Open just 10 months, Sharkey’s Bistro is located in a typical unassuming strip mall (where else?) on Glenoaks Boulevard in Burbank. Dujuan Sharkey and his family brought their recipes to Burbank from the South. They serve homemade, hearty and absolutely delicious plates for breakfast, lunch and dinner six days a week.
While Sharkey’s has a wide menu selection and the burgers we tried out were excellent, the BBQ items are the true stars of the restaurant. The pulled pork sandwich, made Memphis-style with coleslaw, pickles and barbeque sauce, was an absolute explosion of flavors. Sometimes, pulled pork can be tough but this pork was extremely tender and perfectly prepared.
Complemented by a side of collard greens flecked with slices of garlic and flavored with a slight vinegar tang, the plate was approved by everyone at the table.
We tried two different burgers, the standard cheeseburger and the Jazzy Burger. Both were big hits. The ground beef in the burger tasted very fresh and got everyone’s attention.
Dressed with cheese, onions, lettuce, tomatoes, mayo and mustard, the cheeseburger was a classic recipe done perfectly, all the way to the airy, toasted bun.
The Jazzy Burger was an exercise in indulgence. Topped with cheese, bacon, onion rings and BBQ sauce, the burger was a burst of all things decadent in every bite.
After eating that Jazzy Burger, we all felt our next meal should be primarily vegetable-based. Sharkey’s offers some colorful and healthy salads as well, including a basic mixed green salad and a grilled chicken salad with spinach, pecans and cranberries. They also have a Kale Avocado Salad and a Kale and Spinach Salad, each complemented with nuts, apples and homemade dressing.
We also tried the Shrimp Po-Boy – four huge grilled shrimp in a bed of lettuce, mayo and tomato inside a grilled french roll. Tasty and simple, it was a good sandwich for a lighter meal.
Fries heaped with minced garlic and fresh parsley for the table and a bowl of fantastic macaroni and cheese rounded out the meal.
Typical morning fare including eggs, omelets and breakfast sandwiches are listed on the menu. Sliders, a variety of cold and hot sandwiches and a plethora of burgers, ribs and smoked meats round out the offerings. Sides of collard greens, mac and cheese, baked beans, coleslaw, corn muffins, chili and different kinds of fries add to the experience.
We found the bathrooms and tables clean and plenty of parking in the lot. Service was very friendly. It did take a while for orders to be prepared, as they seemed to only have one cook on duty when we visited and the restaurant was steadily busy. We found the leisurely wait worth the end result, but for someone in a hurry, calling in to order in advance may be a better option.
Sharkey’s also caters large and small events and delivers throughout Burbank. For their pulled pork sandwich and the burgers, Sharkey’s Bistro gets a Tops in Town. We look forward to stopping by Sharkey’s a lot more in the future and checking out more of their menu.
Restaurant Info: Sharkey’s Bistro is located at 520 S. Glenoaks Boulevard, Burbank, CA 91502. 818-842-5116. Open Tuesday through Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Closed Mondays.
Sharkey’s Bistro receives: Tops In Town
myBurbank Ratings:
Tops In Town (Outstanding)
On The Marquee (Really Good)
Could Use A Rewrite (Average or Slightly Below)
Don’t Quit Your Day Job (Roadkill)
