Who We Are And What We Do
Posted by Fry Daddy | | Posted On Sunday, December 28, 2008 at 7:28 PM
We like burgers.
We assume most people do, which is why we decided to start this blog about San Antonio's burger joints. We've been to several burger joints in town already, but, like most people, we generally eat at the same 4 or 5 places over and over again. We felt like we had a pretty good idea what San Antonio had to offer in terms of burgers, and since we weren't disappointed with what we'd experienced so far, we were satisfied to leave it at that.
But something nagged at us - what if there were more great burger joints in town and we just didn't know about them? Were the burger places we were going to the best just because they were the most well known, the most visible, or the most accessible to us?
You can imagine how many sleepless nights we spent pondering these important questions.
And finally the answer came to us. We wouldn't be content. We wouldn't rest until we had uncovered and rated every burger joint in the San Antonio area. And we would share our newfound wisdom with the rest of the world. Everyone would know about these burger joints - the good, the bad, the greasy, the trendy, the dirty, the scary, and so on.
And so San Antonio Burger Blog was born.
The Ratings
Our rating system is simple. We rate each burger on a scale of 1 to 10, providing a brief explanation for our decision. We originally contemplated a more complex rating system - with separate categories for juiciness, size, toppings, bun-to-meat ratio, aerodynamics, etc. - but we'd be lying if we said this was a science. Rating a burger is ultimately a highly subjective process, and each burger is unique, so inputting data and spitting out a number based on a formula didn't really make sense to us. Besides, we didn't want to create perverse incentives for the burger makers wanting to see their burgers creep up in the ratings. You can make the world's biggest or juiciest burger, but if it tastes like month-old meatloaf, it's not breaking any records as far as we're concerned.
In addition to the burgers themselves, burger joints will also be rated on their sides (usually fries, tater tots or onion rings, but of course there can be others) and their ambience (since we feel that atmosphere is one of the keys to a good burger joint). We may also include price, service and other factors in our reviews.
We should note that, while we have eaten at several San Antonio burger joints before, no burger joint will get a free pass just because we had a good burger the last time we ate there. Each burger will be judged entirely on its own merits.
And We Are . . .
People with regular jobs and lives who are doing this because we love burgers:
Fry Daddy
Hamburglar
Burger Queen (retired)
Burger Boy
Justice Warren E. Burger
Where's the Beef
Prefers His Tots Tatered
Burgermeister Meisterburger
"#1 With Cheese"
Colonel Mustard
Posts
What about other "meat between bread" foods, i.e. deli's, I have always loved the Sandwich Garden.
Love the site...I've always wanted to do something similar but with bean and cheese tacos. Well one place I've notice you have yet to check out is Central Market's hamburgers. Give them a try, not greasy but still tasty. The fries are excellent too!
Thanks for the comments. I too love the Sandwich Garden, which is why I threw in a reference and link to it in the Burger Boy review (#2). Would have never thought to try Central Market, though. We'll have to check it out. Thanks for the tip!
Love the site. We need to do one for SA's Best Enchiladas! I wanted to recommend your group try Timbo's (off Broadway). Also, Mark is right about the Central Market burgers. During August, they do a "Hatch Green Chili" burger that is awesome! Do you guys try other cities? Kincaid's in Fort Worth, Dirty's in Austin, and Lankford Grocery in Houston. Keep the reviews coming!
I've been on the San Antonio ultimate burger quest myself. Looks like you've hit most of the good spots. I would recommend Timbo's as well, it's in my top 5 for sure. Have you ever heard of/been to Joe's Hamburger Place? I'm not sure if this place really exists, because I don't know anyone who's actually been.
there is a place in bulverde called "My Place" that my friend swears up and down is the best burger in the area its up 281 past 1604 about 10 miles
Great site I am always looking for suggestions of places to go. You might try Porky's at 2426 Culebra. Marshall
please give bracken cafe a try awesome burger..promise u top 5...
You folks need to check out Bobby J's Old Fashion Hamburgers.
This is the greatest idea. Hamburgers are my favorite food and I love the fact that there are others that feel the same. While I consider Chris Madrids to be the greatest hamburger on the planet since Sill's Snack Shack closed it's doors 20 years ago, I am always looking for suggestions on new great burger places. Keep up the good work!!!
Hey, great blog ya'll. Real, honest reviews. I think SA has some of the greatest burger joints in the country and its nice to see good people such as yourselves putting some effort into getting the word out. My personal favorite in town is Bigz, can't wait to see ya'lls review for them. Keep up the hard work!
Love this blog!! Can't wait to try more burger joints in San Antonio! We love burgers!! :)
I love your website. I also suggest you visit Bigz. The homemade potato chips are great. Be sure to try some of the dipping sauces for the fries and chips.
Wish you guys would try rating Broadway 50/50. I love their burgers and fries. Nothing fancy just the plain cheeseburger for me is to die for.
I hope you guys make it to Bigz over on 1604 between bitters and huebner. The chipotle dip for the fries goes great on the burger and the fries are great to boot. It is pretty busy so I would go during off hours if you dont want to stand in line long. I am curious how it will score with you as it is in my top 5 for sure.
Thank you for this blog...what a great idea. My husband and I enjoy finding great burger places. Though nothing we have tried so far convinces us to change our "regular" burger location of The Longhorn Cafe, we are always open for something new to try. After reading the above comments, we might break our Sunday tradition and check out BIGZ for lunch after church. You should, too! We went when they first opened, but things have changed there and we need to see the changes! Thanks!
Check out Candys Old fashion Burgers smack in the middle of the downtown City Hall / County Courthouse area, 117 S Flores St. Super burgers, daily special and great fried shrimp and fish. Can't beat the price either!
Have you tried Ruby Tuesday? 281N and Evans north of 1604. I won't say they are the best, but for a chain, not too shabby.
im a vegetarian who still craves meat from time to time so in order to satisfy myself i like to read about places like this and dream of the days when i used to eat meat. either way there is one place i miss called "frozen dreams" which is a small stand located on the westside. its kinda hidden but totally worth finding...i still go there from time to time to order the awesome fries and a fruit cup...check it out. 6917 westfield satx 78227
Check out these places:
Radickie's on WW white. Still in the 7 catagory although, use to be better with greasy meat. This WAS the best burger in town. Now the use of lean meat keeps them from running with the 9's in your blog.
Bracken Cafe will make it to the top 5 or 6 if you check it out. Definetly 8.5 to 9
You should reserve the Hororary 10 for Little Hipp's - it's simply the right thing to do!
Maybe people would contribute pix and stuff...
Although not "technically" in SA, Grumpy's in Selma is the place to go. Grumpy is the friendliest guy who makes one of the best burgers around. Bigz is a must also, Andrew Weismann would not let something be under his name if it weren't great.
Smash Burger at the new 281/Evans location. The burger was pretty good and the fries... well the serving is big enough for two to share but as soon as you taste that first stick of potato tossed in olive oil, garlic, and rosemary, you will horde those things like you're the smallest kid in a low income 14 kid house. The fries are definitely something to keep to yourself but I am sure they will make more.
Burger guys is there a way to reach you by email? Want to send invtites to a new burger place!!! Email at apotts@uiwtx.edu
Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. We take all recommendations on this page and add them to our list of burger joints to review. For those wishing to suggest a burger joint and not post it as a comment here, we can also be reached at the following emails:
Fry Daddy - frydaddy@sanantonioburger.com
Hamburglar - hamburglar@sanantonioburger.com
Burger Boy - burgerboy@sanantonioburger.com
BIG Z'S will easily take #1 slot over Chris Madrids. Awesome burgers, fries and good enviroment.
I'll third the Bracken Cafe. Wish I still worked at Randolph AFB so I could frequent the place. I have seen a conductor stop a train on the nearby railroad tracks, get off, and walk into the place to get food...must be good
Try out smashburger and bunsen burgers. Both super tasty.
Biff Buzbys on I-35 and Toepperwein is top notch. They have a pretty sweet car show there every friday night with live music and curbside beer too. I live near this place and it is a treat for the family.....
Totally awesome site need to get on Facebook, ther's a lot of burger places in San Antonio as well as the surrounding areas. I've been to a great portion of the list that's provided and agree with some, others need little help. It would be great to really get more burger places listed like TGIF Jack Daniels burger, Sam's Burger Joint, Beefy's, Fuddrucker's etc. Some of these places have the tricks to bring the burger patron to there establishment. My fault in the burger world is the Famous Chili Burgers w/bacon and Guacamole loaded with cheese. Would like to see this site show images of the best burgers being devoured. I'm in the sign business and if this site needs a vehicle wrap, which would be awesome to show the locations The SA Burger Blog has been it would kick this site up a Knotch. Can be reached at 210.385.4928 peace the Burger Dude.
Do a review of BIFF BUZBYS BURGERS 12702 Toepperwein Road, LIVE OAK, TX. They have a well known burger style that you guys should review. I think You'll like it. ( It's behind Whattaburger right off IH35 and Toepperwein rd )
Would it be possible to hvae a map clip on each burger joint's review? I love seeing new places added but its sometimes a bit difficult figuring out where they are located at.
OK.....great site, reflects your good work. Here is how you can really generate some buzz and get even more pub/hits. Bracket. Everyone loves a bracket. So you can run a final 64 Hamburger Joint bracket for San Antonio. Release it a week at a time for each round. Debate, color, etc the matchups.....maybe by the time you hit 64 total joints you can run it. Or even try to time it with the bball tourney.
TVs Newspapers will just about have to print it. You are doing more work in this area than anyone, and I truly care about this subject.
Also general comment - perhaps a "Hall of Fame/Shame" up top section of the site.
Also check out Beefys on 281 (North of Marshall Road, outside the loop)
Way to go! This is fun stuff!
Geoff, we like where your head's at and thanks for the suggestion. We already have a March Burger Madness (with brackets) in planning, but we'll probably use it as a tie breaker for our top burger joints, which we plan to re-visit - we're thinking Elite 8. Fry Daddy has already packed on 20 pounds since we started this endeavor and reviewing more than 8 burger joints in one month may cause him to explode. More to come.
I really appreciate your efforts! Great reviews and pics. It would be nice if you also added the hours of operation. Reason being that we made a trip in the dark and rain to Gem's Tavern on Frio City road only to find out their kitchen has very limited hours. That was after a recommendation from the SA Express News.
We've been burger hopping for several years with another couple and you really need to try the burgers at the Kendalia general store. Ambience and flavor and cheap!
Old guy here..does anyone remember Tooneys Drive Inn ? How about HotDog Haven ..or The 49'er ...
Epps's Smokehouse ... Mike's Drive-in...Puffy Tacos at Ray's Ice House...Buddies Hamburgers....
Venin Casa...Nelms BBQ...Sommers Drug Hamburgers...Youngblood's Fried Chicken....
R.I.P. Bobby J
A nice cold beer would go well with a great burger. Could you include what kind of drinks they have? Thanks
I would love for you to try and rate the CHEESY BURGER (½ pound Black Angus patty with cheddar and jack cheese) at La Tuna Grill on Probant.
delicious!!
If you guys are into road trips you gotta head out to Center Point and try Vickie's Burger Barn. Tops in my book.
This site is great!!! I heard about it on the news, had to see it. Try this place north of downtown called Trevino's. It's in front of the Antonian Hotel, next to the Sonic on I-35 and New Braunsfels. Order the Firehouse Burger, named for the Fire Station across the street. Spicy!! Awesome!!! It made us replace the Lord's Kitchen, it's that good.
Has anyone checked out Dancing Bear Cantina at Medina Lake? Their burgers are out of this world and the view of the lake makes the experience even more enjoyable! give it a try!
Roy's Place in Elmendorf,Tx has a Chupacabra Burger that is "OFF the CHAIN" two 1/3lb Angus patties,jalapeno suasage,jalapeneo Muenster cheese,jalapeneo mustard,jalepeneo/cayenne seasoning and get this Chupacabra Blood!Awsome!!
www.roysplaceelmendorf.com
You have to try Bombay Bicycle Club on N. St. Marys. These guys really know what they are doing, great meat and perfect fries.
You guys are doing a great job here - keep up the greasy work.
Here's a place to check out - The I Don't Know Yet (known as The Yet to the denizens) bar on Babock just North of Hillcrest (there's a strip center there, and it's on the W side of Babcock in that strip center). Looks like a basic 1979 strip center bar - which it is - but there is also a kitchen, and a few tables - and they do a good cheeseburger and fries there for lunch. The kicten used to only be open at lunch - but it's ben a few years since I've been there. Anyhow, it's a neat joint with a good burger.
Another place - probably long gone - is Creighton's Bar and Grill. It was on Main near Evergreen (down by SAC), and it was a smoke choked murky bar where old alky's sat all day long drinking Schlitz out of dirty glasses and the bar maid had a voice like geese farts on a muggy day. And they made bean burgers and fries. It's been thirty years since I descended into that thick greasy darkness - but you'd get a beanburger and fries for a couple of bucks - and by the time you got the brown paper bag to the door you could read your life insurance policy through the bag on a cloudy day. Most excellent - but probably gone.
Anyhow - thanks again
Cool site. Trying something similar myself. http://burgernirvana.blogspot.com/ It's fairly new and not as nice, but it's a fun hobby.
Billy T's Burger Shoppe has re-opened in Alamo Heights in the Carousel Court shopping center across the street from the Oak Park HEB.
That place is an institution and the home of the original Beanburger. (Their recipe is from Sil's Snack Shack.)
A hamburger website would be remiss if it didn't include Billy T's.
Yes, please get on Facebook.
Love this blog. Keep it up. We just moved to town and love burgers too!
When's the next review come out...its been almost a month?!
La Tuna Grill....really great burgers!!!!!!!!!!!!