In a city known for Cajun cuisine and seafood, one family has been perfecting the art of the old-fashioned hamburger since 1982. 🍔
Cotten’s Famous Hamburgers started when Kenny Cotten decided to strike out on his own after learning the burger business at Lake Charles’s legendary Colonial Inn.
Opening shortly after his daughter Kate was born, Kenny created a Lake Charles institution that has been voted best burger in town more than 11 times over four decades, with meat cut and ground fresh in-house daily.
How Cotten’s won Lake Charles hearts
Cotten’s built its reputation on a simple philosophy: make burgers the way people remember them from decades past, with fresh ingredients and no shortcuts.
Kenny Cotten spent his early days stopping at MaryAnn’s restaurant on the way to work to “talk shop” with owner George, who was related to the Colonial Inn owners—that’s where he learned the craft before opening his own place in 1982.
The hand-pressed patties became the foundation of everything.
Current owner Kate Cotten explains that all patties are hand-pressed because “it really gives it a different flavor—that homemade flavor,” comparing it to how biscuits taste better when they look a little irregular rather than machine-perfect. 👨🍳
The signature “Old Fashioned” burger with grilled onions became the item that defined Cotten’s identity and kept people coming back for over 40 years.
Winning “best burger” awards 11+ times validated what locals already knew—this wasn’t just good marketing, it was genuinely exceptional food that could compete with any burger joint in Louisiana. 🏆
When Kate Cotten opened the second location, Cotten’s Downtown, in the heart of Lake Charles, she carried on the legacy while adding creative touches like the Donut Burger and Pepper Jelly Burger that expanded the brand’s appeal.
The Donut Burger became an Instagram sensation before Instagram even existed.
Former KPLC general manager Jim Sarah suggested it when Kate was planning to open, knowing she needed something unique—a beef patty sandwiched between a sliced glazed donut with lettuce, tomato, and pickles proved irresistible.
The crispy onion strings earned their own fan following, with customers specifically mentioning these “skinny crispy onion strings” as a standout side that rivals the famous burgers themselves. 🧅
Perhaps most importantly, Cotten’s maintained remarkable consistency through family ownership—Kate learned the business working 10 years on her own before coming back to help her father, and she now maintains his standards by only being open when she’s there to cook herself.
The community connection runs deep, with Kate supporting local businesses and creating a welcoming space where everyone from construction workers to business professionals gathers for lunch, making Cotten’s more than just a restaurant—it’s a Lake Charles institution. ✨
Food Highlights
Old Fashioned Cheeseburger: The signature creation features hand-pressed beef patty with grilled onions, American cheese, pickles, lettuce, and tomato—this is what Cotten’s is known for, and it’s been winning “best burger” awards for over 40 years. 🍔
Donut Burger: This Instagram-worthy invention features a beef patty sandwiched between a sliced glazed cake donut with lettuce, tomato, and pickles—sweet meets savory in the most unexpectedly delicious way possible.
Pepper Jelly Burger (Jam Good Burger): Created by customer suggestion, this burger combines cream cheese, pepper jelly, and a beef patty—sweet, spicy, and savory flavors that come together beautifully.
Bacon Egg Cheeseburger: A hearty favorite that stacks hand-pressed patty, crispy bacon, fried egg, and melted cheese—it’s breakfast and lunch in one satisfying package. 🥓
Onion Strings: These legendary sides feature skinny, crispy fried onions that customers specifically mention as outstanding—they’re the perfect accompaniment to any burger.
Old Fashioned Hamburger: For purists who want simplicity, this features the hand-pressed patty with grilled onions, pickles, lettuce, and tomato—no cheese, just pure burger perfection the way Kenny Cotten intended.
Atmosphere
The original Oak Park Boulevard location delivers that classic burger joint vibe with casual counter service and a focus on the food rather than fancy decor.
Cotten’s Downtown offers a charming diner-style setting with old-time homey feel—the first thing Kate put up was the old MaryAnn’s sign, paying homage to Lake Charles’s oldest restaurant and the legacy she’s carrying forward.
Both locations create a warm, welcoming environment where Southern hospitality shines through every interaction.
Kate’s hands-on presence ensures quality control while creating that personal touch where regulars feel like family rather than just customers. 🏡
Bottom Line
Visit Cotten’s Famous Hamburgers for 43 years of burger excellence since Kenny Cotten opened in 1982, hand-pressed patties made fresh with meat cut and ground in-house daily, signature Old Fashioned burger with grilled onions that has won best burger awards 11+ times, creative specialties like the Donut Burger that you won’t find anywhere else, crispy onion strings that rival the burgers themselves, and family-owned commitment to quality with Kate Cotten only opening when she’s there to cook herself. 🎯
Address: Original Location: 2001 Oak Park Blvd, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Downtown Location: 110 Broad St, Lake Charles, LA 70601
📞 Oak Park: (337) 477-9759 | Downtown: (337) 602-6500
🕔 Oak Park: Mon-Fri, 10:30 AM–2:30 PM | Downtown: Tue-Sat, 11:00 AM–2:00 PM (Closed Sun-Mon)