The Vitals:
the spot: Texas French Bread 2900 Rio Grande Austin TX 78705
the eats: TFB Burger: 90/10 Wagyu patty, cheddar, pickles, red onion and a tangy mustard slaw + fries
the bucks: $17 w/ fries
the full nelson: Luxe burger that skips shock value toppings for classic complimentary flavors
There have been multiple renditions of the TFB Burger at Texas French Bread. I have had two in as many years and both times I have been more than happy to part with almost $20 for the burger experience. Both times I have risen from table with a degree of struggle and an even greater degree of full belly satisfaction.
No, spending $20 on a burger isn't easy but filling your belly on Wagyu beef on a hamburger bun so coveted that it is shipped to restaurants all over town . . . well that's certainly worth a worthy price tag. But what really gets me about this burger is the coleslaw . . .
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The Vitals: the spot: Carnitas El Momo 2411 Fairmount St, Los Angeles, CA 90033 the eats: Carnitas tacos the bucks: $2.50 a taco the full nelson: Carnitas so juicy and full of pure porcine flavor that you don't need salsa . . .
When it comes to great tacos, you can reinvent the wheel but you sure don't have to. Case in point: Carnitas El Momo in the historic Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles. Masters of simmering pork in lard filled copper pots for hours, Carnitas El Momo has been long considered the spot to get carnitas in Los Angeles, ever since Bill Esparza aka the Street Gourmet LA shared this find back in 2013. The internet hype train soon followed. Finally, I got my chance to see what the buzz was all about. (more…)
The Vitals: the spot: Dai Due 2406 Manor Rd. Austin TX 78722 the eats: Dry Aged Double Wagyu Burger the bucks: $20 (comes with sweet potato fries) the full nelson: the best bacon cheeseburger you never saw coming
Back when I started Bang for your Burger Buck, I was protesting the rise of $10+ burgers that didn't satisfy without a side of fries, or really, just weren't all that. I made it a point to find burgers with all the right earmarks like a brioche bun, burger patty cooked to order, caramelized onions etc, for under $10. FWIW even then I said I was open to the idea of burgers that broke the $10 bar if they offered something those contenders under $10 could not. It's been a long time coming but as late, I have found a few burgers tipping near the $20 scale, with fries that are worth your time and money. And with that let me present to you The Dai Due burger: (more…)
