Big List of the Best Burgers in Town

Local radio personality Sandy Mcilree of Mix 94.7 fame shared with the world his friend's best Austin burger joint list.  It's so impressive, and extensive, that we couldn't ignore it because of 1) our love of burgers and 2) our recent 7 Best Burgers of Central Texas.  By the way, the color on the home page may have changed to show support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but we still  have one more burger to wrap up the tour.  It will be posted on this site on Sunday, Oct. 10.

Everyone has their own standards for burgers.  Throughout the tour on ACS, I have learned that there are the burgers with all the frills, and those that come plain Jane.  I know some people prefer to keep it simple, as do I, but I have found that I do like the add-ons quite a bit, too.  

Sandy's friend, Brock Purslow (left), obviously has had a couple of burgers in his day.  His criteria, according to Sandy's blog, includes mandatory good fries, a simple atmosphere for the burger lover to enjoy, and a good shake (a plus in Purslow's book).

In no particular order (except for the first one), here is the list:

• Crown and Anchor: great atmosphere, spectacular fries, cold beer from around the world (mustard only on the burger)
• Dirty's: more history and Longhorn tradition than any other joint in town. On anyday you could see Coach Brown, Coach Barnes, Coach Auggie, Ben Crenshaw and even Quinton Tarintino eating here. Go by yourself and sit at the bar. (Mustard and Pickle only on the large cheeseburger for me)
• Mike's Pub: simple but excellent. Nice grease on top of bun and coldest beer in town. (put your own fixin's on, mustard and onion for me)
• Lee's Almost by the Lake (Spicewood, Tex.):  worth the drive to cure a hangover on Saturday (all the way minus lettuce for me)
• Diamond Inn (Taylor, Tex.): Same grill from the original Diamond Inn in the 1960's and 1970's. Only serve cheeseburgers Thursday's-Saturday (order just like it comes, don't mess with a good thing)
• P. Terry's: easiest menu in town, quick convenient but darn good burgers and shakes. (I get mine without the special sauce)
• Shuggies: (closed) great hangout at the South Austin Trailer Park Eatery. Unique bun with the black pepper, large patties and beer battered fries. (mustard and pickle on for me)
• Mighty Fine Burgers: only fresh cut crinkle fries in the great state of Texas. I once ate the largest cheeseburger of my life here because I ordered wrong. It was good but quite a challenge I wasn't going to back down from. (yellow and white only for me)
• Mooyah Burgers and Fries [editor's note: now Cafe Canela]: new in town but moving up the ranks quick. Great bun and cheese is melted into the meat to give it the real "dive" taste. Fresh cut fries daily with good shakes. (mustard and pickle only for me)
• Hut's: best variety in town. Cool place with good shakes. (Chubby Checker for me)
• Ski Shores: great place to stop by to refresh those burning ski legs or drive to after you run your dogs at Turkey Creek. (mustard only for me)
• Poodies on 71: worth the drive again. Go in the evening and you might catch Willie but you will probably catch some good live music and a good buzz. (mustard, pickle and onion for me)
• Billy's on Burnet: great little spot for lunch. Nice thick pattie with some of the nicest people in Austin waiting on you. A Green Bay Packer joint with Beer Brats on Game Day. If you are a Packer fan, which I am, you gotta go on game day. *If ever in Green Bay you must eat at Kroll's, and it has to be Kroll's East not West. (mustard only for me)
• Jim's: everyone knows about Jim's. Next time look past the breakfast menu and order the Frontier burger. (I get mine just like it comes minus lettuce of course)
• Nau's: old school cheeseburgers with history, enough said. (mustard, pickle and onion only)
• Casino El Camino: order like it comes or get out. No substitutions. nice greasy burger to warsh down your col' beer.
• Red Robin: typically not a fan of chains but the Royal Red Robin (with a fried egg) is worth going. Great shakes. (like it comes minus lettuce of course)
• Mo Willy Golf Course: every muny golf course has a great greasy burger or its not a really muny. This is the best muny cheeseburger in town. They even have watered fairways now. (mustard only for me)
• Arkie's: cool little spot on the east side. Sit at the counter get a burger, skip the shake and go right for the homemade pie. (mustard only for me)
• The Frisco Shop: (formerley Night Hawk for those true Austinites). Old school burger served wrapped in paper. Its gotta be good because it's messy. (I get mine the way it comes minus lettuce of course)

Purslow also says Gus's Grill would make the list but rumor has it it's closed.

I wonder where Posse East ranks on everyone's list.  A picture of the Sheriff Sandwich, which I believe is the signature sandwich there, is to the left.  It's actually what I ordered the day I went: Ham, salami, cheddar, mozzarella, lettuce, tomato, red onion & mustard on a wheat bun.  Wow!  And at $4.90 that can't be beat.  Despite the kitchen losing my order, it turned out pretty good, dare I say different!  I definitely need to go back and try it again.

How many of these on Purslow's list have you tried?  Let us know, and tell us your favorites!  Purslow says he's working on a separate, fast food list.