Review #24 - Chris Madrid's
Posted by Hamburglar | | Posted On Sunday, June 7, 2009 at 8:35 PM
At 1900 Blanco Road sits a burger joint that has become legendary in San Antonio. The legend, my friends, is Chris Madrid's. I'd wager that if you polled San Antonians and asked which burger joint in town had the best burger, 9 out of 10 would undoubtedly say Chris Madrid's. With great anticipation, we rounded up our largest group of reviewers yet and headed to Chris Madrid's to see if this burger joint really had the best burger in town.
Chris Madrid's sits in a fairly nondescript building right off of Blanco Road. For the Chris Madrid's first timers out there, the entrance may be a little tricky to find (hint - one of the two entrances is through the gate above). If you come at peak lunch time hours, however, the entrance should be easy enough to spot because the line to order will likely be snaking out the door.
As you can tell by the menu above, they keep the choices to a minimum at Chris Madrid's. Diners have their choice of 7 different hamburgers in either a regular or macho size. As if to discourage patrons from choosing anything other than a burger, the menu indicates that a grilled chicken sandwich (the only non-burger entree option) requires a 15 to 20 minute wait. Clearly, Chris Madrid's means burgers. I'd personally be a little scared to order a chicken sandwich at a serious burger joint - it would be like showing up to a biker rally on a Vespa. 
At Chris Madrid's you are just a number, but oh what a lucky number. After placing your order at the counter, you are given a number representing your claim to one of Chris Madrid's famous burgers. Grab a table, sit down and watch the digital counters throughout the restaurant (one is shown at the top of the picture above). Your lucky number is about to come up....The Burger - 9.5 out of 10
Some people insist that the perfect burger must have a big and juicy hamburger patty, others proclaim that only flame-kissed burgers from the grill can be the best and that burgers cooked on the griddle simply play second fiddle. Still others would argue that a griddled burger captures the essence of the classic American hamburger. Our reviewers have these same varying opinions, and that is just one of the many reasons we average our ratings. At the end of the day, however, we here at the San Antonio Burger Blog believe that it is the combination of all of the burger components (bun, toppings, patty, condiments, etc.) blending together that determines whether a burger is great. Would someone purchase a sports car based solely on the engine without considering other factors such as performance, handling, features, styling, etcetera? We think not. When it comes to the whole burger package, Chris Madrid's nails it.While the hamburger patty was neither the biggest nor the juiciest that we have had, it was perfectly seasoned and perfectly cooked. The lettuce and diced tomatoes were crisp and fresh, and the amount of condiments that had been placed on the burger was simply ideal. The hamburger bun could be described as nothing less than preternatural. The bun appeared to be infused with butter/grease and shined with an aura that literally caused most of our photos to be oversaturated with light from the reflection. Simply put, all the individual components of our Chris Madrid's burgers came together in perfect harmony.
There are several different and great burgers to try at Chris Madrid's - the "Chedder Cheezy" is pictured above. Probably the most well known Madrid's specialty burger is their "Tostada Burger," which is a burger topped with, among other things, refried beans and tortilla chips - some claim that it is the undisputed best bean burger around.
There are several different and great burgers to try at Chris Madrid's - the "Chedder Cheezy" is pictured above. Probably the most well known Madrid's specialty burger is their "Tostada Burger," which is a burger topped with, among other things, refried beans and tortilla chips - some claim that it is the undisputed best bean burger around.Here's what some of our reviewers had to say about their burgers:
Fry Daddy: "Perfectly seasoned burger, massive amounts of cheddar cheese, deliciously greasy bun and the right proportion of fixings - I am almost ready to proclaim this the perfect burger."
Chief Justice Burger: "The bun tasted like a stick of butter lightly dusted with flour. It melted in my mouth while dousing my hands with grease, but it also amazingly had a freshness to it."
Where's the Beef: "I'm reserving my perfect score for when Jesus returns and decides to cook me a burger, but Chris Madrid's is pretty darn close to what I imagine a Jesus burger would taste like."
Sides 6.5 out of 10
In keeping with its no-nonsense menu selection, Chris Madrid's offers only fries as a side. Onion rings and tater-tots are, sadly, nowhere to be found. While the fries we had were quite delicious, the lack of options really drove the score down.
Fry Daddy stated: "I am usually not a fan of Chris Madrid's fries - in the past they have tended to be too greasy and soggy for my taste - so I was pleasantly surprised when I tasted the fries on today's "official" visit. They were freshly cut, not soggy and just of the right crispiness. I'm not quite ready to give them the gold medal, but they were very good."Ambiance 9 out of 10
Chris Madrid's has quite the festive ambiance and, in our opinion, shines in this category. One reviewer noted that "Chris Madrid's is the quintessential burger joint. Decorations are unpretentious and eclectic and provide a good deal of local flavor. The T-shirts adorning the walls are a nice change from the typical license plate motif, and reading them makes the time pass quickly so that the wait in line never seems too long."No love for the Lakers in San Antonio (below).
Chris Madrid's is an ideal place for large groups. There is plenty of seating inside, and they have a nice outdoor patio that is perfect for a cool summer night.
We had not seen a Ms. Pac-man/Galaga arcade game since our visit to Fuddruckers a couple of months ago, so we were excited to find this little baby tucked away in the restaurant. It is not quite the Ms. Pac-man/Galaga combo that we've seen in several other burger joints (Fuddruckers, Uncle Barneys, Lucky's and Longhorn Cafe), but it sure is close.
Service - Very Good
This is a classic burger joint, so what would you expect for service? I think the Chief Justice sums it up best, "The service is great - they can spit out literally hundreds of burgers an hour." What more could you want?
Price - Very Reasonable
How much would you be willing to pay for the perfect burger? Surprisingly, you can purchase one for about 5 bucks and some change. Apparently, perfection does have its price.
Chris Madrid's takes the top spot on the burger blog for now, but our mission is to find the best burger and burger joint in San Antonio. The best burger may still be out there, and we won't rest until we've searched every burger joint in town for it.
We still have over 50 burger joints in San Antonio left on our list to try, but up to this point Chris Madrid's is El Rey.
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Chris Madrid's is okay. They used to have a really long line at lunch time, but over the past few months we haven't had to wait really at all. The burger is okay, maybe a half point above a McDonalds, the cheese is too clumpy and you can choke on it rather easily. Fries are just greasy limp potato strings, nothing too good. Overall Chris Madrid's has lost it's kick, it shouldn't be considered a san antonio favorite any longer.
Checked out your blog before my very first visit from Maui to San Antonio. Was stoked that an old friend suggested Chris Madrid's even before I could tell him that I wanted to check it out. I had the Cheddar Cheezy macho size and thouroughly enjoyed it. I like burgers that cover more square footage instead of building up. Great spot...thanks for all your hard work and dedication. Keep up the good work!
I know that each person has their own taste buds and such, and I very much enjoyed my burger at Chris Madrid's. But better than Lord's Kitchen? Really?
LOVE, LOVE, these burgers, can't get enough cheese! Never have had anything like that before.
It's just ok. I have yet to find a hamburger that gives me that Pavlov feeling.
My hubby and I made a HUGE mistake and went to Chunky's Burgers.....uugghh. We should have gone to Chris Madrid's like we usually do!
Chris! You have nothing to worry about! Chunky's may have been on Man vs. Food, but CHRIS MADRID'S is THE BEST! Shame on my stupid husband! aaaggh
Definitely the best burgers EVER(and I've tried A LOT of burgers)!!! Holy cow these burgers are good. Fries are too in my opinion :)
Overrated. Simple as that.
I cannot believe that any one would consider Chris Madrids burgers the best. They are not! Just a plain burger. I have yet to find a burger joint in San Antonio that is compared to anything made in NY.
This really isn't the best place for Bugers. I'm a San Antonio native, and go to incarnate word. This place is our home, but it's not even in my top 10. BIGz is a much better place over all. But you can't beat WHATABURGER!
Chris Madrid's is the best burger in Texas! There is nothing like it! There is nothing better than dipping your burger bites into pico de gallo.....really! True Genius! It is so nice to see "flat" nachos that are not soggy too...YUM! Anyone who does not LOVE Chris Madrid's concerns me :)
Cheers
first time to chris madrids and i loved it i got the nachos and my sister got the macho burger first time we didn't have to ask for extra cheese...lol.. i love that they also have securty out there so you have nothing to worry about when you are enjoying your meal. Deana was very good with us a wonderful person to take care of you and your order makes you feel right at home. even the little skiny security very nice and helpful. thanks guys see you real soon
Great burgers in a family friendly atmosphere...our regular Saturday excursion...heading out there today...
Anybody who pans Madrid's is simply a hater. The overwhelming amount of praise it gets is not unwarranted, it is deserved. The sheer fact that it is so widely lauded indicates that yes, something must be good about it. Now, I can understand people going into a first-time-Madrid's run wanting to hate it, wanting to not like it, wanting to say that its not very good. I feel that way many times about things that are overhyped. But it just doesn't faze the true Madrid's lovers.
It is the best burger in San Antonio by a mile - it has a singularly unique taste that i've never had in ANY other burger. It's filling, greasy, and delicious. A non-greasy burger is a non-legit burger. Eating the cheese, lettuce, onion and tomato that spills out of the cheddar cheezy is like a salad from the heavens. Lord's Kitchen is very good, but it doesn't have a unique taste like Madrid's.
Also, to anybody who read that BULLSH*T Texas Monthly review which neglected to put Madrid's in, i'll have you know this: I tried the top two burgers on it - The Grape (Dallas), Counter Cafe (Austin) - neither of them touch Madrid's. The Grape is just some fufu burger that is served WAY too rare. C.C. - that's a damn good burger, hard to compare it to any others in San Antonio but solid (thicker, and stacked up, not like Madrid's). In my opinion a burger joint shouldn't be getting hung up on how to prepare the meat - prepare them universally, and if they are all as damn good as the first time you ate it, then you have an excellent burger. Chris Madrid's achieves it. FEELS LIKE THE FIRST TIIIIIME
I have tried many burger joints in my life and I am going to say that Chris Madrid’s has perfected something amazing. To me a burger is all about taste proportion, let me explain; all parts of the burger count the same on my burger scale: the salad has to be fresh and chopped; the condiments can’t be overpowering but must be noticeable; the burger can’t be too thick and not undercooked, it must be thinner and seasoned to perfection; the cheese, well Chris Madrid’s cheddar cheese is unlike any other place I have discovered and its amazingly delicious; the bun is distinctively greasy and fresh; I usually order the porky’s delight (Cheddar Cheesy with beacon) and the beacon is thin and just gives it a hint of beacon flavor; again I want to reiterate that all the things that go into making a burger must be in correct taste proportion, and at Chris Madrid’s it comes together to make something unjustifiable by words. The fries are usually pretty good, this is the only thing that I don’t rave about, but that’s because I am an onion ring man (chester’s onion rings are the best). There are also some other things that make Chris Madrid’s stand out from others: they have a “salsa bar” which has pico de gallo, different salsas and jalapenos to add to your burger, I always use the light red salsa with my burger which just gives it a little extra; they have a full bar in the back that serves great margaritas and Mexican beers; oh and they serve great nachos.
I grew up in San Antonio and have lived in Dallas and Houston for multiple years and spent a lot of time in Austin and can tell you that Chris Madrid’s is the only burger that raises the bar. I was concerned for Texas Monthly after they failed miserably to rate Texas BBQ and when they came out with the best burger in Texas as being from The Grape, I am just plain embarrassed.
Chris Madrid's has the BEST burgers in the entire country. I've lived in 15 different states, and have never come across a burger as delicious as Chris Madrid's. Big buttery buns, perfectly seasoned meat, a healthy portion of melted cheese, plenty of veggies too. My mouth is watering again...and I just came back from eating there !!! LOL!
Are you all serious? Maybe people need to get out of their neighborhood a little more often. The burgers at Chris Madrid's is less than mediocre AT BEST. I honestly would rather eat any burger chain burger before I'd go back. I even gave it a second chance and ordered a regular and a tostada burger. Very dissappointing to say the least.
The meat has a weird texture. Not much flavor and the fries are overly greasy and soggy. Yes there is a difference between greasy and over greasy. I guess the oil must not be hot enough when they drop in the fries. I can name a handful of spots that are at least (and I'm really not exaggerating) ten times better than Chris Madrids. Bobby J's, Cheddar's, Lord's Kitchen, Smash Burger, Whataburger, MCDONALDS and the list goes on.
It's hard to make a bad burger, but Chris Madrid's somehow makes it possible. I'm not trying to be a hater, but when you love burgers as much as I do, you refuse to let people tell you what to like. The burger tells you whether you like it or not and Chris Madrid's is definitely mute.
So true burger afficionado's, please save your money or don't and be ultimately disappointed.
This website should seriously be ashamed of itself. With a name like SanAntonioBurger.com you shouldn't be a lemming and recommend such a place. You guys can call me anytime and eventhough I have only lived in San Antonio for about 8 years, i can take you to many better places. I would like to sit with the "reviewers" and have them tell me to my face as we're eating at Chris Madrid's why it's so good. It's easy to lie when you're not face to face. Do you all own a stake in the restaurant?
This place is way overrated. I used to go years ago and like it but on a recent visit was very dissappointed. The burger was very bland. Almost no flavor.
This place is good, but far from the best. The fries suck but the macho nachos are good. The burgers are good but not worth waiting in line for. I think Armadillos (formerly Little Hipps) is far superior to Chris Madrids, or even Broadway 50/50 for that matter. Have a nice day.
When I first came to San Antonio in 1991, Chris Madrid's was known to be the best burger place in town, hand's down. The burgers were bigger than they are now, and the quality of the product was superior to any others in the city. It was fairly common to see the owner working the kitchen, or working the cash register daily. You just got a better product than you do now.
As his business has grown, the inevitable decrease in quality and flavor were noticeable; it just didn't taste the same, and they got smaller. I rarely saw the owner anymore, and new faces were constantly changing in the kitchen, It didn't seem that the product was a shadow of it's former self. Then around 2003, 2004, Chris became much more involved in the daily operations, and the quality and taste of the burgers rose back to their rightful prominence atop the San Antonio Burger Throne. I started bringing my friends and family there again. Wanting to make a good impression, I took clients from out of town, various girlfriend's parents, or any other group of hotties that were willing to work off the appetite from late night clubbin'.
But it seems that the same great consistency was not present with subsequent visits. Sometimes when we went, the food was fantastic, other times, our local Chester's made a better product. For sentimental reasons, Chris Madrids will ALWAYS be my favorite hamburger joint, but I dearly wish Chris would be back in the kitchen working his magic, asking each of his customers how they are liking his food again...
Dallas Mavericks fans have infiltrated this blog and are panning Madrid's because they know their basketball team has never tasted true victory. Only explanation.
As one of my friends once said on a Madrid's outing, "I would eat here if this place was called Butt Food."
Its that amazing.
YUMMMMMMM!
First of all, dipshit poster from March 1st, Armadillo's may be in the former location of Little Hipp's, but the new Little Hipp's is in fact Timbo's. Second of all, the Macho Nachos = Macho Diarrhea. Third of all, Chris Madrid's is not only NOT far from best, it IS the best. Much like the Spurs (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007). Broadway 50/50 is a fucking joke, you must be a biker.
Chris Madrid's
Best burger period!
I've eaten burgers from all over the United States, and lots of them here in San Antonio, and Chris Madrid's is the best you'll ever get in a restaurant.
I think the quality has declined in the past year or two? I first tried it in 2008 (when I moved here from PA) after all the hype and my expectations were met. I hadn't been there until yesterday to take a friend craving for burgers(7/10/10) and I felt the burger taste was more bland than what I remember. Fortunately, my friend loved it, but I think it was due to his appetite. I agree w/ some of the recent posts. The quality has "noticeably" declined. I don't know the reason, but I hope the word gets out before it gets out of hand.
same person as the 7/11 post...I wanted to add that i felt my experience at Bobby J's was way better in terms of the burger quality. I am next targeting Lord's Kitchen and Fatty's. I'll write a review soon. ~eric