Top Notch is Alright Times Three

It was Pi day and thankfully we found a burger place that recognized the significance of 3/14.  In other news, Top Notch burgers was a no-brainer for us.  This is a world famous burger joint made so by the Movie Dazed and Confused.  It was on this spot in 1993 where Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey (that still sounds funny) started his movie career.  Perhaps one of the burger judges will now follow in his footsteps.  Alright, Alright, Alright!

Here's what the team has to say about Top Notch:

​Judge #1: I ordered a cheeseburger and tater tots, and had a taste of the sweet potato fries and cherry pie. The burger was just OK -- if I was in the area at lunchtime I might go, but I won't be making a special effort to go back. The patty was dry and bland and the bun was just OK. I did like the tater tots, sweet potato fries, and the pie. The service was excellent and very friendly.

​Judge #2: I ordered the cheeseburger with bacon.  Nice flavor and an overall good burger but not one I would go out of my way to have again.  I did love the sweet potato fries, those I would go back for.  Overall a nice place if you happen to be in the area.

​Judge #3: ​Decent burger, but the bacon made it good (crispy, good patty coverage - not just two sringy bits laid as an X).  I opted for tator tots even though I wasn't REALLY in a tot mood, but they were as perfect as tots can get.  Had one onion ring that was perfect, had a bite of good ole fried pie.  Staff was nice and chummy without being overly fake.  The 70's vibe did nothing for me but it was decently shabby.  May not go out of my way to go there again, but definately will look to go again.

​Judge #4: I liked the environment a lot, but thought the burger itself wan't that great. Very middle of the road. I was initially excited by the thought of tator tots and even ordered some friend okra. Theyw ere both alos pretty middle of the road, not bad but not very good. I tried a few onion rings, though, and they were really good. I'd go back for the onion rings and get a BLT next time. Roy had one and it looked yummy. He confirmed that it was.​

​Judge #5: This burger really surprised me.  I'll admit that I didn't have the highest expectations going in to Top Notch.  I had been there once before and it was not that memorable.  This time, it was an entirely different story.  The burger, was tasty.  Just enough garnish and mayo, and the bacon... oh my that bacon was amazing.  I LOVE grilled burgers.  Now, the sides.  Normally a good side of fries is all I need.  The sides at Top Notch really are the best thing about this place.  I had Tator Tots, Onion Rings, Fried Okra, and a Fried Cherry Pie in honor of Pi day.  All of these were excellent.  The environment as well scored super high for me.  The 70's decor brought back childhood memories and the people working here were the nicest people.  Thank you for making my visit so wonderful.  This place will become a regular stop for sure.​

​Judge #6: ​First time participation in a BC outing may have colored my initial impression.  Caught up in the buzz as a rookie voting member, I had a really good time and enjoyed my burger quite a bit.   Upon reflection, I remember the earth tone decor, the delectable onion rings and the chipper boardering on saccharine service moreso than the burger itself.  There was nothing wrong with it, but also nothing that makes me likely to recommend it or plan a return visit, on the strength of the burger alone.  

​Judge #7: This burger was as good as Meh gets.  First bite reminded me a lot of Mighty Fine, but I think I was just really effing hungry.  The 2nd and subsequent bites were OK to meh to it's not necessary to finish this.  The Okrie (which is the only correct way to say Okra) was decent, the other sides palatable.  The Fried Pies were LA BOMBA!  Normally, I'm a little too classy a gal to lower myself to such, but since it was Pi day and all and also because I didn't pay for it myself, I said what the hell?  It was flaky, and gooey, and oh so heavenly.  Definitely the best part of my gustatory experience in this establishment.  The Environment score got extra extra points for the original and dusty vintage decor, and the sweet sweet little thing taking my order. I wanted to put the darling fry cook in my pocket and take him shopping. Wait for me boys!  Men's room was clean and functional. 

​Judge #8: ​I had the double meat bacon burger and it was pretty good. Tots were pretty good. I like this place because it seems uniquely Crestview, a 1950s neighborhood. Top Notch is sorta like Alaska. I like knowing it's there, but may not ever go there (that much).

Average Score: 73.56

This Bonus Burger Proves to be Boss at Casino el Camino

A few members of the team broke away from their weekly work environment to attend SXSW this past weekend.  The proximity to this world famous burger joint brought on an impromptu burger challenge entry.  The results were astonishing.  Although the environment scared some, the burger has no match so far in our challenge.  If this burger is pure evil, then we don't wanna be good.

Here's what the team has to say about the burger at Casino el Camino:

​Judge #1: This has always been a favorite of mine.  The burger is always consistent, great flavor, great bun to meet ratio.  Also love that they offer a variety of "heat" options for the burgers.  It is a dive bar that should be experienced in Austin.

​Judge #2: ​At first I was a bit worried; the place looked rough (dirty) and rude.  But hey, that's their thing, fine.  I was also told it would take awhile (but in the end it didn't take all that long).  But once I got the burger...that was a damn fine burger.  It was big and juicy, I didn't need any condiments (why they consider a bacon cheeseburger "The Chicago", I have no idea, but it was good).  I loved my fries too.  I knocked off more points for environment because you have to stand in line to order, listen for your name, pick it up yourself and find your own seat.  Yet they had a sign chastising us to tip.  Really?  I didn't count it too much against value as it was a good, big burger with tons of fries, but with that price and I have to do all the legwork myself, expecting a tip is just bad environment.

​Judge #3:  Outstanding burger, fries were dry and OK.  Ordered mine to go which was convenient.  Authentic "burger bar" environment and service made up for everything else.  Chicago Burger was *huge*, bread had a nice grilled design touch and not overcooked.  Pricey but would highly recommend.

​Judge #4: This is burger royalty.  There really is nothing else to say about it.  The quality of this fresh patty, amazingly grilled bun, and overall juiciness is not achievable at any other place in town.  The sides were lack-luster for me.  My fries were way over cooked, but the beer selection makes up for that.  Environment is a tough one to score for me.  This dark punk bar is pretty awesome, but the sticky bar and rudeness of the staff makes it hard to give it a high score.  Value is another one that takes a hit.  This is an expensive burger, and when you add in a beer and tip, you are at or over $20.  Worth it, sure, but pretty pricey.  I love this burger.  By itself, this is the best burger we've visited.

​Judge #5: ​I had to imagine the patty, as there was no vegetarian option. They kindly made me an LA sans patty (called it a "PC burger"), and did not ask me about heat but automatically provided "explosive" level (tasted like ghost pepper). In rating the food I'm pretending I ordered the explosive and not dinging the score as a result, but in rating the service it's costing them a point. The atmosphere added another point, evening it out. It's a pity about the heat, because at that level it pretty much kills your ability to enjoy other flavors, and I suspect it would have been delicious.

​Judge #6: To tell truth, SXSW had an impact on my burger which was GOOOOOOD but not up to the usual CEC standards. It usually takes 30 minutes to 1.5 hours to get a burger here cuz they're usually made to order in a small busy kitchen. Our order came within 10 minutes which tells me they kinda had em fired up, anticipating heavier than usual traffic. Burger was well done, therefore drier than I'd like but still tasty. Got the buffalo wing sauce, tart and spicy, standing up to the big beefy flavor of the patty. Think it's a pretty good value considering it's Angus beef and it's HUGE. And I love CEC, one of last remaining punk places downtown. Cheap drinks, killer jukebox, surly waitstaff. Hope it never changes. ​

​Judge #7: 

​The Amarillo

Casino El Camino

Best Burger so far

​Judge #8: ​A must GO @ SXSW. Best burger I've had so far. The chill cheese fries are pretty amazing as well. The environment is a bit too loud inside, but the back patio is great.

​Judge #9: ​Wow man, wow. Burgers, sides, and drinks were just perfect. Everyone who works there were shaaaaaaaaa-dy! And I'm pretty sure the guy who calls your name used to work at a strip club.

​Judge #10: ​The ratio of meat to other items on burger might have been a little off, with of course meat being the priority at this place, but the burger was near perfect. The burger was so big I did feel like a python eating a tasty goat, and like I shouldn't need to eat again for 6 months, but they do have a smaller burger and I'll probably get that next time. I liked the punk atmosphere. Fries were good but not great. I love a beer with my burger. Value pretty good.

Average Score: 85.70

More ICE than expected at Phil's

It was a cold desolate 20 degree day in Austin when the team ventured out to Phil's Icehouse.  The ICE was everywhere including on the streets, so the turnout was a little lower than normal.  The warmth inside and the burgers made it all worth it for the brave few making the trek.  For the first time ever, Phil's proximity to Amy's was not seen as a major positive.

Here's what the team has to say about Phil's Icehouse:

​Judge #1: ​I was looking forward to this month’s selection.  From the website it looked like a cool Austin-ish place to go.  The atmosphere is very Austin like and thought this could be a place to come back to.  I ordered the Violet Crown which is a bleu cheese burger with sautéed onions and a jalapeno bun, with optional hot sauce.  I bit into the burger and found the burger rather unseasoned.  Once I poured the hot sauce on it the overall flavor improved.  The bun to meat ratio was a bit off, and I really did not care for the soft bun.  The sweet potato fries were good but not crisp as I would have liked. Overall I doubt I would go back or recommend.​

​Judge #2: ​Decent burger, was a little dry though.  Another one of those pillowy sweet buns that makes it look like at first too much bun for the meat.  Bacon was crispy though, and overall it tasted like a decent burger someone grilled at home.  Fries were good, no standard Coke or Pepsi for soads, and while I wasnt impressed with Phil's environment, it helps that it's attached to an Amy's and has a playscape for the kids, so likely I will take the little one here someday.

​​Judge #3: To quote another attendee: "Meh". I had the (bacon cheeseburger), and perhaps I needed to get a more complex burger, with more sauce or something. But like good Texas BBQ, a good Texas burger stands on its own, without needing a lot of sauce and complexity to add taste. The patty itself needed seasoning. The veggies were nice and fresh, but again didn't add much taste to the dish. The sourdough bun was sweet and yummy on its own, but it actually overshadowed the burger itself, which didn't have enough salt or smoky meaty taste to counter the bread.

The fries were probably the most boring fries I've had as part of this challenge. Seemed straight out of the freezer bag. Certainly edible, but ... meh.

I spent $12 for a burger and shake at a family diner-style place in the middle of the day. Not a particularly good value.

​​Judge #4: Phil's is a must if you are nearby.  The variety of burger choices is simply amazing and their overall quality is spectacular.  The burger at Phil's is pretty straight forward, nothing fancy about this place.  My burger was good with the proper amount of toppings and a great bun.  The meat was a little on the tough side for me, I am tasting perhaps some frozen patties maybe?  Still a good burger that I would eat again.  The fries are as near perfection as I have ever had.  Phil's gets high marks for their environment because they share a building with Amy's Ice Cream and have a photo booth inside.  The cool factor is there.  Overall, a good Austin burger, worth the trip.

​Judge #5:  

​Love some Phil's Icehouse

Got the 78704

Not disappointed

​​Judge #6: I went back the day after and had the 78704. Good burger. I think that's the best one I've had there.

* Note: this judge has been vegetarian for the past several months and this was the first meat he had consumed in a LONG time.

​Judge #7: I ordered the special, i think it was chili-frito-pie burger with the combination sweet potato fries and regular fries. Burger was dry and the fries were average.

​Besides the unique names on the menu and the concept of being next to Amy's Ice Cream, Phil's Icehouse was not as impressive as it was hyped out to be. Great service, unsellfish with quantity and the food was FAST! I may have to try it again with ice cream next time :)

​Judge #8: ​I ordered a Phil-a-buster. Very bland. Nothing stood out as above average. Fries were sad, and my beverage came in a very small container.

The atmosphere wasn't bad though. Good amount of natural light made it feel welcoming.

Average Score: 66.25

I like big buns and I cannot lie

After a one month hiatus, the burger challenge is back for the new year!  This month's burger is from Moonie's Burger House.  Moonie's is on the list because they have been featured as one of the best burgers in the Austin area for 6 years in a row.  We chose the North Austin (their newest) location.

Here's what the team has to say about Moonie's:

​Judge #1: It's rare that I regret eating a burger WHILE eating said burger. Unfortunately, my Moonies burger did not deliver the requisite mouth joy to balance out its massive fat and calorie load. The burger itself was dry and tasteless with none of the juicy meat flavor I crave. The bun was tasty but way way way too big for the patty. Points for shredded lettuce (yay shredded lettuce!), but points deducted for uninspired saucing (just mayo, really?) -- mustard would have helped this particular burger, but wasn't readily available. Crispy fries were good, but greasy. I like a good burger dive, but this one delivered only the greasy atmosphere (literally) without the requisite ambiance. Outdoor seating was a plus, and the poor boys behind the counter did their best. I did not have a good feeling about the restaurant's overall cleanliness, but tried not to dwell on it.

​Judge #2: ​I ordered the "Plain Jane"  with cheddar and a side of curly fries. The burger was decent but not fantastic, the bun was just OK. If I lived near here I would go sometimes, but not make a huge effort, I think. I loved that they had curly fries, though. Curly fries are the best fries.

​Judge #3: On this outing I had the Blue Moon.  The burger was well balanced but needed a little more seasoning, fortunately the blue cheese helped.  The sides were good but not as good as if they were from fresh ingredients.  Environment didn't really make it special.  While a good value, not sure I would return.

​​Judge #4: Good burger, second one in a row (after Counter Cafe that NO ONE showed up to!) that used the sweet bun.  Not what I would go with but it works.  Only issue is it can mute other notes of the burger, i.e. the Bacon got lost.  Got the crispy fries, which are gimmicky but at the time I liked them.

​Judge #5: Great burger at a great price.  Ordered the bacon cheeseburger and fries, no veggies.  Fresh hamburger bun and composition were a solid foundation for higher scores.  Crispy fries were excellent, and although the service was very good it took a while for a larger group.  Would definitely go again and take the family.  High recommend, especially for those in the north side of town.

​Judge #6: I​ had the mushroom and Swiss burger, which was tasty, and onion rings on the side. The burger was really juicy (or greasy, depending on how you look at it) and had nice fresh mushrooms. The onion rings weren't my favorite. They seemed overdone to me and tasted almost exactly like a bigger version of Burger King's. Sidwa independently said the same thing. But the fried mac and cheese was really good so that averaged out my sides score. Note on the fried mac and cheese: eat it piping hot, not as good once it sat around for a while. I guess that holds true for just about anything fried. The Anderson Mill location is close to my house so I'm going to check that one out next.

​​Judge #7: The bun was distractingly good - very sweet.  I don't know if that works on a bacon cheeseburger so well.  I kind of felt like I wanted to put the bun on a different kind of sandwich!  Like with potatoes and grilled onions or something. The sweet potato fries were good and the fried mac-n-cheese was too, though its coating was a bit thick.  Nice idea though. I felt bad for the poor guys working there who were overwhelmed with our surprise party of 20 at 2pm.  We need to call ahead next time, though it would have helped if they had some kind of number or name system when taking orders. 

​Judge #8: Moonie's has a lot of potential, but I'm not sure they're quite living up to it. The bun was scrumptious -- perhaps the best bun of any burger yet! -- but it's far too huge for the meat and trimmings, which were overshadowed. As a result, I don't feel like I got a good "burger". Just a great "burger bun".​ Perhaps Moonies can use the same type of bun but a smaller version. The fries were nice and crispy, but needed salt. The onion rings were actually pretty good -- nice, thick batter. The frito chili pie was a bit of a disappointment. The chili was bland and there wasn't enough of it to cover all the fritos. And there wasn't really any extra cheese on top to make it nice and gooey. As easy as frito pie is to make (open a bag of chips, dump 'em out, smother in chili and cheese), I would have appreciated more effort.  The fried mac-and-cheese is a unique item that definitely helped bolster the sides score.  I'm certainly willing to eat at Moonie's again, but I'll have to splurge for a double instead to make sure I get enough burger to compete with the bun. (Oooh, that yummy bun!) And the prices are middle-of-the-road -- not insane but certainly not the value price I could get elsewhere.  

​Judge #9: This was a good burger that could have been off the charts great.  The only problem (which is a big one) is that the hamburger patty is way too small for the amazing bun.  That bun however could have been a meal all by itself, it was that good.  The bun completely overshadowed the burger's taste and the proportions were all out of whack.  Maybe if I had ordered a double cheeseburger it would have been better.  The crispy fries I had were really tasty as were the sweet potato fries and other sides I sampled.  The value could not have been better in my opinion.  A quality burger fires and drink all for under $10.  That's a good deal.  The environment score is a little on the low side for me.  The guys in the kitchen worked their tails off to take care of us, but they did miss on some of the orders (including mine). The seating was adequate for a burger dive, and I appreciated the outdoor area on a day like we had.  There were some exposed wires here and there that had me a little concerned though.  All in all I did like Moonies and will probably go back (to order a double double).​

​Judge #10: A Moonie's haiku:

Bun good. Burger fine

Picnic table is too low

Overall an eight

​Judge #11: I had the Blue Moon™ burger (Crumbled blue cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato & red onion), cut the garden, add avocado, mushrooms & love. I then added ketchup. The waitron/food preparation  artist assured me that it was not the grossest thing he had ever created at this establishment. It was an interesting combo, but is definitely not for the weak (Roberts). The meat and bun were of a goodly amount, but there was nothing really *outstanding* about any of it. I had a hard time tasting the love, but it was there underneath the avocado. The sweet little boy behind the counter looked the other way when I got a drink refill, which added to my Environment Score. I had strong issue with the men's room. It was totally grody, was NOT the women’s room, and the urinal was out of service. Also, there was no urinal cake. I used the men's as the women's bathroom was apparently located on the roof.  I’m not a weirdo or anything.

Average Score: 67.08

Mighty Fine or Mighty Great?

Number 8 on the great burger challenge brings the team to the up and coming Austin burger chain Mighty Fine Burgers & Fries.  This place had some obvious fan going in.  There may have even been a Mighty Fine T-shirt spotted.  The result?  Burger bliss for most but some mixed opinions.

Here's what the team has to say about this burger joint:

​Judge #1: Best Burger in the Dang World! Yeah!  Lemonade Shake rules! Whoo Whoo!  Clean Hands make me Happy!Let’s go Hippos!

Judge #2:​ I ordered a 1/4lb burger with cheese, usual toppings plus jalapeños. The construction of my burger left something to be desired; the bun was lopsided and the fixings were not evenly distributed. The burger tasted OK. The onion rings were pretty good, but greasy. (Can you have excellent onion rings that are *not* greasy?) If this restaurant were close to my house or where I run errands a lot, I'd eat here, but I wouldn't go out of my way to do so.

Judge #3:​ In general this is a good burger, just nothing that sets it apart or puts it into the amazing category.  Had onion rings, which had a good taste and had a nice crunch factor but were a bit too greasy for my taste. 

​Judge #4: Always a decent burger, though the meat to bun/everything else ratio is a bit off.  All I could taste was burger, barely any of the added bacon.  Never a big fan of their fries, though nice they leave out season salt to add.  Nice touch they give you a tracking device so they can bring you your order.  Not all that cheap for "fast food", but I took that out of the value score than the burger.

Judge #5: Mighty Fine remains best in service and above average in food.  Clean facilities, upbeat employees genuinely eager to help.  Ordered the basic cheeseburger with onions and fries.  Cheeseburger had a really good flavor, not overcooked and bun was OK.  Not soggy.  Fries had potential but ended up with too many crinkle cut shards at the bottom of the fryer.  Milkshake would have made everything better if ordered.

Judge #6: ​It was pretty good for a fast food burger. Onion rings were tasty. The best part was the hand washer.

Judge #7: So this was a tasty burger, and some nearly *perfectly crisp* onion rings. This time around I got the 1/2 lb. Classic, White, with Bacon and Cheese...and it was really good.

The bun was not all that special (or tasty), but the crinkly cut pickles (in the shape of french fries, not round slices!) were a nice, completely unexpected, completely unique touch. Too bad I skipped the shake (or more accurately "shakes", plural, because the chocolate and the salted caramel both looked crazy inviting), but it's already "holiday food" season, so I just can't handle that many calories in one sitting.

Value is still a bit low. I only ordered the burger and an iced tea, and that came to nearly $10. For a fast-food lunchtime burger, I'd like to keep that number under $8.  Still, Mighty Fine is indeed Mighty Fine, and we won't hesitate to go back.

Judge #8: Mighty Fine indeed.  This local chain has a LOT to offer.  Quality of the meat, configurability, fresh local ingredients, crinkle-curt fries, and a Jacuzzi for your hands too!  First and foremost, the burger.  Taste alone puts this burger among the very best.  There is no messing around with the quality ingredients that go into a Mighty Fine burger.  With that said, I am a little sad that the tomatoes on today’s burger were a little on the mushy side.  As for the sides, I had fries and the best lemonade shake on the planet.  Their fries are not my very favorite, but they are indeed good.  The atmosphere is the only thing I don’t rate at the very top of our list.  This is a fast food burger joint, and it does feel like that.  Although I do appreciate their process, attention to quality and above all else speed.  As for value, I really do not think you could get better quality burgers at a better price than Mighty Fine.  This place is near the top of my list.​  Totes agree with Mishelle too!

Judge #9: Burger construction needs work. Bun fell apart and got soggy. The cheese burger had great taste though!​ The onion rings were some of the bet I have ever tasted!!! Veggies on the burger were fresh as well. THE LINE TO ORDER TOOK FOREVER! Make sure you schedule more than an hour for lunch whenever you come here! Overall, almost a perfect score   :)

Average Score: 76.80

Billy's is making a name for itself!

The neighborhood beer and burger joint will never die as long as Billy's is around. From their great food selection to their cool dive-bar feel Billy's should be on any list of great Austin burger joints.  It wowed many in our group.

Here's what the group had to say:

Judge #1 - This reviewer’s journey began with the Mushroom Swiss Burger (MSB) and will be rated from top down.  Try and keep up.

BUN: The bun was good but not great. I appreciated the fact that it consisted of non-hippie white bread. There was, however, some sort of grainy substance on top that this reviewer could not identify at the time of the review.  If I were to wager a guess, I would speculate cornmeal. The bun would have gotten much higher marks if it had been toasted (as any god fearing American knows a bun should be).

TOPPINGS: I found pleasantly sautéed mushrooms, in a goodly amount, directly underneath the politically incorrect bun.  They were obviously not fresh mushrooms (from a jar or can, not rotten or anything gross), but they were grilled and they were pleasantly chewy. The Swiss cheese was tasty and melted-y enough, but there could have been more of it.  If the cheese is not gushing over your fingers with the first bite, then there’s not enough.  The ketchup came from an industrial pump and I appreciated the fact that I was not constrained by bottle shaker madness or the paltry amount usually offered on the side. As for the rest of the toppings, I had none.  Cause vegetables on a burger are just gross. Duh. 

PATTY:  I ordered the beef 1/4 lb. patty.  It was clearly made of beef and my pocket scale weighed it at 1.24376 lbs., so while not exact, it was close enough for government work.  It could have been seasoned a little more, but it was cooked to “well”, which everyone knows is the recommended state to cook hamburger meat lest you not catch burger cooties. Overall, I rate this burger experience a  7.  If I had added bacon and avocado like the voices told me to, the score would have been 7.75 or possibly an 8.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The Environment score is high because I'm pretty sure the bartenderess/waitress had a crush on me.  It happens a lot.

EDITOR'S OTHER NOTE: The okra was standard fried okra, and you should eat it because it's high in calcium, people. The peach cobbler-y thing was good and I sweet talked the bar wench into some free ice cream on top.

Judge #2 - My evaluation of Billy's may be a little bias since I have been here several times and is one of my favorite burger places in Austin.  I ordered the Uptown Burger which is on their specialty board and not on the menu.  Burger comes with Bleu Cheese, Avocados, and Bacon Marmalade - all with make for a delicious burger.   Billy's has always been consistent in their food and I will continue to recommend this place, something I rarely do in general unless I really like a place. 

​Judge #3 - Pretty good, though had odd bits here and there (wasn't even on Burnet).  I ordered the Cobra Burger which came with jalapenos, but they were strips rather than rings, and really had no kick (though the bacon was good).  Didn't have the fried pickels but they too were spears rather than typical round chips.  Fries were good (though had to eat the burger first to get to them), had an onion ring and they were good.  Not wild about the order the burger with the bartender, wiggle into the booth, wiggle out to get your burger.  Took a point off for the horrible location/traffic/parking situation (and that was some mid-life crisis guy who blocked off the parking with his Porsche).

Judge #4 - I took Larry's advice and got the Uptown Burger, and thought it was excellent. Super moist and delicious. Great bun. All this and I don't even really like bleu cheese. I enjoyed all the sides, but prefer pickle chips over their spears. Billy's beans are really good, although a strange side for a burger. The prices are a bit high. The burger was worth it, but I guess for a dive bar atmosphere I expect a cheaper burger. That being said, I would totally go back.

Judge #5 - Burger was delicious! Bacon was done just right and the bun was slightly sweet, soft, and substantial.  Sides were outstanding - best so far. Environment was unique and welcoming.​

Judge #6 - Billy's was a welcomed surprise to the burger challenge.  This lesser known burger joint has a LOT going for it, and I put it right up there with the well-known burger joints in town.  The burger itself was very good.  Great flavor, nice variety and put together with care.  The sides we had were all good.  Nothing wrong with any of them.  The prices were a little high for what I ordered, so the overall value took a hit from me.  I would gladly go back for a beer and burger soon.​

​Judge #7 - Pros: Loved the atmosphere (and appreciated the chance to reconnect briefly with Galaga :-). Loved the veggie ends burger! The patty was not mealy or crumbly and had excellent flavor; the bun and accompanying ingredients were great. Tried the fried okra, fried cheese, and onion rings, and was happy with all. 

Extra feedback: Ordered an Uptown to go for my husband, and it was beautifully packaged to avoid soggy buns and wilted add-ons - and he loved it. He is now a bacon marmalade fan :-)

Cons: didn't really care for the order, sit down, get up, sit down. If it were crowded, that could be a real pain. Still, the people were great within that context. The price seemed reasonable but took a hit for "value" because of the reduced service. 

Judge #8 - ​I had "The Hoss" burger (1/3 lbs), thinking it would be a meal that would put me in a post-thanksgiving feeling.. but that didn't happen, the burger was not as big as i thought it was going to be but it was delicious. I was also expecting this burger to be messy but my hands never got dirty. 

Judge #9 - I had a chicken burger, my opinion is invalid.

It was good though.​

Judge #10 - I had the uptown burger recently and thought it was one of the best I've had. I like their beans as a side. I know beans aren't a typical burger side, but they are tasty.

Average Score: 77.27

Sometimes it's good to be Dirty

The scores were all over the map for Dirty Martins.  It seems that you either love this place, or you just can't get over it's unique dive bar appeal. Regardless, the average score for this UT greasy spoon still puts it among one of Austin's best burgers.

Judge #1 - ​Pretty good burger, enough grease the bun ALMOST fell apart but kept it together, right amount of bacon, could have a smidge more lettuce.  Not a fried pickle guy but those were great and the fries weren't bad either.  Not impressed with the place itself; while I understand it's been around since about 1926, it felt more like a truck stop than classic.

Judge #2 - ​I loved the fried pickles and the sweet potato fries! I wasn’t overly impressed with the cheeseburger. It was fine, not great but not bad. But it was certainly worth the reasonable price. The place has a fun, old-school environment. It should be noted that I like dives. My mom would have been grossed out. Overall, I would definitely go back.

​Judge #3 - ​This was a damn good burger of the flat, cheap variety (as opposed to the substantial, foodie variety, which I prefer in general).  Way better than Hut's or P Terry's.  The sweet potato fries were great.  I love the Old Austin feel.  My dad used to come here when he was in law school at UT.

Judge #4 - ​It was a great experience to eat at the oldest continually open burger joint in town​ and take in even more history than you can get at Hut's. The burger was tasty, sides solid -- especially the chili, which is probably the best chili I've had in town, period. The environment could use some updating; you can literally smell the 84 years of grease and sizzle when you walk in. (This could be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your nose...) Value was middle-of-the-road.

​Judge #5 - ​Wow, just wow.  I had some pretty high expectations for Dirty Martin's, but I was surprised by the burger here.  It was as if you could taste the 87 years of experience on the grill.  The burger was very good.  Appropriately greasy  and just enough condiments to hold it together.  The bun was my only complaint as it was a little stale.  The sides were perfect.  Yes perfect.  They have tater-tots people!  As for the environment, I give high scores to any place that has an original pac-man machine still working in the corner.  A great place for a burger any time of day if you ask me.

Judge #6 - ​Excellent black bean burger - no mealiness, good flavor, just the right amount of char. Great value, excellent service.

Judge #7 - ​​Place was dirty!! Tables were sticky & bathrooms smelled like pee. Burger was small and greasy. Bun fell apart. I like the taste, but it wasn't worth what my stomach went through.... Way too greasy for me!! The tater tots were ok when I added salt.....

Judge #8 - ​​I'm a big texture fan when it comes to burgers and I feel like un toasted buns take away from the experience. That's one of the reasons why I'm such a fan of Dirty Martin's. It's apparent that the buns are toasted on the flat-top right next to the burger and the bacon, so they absorb the tasty goodness. I also like how the bacon is thick and not too crispy.

​Judge #9 - ​I've learned something about what burgers and burger joints I like. I like simple tasty burgers. I like dives. Thus I like Dirty Martin's.

​Judge #10 - ​The burger was small. I ordered a second one. Both were decent. I'd go back even though it kinda smelled homeless at the vicinity I sat in.

Average Score - 70.91