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Austin burgers on Texas Monthly’s Top 50 list
Where can you find the best burgers in the state?
Texas Monthly food editor Pat Sharpe and her team have canvassed the state to find the best hamburgers, and although an Austin restaurant didn’t claim the top spot, we fared pretty well on the list, which will appear in the August issue that comes out next week.
The Counter Burger from Counter Cafe on North Lamar Boulevard earned second place behind the classic cheeseburger from The Grape in Dallas.
Other Central Texas highlights:
- Cheeseburger with green chiles on a jalapeno-cheese bun from Alamo Springs Cafe in Fredericksburg (No. 3)
- Chop-house burger with cheese and bacon from Cover 3 (No. 12)
- Bulgogi burger from Burger Tex II (No. 14)
- Kobe beef burger from Max’s Wine Dive (No. 16)
- Cheeseburger from Parkside (No. 26)
- Black buffalo burger from Black Sheep Lodge (No. 27)
- Half-Ass Burger from Roaring Fork (No. 30)
- Hamburger from Mighty Fine (No. 37)
- Jalapeno cream cheese burger from Roadhouse in Bastrop (No. 38)
- Cheeseburger from Classics Burgers and “Moore” in Kerrville (No. 40)
The list heavily favors newer establishments in Austin such as Cover 3, Black Sheep Lodge, Mighty Fine and even Parkside, which has only been open for about a year and a half.
No Hut’s, no Five Guys, no P.Terry’s, no Hill-Bert’s or Phil’s Ice House (one of my personal favorites).
What do you think of the list? Which places were overlooked or overrated?
(Photo of the Big-Ass Burger from Roaring Fork by Kelly West for the Austin American-Statesman.)
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By cpo
July 17, 2009 3:19 PM | Link to this
The Hut is the best burger I’ve had in Austin, but I’m a little biased because it’s so close to my house.
By Laura
July 17, 2009 3:30 PM | Link to this
I’m a big fan of Phil’s Ice House…can’t beat that 78704 burger!
By Robbie
July 17, 2009 3:34 PM | Link to this
I did a taste test with Mighty Fine and a Sonic cheeseburger. Almost indistinguishable.
Makes me wonder who they bribed to make this list.
Agree that Phil’s Ice House is one of the tops in the area. Would rank the burgers at Gabbie’s Burgers and Dogs (Duval and Mopac) amongst the best in town, too.
By MG
July 17, 2009 3:38 PM | Link to this
5-guys on Guadalupe and Mike’s Pub
By CF
July 17, 2009 3:41 PM | Link to this
this is a joke of a list…Dirty Martin’s, Sandy’s out by the lake, Frans, Dans, and on and on…not too mention all the ones that you already mentioned were left off. Typical Texas Monthly…
By maggie
July 17, 2009 4:15 PM | Link to this
Dirty Martins, Sullivan’s, and Mulberry.
By Garrett
July 17, 2009 4:43 PM | Link to this
best burger in Austin is at Jo’s coffee on 2nd. without question.
By really?
July 17, 2009 4:43 PM | Link to this
Phils may be the worst burger in town
By Garrett
July 17, 2009 4:44 PM | Link to this
possibly the best fries too.
By maczter
July 17, 2009 6:19 PM | Link to this
Though I’ll have to say I haven’t tried any of the burgers on the highlight list above except for Mighty Fine, which I found to be a rather bland patty, Phil’s has been at the top of my burger list over the past year or so, though I’ve recently grown a fondness for the free-range, grass-fed beef and olive oil cooked fries at Elevation Burger, especially after seeing “Food, Inc.”
By Suz
July 17, 2009 7:26 PM | Link to this
Shady Grove has the best burger. No doubt about it!
By Foodie guy
July 17, 2009 8:21 PM | Link to this
Seriously?? Huts is overrated; phils is all bun (not in a good way), five guys and copycats (mooyah, elevation) are 2 notches better than fast food, mighty fine is way undersalted and upside down, top notch is a pretty good old school burger, hills is awful old school w/too much bad bun, casino el camino and counter burger would be better if the buns weren’t stale half the time, Waterloo just sucks…
Come on Austin!!!
By Nic
July 17, 2009 11:21 PM | Link to this
My vote would be for Hills. Terra Burger isn’t bad. Mighty Fine burgers are just okay, IMO…nothing special. I used to vote for Casino El Camino ‘til I got food poisoning one time! :(
By burger lover
July 18, 2009 12:06 AM | Link to this
MOOYAH BURGERS on Burnet Rd is awesome!! 17 toppings can’t be beat. Serving beer and wine now. Everyone should try it… 2 doors down from Chilis on Burnet and 183
By Clayton
July 18, 2009 9:16 AM | Link to this
Couter Cafe? Seriously? Hut’s, Dan’s, Ski shores, Z Tejas. These are austin originals, let’s support our local folks, not copy cats.
By kat
July 18, 2009 5:00 PM | Link to this
Casino El Camino, hellO. Hut’s is only good for onion rings these days. Was one of the TM requirements that the burgers had to cost at least $10???
By sal
July 18, 2009 7:49 PM | Link to this
The mac attack at the HUB is by far my favorite.
By RAY DAVIS
July 19, 2009 12:23 PM | Link to this
The Big Bun in El Paso has Fire Grilled Burgers are the best Burgers see at Borderfood.com for proof
By Kay
July 20, 2009 10:06 AM | Link to this
I love Casino El Camino’s Amarillo burger. And Phil’s buns are hands down the best. Must say I really enjoy the Chubby Chuck’s at Hut’s and the greasy good cheeseburger at Mike’s. Ski shores has an awesome burger. Haven’t tried Counter Cafe’s and it’s been years since I had Roaring Fork’s burger. It’s too hard to pin down the absolute bests but it’s fun to try.
By Kristen
July 23, 2009 12:02 AM | Link to this
This list is a joke if Mighty Fine is on it. Their burgers are awful; I’ve never had a burger literally have no taste. Until I tried Mighty Fine.
By filmbrew
July 23, 2009 9:55 AM | Link to this
What about Jackalope or Casino El Camino, or our old friend DAN??
Come on now!!!
By Derek
July 23, 2009 10:14 AM | Link to this
The Jackalope Chipotle Bacon Cheeseburger, Casino El Camino, Mike’s Pub..nuff said
By B
July 24, 2009 7:31 AM | Link to this
Maybe take a trip and try Steve’s Place in Thorndale, TX
By Penny De Los Santos
July 27, 2009 10:20 AM | Link to this
Hamburgers are so personal especially in Texas. I think the issue will always be controversial…for many reasons. Only a 1 of my favorites was on the list.
By Dawn
August 1, 2009 3:07 PM | Link to this
Dang, I thought the Statesman was having an Austin Best Backyard Burger contest. I read something to that effect in May or June. I have been looking everywhere because you are supposed to submit the recipes in August. I guess that was a total misread of the article…
By Only ok.
August 5, 2009 4:46 PM | Link to this
I went out and got the no 2 on the list of the 50 best burgers in texas from the Counter Caf� Austin, and it was terrible- the meat was overcooked and was a really small portion, the waitress was rude, but credit to the chefs who were nice and served people at the bar. But over all i would not recommend this burger and even hold a suspicion that the reviewer was bribed….
By Robin
August 6, 2009 11:24 AM | Link to this
I, too, am skeptical about these Texas Monthly top 50 lists ever since I drove out to Bertram to try a barbeque place they recommended. Horrible food ( except for the broccoli slaw). Place has since closed.
By wonderwes
August 10, 2009 11:53 AM | Link to this
Burger Tex II is the one located near UT at 30th @ Guadalupe. Been going there for years. Burgers there are fantastic and the mentioned Bulgogi Korean burger is their specialty. P-terry’s I think is even better than In-n-Out in California.
By Melanie Letot
August 10, 2009 12:10 PM | Link to this
Little Red Wagon on 70 in Round Rock - Best Cheeseburger!
By cdl
August 10, 2009 12:33 PM | Link to this
Casino el Camino. Buffalo Burger.
By Aaron C.
August 10, 2009 2:19 PM | Link to this
The Ends Burger @ Billy’s on Burnet Fats Domino @ Hut’s
By Gary
August 13, 2009 4:23 PM | Link to this
Best all around: roaring fork best in town. tip, order bun on separate plate to prevent soggy bottom.
very good / original: NXNW burger with huntsman cheese ( mix blue and cheddar chz’s) served on a nice roll.
best greaser a.k.a bowling alley burger: Dan’s
sleeper burger: outback steakhouse! they actually grind up the prime cuts from butchering their own steaks and they are suprisingly tasty burgers.
fast food chain: whataburger, no contest.
By Sonya
August 13, 2009 10:28 PM | Link to this
Ski Shores Border burger!!
By burger woman
August 21, 2009 9:41 AM | Link to this
Try JJ’s Burgers and BBQ in Cedar Park off of 1431-their cheddar pour is fantastic!
By Despina Plain
June 22, 2011 6:03 PM | Link to this
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