A Mighty Fine Burger

While visiting my dad out in Austin he took me to a damn good burger place.  It was called Mighty Fine Burgers.  I highly recommend you visit the website, my camera could not do the establishment justice so I didn't even try. 

The outside was very inviting with covered patio seating and a playground for kids, not a McDonald's playground but a real one with sand and all.  We walked in and there was mayo, mustard and ketchup stacked in neat rows for both decor and use.  There were also boxes of potatoes waiting to be used with the peanut oil it was fried in also stacked in rows.  All of the ingredients they used to cook were in the front of the house being used as decoration, it was awesome.  So simple yet creative.  All of the colors gave this place a radiant vibe.  There was also a see through window where you could see people creating the burger patties and prepping them for cookin'.  Also, there was a sign that said the meat was ground on property...I think they just one upped In 'N Out.  If you do check out their website go to Quality is Everything and check  out the meat portion.  Also by the fries there is a large sign that says, WE USE PEANUT OIL...odd...right?  Well according to them it tastes best.  Also on the Quality is Everything page.

So my eyes had a party now it was time for my mouth.    They are very make it your way and hand write your order on a paper bag so you can see it.  You also can see that what it is they are writing to give you that comfort you need that they WILL get your order right.  A nice customer touch in my opinion. 

The soda machine was awesome, that's a weird thing to say right?  Well first off they had two, with about 10 choices each.  Who do you know that has a selection of 20 fountain sodas?  Next one of those choices was Mellow Yellow, say "I" if you remember that pop.  On top of that when was the last time you actually saw it?  For us youngsters who have probably never seen it is kind of like the short lived "Surge" that was around for MAYBE 2 years back in the late '90's.  Next part of the cool soda machine is it had a high-tech looking option for crushed or cubed ice.  Pretty sweet eh?  Maybe I'm over reacting but some times its the little things in life.  Nice touches make a place like this stand out from the rest.

My order:

Chili Cheeseburger  - A great burger establishment can be judged by their chili in my opinion.
Fries
Strawberry lemonade (it was on display, how could I not)

I unwrapped my prize and it looked wonderful.  I opened up the bun to see what the inside looked like (pictured to the right), and to my surprise there was a sliced hot dog in there.  I wasn't mad because being the chili conasuir that I am, I know hot dogs and chili go together like Lavern and Shirly.  It would only add to the flavor.  I put it back together and held on with both hands, elbows on the table and shoved it in.  Tender patty, lots of cheese (the key to any good burger), and the bun was fresh and soft.  After another couple bites and I thought to myself, this might be one of the best I've ever had.  I had some fries in between bites, they were great too.  Very fresh tasting, and thinking back to the boxes of potatoes by the counter I knew they were.  Holy crap how have I never been here.  Every other bite of the burger I got some hot dog, yum.  That definitely set this burger apart from any other I'd ever had.  Overall I was very suprised.  I asked my dad how he found this place and he said it was my cousin, DR.  Another place he was holding out on me...

I just might go back as soon as I possibly can.

Best_Burger_Ever 

The Biggest Donut EVER!

I was sitting at home watching the Food Network on another gorgeous day.  Man vs. Food came on and he was touring the country.  All of a sudden Round Rock Donuts came on and a light bulb went off in my head, "That's right by my dads!".  So I sat up to see what they had to say.  They happened to be featuring a giant donut! I love donuts!  I didn't even have to watch the rest of the show before I put it on my wish list.

So here I am getting off the plane in Austin, and my Dad says, "What do you want to do?" and to that I replied, "I want to go to Round Rock Donuts!"  It was late and they were closed but we went first thing the next day.  We walked in and there was none on the display case, I was looking around, and I saw a picture of it that said -> "It really is that big" - I instantly thought to myself, That's what she said....hehehe.

Anyways we asked about it and ordered one, a few minutes later the Holy Grail came out of the back in a giant box, I peaked inside just to make sure  it was in there.  There was no seating inside so we had to take it home, no problem for me I could enjoy it however I wanted to with no one watching me.  From here we went to (click the link below):

Mighty Fine Hamburgers

Once we got home from that wonderful burger shack I could only wait about 10 minutes before I got up and dove into this Gi-normous buh-heamoth of a donut.  It was still warm...

I picked it up and took a bite.  Is there any better "sweet" than a warm, soft, succulent, tasty donut?  I mean really.  I think I first fell in love with them at the L.A. County Fair.  I remember my dad used to take me when I was little every year.  And the last stop before we went home was a "Texas Style Donut", it was called "The Big D"  I always thought that meant donut but I guess it was Dallas.  Now that I think of it, that's probably why I moved to Dallas...hmph. 

This thing was bigger than my hand, i could have put it around my wrist and slid it up to my bicep, and  I have some big guns.  Honestly, if Sol was with me I would have tried to put it around her head.  It was a large piece of food. 

So Dallas-ites if you are coming down to Austin or gonna drive through to San Antonio, save your hunger for some Round Rock Donuts, cuz that s#!^ is good!

Side note: Once it cools the glaze breaks and chips off, so throw it in the microwave and warm that sucker up, its just as good as the second go around and the glaze will be gooey again!

BIG_TASTY_DONUT

The Salt Lick

On a hot Austin day after a fun day floating the river, my cousin decided to take me and Sol out to this bar b que place out west of the city. Now when he said west he might as well have said New Mexico, because this place was far.  We pulled off the road on to a dirt road that led us to this place.  The parking lot was packed, every row I looked down was full.  Looking at the restaurant, it was constructed of wood, I didn't understand how all of these people fit in here it looked like a shack.  I was afraid I might be waiting for hours and I'm not the most patient person in the world.  But lucky for us, we walked up and they told us it would be only a few minutes, pfew. 

They had a country singer performing with his guitar sittin' on a stool.  Man I'm telling you I felt like I was in a damn music video on CMT.  But it made for an authentic atmosphere.  I saw people bringing their own ice chests which means it was BYOB.  Yes California residents in Texas they have BYOB restaurants everywhere.  We sat down at a long wooded picnic table inside the restaurant.  There were rows of them, it was family style seating.  Sitting next to complete strangers at the same table is not my cup of tea. Since we had a party of 8 we didn't have a problem, or shall I say I didn't have a problem.

When you walk into the restaurant you see a giant bar b que pit with ribs, sausage, brisket and turkey.  As you can see it is a very nice looking set up and the picture really doesn't do it any justice.  It's your choice of a plate or family style.  A plate comes with beans, potato salad and your choice of three out of the four meats.  Family style is unlimited meat and sides.  Crazy right?  Well, knowing that my aunt cooked for me as well I went with the more modest of the two, the plate.  I know, totally not my style but hey, I had to make room for both.

Since the food was prepared already the food arrived swiftly.  Thank god - I was starving.  When it landed it front of me I immediately wished I had ordered the family plate.  Everything was fresh of the grill and oozing juicy goodness.  It also came with a loaf of white bread, also cooked fresh at the establishment.  I think I ate the turkey before I took the picture, my bad. It was all good but the turkey, oooohhhhhh man, it was the best.  I know you are probably thinking, barbecued turkey?  I am here to tell you yes.  The smokiness really got into the meat and was the predominant flavor.  It was also very tender, needless to say it wasn't on my plate by the time I remembered to take a picture for you guys.  The rib was fall off the bone and the sausage was yummy too.  I am guessing the secret here had to be in the wood they used.  This place is bar b que at its best.  I was pretty pissed though.  I was in Texas for 3 years and my cousin didn't take me here until I left.  The good news is, I am going back next month and I HAVE to make a stop here. 

I mean really, "The Salt Lick", how could you not like a restaurant with salt in the name.  Folks I know this place sounds good and you are upset cause most of you will probably never go to Austin.  Well I have news, it was so good they built one in Vegas!  You know Vegas finds the best from around the world and brings it.  They did it again.  It is at the Red Rock Casino so I am interested to try that one out and see how it compares.