The best burgers of Fort Worth TX

One year ago I decided to drive up to Fort Worth Texas and eat 10 burgers in like 30 hours. Why? Well if I'm going to do a list of the Best Burgers of Fort Worth, I should put in the work. But the real work was shared on this Reddit thread which served as my dining guide. So a shoutout to net neutrality for shattering the gatekeepers put knowledge back into the hands of the people. Ok, now back to this list of the Best Burgers in Fort Worth, ranked in order:

#6 Pearl Snap Kolaches (closed)

The Vitals: the spot: Pearl Snap Kolaches the eats: Jalapeno Popper Burger the bucks: $ the full nelson: Kolache bun burgers

Sadly Pearl Snap Kolaches has since closed in the year since I traveled in search of the best burgers in Fort Worth. What drew me to Pearl Snap was the Kolache dough used to make a hamburger bun. Picture something close to a King's Hawaiian bun. The patties weren't too impressive, hence the ranking but the Jalapeño popper burger is a genius idea. And that's why I decided to make my own version on the grill. Check out that recipe here.

#5 Fuego Burger

The Vitals: the spot: Fuego Burger  4400 Benbrook Blvd #108, Fort Worth, TX 76116 the eats: Fuego Burger(cheese skirt burger) the bucks: $$ the full nelson: All about the crisp ring of cheese

 If you’re looking to get your TexMex Burger Fix, listen to Reddit and get yourself to Fuego. The signature to this burger is the copious amounts of cheese, a mix of Monterrey Jack and Cheddar, that drapes the burger and fries to crisp on the grill, forming a halo of cheese.

The meat is cooked medium which throws some ppl off but not yours truly. The bun is a little sweet for me, even with the roasted green chilis that are imported from Mexico. And it's a little pricey which is why Fuego Burger isn't an inferno and sits at #5 on the list of Best Burgers of Fort Worth.

#4 Charley's Old Fashioned Hamburgers

The Vitals: the spot:Charley's Old Fashioned Hamburgers 4616 Granbury Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76133 the eats: Fwhatever burger you feel like  the bucks: $ the full nelson: A basic hamburger stand you don't see too often any more Charley's Old Fashioned Hamburgers is a simple burger stand you just don't see that much anymore. The burgers are a step above fast food but that's not to say they don't scratch the itch. So why did I include this place in a list of Best Burgers of Fort Worth? The owners. Deborah Hill started this burger joint in 1991 and over the years her whole family, all the way down to her grandkids have all worked here. The prices and the portions are fair. It's an honest burger stand and you gotta remember that a burger is a cherished food of the working class. The Hill family knows this. They are the salt of the earth, and that's why Charley's Old Fashioned Hamburgers is one of the best burgers in Fort Worth.

#3 Dayne's Craft BBQ

The Vitals: the spot: Dayne's Craft Barbecue 100 S Front St, Aledo, TX 76008 the eats: the smashed burger the bucks: $$ the full nelson: A smashed burger gem at a top Texas BBQ joint Dayne Weaver is one of the coolest friendliest dudes in the Texas BBQ scene and that's saying something. His BBQ joint blew up and took him to a fancy brick and mortar just outside of Fort Worth to Aledo TX. Dayne' told me his customers would turn his BBQ joint into a burger joint which is why he only serves it on Thursdays. I'll just say this: yes, it tastes as good as it looks.

#2 M&O Station Grille

The Vitals: the spot: M&O Station Grill 200 Carroll St Ste 110, Fort Worth, TX 76107 the eats: the Greek Feta Burger the bucks: $$ the full nelson: A Greek Feta Burger??? Yes, and you have to try it! Chef Daniel Badillo is exactly that, a chef. And he has decades of experience working the restaurant industry including fine dining. His command of various culinary styles was probably how I ended up trying the Greek Feta Burger. On paper, it's unusual but here I am a year later . . . still craving it. I tried four burgers here and they were all great. Excellent quality beef patties, a generous serving and killer buns make for a great canvas for the many burger iterations they come up with. You can't go wrong coming to M&O. Just make sure you bring a friend and try more than one burger.

#1 Kincaid's Hamburgers

The Vitals: the spot: Kincaid's Hamburgers multiple locations in Fort Worth, tested at the Camp Bowie location the eats: Cheeseburger the bucks: $7 the full nelson: The most quintessential Texas Burger I have ever tried I love the burger at Kincaid's. So much so that I dedicated a whole post to what I strongly believe is the best burger in Fort Worth and the most quintessential Texas style burger. Anchored in simplicity, quality and value, the half pound patty seasoned only with salt, cooked to a juicy medium/medium well is why this burger joint has been going strong nor nearly 70 years. For anyone who thinks Whataburger is the last word on burgers in Texas clearly hasn't come here. And PS - you dont even need cheese. I went with lettuce, tomato and onion cut thin from a deli slicer, some Best Maid Pickles(available nationwide but from Fort Worth) and some straight up yellow mustard. I never get my burgers this way but it's a Texas style topping move and it works when the beef is as good as it is at Kincaid's. When it comes to looking for the best burgers in Fort Worth, Kincaid's is the G.O.A.T.  

The best food in Austin Texas: February 2025

The Vitals: the spot:Mum Food's Smokehouse and Delicatessen 5811 Manor Road, Austin, Texas 78723 the eats: Smoked Burger the bucks: $15 the full nelson: The new best smoked burger in town A month ago I would have told you that the smoked burger at LeRoy and Lewis is not only the best smoked burger in town but easily the burger I would call some of the best food in Austin. That has changed. The Oak Smoked Burger at Mum Foods Smokehouse and Delicatessen features an 8oz oak smoked patty, with oak smoked poblano peppers, oak smoked poblano aioli and swiss cheese. Yeah, there's a lot of smoke happening but that ain't all. The burger is cooked to a near flawless medium rare and scratches a burger itch that makes Smashed Burgers hit like Happy Meals. Check in with me next month for any updates but for now, this burger is king of Austin.   The Vitals: the spot: Handsome Dan's 979 Springdale Rd #124, Austin, TX 78702 the eats: The Italian, The Tuna Melt, The Cubano, Roast Beef n Cheddar the bucks: $12 the full nelson: New sandwich joint in East Austin aiming to win ppl over with decent bang for your buck sandwiches. Handsome Dan's is a new sandwich spot in Austin and my most recent post. The sandwich only menu plus bodega meets bar vibe makes it a comfort food pic for lunch or an afternoon beer hang. I'll be straight up here: Handsome Dan's doesn't serve the best sandwich in town, even though I have a soft spot for the Cubano and especially the Italian. I put Handsome Dan's on my list of Best food in Austin because they have the audacity to offer some value. Every sandwich on the menu is $12 and comes with a bag of chips. The other day I took my kid to Raising Cane's and I paid $17 for his combo meal alone. In some cases like the Italian, I could split the sandwich if I'm looking for a slightly less indulgent lunch. The sandwiches at Handsome Dan's aren't the size of my arm like some sandwiches you find on the East Coast but they wont' cost you an arm or a leg either.   The Vitals: the spot: Perry's Steakhouse locations across the US, tested in Austin TX the eats: Perry's famous Pork Chop, Wagyu flight, Hoghattan, Chocolate Jubilee Cake the bucks: $$$ the full nelson: The most famous Pork Chop in Texas I came to Perry's Steakhouse on a mission to try the Famous Pork Chop. And while that mission was accomplished, I walked away more impressed with Perry's Akaushi Wagyu flight. Slightly more expensive than the sandwich at Handsome Dan's, Perry's blew me away with a steak experience that gave my grilling ego a moment for reflection. The quality of beef they use is far and way more flavorful and more marbled than any USDA Prime steak you might be eyeing at the supermarket. I even walked away with a bottle of their house steak rub. Next month I will be deep into some R&D at Casa Khan for my Copycat Perry's Steakhouse version. The Vitals: the spot: Top Roe 120 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78701 the eats: Hand Rolls, Izakaya at the bar the bucks: $$-$$$ the full nelson: Come for the Hand rolls but come back for the Matcha Pot De Creme Pot de Creme is a French custard, a first cousin to Creme Brulee. The silky texture makes it one of the most luxurious desserts one can have from the perspective of pure mouth feel. Chocolate Pot De Creme was the creme de la creme for me . . . that is until I tried this Matcha Pot De Creme. Now you might notice the addition of caviar which while audacious wasn't too off the mark considering I had this at Top Roe: a sushi hand roll specialist and Japanese Izakaya. Does caviar and custard belong together? I'll answer that with this: the Matcha Pot de Creme at Top Roe is my front runner for dessert of the year. Not bad for the shortest month of the year. Let's how the line up goes for the Best Food in Austin at the end of March.

The Vitals: the spot: Handsome Dan's 979 Springdale Rd #124, Austin, TX 78702 the eats: The Italian, The Tuna Melt, The Cubano, Roast Beef n Cheddar the bucks: $12 the full nelson: New sandwich joint in East Austin aiming to win ppl over with decent bang for your buck sandwiches.

Can Austin become a sandwich town?

It seems like a flurry of sandwich places have opened in Austin over the last year. Or maybe that's just me looking at places I can actually afford to go out to. On paper, a $17 sandwich with zero ingredients made on site would be absurd. But it was also one of the best things I ate last year. So how about a sandwich for $12 that comes with a bag of chips?

A sandwich line up homage to the country

I tried 5 of the 7 sandwiches at Handsome Dan's which seems to acknowledge different regional offerings found across the country. The Cubano is a nod to Miami/Florida's Cuban food scene. The Italian screams East Coast. The other offerings might appear a bit vague like a grilled cheese or Roast Beef and Cheddar, but they aren't exactly unwelcomed additions to a varied sandwich menu.

My fav sandwich: The Italian

With cold cuts from Boar's Head and bread from New World Bakery, I wouldn't call this sandwich high end but a decent cold cut sando doesn't have to be. Granted we were invited to the media opening so chances are the fellas at Handsome Dan's was on their A game, but the sandwich was built quite well. Meaty, well layered and an all around dressed to deliver drippingly good sando, The Italian surprised me with solid sandwich build execution.

My Second Fav: The roast beef n cheddar

Located above in the top right, the roast beef sando hit hard. The combo of the horseradish, red onion and medium rare roast beef was what a roast beef sandwich should be. While not as meaty as the Italian, the sandwich was still well composed.

A photo finish for third: The Cubano

I was most excited to try the Cubano at Handsome Dan's. It was a cold day in Austin(rare but it happens) and the idea of a pressed meat on meat sandwich sounded about right. I'm not gonna tell you this sandwich will rethink your next trip to the 305 however. Even if doesn't compare to something like Sanguich de Miami, it was a hearty enough sandwich to push it to the #3 slot.

Respect the Tuna Melt

I used to covet Tuna Melts back in college. Whether I was making them at home or hitting up some late night coffee shop or diner, a good tuna melt is a damn good sandwich. I did like the tuna salad at Handsome Dan's - the dressing had a pleasant tang but I could have used more of it. This was one sandwich I could easily finish and be hungry for more. I also tried the grilled cheese and it didn't move the needle for me. Personally I think grilled cheese is pretty easy to make at home and just don't see the value in outsourcing the sandwich. Now if they served this with a mean bowl of tomato basil soup, that might change my mind.

The last word

The best thing Handsome Dan's is offering is some value as far as dining out goes in Austin 2025. Every sandwich is $12, comes with a bag of chips and I think the team here did some decent research on the menu. The sandwiches aren't as big as my arm but they won't cost you and arm and a leg. I'll be interested to see if they can keep up the price point. For now though I commend them for thinking about value.

The Vitals: the spot: Cheesecake Factory locations nationwide & Canada the eats: Cheeseburger Slider, Chicken Madeira, Espresso Martini the bucks: $$ the full nelson: a burger slider worth going to an indoor mall for

Have I jumped the shark in writing a review about Cheesecake Factory?

Maybe. Since I'm spending my time reviewing a restaurant that many people already know one could say my time could be put to use elsewhere. Like waxing poetic about the epic BBQ scene in the Panhandle of Texas or even an excellent independent Smashed burger joint in my hometown of St. Louis MO. But believe me: if you are a burger lover and have not tried the cheeseburger sliders at Cheesecake Factory . . . you are missing out.

It's all about the sliders(mini burgers) at Cheesecake factory.

Celebrated burger expert George Motz signs off on the greatness of these sliders. Turns out that the CEO of Cheesecake factory is from Detroit and grew up going to Greene's Hamburgers where they make one mean slider. He had to have a great one served at Cheesecake Factory and being a CEO, he made that shit HAPPEN.

Why the Slider is so damn good

They keep it simple. Smashed patty, plus some caramelized onions, pickles, ketchup and of course some American cheese. The beef is fresh and the little brioche buns are soft and also fresh. It's not rocket science, just a simple tasty burger done right. Personally I think the buns are where it's at. I don't want to know the calorie count but they are equal parts butter bomb to the smashed beef patty.

Also, alcohol helps

So the real reason I went to Cheesecake Factory is because my son wanted to go with a friend from school. Yes, my preteen(now a full teen) wanted to go to the mall and eat at Cheesecake Factory. I was enamored with the idea. And even more so because we went for Sunday Brunch and I realized an Espresso Martini was/is the perfect Boozy Brunch drink besides a Bloody Mary.

And I had to try the famous Chicken Madeira

Loyal devotees of Cheesecake Factory seem to love the Chicken Madeira. The pan sauce soaked chicken entree reminded me of eating Chicken Marsala at Italian joints in the 1990s. Both dishes involve a fortified wine making a rich brown sauce to liven up chicken breast, which needs all the fortified wine it can get. This was like a dish you get at a wedding and actually enjoy. I didn't mind it at all but I also was running on two Espresso Martinis at that point.

All that really matters

Is getting these delish sliders at Cheesecake Factory. For all the nostalgia one can have for White Castle, that food is borderline North Korean army rations. The cheeseburger sliders at Cheesecake Factory however, are like what White Castle would be if they came to Japan, where they instantly improve everything. 10 out of 10 I would get these sliders again and probably wash them down with at least one Espresso Martini. Ideally you do this at an indoor mall. And . . . you're welcome.

The Vitals: the spot: Top Roe 120 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78701 the eats: Hand Rolls, Izakaya at the bar the bucks: $$-$$$ the full nelson: If you crave a really good hand roll . . . 

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Top Roe.

I can't help but thinking about the movie Top Gun while beginning to write about Top Roe. Maybe the brash Pro Military Reagan era movie will forever allude to anything close to resembling its name in my mind. But I feel that, much like the main characters in the movie, there is some confidence brewing here. And that helps when you consider the landscape of opening a restaurant in downtown Austin in 2025. I can bemoan menu prices all day. And so can restaurateurs who might have a thing or two to say about rent prices. Add to that the flurry of omakase places that have opened in Austin for the money is no object Tesla cybertruck crowd, one might thing Top Roe is exclusive for Tech Bro Top Dogs. Except it's not. [caption id="attachment_17732" align="aligncenter" width="580"] Top Roe bar seating. Photo by Robert Lerma[/caption] [caption id="attachment_17733" align="aligncenter" width="580"] Plated Sashimi. Photo by Robert Lerma[/caption]

Swanky digs. Swanky Sashimi.

The interior of Top Roe is swanky as one might suspect. But the sashimi is equally swank. And that's not just the plating. Once you walk in, you will see a slabs of tuna being dry aged in a refrigerator in a glass door. Top Roe isn't the only place in town that walks this extra mile but I can honestly say I did taste the fruits of their labor. While cut from a different cloth, the overall quality of aged tuna here took me back to my visit to Miami's Itamae, currently a semifinalist for the 2025 James Beard Awards.

A hand roll experience but with some add ons

When you go to Top Roe, there are two dining options. One is an Izakaya experience available in the dining room where one can enjoy a Japanese tapas experience(think small shareable plates). Then there is the handroll experience which is served only at the bar. As guests of the restaurant, we were treated to some extras beyond the handroll experience. The bluefin sashimi was what one should expect. Pristine seafood, dressed perfectly in an aged soy sauce. The blue crab dip with smoked crab roe and house made chips, which is normally served at the Izakaya was the blingy version of chips and dip one might imagine to find at Super Bowl party hosted by a VC founder. In either case, connections bring one a certain degree of joy.

A breakdown of the Handrolls

The price of a swank restaurant is lighting that sets the mood but not so much ideal photography on an iPhone 12. While I might be debating an upgrade on a phone, I can't imagine upgrading the quality of the nori(seaweed) of these handrolls. Biting into a hand roll has the audible sensation of watching an ASMR biting into an apple video. SO DAMN CRISP. Pictured above are the tuna, blue crab and lobster hand rolls, in that order. You might notice that the rolls aren't twisted into a cone. This is apparently how they are traditionally done. The blue crab at Top Roe is top notch and I could see myself getting seconds on that. I'd also add that if you are a lobster roll fan, you might want to try the Sweet Maine lobster hand roll at Top Roe. Rice doesn't scratch the same itch as bread but sweet butter lobster is still sweet buttery lobster, despite the vessel.

Front runner for best dessert of 2025

I love Pot De Creme. Typically it's done with chocolate but matcha makes a compelling case too. Like the whole meal itself, the caviar is a flex but it isn't what the castle is built on. An across the board baseline of great ingredients and technique are the driving forces at Top Roe. More important though is the opportunity to experience this with a reasonable starting price point. A set of five hand rolls(minus add ons like Caviar or Uni) is $45 which ain't too bad especially when considering the quality an execution. If you have a thing for hand rolls or are all curious about what a top dessert of 2025 could be, I suggest you take a trip to Top Roe. And unlike Top Gun, the only thing standing in your way is booking a reservation.

The Vitals: the spot: Perry's Steakhouse locations across the US, tested in Austin TX the eats: Perry's famous Pork Chop, Wagyu flight, Hoghattan, Chocolate Jubilee Cake the bucks: $$$ the full nelson: The most famous Pork Chop in Texas

Check out the video here

The most famous Pork Chop in Texas

Is at Perry's Steakhouse. What started as a meat market in Houston decades ago has grown into a premium steakhouse chain with locations in seven states, and big cities like Chicago and Miami. I've wanted to try this famous pork chop for years. And I recently got my chance.

The perfect Pork chop cocktail: The Hoghattan

The best pairing for Perry's Steakhouse famous pork chop shockingly isn't the applesauce. It is in fact the "Hoghattan" which their version of a Manhattan. The drink features WhistlePig PiggyBack 6-year-old rye and sweet vermouth, a rim with brown sugar and Perry's Signature Homemade Barbecue Sauce. The real kicker is the skewer of Perry's Famous Pork Chop Bites and Luxardo cherries. This is a drink that could keep me rolling at a cocktail party into the wee hours. Think of it as a more manageable Bloody Mary with a meat straw.

The main event: Perry's Steakhouse famous Pork Chop

As much as the size is the draw; the chop is famously measured by being "seven fingers thick, the carving of the chop is a spectacle to behold. The server carves the enormous chop into three portions: The "lash", the "eye" and the ribs. Much like a ribeye, there are three textural experiences to be had. The Pork Chop has a long and complex cooking process that includes, curing, smoking, and roasting. This makes the exterior cut, known as the "lash" a focal point for the flavor. You might be fighting over last bites from that part of the cut. And please eat the ribs with your hands. In someways the experience of eating Perry's Steakhouse famous pork chop is an intersection of BBQ and steakhouse. Oh and speaking of steak . . .

Perry's Steakhouse Akaushi Wagyu flight

It would be a missed opportunity to come to a steakhouse and not try steak right? Well the team at Perry's Steakhouse, who did treat us to this experience, made sure we did try some of their beefy offerings. I'll be blunt: I can make good steak at home but this is worth going out for. As much as Perry's Steakhouse Famous Pork Chop is a deal at $49. The steak flight is worth it. Priced at $100, it is a splurge but you're getting a great balance of quality and quantity. As much as I love the idea of eating a huge steak, I'm usually well sated with a boneless 16 oz serving. Nine ounces is certainly less of course but this beef is finished in beef tallow. And there is something to be said about not stuffing yourself. And the rub they use will haunt your dreams. I took some home that night.

The big send off: The Chocolate Jubilee Cake

In true classic steakhouse fashion, Perry's Steakhouse offers an over the top sweet for a closer. The Chocolate Jubilee Cake has a flaming sauce made tableside and gets poured over an enormous slice of Chocolate Blackout cake. And I still have leftovers in my fridge. There is a Prime Rib deal I have my eye on as well. And a lunch version of the pork chop is a bang for buck deal on Fridays at only $19. But that steak flight was what won me over. It's a birthday steak dinner in my mind. But since I will have to wait a few months till then, I'll be drilling through the Perry's Steakhouse rub and making my own HEB steak flights till then.

Video

The Vitals: the spot: Raising Cane's locations throughout US the eats: Chicken  the bucks: $1.81 per chicken strip the full nelson: the sauce lives up to the hype but is Fast Food still worth it in 2025?

First Impressions on Raising Cane's

My son recently caught the bug for Raising Cane's. When it comes to food I like to think we have been raising him "right" meaning introducing him to diverse range of foods and emphasizing chef driven food, local sourcing . . . yada yada yada.

He is also a 13 year old boy.

And that means he is gonna get a taste for fast food. Enter Raising Cane's, the fast food chicken finger chain which started in Louisiana. Cane's is a relative newcomer to the fast food game. When it started in 1996, I was in college. Unlike my college career, Cane's took off and does like a $1 billion in revenue.

But is it any good?

In the moment I found it pleasant enough. In retrospect it's easier to analyze the Raising Cane's experience with a little more scrutiny. The chicken was juicy although noticeably underseasoned. The Cane's sauce is legit delicious. In fact I know two chefs who sought out to remake Cane's sauce for their popular burgers. But there is a drawback: the price.

Raising Cane's is expensive.

My kid's combo meal was like $12. That came with fries, bread, coleslaw, a drink and four Chicken fingers. It's chicken breast, I'll give you that but I'll bet money it's commodity poultry. The frozen crinkle cut fries were plentiful and not surprisingly overcooked. There was a large piece of bread too, which struck me as unnecessary, and a little coleslaw. The drink was almost too large. Overall this combo is loaded with carbs, light on protein and generous with sugary beverage. Suddenly the idea of RFK in charge of our nation's health doesn't seem so preposterous. This meal is exactly why we have a population struggling with type 2 diabetes. Look, I ain't gonna yuck your yum if this is your thing and no one said you need to eat this way every day. But the cost for this meal should raise an eyebrow. As a little family of three, the idea of forking over almost $40 for three Raising Cane's combos is silly to put it mildly. It really makes me pause and ask this question: is fast food worth it in 2025? I can think of a few fast food exceptions but I'll gladly begin my recipe hack experiments for making my own Raising Cane's sauce and making my own chicken fingers at home. I'm not a total savage though. If my kid wants it(and he is thin as a rail) I'll get him some Raising Cane's here and there. Still I would ask you all this: is fast food worth it in 2025?      

The best food in Austin Texas: January 2025

The Vitals: the spot:1618 Asian Fusion 1618 E Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78741 the eats: Beef Rib + Filet Mignon Pho the bucks: $26 the full nelson: go where no Pho has gone before 1618 Asian Fusion might not sound like the place to break barriers when it comes to Pho. First off they serve Dim Sum, Singaporean dishes and a slew of other pan Asian greatest hits that make one ponder the idea that 1618 Asian Fusion is a jack of all trades, master of none. Then the Beef Rib and Filet Mignon Pho hits your table. The broh is poured table side a metal kettle. The raw egg is dropped. Are we getting a tableside Caesar? No, but you are getting a giant beef rib plus filet mignon up in your pho. The grandest soup of the list is worthy any time of year but why not make your Dry January a little wet with a splash of splashy pho. The Vitals: the spot: Julie's Noodles 8557 Research Blvd #110 Austin TX 75758 the eats: Spicy Beef Stew the bucks: $15  the full nelson: a Father & Son tradition that's served in a bowl When I first took my son to Julie's Noodles I would have no idea it would become one of his all time favorite places. There are times where I wish he would get over the chopped pork noodle soup and explore the rest of the menu, let alone other restaurants, but I'm grateful that we have "our place". And it's a bonus that Julie's Noodles happens to serve some of the best food in Austin. Beyond his spare rib spiked noodle soup, yours truly is totally gaga for the Spicy Beef stew which could feed an army or at least two to three hungry adults. The slivers of soft potato and glass noodles really hit all the hearty stew on a cold day notes. The Vitals: the spot: Ramen Del Barrio 1700 W. Parmer Lane Austin TX 78727 the eats: Carnitas Tonkotsu the bucks: $16 the full nelson: Mexico meets Japan in a Ramen Bowl Tonkotsu, the milky pork ramen broth is perfect eating on a cold winter day. What could make it better? How about the feeling of a little extra heat. The charred chile toreado in Christopher Krisinky's Mexican take on Ramen shows that the fusion of Mexican and Japanese in ramen is something that was meant to be, in Austin at least. Don't skip the yakitori tacos but given the cold weather as of late, Carnitas Ramen could the ultimate best food in Austin, at least till the cold spell ends. The Vitals: the spot: Mum Foods 5811 Manor Rd. Austin TX 78723 the eats: Matzo Ball Soup  the bucks: $10 the full nelson: matzo ball soup that would stand tall in any delicatessen in the country Mum Foods has made waves since opening a brick and mortar in late 2022. A James Beard nomination and a Michelin Guide recommendation should tell you all you need to know: this Texas BBQ meets Jewish Delicatessen is a total gem and easily serves up some of the best food in Austin. While pastrami sandwiches and the Texas Trinity steal the spotlight, let's shed some light on the Matzo ball soup. First off, where else are you even getting Matzo Ball soup in Austin, let alone Texas? Exactly. Just like the BBQ, everything about this soup screams craft. Pros get a cup and half a pastrami sandwich but in the chilly months only a full bowl will do. The Vitals: the spot: Vic n Al's 2406 Manor Rd D, Austin, TX 78722 the eats: Gumbo the bucks: $8 the full nelson: a gumbo that should impress die hard Cajun foodies Super dark roux? Check. Perfectly cooked rice? Check. The right amount of heat and proper andouille sausage? Check. It's remarkable how good the gumbo is at Vic and Al's until you find out Chef Nick Patrizi is from east Texas which is, you know, like next to Louisiana. Across the board this restaurant has a great menu with reasonably priced dishes and reasonably priced excellent cocktails. Even if I wasn't so gung ho about the best food in Austin being in served in a bowl, Vic n Al's would make my list.    

Scroll down for recipe here

“A good burger is a messy burger”

-Arnie Tex

Ever notice how a burger grilled in your backyard satisfies a craving like no restaurant can? Something about the smell of the coals, a cooler of beer and the fact that you might get "seconds" on a burger make my mouth water. And it's way cheaper than going out for burgers these days. My pal ArnieTex, who is one of my favorite stars on YouTube, shared a burger recipe that's perfect for your next backyard burger fest. The award winning BBQ Pitmaster walked me through how to grind my own burger patty, smoke it and then load it up like a classic Texas style burger. Here is how you make it in pictures- (step by step recipe here)

Step 1: step up and grind your own beef.

You will need a meat grinder. ArnieTex recommends this one. I used a KitchenAid meat grinder that attaches to a KitchenAid Stand Mixer. If you already have a KitchenAid Stand Mixer, it's a reasonable investment. Be sure to place the grinder attachment in the freezer for a few hours to overnight. And you will want to chill the cubes of Beef Chuck Roast for 30 minutes before grinding to prevent sticking.

Cook that burger patty low n slow

I set up my grill for 250 degrees and smoked the patty till it hit a temp of 125 degrees. The flavor comes from the wood, specifically mesquite which is ArnieTex's preference. I used wood chips and mesquite charcoal. Seasoning wise, I used his Brisket rub which was perfect for a smoked burger or any backyard burger recipe.

Build the burger starting at the bottom.

Even with a big burger bun like Mrs Baird's which is 5" in diameter, you are gonna want to be smart when you build this burger. Shredded lettuce and salted tomato belong down low to prevent slippage. Use the yellow mustard on the top bun to keep the sauteed onion and jalapeños in place. I forgot the pickle but it belongs up top too. Oh and after you smoke the burger, sear it off in the same pan you toasted the bun and sauteed the jalapeño/onion. And let it rest on a wire rack. You could add cheese but this burger doesn't need it. The beef is the star of the show, as long as you step up and grind your own beef. It's the ArnieTex way!!

BBQ Burger Recipe by Arnie Tex

Ingredients:

• 1 Beef Chuck Roast(cut into 1.5"-2" cubes, placed in freezer for 30 minutes on baking sheet)
• ArnieTex BBQ Brisket Seasoning(click here to buy)
• Mrs. Baird Buns or a hamburger bun with a 5" diameter
• Iceberg lettuce(shredded aka shrettuce)
• Sliced Beefsteak tomato, salted for 15 minutes
• Best Maid Pickles
• Yellow mustard of your choice
• diced white onion(1/4 cup per burger)
• Sliced Jalapeno
• Salt and Pepper
• Cooking oil
• Mayonnaisse

Equipment:

• Grill
• Cast iron skillet(click to buy)
• Stand Mixer with meat grinder attachment or this meat grinder
• Digital food scale(I use this one)

Steps

• Place meat grinder attachment in freezer overnight or a couple hours in advance.
• Grind beef, forming a 7oz patty
• Prepare a grill to smoke at 250 degrees, salt the sliced tomato
• Place in in grill and cook till an internal temp of 115-125 degrees(125=Medium), while the burger patty smokes proceed to steps 4 & 5
• heat a cast iron pan with cooking oil over medium heat, add chopped onion and sliced jalapeño, season with S&P and saute till lightly caramelized
• Spread mayonnaise on hamburger bun and toast for a few minutes in the cast iron pan
• remove burger patty from grill and sear in cast iron pan, rest on wire rack while you add toppings to burger
• Layer bottom bun with shredded lettuce, tomato and the burger patty
• Spread yellow mustard on top bun, add sauteed onion and jalapenos, then pickles, place top bun on top of burger
• Keep some napkins handy and enjoy!

 

The Vitals: the spot: Larry's Chili Dog 3122 W Burbank Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505 the eats: Breakast Burrito the bucks: $9.85 the full nelson: The sleeper Breakfast Burrito spot in Burbank

Before we begin: some thoughts on LA and the rough start to 2025

Want to know something f*cked up? I was gonna start 2025 posting about New Orleans restaurants because A) I just went there in early December and B) the horrifying events of New Years made me want spend some time showing love to NOLA because its the greatest food city in America IMO. Then LA caught fire. As I type this I have at least half a dozen friends who have had to evacuate their homes. What a rough start to 2025. But LA will survive this and while they fight the fires, I will remind people but one of the many things that makes LA delicious: Breakfast Burritos.

Larry's Chili Dog of Burbank has an epic breakfast burrito

But you might not know that from the signage. It seems all signs point to Larry's Chili Dog of Burbank being a place for . . . chili dogs. Located just north of LA proper, Burbank has a reputation for chili(shoutout Chili John's) and for breakfast burritos. A simple search on Reddit or TikTok will confirm that. And while some places like Corner Cottage will draw in the crowds, there is a breakfast burrito sleeper in Burbank:

This place screams Cheap Eats

I used to live in Burbank back in the day and places like Larry's dot the map. Movie and TV studio lots like Warner Brothers and NBC fueled loads of cheap eateries like Larry's with hungry production staff looking for some bang for your buck breakfast and lunch options. The sheer amount of out of state transplants drawn to the industry meant iconic Midwest staples like Coney Dogs(Detroit style chili dogs) would land on menus. Soon, places like Larry's would evolve their offerings leading to what has become one of the most coveted foods in Los Angeles: The Breakfast Burrito. The breakfast burrito at Larry's Chili Dog comes with bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs and hashbrowns. Salsa is available too. Priced at just under $10 and a double dose of meat, the appeal is obvious. The love on reddit is there too. As someone that has fallen hard for the breakfast taco culture of Texas, a well constructed breakfast burrito is a magical food and a reason why LA is a magical food city. For everyone in LA right now: I pray for you and can't wait to come back and crush a breakfast burrito on the sunny streets of Burbank.