Elevate Your Burger Experiences

I love hamburgers. I love French fries even more. Sometimes, I eat a burger just for the experience of eating the fries.

Burger joints in Austin are aplenty. From the famous to the infamous, the Capitol city seems to have it all. Of course, ACS took its own burger tour last year since these American creations are so darn tasty.

The experience elevated my sense of burger appreciation. Since the tour, I've been able to enjoy many more burgerr joints, including Elevation Burger (9828 Great Hills Trail) near the Arboretum.

This is some place I never thought I'd lend my money or time to because it just didn't sound so appealing.

But being a lover of fries, I'd give this place an A-. They are cooked in olive oil, which gives them a new and exciting flavor. Plus, olive oil is a healthier oil with omega-3 fatty acid.

The burgers, too, are great. Patrons may choose one patty, two, all the way to ten! (Hence, elevation). But vegetarians, fear not. There is also a menu for you to choose between at least two veggie burgers: I believe one was a roasted flavor, and the other regular. You may also choose an appropriately named guilty free option and get one veggie patty and one beef. On my last visit I tried this burger, and have to admit it was a little weird. My philosophy is if I'm going to get a burget, get a (real) burger.

Elevation may not be out of this world, but I always like trying new things and elevating my experiences. I have yet to try the shakes and other menu offerings, but give it a whirl! Who knows, you might elevate your senses to a whole new level. And isn't that what it's all about?

Survivor of Domestic Violence Reaches Out To Other Victims

While October is perhaps most recognized for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it is also the month of awareness of a serious issue - indeed, a disease that pervades many homes in Texas and across the country - domestic violence. The Texas Advocacy Project offers free legal services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. Austin Citysphere received the letter below from Austinite Brenda Larcom, herself a survivor of domestic violence and a client of Texas Advocacy Project, and we are happy to share it below.

Dear Editor:

Last year, 111 Texas women lost their lives to domestic violence. The youngest was only 13 when her boyfriend killed her.

Every October, we observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This year I think of that teenage girl who won’t go to her first homecoming game. I can’t help but think that at age 19 that could have been me.

I know I am lucky to have gotten out alive. I am a survivor. I chose to leave. You are probably asking yourself why those 111 women didn’t.

The next time you wonder that, put yourself in their shoes. Ask yourself what you would do if you were forced to leave on foot, without a dollar to your name. Ask yourself what you would do if you feared leaving because you thought he would find you and kill you, or worse yet, take your children from you.

Domestic violence kills but there is hope. If you are ready to leave but are scared, there are resources available. Texas Advocacy Project and the Allstate Foundation have teamed up to make financial and legal help available to help women and their children get and stay safe. To learn more, visit www.TexasAdvocacyProject.org.

Contact:

Brenda Larcom
Domestic Violence Survivor

ACL Fest: Day One

Photos by: Dave Mead

The Austin City Limits Music Festival kicked off Friday at Zilker Park after a year of preparation (following the end of last year's weekend-long concert).  The day included performances by The Strokes, Spoon, Blues Traveler and others.

Of course, the weekend includes so many more bands on the nearly dozen stages set up in the south Austin park, which hosts the festival every year.

Saturday will begin just after 11 a.m. and run until 10:00 Saturday night.  Watch the slide show of the first day of ACL.  Photos by Dave Mead.

Don't Go It Alone: Jaclyn Smith

Native Texan Jaclyn Smith rose to fame as one of Charlie's Angels, and has gone on to star in a lengthy list of film and television projects. Her next role, however, is more personal.

Smith battled against breast cancer in 2003 and is now one of the millions of women who has survived breast cancer. She says her husband, Brad Allen, was key in helping her deal with hearing the diagnosis. She told CNN in 2008, "I was in a state of panic," she says. "It was kind of surreal, and you don't really hear what they're saying."

Smith also said she relied on her friends to help her through her battle. "One of the most important things you can do is remember the power of girlfriends. Your family is there for you, but they get emotional. Girlfriends saved my day."

Tonight, Smith and other cancer survivors appear in the docu-drama "1 a Minute," which is showing across the country at live events that will feature panelists speaking about breast cancer survival and hopeful advancements against the disease. "1 a Minute" was launched by Indo-American actress Namrata Singh Gujral while she was undergoing her third round of chemotherapy to treat breast cancer. There are several live events happening in and around the Austin area, and tickets are on sale now. View the trailer below or visit the official website at 1aminute.com.

I've Been On Blind Dates Better Than That: Molly Ivins

Legendary Texas author and humorist Molly Ivins died nearly four years ago at the age of 62 from stage three inflammatory breast cancer. She was first diagnosed in 1999, and the disease recurred twice in 2003 and in 2005. She began her last leave from writing her syndicated column in December 2006, was hospitalized on January 26, 2007, and died at her home in Austin five days later on January 31.

On fighting breast cancer, Ivins said, "Having breast cancer is massive amounts of no fun. First they mutilate you; then they poison you; then they burn you. I have been on blind dates better than that."

Former President George W. Bush, who was often the recipient of her critiques, later said, "I respected her convictions, her passionate belief in the power of words. She fought her illness with that same passion. Her quick wit and commitment will be missed."

Below is an archive from NPR's "All Things Considered," in their episode remembering Molly Ivins.

Going Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and ACS has gone pink along with many other organizations around the country. But the special events and all of the pink you'll see during October point to the fact that breast cancer is still a deadly disease that claims thousands of lives a year. Even though the mortality has gone down overall due in part to early detection and diagnosis, the disease is not always survivable.

Here in Austin, the local chapter of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is kicking off a month chock-full of activities that will benefit breast cancer awareness and research, from pink ribbon doughnuts to haircuts to fitness activities. In addition, the annual Race for the Cure will take place on November 7th at the Domain, after months of fundraising by local teams. The Breast Cancer Resource Centers of Texas organization is also holding several events during October, including a golf tournament, a motorcycle ride, and SCARE for a Cure.

Other local offices are "going pink" to increase awareness. The Austin Police Department rolled out a pink police car on Thursday that will be seen around the city in October, and the city council issued a proclamation for the 2010 Race for the Cure at last week's meeting.

Beyond the pink, though, remember that this isn't just the month when NFL players wear pink gloves or guys wear pink ribbons. This is the month when we remember those who are still fighting a terrible disease, and those who fought until the end.

"There's Always Somebody Taking a More Radical Step Than You Are"

After dropping cell phone service - radically changing our lives and the way we communicate, adopting Dave Ramsey's envelope system as we turn the pages of his Total Money Makeover, paying cash for groceries, and buckling down our checkbook to devote every extra cent to debt, we are starting to feel free from our normal routine that has kept us tied to financial stress.

I read an article Swapping Convenience for Low Cost on the Get Rich Slowly blog recently.  It's about a man from London who traveled to the United States on the cheap... the very cheap.  He stayed on people's couches and did odd jobs for people in exchange for food and shelter.  It's not how many people travel.  In fact, I don't know anyone who travels like that.  But the point is he's experiencing America a different way than most from his country do, and has great stories to tell from it.

My favorite paragraph from the blog is this:

Whether you’re looking to travel to exotic places, change careers, or just keep your house warm this winter, there’s always somebody taking a more radical step than you are. Watching people who go beyond your own comfort zones can be inspiring. We can’t all be vegans, but we can all try to eat less meat. Most of us would never want to become squatters or dumpster-dive for our dinners, but seeing others do so can be an invitation to examine our own lives.

Where are you swapping cash for conveniences you don’t really need? Is there some radical change waiting to be made in your life? A baby step that you can take towards it?

 There's always someone more radical, huh?  That's hard to believe since I don't have a cell phone anymore!  But it's true.  I wonder what other people do to blast debt.  I'm interested to know the extreme measures some people take when they are really serious about changing their lives and the way they spend money.

What do you do?  Are you changing the way you spend money?  Are you tired of debt?  Are you taking radical steps to change your life?  If you are, please let us know about it.  Leave a comment below.

A Side of Fries with Hat Creek Burger Company

With so many good burger places in north Austin I don't see any point in visiting Hat Creek again. The burger was mediocre. Besides the fun sign outside, you lose all character inside. It looks like a fast food restaurant.... it feels like fast food. 

Hat Creek Burger Company (5400 Burnet Road) might be easy to spot with the old Arby's sign out front, but you might as well just keep going.  With full intentions of putting Hat Creek on the 7 Best Burgers of Central Texas tour after recommendations I should try it out, I must say I agree with the Yelp review above.

The employees are very nice and attended to my order in a very courteous fashion, but I just couldn't help but think Hat Creek's burger is just plain and simple.  There's nothing wrong with a plain and simple burger.  Not all of them have the frills and added elements of a gourmet burger.  But there's just nothing special about Hat Creek.  The patty tasted ordinary, and I did not see how they cooked it.  The fries were also the very skinny shoestring style, which I am not a fan of.  

To be fair, many Yelp reviewers do like Hat Creek and it's only right to include one of them here.

The burger was really good, I'd say good enough to go back.  And I really like their fries - on the thin side, crispy, some skin on them.

Another complaint I saw on Yelp that I sort of noticed myself but didn't place a thought to it at the time is the very white, sterile dining room.  There's a huge wall that separates the dining room from the ordering area, which seems to be very divisive so customers can't see everything going on at the front.  I would enjoy it more if the entire space were open.

I can't in good faith include Hat Creek on the 7 Best Burgers of Central Texas tour because in my opinion, it just wasn't.  I am glad I got to try their hamburger, but I don't feel that I'll be going back.  But as I always say, try it out for yourself to decide.  You can find Hat Creek on the web here, and make sure to check out the video of the place on the Hat Creek media page.  It's actually pretty good.

Under new Federal Trade Commission guidelines, which require bloggers to disclose information regarding potential conflicts for items reviewed in their blogs, the Austin Citysphere was not compensated for this story. 

Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall

(Jay Janner AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

The moon rises over downtown Austin on Wednesday Sept 22, 2010.  NASA calls tonight a "super harvest moon" because autumn is beginning with a full moon.

I never really considered myself a summer-born baby, so it must be then that I just always identified with the fall.  I'm very glad for that because it's once again here, fall, my favorite season of them all.

The days will grow shorter, and the air will blow cooler.  It will be time to light candles, open the windows, walk with a brisk step, and prepare for the many holidays we celebrate every year during this time.

According to ABC News, the beginning of this fall is cause for a celestial celebration.

Tonight is a night of celestial coincidences. The autumnal equinox -- the beginning of fall -- comes at 11:09 p.m. ET, and for the first time in 19 years, it comes on the same night as a full moon, the one known as the Harvest Moon.

Native American tribes gave names to each of the dozen full moons of the year, and the list now is maintained by the Farmer's Almanac. The Harvest Moon is the one closest to the beginning of fall. It's time for the crops to come in. If you are blessed with clear skies tonight, you will see an unusually bright star right near the moon. It's actually not a star at all; it's the planet Jupiter at "opposition," coming closer to the earth than at any time since 1963.

There's no real magic to all this, just the bodies of the solar system doing what they do as they follow the rules of orbital mechanics. But there is a pleasant effect on us earthlings, if we pause to enjoy the combination.

I guess I've always had nice memories of the fall and rarely remember the onset of allergies and sniffles.  I remember eight years ago, when I just started my career in Missouri, sitting on the balcony of our apartment and looking out at the leaves changing colors.  There, the fall season really was fall!  I think of making potato soup so spicy your friends are in tears at the table.  I am reminded of sitting my then four month old by some pumpkins in October.  Back in college, a few freshman who just met went swing dancing together.  Later on the porch of a north Texas home, we assembled for a family picture and a visit to old stomping grounds became a time for friends to catch up.  Thanksgiving around the table, especially at your own home, is humbling.  The list goes on...

Fall is about family, friends and a refreshed sense of life all around.  It's just the best season there is and I can't wait to turn the AC off, the heater on, and bask in the sights, sounds and smells of the season.

Tough Times Call for Tough Measures: An Experiment in Social and Financial Simplicity

Obtaining financial peace is a dream millions of Americans envision, and it's one Sarah and I are actively pursuing.  Last night we opened up Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover book, after receiving it months ago from a friend Sarah went to high school with (Sandra Horton).  Not too long ago, Sandra and her husband achieved financial peace after just two and a half years of major sacrifice, paying off thousands of dollars in debt, including their mortgage.  To celebrate, the couple invited family and friends to commemorate the occasion and bought a case of Ramsey's book to pass out to friends.  We were one of the lucky ones to get a copy (in the mail) and now have finally taken on the challenge for ourselves.

As boring as the first paragraph might be with no creative frills to state the simple, I want to get right to the point.  We are dead serious about doing this.  Because of this, Sarah canceled our cell phone service today, amounting to a savings of $200 a month and $2,400 a year.  We're opting for a free service offered by Google (Google Voice) to communicate, although it means not staying connected 24/7 as we have become accustomed to in the past few years of our lives.  Upon the announcement, many of our friends have congratulated us in this new phase of our lives, and many have said we are crazy.  I say it's definitely crazy, but only in the sense that I am crazy to get this debt monkey off my back once and for all.

We tried to sell Sarah's car tonight but that didn't go as expected.  But we are going to be tightening down and throwing money at debt, following the Dave Ramsey plan to get the lenders out of our lives and welcoming the peace and love of financial freedom, plus giving to our creator God even more, the proper place the latter two deserve.

But this does bring up an interesting point in the process: becoming less connected than we have known, and allowing ourselves to become vulnerable once again to the simplicity of a couple in love enjoying the bond to a beautiful baby boy.  Disconnecting cell phone service means no instant access to email, Twitter, Facebook, voice mail, and phone calls in or out (an emergency phone or employer cell phones notwithstanding).  This will hit me harder than Sarah, as she is able to access the internet all day long with the new system we're adopting.  I will have to rely on WiFi and wireless internet connection via work for my connections as I rove central Texas on the job.  I suspect I will learn the WiFi hotspots of Austin quite well - just as I have learned the restrooms as a man on the go.  Because, after all, when a man has to go, he has to go!

In this world of instant connectivity, it will be very interesting, dare I say freeing, to experience time without being connected to the inner-world of the internet 100 percent of the time.  I am looking forward to untying myself from the interconnected web of social media and email just as much as I am scared of it.  But, in the end, I will come out debt-free and with a higher appreciation of a world I may have been missing because my cell phone put blinders on my eyes.  Finally, I will be financially free and understand what it will mean to cut the communications ties. 

Amish?  Hardly.  Insane?  Totally.  Different?  Most definitely.  What we need to do?  Absolutely.

Uncover the Secrets of Our Body, the Universe Within

Sunday, the widely talked about human body display, titled Our Body: the Universe Within, will leave the University of Texas Stark Center.

The H.J. Lutcher Stark Center, a fairly new addition to UT, is the home of a vast collection of athletic accomplishments developed by co-director Dr. Terry Todd.  As we first posted in May, when the exhibit opened, the exhibit helps tell the story of why Dr. Todd has loved the world of physical fitness all of his career.  The body is a compelling and complex entity.  "Our hope is, when people come and see this kind of amazing, almost miraculous complexity revealed, that it will increase people's gratitude for what they have and sense of wonder at exactly what a marvelous machine it is and perhaps they'll take better care of it," said Todd.

The Stark Center is a place Dr. Todd has created to house his extensive collection of artifacts concerning the human body.  He and his wife, Dr. Jan Todd, have worked years to gather miles worth of magazines, books and other materials related to physical fitness.  They have thousands of pieces, plus actual antique equipment, including a vintage double exercise bike system in which two people "race" as the tracking device ahead of them tells who's in the lead.

The State of the Fourth Estate Through the Eyes of Two CBS News Icons

CBS News icons Lesley Stahl and Morley Safer offered a rare look inside their experience "growing up" with the Tiffany Network, working alongside newsman Walter Cronkite during some of the biggest stories in history.  The conversation touched on topics like how the 60 Minutes legends met Cronkite, women in the media, and the current state of the Fourth Estate.

Stahl, an eloquent speaker, told the audience inside the LBJ Auditorium at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas that she got her start, as many women did in broadcast journalism, because of affirmative action.

"There was a lot of concern the audience would not accept women as authoritative because we had never been in that position to tell the public what went on today," said Stahl.  "Would they accept us?  So we all had to lower our voices.  I remember very deliberately wearing glasses, which I do need.  But I could have taken them off for the camera.  My mother was always fighting me on this.  She kept saying, 'no one's ever going to ask you on a date if you wear your glasses!'  We were always trying to present ourselves as people of gravitas, people who had authoritative sounding voices, look serious."

Stahl remembered the time she smiled during a standup, when a reporter speaks directly into the camera for a story.  "I remember I told a funny story and I smiled.  The producer was livid at me because it was late and on deadline.  I had to go out and do it again.  It was funny but I wasn't allowed to smile because I was a woman and it would take away from my image."

Image in that day was very important as the evolving role of journalism slowly took hold of the American audience.  Safer said he learned Cronkite, who had a humorous side - throwing parties, doing impressions, and acting out a "strip tease" for his guests - would always stick up for his correspondents.  "He was a wonderful friend.  As a correspondent working 13,000 miles away, you really felt secure that he was somehow watching your back."

Stahl met Cronkite twice.  The first was at the local CBS affiliate, where she worked, in Boston.  Later, she was invited to a dinner party, similar to Safer, where she earned even more respect for him than she had before.  "My first story with having my first dinner with Walter Cronkite, getting to meet him personally,  was such a head spinner, I walked out kind of almost as if I was punch drunk in a funny way."  Stahl believed she became 'one of the guys' because Cronkite told these vile jokes with a woman present.  If he could do that with a woman in the room, she figured, she was in the club.

Broadcast Journalism, A Changing Scene

As time goes on, journalism has changed.  It's hard to believe, considering broadcast news still seems in its early years, that the media is changing even more.  Technology has a lot to do with it.

"We worked in film," Stahl said of her early career.  "Film had to be developed.   So you had actual time to think.  You had hours to make phone calls.  You could actually call people and get opposing views.  You could call an analyst and get some depth.  Then video came in and that time shrank.  The deadline wouldn't be so early.  And now it's instant.  They don't think at all.  The President speaks and two seconds later, the reporter's right there and he's telling you.  Or the story happens and before you can make a single phone call, you're called upon."

Safer, who credits 60 Minutes for still using the old fashioned formula of story telling and important investigations, believes the shrinking think time for journalists nowadays is sad.  "It really does a disservice to the audience."

Asked of the legacy Walter Cronkite left behind, and if it's still around:  "I think the legacy diminishes each year.  Part of it is the whole nature of broadcast news has changed so much," said Safer.

Stahl had a different take on Cronkite's legacy, saying the newsman actually shaped history.  "Time and again because Walter Cronkite was so trusted, the public listened to him more than they listened to the politicians.  He was able to affect the course of history and I would say his legacy is strongest in that sense."

Plenty has changed in broadcast journalism, but many things remain the same.  Despite the critics who choose not to trust the news, there are many journalists like Safer and Stahl who continue to make journalism an honored profession with people who work hard for viewers and the people whose stories they tell.

What's the Tech "Silent Treatment" Really About?

Sports media in Texas is abuzz with regard to the reports that Texas Tech is planning to give the Longhorns the silent treatment when they take the turf at Jones Field in Lubbock on Saturday. According to Red Raider fan blog "The Tortilla Retort," the Student Government Association at Tech sent out a message to the student body that read as follows:

Fellow Red Raiders,
The Student Government Association would like to share a new and exciting tradition to support our school spirit and sportsmanship at football games. We are calling it “The Silent Treatment!” The Silent Treatment is something SGA feels will be a new, intimidating way to get students excited for the game this weekend. As the opposing team runs onto the field and the visiting band plays their fight song, everyone in our stands will go silent . As we all go silent, everyone in the stands will turn to face our Double-T scoreboard and put our guns up. Not only is this intimidating, but it will also catch the opposing team completely off-guard. Once our players run out, we want our fans to go crazy with school spirit.

We believe this could be extremely effective if everyone participates, but we need students to help us promote this new tradition. Only with your help can this become a reality. Let’s make it happen Texas Tech!
Wreck ‘em!
Jenny Mayants Internal Vice President
Guns Up!
Drew Graham President

According to Mike Graham at the Dallas Morning News, some media outlets have reported that the Tech students planned to continue the tactic through the entire game, whenever UT has possession of the ball. However, Graham points out that it's only intended to last through the Longhorns entering the stadium and the UT band playing "The Eyes of Texas" before the game.

Graham also mentions that there has also been a campaign on the Texas Tech campus to sing their own fight song without adding obscenities to the lyrics.

KENS 5 in San Antonio spoke to Drew Graham, Tech's SGA president, who believes the "Silent Treatment" will be "more threatening to any team than anything else" since most teams are used to getting yelled at when they play in Lubbock.

Regardless of what happens on Saturday, the game is sure to be physical on both sides as the Longhorns look to take back some dignity after the ugly loss in 2008. What do you think about the "Silent Treatment" planned by the Red Raiders, and how do you think the game will go?

Best Burger in the World or Just the Best Place to Eat It?

CBS News reporter Bill Geist found the best burger in the world?  So what in the world is the secret?  It just might be the building where the burger is cooked is quite special.

President Obama's Second Back to School Speech to Inspire Kids in Tough Times

President Barack Obama will deliver his second annual back to school speech Tuesday from Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  The message is about encouraging kids to do their best in school and that they can pave their own path toward success.  The President's speech will be heard by Texas children at noon.  Or should I say some Texas children.

Last year, many conservatives worried President Obama would interject political messages into his speech.  Nationwide, however, CNN reports not many people are that worried on this second go-round.  Still, school districts in central Texas, including Round Rock and Leander, are allowing parents the chance to opt their kids out of hearing the speech.  These are the parents whose children will miss a pep talk from the President himself.

Here is what I came to Masterman to tell you: nobody gets to write your destiny but you. Your future is in your hands. Your life is what you make of it. And nothing – absolutely nothing – is beyond your reach. So long as you’re willing to dream big. So long as you’re willing to work hard. So long as you’re willing to stay focused on your education.

I am excited the President is taking time out of his busy day to talk directly to our children.  It's an honor, but it's also inspiring to know that children to hear a message like this will take it to heart and strive for their best.  They will work hard in school, excel in their studies, and some will go to college to earn a degree.  Others will work hard to learn a trade, perfect their skills in their chosen profession, and become extremely successful.

Parents who feel their children will be bombarded by a political message are doing their children a disservice and teaching them to disregard important figures in our world.  When did education become so politicized that some kids will have to miss remarks like this?

An education has never been more important. I’m sure there will be times in the months ahead when you’re staying up late cramming for a test, or dragging yourselves out of bed on a rainy morning, and wondering if it’s all worth it. Let me tell you, there is no question about it. Nothing will have as great an impact on your success in life as your education.

President Obama will encourage school kids to be responsible and punctual, to pay attention in class, do their homework, study and stay out of trouble.  I wish all children could hear the message.  They are growing up in a tough world with challenges that other generations did not have to face.  But President Obama will outline it clearly that the farther they go in school, the farther they will go in life.

A lot of you are having to act a lot older than you are; to be strong for your family while your brother or sister is serving overseas; to look after younger siblings while your mom works that second shift; to take on a part-time job while your dad is out of work.

It’s a lot to handle; it’s more than you should have to handle. And it may make you wonder at times what your own future will look like; whether you’ll be able to succeed in school; whether you should set your sights a little lower, and scale back your dreams.

Maybe children will work harder and learn the value of respecting their leaders by hearing the Commander in Chief let them know their goals are possible.  My hope is that the majority of kids will be able to sit in their desks to hear the President for themselves.

The White House released the text of the speech Monday.  You can read the entire speech for yourself by clicking here.

A Big Side of Fries Fills Us Up With Lots of Places to Try

Our Side of Fries continues with some burger happenings from across our great city.  I'm starting to wonder why Austin is known for music when in all honesty, it should be known for hamburgers.

A frugal Google search (Googling never costs a penny!) pulls up a delicious list of possibilities for your burger wants - er - needs - er - cravings!

So many burger places have been coming into the Austin Citysphere lately via recommendations and word of mouth suggestions, I almost forgot about some staples!  For example, Hut's Hamburgers is always delicious.  The problem with Hut's is you have to decide just how mess you want to get.  The internet search on Urbanspoon revealed a few places I've been and many I have not been.  On the have-tried list: Mighty Fine, Hut's, Five Guys, P Terry's and Phil's Ice House.  Although I've tried the Screaming Goat, I have not had the hamburger.  Do they even have hamburgers?  I've only had the chips and salsa and the tacos.  Good stuff, though.

My have-not-tried list (on this particular list): Casino El Camino, Galaxy Cafe (same story, I've been there but did not have the burger.... or did I?  Is that revealing in and of itself?), and Pecan Street Station.

Now, I have many on the must try list.  Your Mom's is high on the list.  I've heard great things about it and I must admit, right now it's causing some frustration.  So, it has to be great when I go because there's this big buildup.

I've driven by Downtown Hamburgers a lot and still haven't been!  It's been a Readers' Choice winner several times, and the burger trailer has garnered these fine reviews:

Simply the best Trailer burgers in Texas. If you are looking for propane-cooking at its best, quickly head down to Down Town Burgers. - Bubba, Texas Trailer Assoc 

No better place to impress your guests. Down Town Burgers is clearly an exceptional experience in trailer dining. The intimate lighting is outstanding as well. Delectable! - Brian Dunne, Trailer Times

Now, who doesn't want a supremely cooked propane patty?  While at Max Parfait, I got a recommendation to go to Black Sheep.  A buddy told me Casino El Camino is the bomb.  But expect a wait and if you ask where your food is, you get pushed to the back of the order list.  Texas Roadhouse in Bastrop served up a great burger, as did Moonies Burger House.  Of the chain houses, I do like Five Guys but I am not a Mighty Fine fan.  Their burgers aren't mighty (kind of puny, if you ask me) and I'm fine with eating it, but it's not my first choice.  I do like Cafe Canela a whole heck of a lot (as previously mentioned) in north Austin off Burnet and 183.

Next up on the big 7 Best Burgers of central Texas tour is Horny Toad in Cranfills Gap.  Stay tuned for that, and keep the suggestions rolling in!

Empower Kids to Be Safer, Not Sheltered

by Sarah and Ryan Loyd 

The recent news about a teenage girl who said she was attacked by men while she was walking to school was shocking to many parents, to be sure. I have no doubt that for many of them, the immediate reaction was to drive their kids to and from school the next day, just in case.

As it turns out, the girl recanted most of her story, and police have called off the investigation. But I hope that Austin parents, instead of throwing their kids behind lock and key in response to the big "what if", instead teach their children about what they should do in such a situation.

I asked Lenore Skenazy, a nationally-syndicated columnist and the author of the book Free-Range Kids: How to Raise Safe Self-Reliant Children Without Going Nuts with Worry, what she thought about the situation and how parents can prepare their kids to deal with such a situation.

Skenazy, the so-called "worst mom in America" for giving her own child the chance to ride the subway alone in their home of New York City (but with proper preparation and adequate fare money) offers several tips.  She says that parents need to teach children to be familiarized with the neighborhood.  Skenazy also says to teach them to ask strangers for help if they are in trouble.  "Since most people are NOT predators, they will help rather than hurt your child," she told the Austin Citysphere.

"Teach them they can scream, kick and run away from anyone bothering them."  She also says that teaching kids basic self-defense isn't a bad idea.

Skenazy also advises parents to make sure they have good communication with their kids so that if anything does happen, children will be more willing to come forward.  "Teach them ... that they CAN tell you if anything 'bad' happens (or is attempted) and that you won't be angry at them.  You're on their side.  Open lines of communication keep kids safer from the FAR more common threats of abuse at the hands of someone they know (a family member or family friend)."

For more on empowering kids to be safe, check out Skenazy's Free Range Kids blog or find her book online.

When events like this happen, parents should not freak out; instead, prepare them for the road ahead and teach them how to handle themselves.  You can't lock them up because they eventually grow up.  Then what?   Skenazy practices what she preaches, which earned her the worst mom in America title by the media.  Parents used to let their children go to the bus stop without a second thought.  Kids used to ride their bikes down the street or to the market by themselves.  What happened to that?

It's true: the world may not be as simple as it once was.  But responsible parenting and smart thinking by kids is the best parenting a mom and dad can give to their child(ren).  New parents ourselves, we want to protect our child no matter what.  But the old adage, "Give the man a fish, he eats for a day.  Teach a man how to fish and he eats for life" is very true here.

What do you think?  Let us know.

Lots of Jalapenos on His Burger Makes for a Hot Time

David Ruiz loves it hot.  His burger.  So when he goes to Pourhouse Pub on Burnet Road, he wants jalapenos, and plenty of them.  Here it is: the Bacon-Cheddar-Jalapeño Burger.  Ruiz describes the experience this way: "Pretty good burger.  Didn't even go outside.  Just sat, drank beer, ate burger.  LOTS of jalapeños."

Well done, David!  We can't wait to taste that burger and those waffle fries.  The bun looks homemade, too.

It has also come to the Austin Citysphere's attention that Ruiz is an avid burger lover, making his way across the Capitol City to try out the best burgers around.

Recently, he stopped by Your Mom's Burger - one of the places we've thought about going to on our 7 Best Burgers of Central Texas tour.

Ruiz says about two of the burgers:

The first burger I had was the Buffalo Bill. This burger is stuffed with Blue Cheese & Jalapeños, wrapped in bacon, tossed in Buffalo wing sauce and has all the fixins. GREAT Burger!

2nd visit-Frida Kahlo
Stuffed with Jack Cheese & Chorizo, topped with a fried egg, avocado, chipotle lime spread and fixins. Good, but could have used more chorizo.

Check out Don't Talk About Burger Club here.  But, we can't promise we aren't going to talk about them!  Check back for more from David and his burger-sploration.  We've got some catching up to do!

Seven Burgers of Central Texas: the Beginning

As we here at The Austin Citysphere begin the mission to find the best burger in central Texas, we stopped at an old favorite.  Old is, well, relative.  Cafe Canela, formerly Geaux Burger, formerly Mooyah Burger, is a fantastic burger place in north Austin.  We learned today Cafe Canela is managed and owned by Alvaro Valencia, who used to manage (but not own) Geaux and Mooyah Burger.  Valencia has kept up the "old" style burger that kept us coming back for more.  Thankfully, the burger is still around.  Following Mooyah's closure, we were devastated!  Only this time with Cafe Canela, he's added burritos and fajitas as well for a Mexican flair.

It's only fitting the journey begins here as we talk to Beatriz Tavera, an employee who told us quite frankly, she avoids eating at home so she can eat when she gets to work.  That's a compliment from a cashier who says her past places of employment weren't always up to par with the food, and she'd bring her own lunch to work!

On a related note, ACS received word from a good friend, Carol Pfeiffer, who recommended the Horny Toad in Cranfills Gap as one of the best burgers around!  Their title is apparently verified because they were nominated by Ride Texas magazine for the honor!  Looks like ACS has a little road trip ahead... boy, it's gonna be tough eating so many delicious burgers for this contest.

If you have a burger suggestion, send it by clicking here.

Seven Week Series on the Best Burgers in Central Texas

What do Five Guys,  Moonies, Jackalope, and (Bastrop's) Roadhouse all have in common?  They're all places I've eaten a great, scratch that, an amazing burger.  Granted, Five Guys is a national chain and the rest are local.  That's why I want to set out to find the best burger in central Texas.

And I need you to be the guide!

Let me know which places you love to eat a great burger.  Is it Your Mom's, or one of my personal favorite's Cafe Canela, formerly Geaux Burger, formerly Mooyah?  Whatever it is, I need to know!

Over the next seven weeks, The Austin Citysphere turns into The Austin Burgersphere!  Reviews from other customers are greatly appreciated, and you can send them to me here.

Bring on the burgers!