[Austin] Best burger?

[Blanche Davidian]

I believe Casino el Camino currently holds the title of "Where to get the best burger in Austin," but frankly, it hasn't impressed me. Every burger I've had there has been mmmmmkay: the burger is overcooked, the bun is dry, even when the whole thing is dripping with buffalo sauce or cheese or whatnot. I appreciate that this might have been THE place a couple of years ago, but the 5 or 6 times I've eaten there over the past year really don't hold a candle to my Platonic ideal.

Please allow me to nominate a new candidate for Best Burger in Austin: The Jackalope. Basically when I read old descriptions of how good Casino is, I feel like they're describing the Jackalope. The burgers are huge, thick and sloppy, and they aren't afraid to do a true medium rare. I could only get through half of mine, but it was pretty freakin' good. My group actually got a pretty wide variety of stuff--salad, quesadilla, cake, an assorted bucket o' fried crap with ranch, and a biiiiig basket of waffle cut fries--and it was all awesome. Still not the Platonic ideal, but color me impressed!

So that's my two cents. I'd love to know what y'all think.

[Kent Wang]

All of my samplings of Jackalope have been while I was tipsy so I really can't say for sure. I still go to Casino a lot and for me it is number one. Maybe one day I will do a side-by-side of the two. The two joints are close enough to each other that this can certainly be possible. I doubt either place would let you bring in food from elsewhere so you might have to do the sampling in the middle of the street!

I believe Jackalope also has specials on certain nights and the wait there is not as long. The wait during a weekend night at Casino can be an hour or more!

For a fancy, upscale burger have you tried The Four Seasons? I had it for brunch a few years ago and thought it quite good. I believe it is sirloin though I've been told by my butcher that this doesn't matter so much as the fat content.

[cstrombe]

I think the burger at Houston's is tops. Grilled over hickory (I think). Good fries too.

I miss the old GM Steakhouse on the drag. Great cheeseburger.

[yimay]

i have on one rare occasion had an overcooked burger at casino. but i still think overall casino's are better than jackalope's offerings. i always opt for the simple chicago burger with bacon, instead of the drippier choices (buffalo sauce/cheese).

[walternewton]

There's an article in today's Statesman about a group of Austinites and their search for the best burger in town...They rank Sullivan's #1, The Tavern #2, and Roaring Fork #3....Houston's came in #5, Jackalope #7, Casino El Camino #10...popular Hut's was in last place at #19.

http://www.austin360.com/food_drink/conten.../14burgers.html

[windydaze]

It's not in Austin but I think the burgers at Bam's in Lago Vista are fantastic. They are stuffed burgers and there are four different ones, each of them delicious. It isn't listed on the menu but you can also have the burger blackened. Yum!

Bam's Roadhouse Grill

Edited March 14, 2007 by windydaze (log)

[MissAmy]

So, Sullivan's was #1, but who goes to Sullivan's for a burger?!

[Kent Wang]

By the way, I feel that Casino El Camino is one of the restaurants that best captures the Austin vibe, from the dive-bar like scene to the wacky faux-Aztec patio.

[Blanche Davidian]

Has anyone been to the Jackalope recently? We were showing some out of towners around 6th street a couple weekends ago, and EVERYBODY had these huge "Polynesian" drinks. I was DD or I would have ordered one. Is that a new development?

P.S. I still find their burgers awesome and Casino's burgers dry.

[millersus]

Has anyone been to the Jackalope recently?  We were showing some out of towners around 6th street a couple weekends ago, and EVERYBODY had these huge "Polynesian" drinks.  I was DD or I would have ordered one.  Is that a new development?

P.S.  I still find their burgers awesome and Casino's burgers dry.

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Here's another to throw into the mix. What about Hut's? It's definitely our favorite.