square from Maven Photo and Film on Vimeo.
Video & Photography via Maven Photo And Film
