Quick Take:
Location: Mulberry (inside Depot 303)
What Mike Ordered: Double Smash Burger and Fries
Gluten Free Options: Yes
Final Score: 5/5
Price: ~$10–20 per person
For our twenty third stop on our Polk Food Quest, we made our way back to Depot 303 in Mulberry.
We have stopped there prior for our review of Chicken & Pig, but we're doing our best to get some food traffic there to help some of the small businesses that are in there; especially because they're all dishing out some incredible food.
Depot 303 is a food hall in Mulberry, just like the Joinery (built by the same team) and Fat Maggie's is a standout (spoiler alert).
I did a 10-second review, one bite pass or fail, for their double smash burger — and it did NOT disappoint.
You can watch the full video on Instagram or Facebook.
But I'll save the rest for the full review below.
By the way: if you're new here, the concept of my Polk Food Quest is simple: every week I try a local spot, order the most common thing people get, try a few extras, and rank it on taste, value, vibes, and overall.
This week: smash burger!
Which means I ordered a double smash burger (with everything on it + ketchup) and fries!
How Does This Work?
I order the standard item for that category (for Fat Maggie's that's a burger), plus a few extras so I can get a full feel for the menu.
Then I rank the experience on four things:
Taste | Value | Vibes | 
Overall
Taste focuses on the standard item.
The rest reflects the entire experience.
Taste: 5/5
Fat Maggie's was amazing.
The burger was incredible, and the fires passed the Katie test (she says these extra crispy are her favorite fries, and Fat Maggie's did them well)!
I don't normally prefer smash burgers, so the fact that I enjoyed their double smash burger as much as I did is really saying something.
Here's a quick breakdown for my quick scanners, though:
- Double Smash Burger: I shared the video breakdown earlier (IG and FB), but if you haven't watched I gave this a double thumbs up and said it is SOOO good. This burger was on-par with Break Burger, who I said was the gold standard.
- The French Fries: If you pass the Katie test for these kind of fries, you know they're doing a good job. Crispy and awesome, we're excited to go back and try some of the specialty fries the next time we're there.
Everything we had was amazing.
Our only regret was not ordering more!
I have my eyes on the smash burger salad, some specialty fries, and the banana pudding next time...
Vibes: 5/5
Last time we visited Depot 303 I said I couldn't give a 5/5 because, even though it's out of their control, Depot 303 is a bit of a drive and hasn't really picked up yet.
But...for Fat Maggie's I'm making an exception...for three reasons.
- Depot 303 has seemed to be making some traction with their new signage, Trivia and Bingo nights.
- The food really is worth the drive.
- The hospitality was great from the second we walked in.
And I want to take an extra second to touch on #3 a bit more, because I mean it.
Right when we walked in the doors Gia was greeting us, asking if we've been there before, and ready to help.
From that point, until the moment we left and she was saying goodbye, the hospitality was amazing (take it from someone who went back and forth to the counter like 3-4 times because I either forgot my wallet, my drink or something else 😂).
Between the hospitality, the space, and the fact that it's well worth the drive, I think Fat Maggie's deserves another 5/5.
The Lean Squeeze
The lowest-calorie, highest-protein, most satiating picks on the menu — chosen by Mike, who spent a decade in the fitness industry before The Polk Squeeze.
Mike's Pick: Burger Salad
Romaine (the best of the lettuce family), cucumbers, tomatoes, and an all-beef smash patty, no bun. This is the actual lean move here. You get the same beef protein as the Classic Smash Burger without the bread, and the greens add volume for free. Skip the side of fried chips or swap for extra veggies if you want to keep it tight.
Alternative Picks: Smash Burger (Plain)
If you want the burger format, order it plain. Same beef patty and cheese, just without the aioli and candied bacon that show up on the other builds. Still a bun, so it's a step up in carbs from the salad, but it's the cleanest burger on the menu.
Mike's Note: I'd get the Burger Salad and ask them to hold the fried chips, that's an easy 200+ calories back in your pocket for basically nothing lost.
Value: 5/5
With a 5/5 for taste, a 5/5 for vibes, and a well priced menu, there's nothing else to do but to give Fat Maggie's a 5/5 for value as well.
I had a double smash burger and a side of fries and I was ready to explode, so I think most people can leave feeling full from a regular $10 burger and a side of fries.
All their prices are reasonable. Their food fills you up and tastes amazing.
Not much more you can ask for.
Burgers for $10, highest priced things on the menu are $12-13, and throw in a banana pudding for $5 and it feels like we're robbing the place.
Another easy 5/5.
Overall: 5/5
When you pull in easy 5/5 across the board it makes the overall ruling of a 5/5 pretty easy.
And that's how Fat Maggie's scoring felt from the jump...pretty easy.
When I walked out of Depot 303, I knew I was giving them a perfect score.
Everything from the taste of the food to the hospitality was a perfect experience for Katie and I.
Would I bring my visiting family there?
110%.
Depot 303 is perfect to bring family, just in case there's 1 or 2 people who can't decide on what they want, but Fat Maggie's is a DEFINITE recommendation for getting them there.
Here’s how I’d sum up Fat Maggie's:
The double smash burger is the move, and it earns a spot next to Break Burger as the gold standard.
The fries also deserve a shout. Extra crispy, Katie approved, and reason enough to go back and work through the specialty options.
Value isn't a weak spot here. A $10 burger fills you up, and the rest of the menu fits the trend, with a $5 banana pudding being an easy option.
The vibes come from Fat Maggie's itself, not just the building. Depot 303 is still a bit of a drive, but the mix of the food and hospitality make it worth the drive.
With a 5/5 overall, Fat Maggie's is the rare review where every category lines up, and it's a clear must-order if you're deciding what to get at Depot 303.
Before You Go....
Hey!
I want to know what you think of Fat Maggie's inside Depot 303 in Mulberry.
Leave a comment below.
The more you share, the better, but anything is appreciated.
Each comment helps The Best Of Polk articles and eventually, the yearly awards!
Have a place you want me to try?
Make sure to comment that as well.
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Last weekwas our first time to visit Blackburns. Wow! To say we were impressed would be an understatement.When the pulled pork doesn’t need barbque sauce you know it’s seasoned perfectly. The brisket was tender & tasty. The beans had that smoky hint that sends it over the top. Let’s throw in a happy hour also. 10/10.
I’d rate it right up there with Lewis BBQ in Charleston, SC. It’s just that good.
Hi Janet, thank you for the comment! Did you mean for it to be on the Fat Maggie’s review or the Blackburn’s story?
New to this area. You list some very good eating places and I wondered why there seams most are not in Lakeland.
Hey, thank you!
Where are you coming from and where are you living now? Lakeland area?
We cover all of Polk County, but our focus is typically Lakeland and Winter Haven.
We’ve done 23 reviews and this is the count so far:
Lakeland: 11. Winter Haven: 7. Mulberry: 2. Bartow: 2. Auburndale: 2. Lake Alfred: 1. Lake Wales: 1.
(Count shows 26 total because a couple locations have multiple locations in different towns)
With Depot 303 in Mulberry being just outside of Lakeland as well, it makes Lakeland actually have the most, by far … AND our “Best Food In Polk Lists” always revolve around either Polk, Lakeland, or Winter Haven.