June, 2024 - Ali Khan Eats

The Vitals: the spot: Reese Bros Barbecue 906 Hoefgen Ave, San Antonio, TX 78210 the eats: The Verde Burger the bucks: $13 the full nelson: A craft barbecue take on a San Antonio burger tradition

Back in 2022 I interviewed Nick Reese about a smoked burger he was doing at his eponymous barbecue restaurant. It was when I would learn about a San Antonio phenomenon called a bean burger. A San Antonio bean burger starts with patty(a beef patty mind you NOT one made of beans) that is topped with Fritos(or some corn chip), queso, refried beans and onions. Thanks to this thread on Reddit, I found eleven restaurants serving this burger but the burger phenomenon is still somewhat under wraps. Maybe this post will change all that.

Reese Bros Barbecue is legit

In this current era of fourth wave barbecue where pitmasters are craftsmen, at times with extensive culinary backgrounds, Reese Bros fits right in along with other noted San Antonio barbecue restaurants like 2M Smokehouse and Two Bros Barbecue(featured on Cheap Eats). I only tried the burger but I will definitely be back to get a big platter of meats by the pounds and sides.

The San Antonio Bean Burger by Reese Bros Barbecue

Being my first time trying a San Antonio Bean Burger, I might have peaked. With at least 10 more versions to try, my assumption might be premature, but just taking into consideration the upgrade from traditional corn chips to a tostada fried in beef tallow, Reese Brothers Barbecue ain't messing around. The patty itself is a substantial half pound of ground brisket trim, seasoned with their 2:1 black pepper to salt brisket rub. Smoked and then seared, the patty is nestled on a brioche bun, and topped with a slice of white American cheese.

Consider the toppings

Where things get really interesting are the signatures of a San Antonio Bean Burger. As mentioned, the "corn chip element" is covered with a beef tallow fried tostada. The beans are refried pinto, cooked with onions, tomato, poblano peppers and okra, which gives the bean element a stew like mouthfeel. Lastly the salsa element is covered with a "salsa doña" which reminds me of a nod to Taco Deli's creamy jalapeño salsa, though the actual source is Sonora Mexico.

A touch of Sonora

Nick Reese credits his head chef and Sonoran native, Gabe Perez for this salsa touch. It really sets the burger off. While the salsa gives the burger bite, the kick comes from an admiration for San Antonio Bean burgers both Nick and his brother Elliot grew up with. You gotta love a burger style to upgrade it to this level. Just make sure you go on a Thursday or a Friday, that's when the burger is served. Occasionally they run the burger for a special price of $10, but I'd gladly pay the full price of $13. If Cheap Eats was airing today, we would definitely hit up Reese Brothers barbecue and certify it some straight up Bang for your Burger Buck.

The Vitals: the spot: Cullum's Attaboy 111 Kings Ct, San Antonio, TX 78212 the eats: Attaboy Burger with Glacé the bucks: $16 + $5 for the glacé poured tableside the full nelson: the most decadent burger I've had in 20 years

Let me get this out of the way: I'll never take a better burger pic with big fat tire in the background then the one I took at Cullum's Attaboy. Of course I wish I could have set up the shot better but that takes away from the barebones simplicity of Cullum's Attaboy.

Sidewalk Cafe.

Located off the St. Mary's strip, Cullum's Attaboy is the finest sidewalk cafe you're gonna find in San Antonio, maybe in all of Texas. And that burger? The most decadent one I've had in 20 years.

Brunch only.

Or breakfast. Or lunch. But definitely burgers. I went in around 10am so a latte was my bev of choice but you can get saucy from champagne all the way to stiff cocktails.

Consider the escargot.

A rare sight these days, snails might not seem like the perfect set up for a burger, let alone brunch. But you need to acknowledge that Cullum's Attaboy is more Paris Bistro than San Antonio Diner. Christopher Cullum is a self taught chef(and 2024 James Beard finalist) but his skill set is a blessing for any francophile who covets a perfect omelette or steak au poivre.

And now the burger.

You have two options when it comes to the burger at Cullum's Attaboy: Brunch or Lunch. Non negotiable is the house made double egg wash bun that one could call brioche but Chef Cullum won't because "it sounds too fancy for my tastes". Another non negotiable include is the six ounce Wagyu patty from Peeler Farms in Floresville TX along with a slice of gruyere cheese. From there you can go the brunch direction and saddle up with some breakfast potatoes, and top your burger with a breakfast aioli and an egg. Or go lunch and stick with their classic homemade aioli, a slice of raw white onion and get fries. There are also add ons like bacon and egg for lunch along with hollandaise(brunch). But there is only one add on for me.

Get the glacé

Similar to a demi glace but cooked much longer, the dramatic presentation of being poured tableside is warranted for two reasons. One, you're gonna want to start digging into the burger once this delicious brown viscous sauce has been poured on. The second reason is that the glacé takes between three and four days to make, so take a moment and let that sink in. From roasting bones to the hours of simmering, the toil that goes into this sauce is exactly why Cullum's Attaboy makes the most decadent burger I've had since I first tried the legendary Father's Office burger back in 2001. And the fries are banging too. That's the lesson for today folks. Get yourself to San Antonio for one of the best burgers in the country.

The best food in Austin Texas: May 2024

20 course sushi dinners, Filipino fusion food trucks, a bonafide Cheap Eats Austin find and a stalwart Vietnamese Austin classic . . . all add up to the best food in Austin that fed me right in May 2024.

The Vitals: the spot: Saigon on 7th 2601 E 7th street unit 101 Austin, TX 78702 the eats: Mango Salad the bucks: $9 the full nelson: Famed Vietnamese food truck turned brick and mortar still delivers in 2024 Summer is in full swing in Austin. The era of two shower days hath begun. How does one find relief outside of a dip in the pool or vacation plans to flee north(I see you Austinites flocking to Maine!). How about a tangy, Umami soaked mango and papaya salad studded with shrimp? The dish is equal parts refreshing and hearty and totally his the spot during the "warmer" months. My favorite thing about Saigon on 7th is that it is just as good as it was when it was a food trailer with a different name: Saigon Le Vendeur. Back in 2021 I was floored by their Bahn Mi sandwich which also hits the spot during the dogs days of summer.

The Vitals: the spot: Yummi Tacos & More 12518 Research Blvd, Austin, TX 78759 the eats: "The Sunny Side Burger" - A bulgogi burger with marinated beef, cheese, spicy mayo and a fried egg the bucks: $9.50 with fries and drink the full nelson: a classic Cheap Eats find in 2024!

There isn't a lot more I can say about this Korean BBQ fusion cheeseburger that I haven't said already in my last post. I mean it's a solid meaty and unique burger that comes with fries and a bev for under $10. In 2024 in Austin, that is nothing short of a miracle. The best part of about Yummi Tacos and More is that it is catered to feed the blue collar working class folks that I have always championed when it comes to citing great food. Keep it real and get yourself here. This is the kind of place Austin needs to keep going and is a clear standout among standouts when it comes to the category of best food in Austin.

The Vitals: the spot: Pogi ATX 1700 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702 the eats: Sisig Tacos the bucks: $14 for two the full nelson: Chef Driven Filipino food truck where tacos are just the tip of the iceberg

Much like Yummi Tacos and More, my recent post about Pogi ATX pretty sums up all you need to know. As soon as I took a bite of their sisig taco, I knew these chefs has a lot more to offer than a Filipino taco fix, which in itself makes a case for making the list of best food in Austin. What Gino Vidal and Jerry Moreno could do beyond the confines of a food trailer gives me chills but for now I eagerly look forward to trying out the rest of the menu at Pogi which includes Filipino fusion takes on smash burgers and Nashville hot chicken sandwiches.

The Vitals: the spot: Endo 609 W. 29th st Austin TX 78705 the eats: 20 course Omakase sushi the bucks: $$$$ the full nelson: An intimate sushi splurge with the pedigree of a Michelin star. Cheaper than a flight to Japan but expect an airfare sized tab

My 20 course omakase sushi experience deserves a stand alone post where I can explain how a $300 a person meal(all in with drinks) is indeed worth it when you are able to commit to that kind of investment. If you love sushi and have ever been to Japan, you might want to consider just how good it can get here in the US. Chef Endo Yasuhiro doesn't just carry the resumé and the skills, he is also a sheer delight to be around. The service is really tuned to make for a memorable experience. And at these prices they should. All I can say is I have been to Japan and for the first time since I was there, I felt closest to being back. His former restaurant, Sushi Nakazawa earned a Michelin star. This certainly feels like a Michelin worthy meal.

Skip to video

A good bulgogi burger in Austin is hard to find. I never went but people did sing the praises of Burger Tex(RIP) and Chilantro is known to add one to the menu every now and again. Well there is a Bulgogi Burger in Austin served all the time, at Yummi Tacos and More in North Austin.

Strip Mall Chic

Back in the day when I was writing my Bang for your Burger Buck series for LA TACO, I found more than a few great burgers at strip malls. So when I pulled up to Yummi Tacos and More in north Austin, I got all the feels.

Yummi Taco and More serving up a Bulgogi Burger in Austin

Bulgogi Burger in Austin with breakfast vibes

Contrary to the laundry list of ingredients in the Sunny Side Bulgogi Burger, finishing off this burger is a more than approachable feat. The burger holds up well, even with the addition of the fried egg. I was surprised at how balanced the burger is. The biggest kicker of this Bulgogi Burger in Austin is the freaking price tag. $9.50 for the burger, fries and drink. That's back in the day Cheap Eats prices folks. Time to bookmark Yummi Tacos and More for what is likely the most affordable Bulgogi Burger in Austin.

Video

https://www.tiktok.com/@alikhaneats/video/7378139626424306990

The next time I go to Pogi ATX I won't be getting the Sisig Tacos. Sure, within hours of finding out the tangy and spicy pork belly dish was served in taco form I was eating there. But that's before I took in the whole menu. Smashburgers, Hot Chicken sandwiches and Lumpia(the Philippines answer to the egg roll) all tempt my appetite. And the options only expand if I bring a friend or two and crush the whole menu. The prices and portions are just reasonable enough to warrant that kind of ambitious excess.

This food truck is all about Filipino comfort food

Which isn't to say chefs Gino Vidal and Jerry Moreno aren't exactly that: chefs. Hailing from the San Antonio food scene with nearly two decades of experience under their belt, the food they serve at Pogi ATX speaks to Filipino food culture, San Antonio food culture and a well thought out experience for the palate.

Sisig Tacos

Anthony Bourdain once said Sisig is the Filipino dish that will win your heart. He was right. Thats what happened the first time I had it. The second thing that happened was I put it in a tortilla. So naturally I was fired up to try the Sisig tacos at Pogi ATX. The toppings on this taco are just as important as the tangy and hearty pork belly that serves as the star of the dish. The Thai Chili Slaw adds a crunchy dimension. The pickled red onions bring in acidity. And the Serrano Crema smartly adds heat without doubling down on the sour from the pickled onions or the dressing in the slaw.

High hopes on four wheels.

That's how I feel about taking on the rest of the menu at Pogi ATX, especially the smashed burger(surprise!). Part of the charm of Pogi ATX is, like Sisig, it's great food when you are drinking, which is why they are parked at a bar. But you know what? I ate these tacos stone cold sober and I'm hooked. Pogi ATX has one of the most addictive new tacos in Austin. And the food truck is adding some much needed representation for Filipino food in Austin TX. This is an exciting find and should be part of your regular food truck rotation.