Classic American restaurant in Kaohsiung reopens – must-try pulled pork burger

Text and photos byShadow

Do you remember the Hardy’s American Restaurant on Fuguo Road in Zuoying? Back then, due to a lease issue, the shop closed for several years while quietly regrouping and preparing to reopen in a brand-new form someday. Finally, early last month, the restaurant quietly reopened near the Art Museum. It didn’t retain the original name but was reborn as WEEE American Restaurant, aiming to bring back joyful dining experiences once again.

Many former fans of Hardy’s found out about the reopening through the restaurant’s Facebook page, returning for the nostalgic experience. The new space features an upgraded decor that captures the essence of an authentic American diner, with dim lighting and upbeat music creating a lively and cheerful atmosphere.

During the closure, the team dedicated itself to perfecting a wide range of sauces and cooking techniques, striving toward using homemade ingredients. Now, they’ve achieved just that — the bread and sauces served are all freshly made in-house, ensuring safety and quality for every customer.

The restaurant has both first and second floors, but only the first floor is currently open for dining, with the second floor reserved for restrooms only. Let Shadow give you a sneak peek. With 1970s-inspired decor, a Tiffany-blue ceiling, and earth-toned striped flooring, the space strikes a playful contrast. There’s a central bar with high-top stools and comfy sofa seating along the sides. The area is spacious and cozy — perfect for hosting private events. We hope the second floor will open soon too.

The menu retains some classic dishes from the Hardy’s era, but with updated cooking methods. A highlight is the variety of specially developed sauces tailored to different dishes, adding layers of flavor rather than the more one-dimensional taste of before — definitely something to look forward to.

On the dessert and drink menu, the slushies are highly recommended. There are two types of draft beer available, but only one is served per day, rotating daily. Please note that the current menu consists entirely of à la carte items.

Today’s soup of the day: NT$80

Today’s soup is a rich mushroom cream soup. It’s surprisingly thick and flavorful, featuring mushrooms as the star ingredient. The aroma is so intense, it could be called a five-star experience.

You can taste bits of toasted bread and other ingredients in the soup — it’s been ages since I’ve had such a delicious bowl of soup.

Chef’s Chicken Salad – NT$189

The salad comes with three dressing options: Thousand Island, Caesar, or Italian bacon vinaigrette. We went with the less common Italian bacon vinaigrette, which was already mixed in when served. Made with bacon fat and olive oil, this dressing has a sweet, savory taste that pairs wonderfully with the salad.

Jamaican-style Grilled Chicken Wings – NT$189 for 6 pieces

The Jamaican flavor is milder compared to New Orleans or Buffalo wings, making it more appealing to a broader audience. They come with a side of crispy cabbage salad to cut through the richness.

The chicken wings have an appetizing color. Two dipping sauces are available: one is a Chinese toon sauce, great for fried foods with a refreshing taste; the other is tartar sauce. You can also enjoy them plain, which I found finger-licking good even without any sauce.

Pesto Shrimp & Asparagus Pizza – NT$229 for 8 slices

From the crust to the toppings, everything is handmade. The high-heat oven helps lock in moisture, and despite the pizza’s fresh appearance, it’s packed with a strong cheese aroma that’s hard to resist.

The cheese stretches with every bite, filling your mouth with creamy goodness. Even for those who aren’t usually cheese fans, the cheese here isn’t tangy but has a sweet, milky flavor, complemented by hints of tomato acidity and pesto fragrance — a truly layered taste that pairs perfectly with the asparagus and shrimp.

Pulled Pork Burger – NT$249

This is a classic American-style pulled pork burger, and serving it with cabbage is the traditional way to eat it.

Making pulled pork is no easy feat. The pork is slow-cooked for six hours with BBQ sauce until it’s tender enough to pull apart with a fork. The cabbage is blanched beforehand to maintain a satisfying crunch. You can eat it on top of the pork or separately. Even the bun is house-made — soft yet chewy — making the entire burger incredibly delicious.

Crazy Cheese Beef Burger – NT$259

Beef burgers are the highlight here, and this is where the restaurant really shines. Beef lovers should definitely give it a try.

Blueberry Banana Smoothie – NT$140

The smoothies here are more like Western-style fruit shakes — no icy chunks, just a rich banana flavor. It’s one of the shop’s signature drinks.

Draft Beer – NT$110 / Orion (435cc)

Orion draft beer from Okinawa is quite famous locally. Travelers to Okinawa may have even visited its visitor center. This tasty beer pairs perfectly with American cuisine. (Drinking in excess is harmful to health)

● ET News Cloud reminds you: Don’t drink and drive, and don’t drive after drinking.

Swedish Kopparberg Fruit Wine 160 RMB / Elderflower 330ml

I’ve recently tried many fruit beers and really love the fruity aroma combined with the fizz. Kopparberg is a small town in central Sweden, known for its natural fruit wines. This elderflower flavor was my first try—it has an alcohol content of 4%, with the floral scent of elderflowers and the fizzy taste of lime. It’s really delicious. (Excessive drinking is harmful to health)

New York Cheesecake with Blueberries 109 RMB

The cheesecake has an incredibly rich cheese flavor—cheese lovers are sure to enjoy it.

Brownie with Vanilla Ice Cream 109 RMB

Unlike the usual square brownies, the shop uses three different types of chocolate with varying sweetness levels to create a brownie with layered flavors. The sweet, rich, and warm brownie pairs perfectly with vanilla ice cream, creating a delightful contrast. It’s extremely satisfying.

Starting anew holds a different meaning for the shop owners—they pour their passion into cooking and treat customers like family. Almost everything used in the shop is handmade, with no pre-made ingredients, ensuring food safety for their guests. Such a shop deserves praise. If you’ve heard of or tried Hardy’s American cuisine before, you absolutely can’t miss this upgraded version. It’s worth adding to your must-try list—we highly recommend it.

Address: No. 327, East Section 4, Meishu Road, Gushan District, Kaohsiung City
Map:https://goo.gl/maps/ktzecueVjos
Phone: 07-5550955
Business Hours: 11:30–14:00, 17:30–22:30
Closed on: Tuesdays

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