Take a big bite and enjoy all the fillings — juicy grilled beef cheeseburger!

Text and photos by /Kaohsiung Food Map

Photography by Ah Xiong, text by Xiao Gao and Carrie

For 12 years, your taste buds have been satisfied here, but life’s memories are yours to create. This is our lighthouse, where all our memories reside!

Every city is bound to have a pub like this. The moment it opens, it fills with people brimming with different emotions. There are those who come after work, tired in body and spirit, seeking a drink to reward themselves for a day’s hard work. Perhaps there are heartbroken souls at the bar, borrowing a drink from the bartender to drown their sorrows. Groups of friends gather in different corners, laughing merrily and toasting together, or maybe it’s someone’s birthday party, turning the place into a night of wild celebration.

Of course, Kaohsiung’s Zuoying district is no exception with its “Lighthouse American Pub.” The owner is Canadian, the proprietress is from Kaohsiung, and the pub has taken deep root in Zuoying for 12 years. It offers an American-style experience and has attracted many foreign foodies who came to Taiwan to work or teach. It’s also become a must-visit spot for backpackers through word-of-mouth. Opening an American restaurant in Taiwan isn’t rare, but maintaining popularity with locals for over a decade? That takes real skill.

No matter what mood you’re in when you walk in, once you step into this pub — “The Lighthouse” — we promise to perfect the food, craft cocktails with the finest balance, and cater to your tastes as best as we can. As for the memories? Well, you’ll have to make those yourself.

● ETtoday News Cloud reminds you: Don’t drink and drive. Don’t drive if you’ve been drinking.

American Restaurant Essential: Grilled Beef Cheeseburger

What kind of American pub would it be without a burger? This juicy beef patty is handmade and homemade, crafted with carefully selected premium beef blended with onions and a unique blend of spices. It’s served on a lightly toasted, soft bun with essential toppings like iceberg lettuce, pickles, and tomatoes. But… do you think that’s all?

One of the soul ingredients of this grilled burger is the cheese layered atop the beef. Imported cheddar cheese is placed on the patty once it’s grilled to the right temperature, then left to melt naturally and cling to the meat. The cheese absorbs the aroma of the beef, while its savory saltiness seeps into the meat. Timing is crucial here — when the cheese melts to a translucent state, that’s when you get to savor the perfect harmony between cheese and beef.

The grill used is an American-style BBQ grill, another key to the burger’s success. With its iron grate design, it allows excess fat to drip off the beef while locking in its sweet flavor. Girls, when trying this one, don’t eat daintily for the sake of appearances — take a big bite with all the fillings to truly honor the “American burger” experience!

%The charm of a true American burger can't be grasped by nibbling delicately.

New Orleans BBQ Pulled Pork & Pineapple Pizza

BBQ is one of the most iconic elements of American cuisine. And “Jack Daniel’s sauce” plays an absolutely key role in New Orleans BBQ. The sauce is simmered from whiskey, vinegar, sugar, onions, garlic… and more. In the photo, those crimson-hued strips of pork are marinated with this sauce and slow-cooked until tender.

Since Jack Daniel’s sauce is tangy, sweet, and rich, Taiwanese pineapple’s sweetness and acidity, along with the cheese, are cleverly used to balance it out — a case of negative meeting negative to create something unexpectedly positive, sparking a marvelous explosion of flavors.

%The pizza crust is also handmade, with options for thick or thin crusts. It’s topped with BBQ pork, pineapple, and Jack Daniel’s sauce as the red base.

French Cheese Beef Sauce Fries

This dish originates from Montreal, Canada, and is a beloved local fast food known as “Poutine,” commonly seen as street food across Canadian provinces. Since the owner is Canadian, he naturally brought this hometown favorite to Taiwan. The version served here is the classic original, though in Canada you can also find variations with sausage, bacon, salmon, and more.

The secret to this dish’s deliciousness lies in how well the beef gravy is brewed. Served over freshly fried, hot fries, sprinkled with cheese and drizzled with meat sauce, every big bite is pure satisfaction (and maybe a bit of guilt too).

%The fries arrive piping hot, so be careful not to burn your tongue. The contrast between the crispy fries and the gooey cheese and savory sauce is simply irresistible.

Lighthouse Grilled Sea Salt Chicken Wings

%The menu offers a wide selection of sauces to suit all palates. The pub provides a variety of choices, allowing guests to customize based on their preferences. This method ensures the wings remain juicy and flavorful, avoiding the problem of the skin going soggy.

%The chicken wings are first coated in a secret spice mix and then grilled to perfection. The seasoning is just right—not too spicy—and the grilling method keeps the skin crisp. The seasoning sticks well without overwhelming the meat, striking a great balance.

%The wings are served with a generous portion of fresh vegetables (offered in large servings), paired with blue cheese dip. This dip is the result of the owner’s own “divine tasting” of various sauces, and he believes blue cheese is the best match.

Signature Dish: Beef Nachos with Cheese Platter

Imported white corn chips are layered with refried beans, Mexican-spiced ground beef, black olives, lettuce, and other toppings. Then three different types and colors of cheese are sprinkled on top, creating this visually stunning and colorful Mexican dish. The white part in the middle is sour cream, the green is guacamole — customize based on your taste. This dish is quite hearty, easily enough for two to three people to share.

%Wondering why the nachos don’t get soggy? (It’s because they’re actually made fresh — truly made with heart.) They’re served in a special container, which is also considerate for guests. Add the sauce as you go, depending on how you’re eating, to prevent the wet sauce from soaking the chips too long and ruining their original crispy texture.

Next comes another highlight of the tavern, and also the part that creates the most “memories.” Whether you’re here because you’re feeling down or just in a celebratory mood, start with a few shots, and what happens next is entirely up to you.

【Chilled Silver Tequila】
Due to the strong flavor of tequila, the owner specially keeps it frozen in the freezer and only takes it out when making the drink. Chilled tequila has a smoother taste that’s less harsh. After downing it in one go and then taking a sip of orange, you might just taste the complex flavors of life.

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

(In-store promotion 1: Buy 3 get 1 free on weekdays, buy 2 get 1 free on holidays)
(In-store promotion 2: Order the “Heavyweight Carlsberg Draught Beer Tower” and get three chilled silver tequilas for free)

【Birthday Special: Birthday Climax】Get as many drinks as there are people at the table.

This “Birthday Climax” is specially prepared by the tavern for the birthday star celebrating their big day. This drink doesn’t even appear on the menu. Made with Bailey’s Irish Cream and orange liqueur, it’s topped with a cherry—just like the ones on cakes. The most thoughtful touch? As long as you’re here to celebrate your birthday, you get as many drinks as there are people at your table. The owner not only wants the birthday star to have a great time but also wants all their friends to join in the fun. (We really can’t stress enough how sincere this is.)

Wear your party hat during your birthday meal, and if you spend over NT$500, you can even take the hat home.

Come in on Sundays to Thursdays (non-peak days), and no matter how much you spend, you’ll also be given this “Brownie Ice Cream.”

A must-order classic: “Carrie’s Favorite,” a cocktail that’s been popular for over ten years and still going strong.
The Purple Haze: It looks mysterious, but it’s actually quite easy to drink. Despite its strong flavor, it’s surprisingly smooth. It’s a mix of vodka and martini.

The Melon Dream: A blend of cantaloupe liqueur, vodka, and other fruit juices. The owner explained that most of the bar’s mixed drinks use at least two types of base liquor. The goal is to make them smooth and appealing to women, while still delivering that alcoholic kick—giving a slight buzz without going overboard.

Lighthouse American Tavern
Address: No. 239, Fuguo Road, Zuoying District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: (07)559-2614
Hours: Monday–Thursday: 18:00–02:00, Friday–Saturday: 18:00–04:00, Sunday: 18:00–02:00 (Holidays: 18:00–04:00)
Private Rooms: None
Card Payments: Accepted
Days Closed: None
Service Charge: None
Seating Capacity: Approximately 80
Parking: Valet or reserved parking
Average Spend: Around NT$200
Wi-Fi: Available

Kaohsiung Food Map

About the Author: Kaohsiung Food Map is run by Ah Xiong and Xiao Gao, who share local southern Taiwanese cuisine and cultural flavors. They also frequently introduce travel spots from around the region, tasting signature dishes and capturing beautiful scenery to share Taiwan’s food scene and unique human warmth with everyone.

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