All the posts in this series start with “Search for the Best Burger Joint in Austin” in the title. Remember, I’m looking at not only the burgers, but the experience itself.
You’ll always get an honest take on the burger joints that I’ve visited. Keep in mind that these are just my opinions. I’m sure you may agree or disagree, and I’m good with that either way.
Regardless, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
The Tavern Austin First Impression
Located on 12th and Lamar, The Tavern Austin is a great find. Two floors, tons of flat screen TVs on various sports channels and an upstairs outdoor patio with four flat screens of its own. There is also parking across the street, which is a very nice feature for a downtown joint.
As I walked in, some laidback blues poured out over the speakers and my eyes couldn’t help but glance around at some of the fun signs posted about the place. Hardwood floors and an old school wood bar were also features that caught my eye. The business crowd was in the house, as well as a smattering of families and hipsters. It was pretty much anyone’s joint.
We went upstairs to “Augie’s Attic” and were quickly greeted by a waiter in a ball cap. I know The Tavern has had a history of negative reviews for poor service, but for us that wasn’t the case. Our service, though not stellar, was definitely more than adequate.
As a side note, they have a cool little dumbwaiter that brings the prepared food upstairs from the kitchen down below.
Austinot Eric’s Burger Review Criteria
If you’ve read my other articles in this series, you’ll know that I rate burger joints using a 1-10 scale, with 5 being Average. (Don’t be a hater. If I rate you a 5, that means you were average.)
Roughly speaking, a score of 1 translates to “worst ever,” while 10 translates to “God handcrafted this himself.” Remember, you are free to disagree with me. This is just my honest take.
When reviewing a burger joint, these are my categories:
- Burger Patties
- Bun
- Cheese
- Messiness
- Garnish
- Burger Taste
- Fries
- Atmosphere
- Cleanliness
- Other Factors
The Tavern Austin Burger Joint Review
- Burger Patties = 9. Thick, juicy, flavorful 1/3 pound patties that were nearly perfectly seasoned, definitely perfectly cooked and left very little – if anything – to desire. A solid 9. I almost rated my patty a 10, but I couldn’t bring myself to give it a perfect mark because it wasn’t as piping hot as the burger I had at Nau’s.
- Bun = 10. This is how a bun must be made. It was incredible. I almost wondered if they baked it fresh on site, but didn’t ask. So get this, the bun was perfectly sized for the burger, never fell apart, was buttery and incredibly soft on the outside, while being toasted just right on the inside. It was so soft that it reminded me of memory foam…you know, like what you get on those expensive mattresses. It was so amazing, I actually took the time to point it out to the folks who were dining with me.
- Cheese = 8. Finally, a place with a thick burger that knows that thick burgers need an extra slice of cheese, and real cheese at that. I was extremely well pleased, as the cheese melted over the sides of the patty. A great addition to this incredible burger.
- Messiness = 8. The burger was messy in a good way. It was a huge burger that I had to press down in order to get a bite in, and it messed just enough to know that I was into something special. Great stuff!
- Garnish = 8. The garnish was fresh and chilled. The bacon crisp, the tomatoes thick and fresh and the lettuce crisp and cold.
- Taste = 9. This burger was incredible, amazing and I think it will be tough to beat. Keep in mind, I’m rating burger joints in this series. As far as burgers themselves go, you are going to be hard pressed to find a better burger. Though I may find one in my travels, you can bet your bottom dollar that if I’m anywhere near 12th and Lamar, I’m stopping by The Tavern.
- Fries = 6. The burgers come with kettle chips, rather than fries. I don’t like this at all. Again, if you are going to serve burgers, serve fries alongside. Don’t skimp. If you want to offer kettle chips as an alternative, fine. But the standard side should be fries. The fries were decent, maybe a mark of a 7, but the fact that they didn’t come standard with the meal lowered this mark to a 6.
- Atmosphere = 8. The Tavern is a very cool place. If you love sports and good pub food, you’ll love the Tavern. I’d bring any out of town guests who love burgers here for sure.
- Cleanliness = 7. Other than a few crumbs on some nearby tables, the place was generally clean. For such a large establishment, that is a pretty good sign. Bathrooms were clean too. It wasn’t perfect, but definitely better than average.
- Other Factors = 8. The Tavern had a good selection on their menu, though I can’t speak to anything other than the amazing burger and decent fries, with the exception of their potato skins (which were very good). The waiter was adequate and the service decent enough. The Tavern gets high marks in this category for the level of selection on their menu. For a pub, it’s quite extensive.
Bottom Line on The Tavern in Austin: 8.1 out of 10
Overall Score = 8.1. The overall score is the average of the 10 categories.
The burger at The Tavern Austin is a sight to behold and a treat that you should feel guilty about eating. The patty is huge, the cheese plentiful, the bun perfect, and the garnish cold, thick and crisp. This burger will not disappoint!
The atmosphere is great and there is parking across the street. The service was decent and the prices reasonable. But hey Tavern.. if you are going to serve amazing burgers like this, please make fries part of the meal. Kettle chips…really?
If you are looking to go for a quick lunch downtown, or have friends from out of town who love burgers, you definitely want to stop by The Tavern. If you are just a burger fan and looking for one of the best Austin has to offer, you need to head out to The Tavern and try it for yourself.
And so my…
Search for the Best Burger Joint in Austin Continues
So far, of burger joints in Austin reviewed on the Austinot, here is the scorecard:
#2 – score 8.0 – Your Mom’s Burger Bar (Tied for 2nd so far) CLOSED see below.
#2 – score 8.0 – Opal Divine’s Freehouse (Tied for 2nd so far) 6th Street location CLOSED see below.
#4 – score 7.6 – Phil’s Icehouse
#5 – score 7.2 – Casino El Camino
#6 – score 7.1 – Crown & Anchor Pub
#7 – score 7.05 – Dirty Martin’s Place
#8 – score 7.0 – Billy’s on Burnet (Tied for 8th so far)
#8 – score 7.0 – Moonie’s Burger House (Tied for 8th so far)
#9 – score 6.9 – Mighty Fine Burgers
#10 – score 6.7 – Wholly Cow Burgers
#11 – score 6.4 – Nau’s Enfield Drug
#12 – score 5.9 – Old School Bar and Grill
Burger joints that have shut down since they were reviewed:
1. Opal Divine’s (The 6th street location is closed but they have other locations so give them a try.)
2. Your Mom’s Burger Bar (The owners decided to buy an RV and see the country. But they did write a farewell letter to Austin. We’ll miss you Your Mom’s!)
Other places that have been suggested to review:
- 2nd Bar + Kitchen
- 24 Diner
- Austin Land and Cattle
- Austin Java
- Black Sheep Lodge
- Blue Star Cafeteria
- Burger Tex 2 on Guadalupe
- Cain and Abel’s
- Counter Cafe
- Cow Bells
- Dan’s Hamburgers
- Dart Bowl
- Foreign and Domestic
- Fran’s Hamburgers
- Hat Creek
- Hill’s Cafe
- Hideout Pub
- Hoover’s Cooking
- Hopdoddy
- Hula Hut
- Hut’s Hamburgers
- Jack Allen’s Kitchen
- Jackalope
- Lambert
- Luke’s Inside Out
- Parkside
- Ski Shores
- South Congress Cafe
- Sputnik
- Top Notch
Got one you’d like added to the list? Comment and let us know! (Only suggestions of burger joints founded in Austin will be added.)
@EricHighland asks:
I’d love to hear what you have to say. Do you agree or disagree with me on The Tavern? Do you know of any places that I need to add to my list?
- The End of The Austinist - April 15, 2014
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JLM says
.
Eric, who told you about The Tavern?
That’s right, ME.
Glad you went and glad you liked it.
But, Eric, you have to have the steak fries — crispy. That justifies another trip.
Thanks for following up and well played!
I am going to The Tavern today myself.
.
EricHighland says
@JLM:disqus you rock! I just read your comment out loud to @Brittany and she was laughing out loud with that cute little laugh that she has! We like you. Enjoy your trip to the Tavern today. I’ll add Hill’s in S Austin to my list.
JLM says
.
OK, Eric, here’s my next pick — Hill’s in S Austin. A Tavern quality burger.
.
EricHighland says
@JLM:disqus are you up for a trip to Hill’s sometime in the near future? Let me know.
JimNtexas says
I just had a great burger at Opel Divine’s Maria (next to Fry’s, Mopac & Parmer). Check them out.
EricHighland says
Thanks for the tip @twitter-820613:disqus is it the best burger you’ve had in Austin?
JimNtexas says
I’d say it’s a close race between Opel and the Tavern. Both are way better than Mighty Fine IMHO.
Chris Bailey says
Didn’t think about The Tavern for burgers but this review calls for a trip there soon. Good to see Billy’s and Hopdoddys (the Llano Poblano is sublime) on your list.
Here are a couple of additional suggestions for burger joints:
1. Phil’s Icehouse. I’m a sucker for sourdough buns. I’ve never been disappointed in any of their burgers.
2. I never go to The Alamo Drafthouse without getting the Royale with Cheese. Might not be Tavern-good but it’s definitely a tasty burger with damn good fries.
EricHighland says
I thought Phil’s was on the list… hmmm… did you know that Amy from Amy’s Ice Cream founded Phil’s? At least that is the word on the street. Hey we should make a lunch date for Phils @chrisbailey:disqus
Chris Bailey says
Yep, Amy and Steve Simmons do own Phils. Love that they converted an old gas station (my family used to own three similar old gas stations back in the day). Let’s make a Phil’s lunch date happen.
Brittany Highland says
Me too me too!
Gary Molina says
Cover 3 and counter cafe are overrated IMO. Try Phil’s 78704 burger, and Crown and Anchor. Dan’s on N Lamar is the best Old Fashioned burger in town.
EricHighland says
@twitter-50792114:disqus thanks for the tips. They are all on my list… appreciate it. We’re going to hit up Phil’s soon. Are you following us on Facebook? I might actually just have to make Phil’s an event. So many people have been talking about it.
WonderousATX says
3 trailers to try: Cow Bells on E. Riverside next to Amli, Luke’s Inside Out next to Gibson Bar on S. Lamar, Collie’s S. Lamar near 360. Hopdoddy rating will be swayed by which burger type is selected.
EricHighland says
Since I’m rating Burger Joints (not just burgers) trailers might not work. Though that could be a series in itself. 🙂
David Papas says
Burger Tex on Airport > Burger Tex 2 on Guadalupe. And not apparently related!
EricHighland says
Thanks for the suggestion @facebook-1104925654:disqus we’ll have to check them out. Have you tried the Tavern Burger?
matt says
i envy your job!
EricHighland says
@779640b54449e6def26427150c4ec64d:disqus it’s tough my friend but someone has to do it. Tonight we actually went back to the Tavern after playing Blazer Tag for yet another post coming soon on the largest laser tag arena in Texas which is right here in Austin.
Kenneth Bloomer says
The presence or absence of a dumbwaiter should never influence your decision to patronize a restaurant. At the very most, it adds a tenth of a point for ambience, if you like such details.
EricHighland says
I’m pretty sure I mentioned it as a “cool little side note” not a point factor. But it is pretty cool. Do you not like this place as a burger joint @twitter-18431078:disqus?
Fernando A. Labastida says
I would add “Hut’s” on your list of other suggested places to review, with their rock’n’roll themed burgers (original old Austin burger place), and “Players,” traditional UT campus place to have burgers (would go there many a midnight after studying for exams or writing papers).
Kash says
Check out the Incredible Burger @ Lee’s Meat Market (35th & Jefferson). Huge delicious burger. The actual shop can only seat like 5 people as it’s mostly take out / pick up orders. But the Incredible Burger is still one of my faves and you can customize it how you like. Just be sure to get there before they close for lunch at 3pm.
EricHighland says
Whoa, how did I miss this comment? Sorry about that @mellamokeanu:disqus, sounds like my kind of place. Appreciate the heads up!
Jennifer Weltz says
The Happy Trails bar at Whole Foods Arbor Trails is pretty good. Currently this is my go to burger
Brittany Highland says
Thanks for the heads-up, @jenniferweltz:disqus! Eric hates going into Whole Foods because of how busy it is all the time, so it may take some work to persuade him to try… 🙂
sara says
Mmmmm…kolache bun….
EricHighland says
Sara this burger is sooo good.
sara says
I know it well, sir. And miss it!! Can’t wait to move back 🙂