Vol. III Chef Crafted & Upscale
List updated 05/29/2017
If your appetite requires a little refined luxury in the quality of the burgers you consume, then you’re probably looking for much more than fast food or budget friendly menus have to offer. Maybe you’re not overly sophisticated, but if you’re prepared to embellish in more than $14 for a single burger, then you’re definitely not looking for bargain-basement prices. A wise person once said “Price is only important in the absence of value.”. There’s a lot of truth to that, especially when considering the quality of your choice of burgers. If you’re willing to spend the extra dough, you’ll probably taste the difference.
Dining in a restaurant who’s menu contains phrases like “hand crafted brioche buns from Easy Tiger”, “house-made”, “chef-crafted”, “aioli”, “frisée”, “locally cured bacon”, “foie gras”, “Kobe or wagyu”, “wild-game”, “artisanal cheese”, or “dry-aged”, prepare to pull out a wad of cash or a credit card because you’ve most likely landed in an upscale restaurant that takes their burgers to an entirely different level.
Geraldine’s
605 Davis St, Austin, TX 78701
Geraldine’s launched their revamped lunch menu created by Executive Chef Stephen Bonin on Friday, May 12 featuring seasonally-inspired dishes, highlighting flavors that embody the city. The burger is beautifully loaded a local Akaushi burger, 5-year aged cheddar, baby green leaf, fresh heirloom tomato, sweet onion, dill pickle and bacon mayo.
Second Bar + Kitchen
200 Congress Avenue
Chef David Bull! That’s pretty much all you need to know. This is the mother of all gourmet American burgers made with ground brisket and chuck, pork belly, shallot confit, gruyère, fresh lettuce, tomatoes, house-made horseradish pickles and topped off with a fried egg. It’s so delicious and full of insane flavor, you’ll rethink your existence in the universe and change your religion to David Bull-ism.
Parkside
301 E 6th St.
Shawn Cirkiel should be given a status of nobility with his non-stop winning creations! His cheeseburger is inspired from his grandmother’s old school hamburger steak combining two types of rich beef topped with white cheddar, adding to the rich flavor. It’s just that simple, and apparently delicious enough to make us bow in Shawn’s presence. Chef, the burger gods salute you! Photo: Sweet Louise Photography
TRACE
W Austin, 200 Lavaca St.
The Butcher Burger is an adventure for the avid culinary enthusiast that appreciates a great atmosphere and the flavor to match. This burger is absolutely high class all the way with tillamook Cheddar, crispy house-cured bacon, fried egg, lettuce, tomatoes and pickles. Photo: Hayden Walker
Clark’s
1200 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78703
Clark’s burger is a mountain of beauty, beef and cheese. Nearly cooked as perfect as a juicy petite filet, it arrives covered in Gruyere cheese. Throw in a side of their famous shoestring fries and a pile of brussel sprouts and you’ll still be trendy enough for the West Austin society ($16 with fries or slaw; half-price from 3-6 Mon-Fri). Photo: LAURA SKELDING / AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Little Barrel and Brown
1716 S Congress Ave
Think of this as the “Chicago meets Austin Burger”, stacked with marrow-naise, and your choice of fixins. Owners Andrew and Matt Botticelli with partner Tim Brown have created a neighborhood spot on the famous S. Congress Ave. giving you a hint of a classic Chicago-vibe paired with the flavor of the house burger. Photo: Matt Lankes
Bartlett’s
West Anderson Plaza, 2408 W Anderson Ln
If you journey up to North Austin to visit Bartlett’s don’t be surprised if it becomes your favorite burger in the city. The daily ground in-house beef, shredded cheddar, on a buttery toasted bun and crispy shoestring french fries will make you a believer in Co-Owner and Executive Chef Arik Williams’s righteous creation. Photo by Courtney Pierce
Roaring Fork
North Austin: 10850 Stonelake Blvd | Downtown: 701 Congress Ave
Holy moly! If there was ever an appropriate name for a burger, it would be this one! The Big Ass Burger is exactly that and it’s incredible! Stacked with poblano pepper, cheddar, smoked pepper bacon, lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, & french fries it’s as big and bad-ass as it sounds! Be prepared to tap out and beg for mercy, this burger is bold and delicious but it takes no prisoners.
Vince Young Steakhouse
Downtown: 701 Congress Ave
Porter Ale House
3715 S 1st St
The Porter Burger is the quintessential “Gastropub Burger” of Austin. The burger, features ground short rib, brie and pancetta. It has received national attention from Eater National naming it one of the hottest burgers in the United States. The casual ambiance breaths a convivial atmosphere in a high-end urban apartment setting that makes it a neighborhood favorite. Photo: Porter Ale House Burger pictured with Jasmin Fine of @1FineCookie
Swift’s Attic
315 Congress Ave
If burger-porn was ever considered to be a real thing, it would exist at Swift’s! Featured as one of Thrillist’s 33 top burger spots in the country, Swift’s Attic’s is a burger lover’s dream come true! “Artisan” doesn’t even begin to describe the level of burger greatness Swift’s has to offer, as Monday nights at 9 pm have become legendary featuring a new big ass burger every week. Show up early to secure your burger! Photo: Natalie Paramore
Garbo’s Restaurant
14735 Bratton Ln
Garbo’s makes a burger? You betcha! Garbo’s who’s been serving fresh lobster rolls straight from the shore to your door blew us away with Executive Chef Will Foden and Owner Heidi Garbo’s version of a burger stacked with grilled with gorgonzola, arugula, aioli & fries. Don’t be shocked, but you’ll love it! Photo by Hayden Walker
Hopdoddy
West Anderson Plaza, 2438 W Anderson Ln. | South Austin: 1400 S Congress Ave
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re probably familiar with the infamous local favorite! Hopdoddy is notorious for it’s long lines, but it’s rightfully so for a reason! Every burger is generously prepared to order with nearly any topping you could ever want. From beef, salmon and bison, Hopdoddy will have you coming back just so you’ll try everything in the menu. If you’re a serious burger lover, you’ll do just that!
Stella San Jac
310 E 5th St, Austin, TX 78701
The Stella Burger with White Cheddar, White BBQ Crispy Onions. I mean just look at it. It’s stunning in every way possible and it’s not safe around me.
Oasthouse
8300 N FM 620 e, Austin, TX 78726
In Chef Hajimaleki’s Umami Burger, he blends oyster mushrooms with high-quality Texas Wagyu beef for the patty. Once cooked, the patty is placed on a Hawaiian bistro bun and topped with the chef’s special Japanese Island Sauce and pickled bok choy, sliced cucumberand Delice de Bourgogne cheese from Antonelli’s Cheese Shop. Photo by Hayden Walker
A good list with notable omissions in offerings from Jacoby’s, Salt & Time and Hopfields.