Cafe Canela: Build a Burger or Order Tex Mex, It's Up to You

Cafe Canela (9070 Research Blvd. Ste 303) replaces the former Geaux Burger, formerly Mooyah Burger.  When I learned Mooyah closed, I was devastated!  But later, because of ACS's 7 Best Burgers of Central Texas Tour, I learned Cafe Canela is the same place but with a little extra on the menu.

Owner Alvaro Valencia managed Mooyah and Geaux.  But this time, he's doing things the way he wants because he owns and manages Cafe Canela.  Valencia put Tex Mex options on the menu, so customers aren't limited to just burgers or hot dogs.  But we highly recommend getting a burger and loading it up with toppings, which come free!

Some burger joints offer the plain Jane burgers; others do theirs up a little more gourmet style.  At Cafe Canela, you'll order a simple burger.  You have the option of dressing it up how you like, but it doesn't come to the table overloaded.  The burger is juicy and the bun is outstanding.  Valencia told us he orders the bread from Sweetish Hill Bakery.

This concludes the ACS burger tour.  Which burger joint on our list is your favorite?  Tell us what we didn't try that you highly recommend.

Players Scores Big With Generations of Hungry Hamburger Customers

Walk into Players (300 West MLK) on the UT campus in central Austin and you'll likely by greeted by one of these gentlemen, Daniel and his uncle, Carlos Oliveira.  Carlos and partner Eddie Hempe started Players nearly 30 years ago and obviously has a winning recipe for great hamburgers, excellent customer service, affordable food and easy access to a wide variety of people.  The Longhorns graduates know how to cater to their audience.  You may spot the Longhorns head football coach Mack Brown or any number of sports team members eating a Players burger, maybe a politician or two, workers from neighboring businesses, and of course plenty of college students.  The name comes from the arcade games in the dining room, the number of sports team members who love to eat there, and the large flat screen TV you can always be sure to catch a game on!

I first walked into Players several years ago because someone I worked with recommended I go there immediately.  I did and yes, it's one great burger.  I've been in to dine many other times, so when I walked in Thursday with the intention of reviewing Players, I ordered a burger I normally don't get - the jalapeno cheese burger.

What you'll notice eating the burger right off the bat is that it's juicy and is loaded down with the fixings.  But what you'll notice after getting all the way through it is it stays enjoyable and juicy the entire time!  Some burgers will start off great, juicy, and full of flavor but gets less juicy and flavorful the closer to the end you get.  That's a big difference!

Daniel and Carlos say the secret ingredients to their success include fresh products, made to order burgers and patties cooked over an open flame.  Carlos says he also doesn't salt the fries, but rather leaves them plain so the customer can decide how salty to make it.

The affordable price is worth mentioning again.  Customers rarely can find a meal under $10 for lunch these days.  My jalapeno burger, along with a half order of french fries and a soda, cost me $7 flat.  For comparison, last week at Your Mom's Burger Bar, I paid a little over $14 for a hamburger, soda, an order of regular fries for me and an order of sweet potato fries for the little guy.  Carlos told me he knows workers nearby and college students can't afford to pay $10 or more for a hamburger.  He keeps his prices low and the burgers tasting great.  That, along with his winning combination of tasty food and being a truly local business in Austin, means you can't go wrong with Players.

Give Players a call at (512) 478-9299 and drop by to get a burger.  This is one Austin staple you can't afford to pass up.  You can listen to the podcast with Carlos and Daniel by clicking the play button above, and scroll through the pictures on the slide show below.

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.

Would You Like a Side of Fries With That?

Because we can't be everywhere, and review every burger there is in central Texas - however much we'd like to try - ACS is offering a few side notes on some great burger places.  We're calling it Side of Fries.

For today's Side, we'd like to let you in on a little secret at River City Grille in Marble Falls.  The folks in this small folksy community can cook up a good burger.  And it comes at a pretty decent value.  Recently, I stopped by to taste the green chili burger.  The menu specifically pointed out how "spicy" the burger is.  Perfect!  Just what I like!

When the burger arrived, I found the burger smothered with green chilies atop the thick patty.  Props for presentation, River City.   The top bun came tilted, too, like how a gentleman tips his top hat to a lady.  That just shows how many green chilies are on the burger, and that you'd better ask for more napkins right away.  You just know this is going to be a messy one.

As impressive as the burger looks, the only disappointing element is the absence of the advertised spice!  All those green chilies for naught.  I thought I ordered something hot!  Still, for $7.99, the burger came at a pretty good price.  The taste still had kick to it, and with a side of mayo you can choose how you'd like to dress it up.

Oh, and speaking of a Side of Fries, the steak fries that came with this burger - fantastic.

Stromberger Tells Secrets of What Makes a Great Burger

How fun would it be to review burgers? Chris Stromberger does just that for his site, Austin Burger News. Stromberger let us in on some of his secrets, including his Burger Statement, where he only likes a certain kind of cheese on his burger (and if that option isn't available, just forget it!) He also doesn't like bacon!

ACS got the chance to talk to Stromberger in this special audio podcast as our 7 best burgers of central Texas series rolls on. And stay tuned for our next stop at Max Parfait, which will be posted Sunday. Also stay tuned Sept. 12 for a special video podcast on Horny Toad in Cranfills Gap. You won't want to miss it.

The 7 + $24 Burger in Central Texas

Mike Sutter/Austin American-Statesman

Just a note - we won't be reviewing the cheeseburger at Jeffrey's unless someone wants to subsidize the cost for us.

Mike Sutter, the Austin American-Statesman's food critic, reviewed the Jeffrey's Burger ($20) with the addition of seared bacon (add $3) and Texas Redneck Cheddar (add $3) with foie gras on top (add $8).

Shoot, just the bacon is the cost of a pretty big burger at some other places!

To see if this over-the-top cheeseburger is worth $34, head over to Sutter's review. Meanwhile, check in with us here at the Austin Citysphere for some great reviews of 7 favorite burgers here in Central Texas.

Sex Columnist Turns to Blogging About Living Well on Less

Laura Roberts got used to Tex-Mex when she moved from Montreal to Austin. Good thing, because Roberts, a self-prescribed cheap ass, says it's pretty cheap. She likes places like Juan in a Million and Torchy's Tacos because of the inexpensive options on the menu. But she doesn't stop with restaurants. She and her husband found a gym for cheap, too. Sure, it may not have the spa and sauna treatment, but she says it's got the weights and the old fashioned treadmills needed to get the job done.

And grocery stores. Yes, it's where we all tend to spend a lot of money. Roberts like Sprouts.

"They'll give you a personal coupon, they're like 'here's a free candy bar,'" she said. "I'm like yes! Sweet!"

Roberts loves a sweet deal, and no doubt it's even better when there's a sweet treat involved. Check out the story about how to save some dough, and then check out Roberts' blog, Shoestring Austin, for some guaranteed recommendations on saving some cash.

A Unique Brazilian Experience on Austin's East Side

check below for a coupon for Austin Citysphere readers!

Food fans with a flair for a taste of festive food won't have to travel far come this weekend.  That's because a South American celebration of sorts will get underway with the grand opening of Rio's Brazilian Cafe (408 North Pleasant Valley Road) from 5-10 p.m Sunday.

"We're a small cafe that serves traditional and contemporary Brazilian food," said owner Ben Googins.

Googins and partner Elias Martins specialize in Brazilian street food.  Googins said he spent several years teaching English in the Samba country and earned a respect for the people and food of that country.

Let your mouth lead the way and eat until your heart's content; just don't count on the beef to bog down the menu, or your arteries for that matter, like that of Fogo de Chao (309 E. 3rd Street) or Estancia Churrascaria (4894 Highway 290 West in Sunset Valley)!  Googins points out Rio's is the only authentic Brazilian restaurant option in town that does not offer all-steak-all-the-time.  And for the frugal:  "Our most expensive dinner is $11," he said.

Googins' restaurant got its start nearly four years ago in a highly unlikely location, the Austin Farmers' Market at 4th and Guadalupe.  Although the business produced homemade bread, sauces and salads to be sold at stores and markets,  it always shared a space with other establishments.  Rio's was even at a 6th Street bar for a time but the relationship didn't last because the bar closed.  "We kind of did the flip side and had our products out there," he said, "but never had our own spot.  Now it's all us."

Customers will find a casual, laid-back atmosphere, along with a calm and cool staff with "tattoos from head to toe."  That's not surprising for an Austin-based business.  Googins is tickled that Rio is building quite the following.  From he farmers' market crowd, which is mostly an older patronage, to the young folks on the east side, Rio's may be around to stay - in one location.

"It's always been something we've wanted to do.  We've been in Austin just over four years.  Austin's a great place to get started.  The weather's great year round," said Googins.

When you go, Googins recommends the Samba Combo.  Buy one of the salgadinho (savory pastries), then add a soup/salad/or side of Yuca fries or cheese bread, or even another salgadinho - up to three items. Mix and match to create your own meal.  Full lunches and dinners are available.

Googins' journey with Rio's Brazilian Cafe, from catering meals inside borrowed kitchens to offering Brazilian sauces and breads at local markets, has led Rio's to becoming a permanent fixture in Austin's vast food scene. A journey to Brazil may just be a short car ride away.  "We're very passionate about it.  We believe in our brand," said Googins.

It's a small world after all.

To Be Frank, It's Delicious

Frankly, this place has been on my radar for quite some time.  I would suspect my mouth's been watering for months upon months.  Yes, I wanted the perfect occasion and time to visit Frank, Austin's premier gourmet hot dog joint.  This isn't just your average hot dog stand, you know.

Frank is located at 4th and Colorado in beautiful downtown Austin, Texas.  You'll know exactly where it is by the huge name written across the historic but updated structure the restaurant is located within.  And, from our experience, you'll also pass by it half a dozen times before finding a place to park.  But don't worry, the franks are worth it.

We entered and was surprised to see how busy the place was at 2 o'clock in the afternoon!  The hostess said there'd be a 20 minute wait.  We sat down on this old blue booth seat situated just past the bar, up against the wall.  I went for a quick diaper change - of our son, that is - during the wait.  For families, and especially fathers, there is not a changing table in the very nice and clean bathroom.  But no worries.  We made do by tucking ourselves away in a stall with a louvered door and plopped ourselves down on the toilet.  I made do with changing the tyke upright, and it actually worked well.

Skip all that, and we're back to the blue booth seat, but the wife was already seated at a table!  Hey, not bad considering how crazy it was in there at the time.  I opened my menu and became overwhelmed.  Despite studying the menu online quite a few times before coming, I still found myself confused for my upcoming order.

The waiter, however, helped me narrow my selection.  In fact, he encouraged me to get TWO dogs instead of just one.  After all, why limit myself to just one.  This seemed like a time to go all out and be creative with my hot dog daring self.  I ended up with a Chicago Dog (poppy seed bun, 100% Vienna beef, pickle, tomato, onion, day-glo relish, sport peppers, celery salt, mustard)  and the Beer Soaked Brat (Hudson’s local brat, kraut, spicy deli mustard).  The wife had a plane dog and dressed up with relish and caramelized onions.

Can I just say - wow.  I believe my exact words after biting into my Chicago dog was, "I don't think I've ever had a hot dog this good."  The beer brat, well, it was good.  But my favorite was clearly the Chicago dog.  The flavors really blended well together and provided just the right amount of spicy, and I love spicy.

We didn't have any beer, but I had a diet coke and the wife had a tea.  Plus, we got an order of waffle fries with a spicy dry rub sprinkled across them.  They came with a small cup of ranch dressing, which we could have used more of, but the dry rub was good on its own too.

All in all, great dining experience.  I've never paid that much for hot dogs before (and the prices aren't even that bad!) but they were darn good and well worth it.  I highly recommend Frank for any occasion, but especially a hot, shiny day.  You can cool off with a cold one and kiss your cares away with a wiener or two!

I previously said I waited for the perfect opportunity to come in, but the best time to hop on in is when it's least expected, and when you're with the ones you love.

ACS gives Frank: 4 out of 5 spheres!

Whip Yourself if you Haven't Tried the Whip In

Is it a convenience store?  Is it a restaurant?  Is it a liquor store?  Yes!

Just whip in to the Whip In and satisfy any number of desires, from a pack of gum to a bowl of Indian food or a six pack of good, quality beer or wine.

Friday evening, the family and I headed directly there after our daytime obligations had been fulfilled.  We were looking to fulfill our bellies and hopefully get a little entertainment value at the same time.

A quick order returned a quick response time.  The bowls and our glasses of tea, which are refillable by self-service, landed on our table with authentic aromas and a cozy, warm family atmosphere that can only be provided by this south Austin treasure.  The tables in the cafe are arranged close to each other, and there aren't that many.  The room is intimate and charming, separated by a tall partition to close it off from the beer and wine side of things.

Friday, the group Ragavatar, created by world music performer, composer & recording artist Rick Henderson, took the stage.  Henderson's web site says the Ragavatar is "a constantly evolving venue for a variety of musicians from diverse cultural and stylistic backgrounds."  This evening, Henderson was joined by a guest, as he played the sarode, a 25 string fretless lute.  It's one of the most popular instruments of  north Indian classical music, according to Ragavatar's web site.

Perhaps the best part of the dinner, aside from looking at my beautiful family and feeding the little tyke, was the people watching opportunities.  I'm especially talking about an elderly Indian woman, whose son played percussion on the small, make-shift stage.  She seemed entrenched with the music as she closed her eyes, lowered her head, and nodded from side to side at intervals which really spoke volumes about the journey she was on.  I can only imagine how the music moved memories of her heritage and days as a little girl.

The food was great; we shared the butter bourbon chicken and potatoes and the vegetarian selection chana dal.  Plus, we spent half what we shelled out the first time we visited Whip In.  The reason: we didn't drink any beer this time around.  Then, for an after dinner excursion, just pack up your belongings and head on over to the convenience store side to peruse the beer selection.

If you haven't had the chance to whip in to the Whip In just yet, you need to try it soon.  Personally, it has all I ever could ask for - Indian food, beer, a comfortable place to sit and a place to park (a hidden lot is around back if the front is full).  If you're an Austinite, you know how hard parking is to come by.

ACS gives Whip In: 4 out of 5 spheres!

Hey Cupcake Fans, There's a New Flavor in Town - GET 15% OFF!

Be sure to check out a special offer below from Hey Cupcake! exclusively for ACS readers!

Specialty cupcake shops are a dime a dozen.  But all it takes for the Capital City's own Hey Cupcake! to steal your sweet tooth might perhaps be the whipped cream cupcake injections patrons can get for free for the asking, the  positive energy that oozes from sugared-up staffers at any of the five different locations in Austin, or the signature sprinkled pink cupcake atop the silver stream trailers that seem to say 'come eat me.'

However, now there's another reason to love the tiny treasures: a new flavor that's none other than a delectable combination of strawberry cake and cream cheese strawberry icing.  Hey Cupcake! calls it Sweetberry, but really, they just need to forget the formalities and call it an orgasm in your mouth!  Don't worry, no one will judge.

In an electronic announcement to cupcake fans everywhere, the "bakers and slingers" (that's who signed the communication) said it's the first time in years that a new flavor is being added to the mix.  Sweetberry will hit shop cases Friday - although, it would be safe to assume they won't be there for long.  The reason - according to insiders - is there's been a lot of requests for a strawberry flavor.  The bakers must have been very busy formulating the recipes, test batches, and icings to create the cosmic (get it - out of this world) cupcake!

ACS Extra: Learn More About Hey Cupcake!
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They Twitter, too!

Why A Salad and Some French Fries Are Eating Me Up

Restaurants just don't get it.  I'd expect fast food places to act this way, but I hold sit-down places to a higher standard.  I guess I should have known what I was getting myself into, or at least I should have guessed by the type of food served at this particular popular lunch spot.

A co-worker and I headed to Iron Works BBQ on Red River for a bite to eat today.  My eyes always spot the BBQ plates right away, but I typically settle on a brisket sandwich and a side.  It's hard to miss the great looking salad bar as you stand in line at Iron Works, so I thought it might be nice to grab a salad and some awesome tomatoes, cucumbers and other delectable vegetables.

Salad bar at Iron Works. A single trip costs $3.50, $2 more than french fries

But since I'm nearsighted, I couldn't read the menu board that listed the sides, and became appalled when I saw it in plain view: single trip to the salad bar, $3.50!  What?  $3.50 for a single trip to the salad bar?  But wait, it gets worse!  I also saw that Iron Works charges only $1.50 for french fries!  French fries are so much cheaper than the obvious healthier option, and I'm sure most people, like me, always choose the cheaper choice.

It's sad that this country is divided over a health care reform bill when people have their plates full of unhealthy food because the healthy option is often times unattainable.  I'm not saying I couldn't have ordered a salad right up today, because I could have.  But when I'm paying for a lunch that's already more expensive than I care to pay for my midday meal, I just can't justify dishing out more money.  I guess it's the principal of the matter.

That's what I want the health care reform bill to focus on first.