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From A Hamburger Today

Whole Foods Burger Fail in Austin

@JimMoran - Your friend knows his/her burgers. Do your shopping at Whole Foods. If it's at a high traffic time, use the parking garage there and walk down to Hut's instead of settling for a Whole Foods burger. It's worth the trip!

From A Hamburger Today

Roger Ebert on His Love for Steak 'n Shake

I really like it. Probably in my Top 5 fast food burger joints here in town. Unfortunately, there's only one that I know of and it's all the way on the other side. It was convenient when I lived down there, but once I moved, I hardly ever go. But when I'm in the area, It's Steak 'n Shake all the way!

From A Hamburger Today

Five Guys' Fries Make Me Weep with Happiness, Burger Is Not Bad

@toad3000:
I completely agree about never writing off an establishment on opening day...that's why, if you read the rest of what I wrote, I went back again about 2 weeks later and had the EXACT SAME EXPERIENCE. Some of the things that I had a problem with really should have no bearing on when I went...the quality of the ingredients like buns and cheese are not going to change and should have been INCREDIBLY fresh on opening day. They should never be more fresh than when I went the first time. Those were two of the biggest problems for me. Gummy buns and cheese that tasted worse than what they use at McDonalds is not going to win any points. And they were the exact same the second time, which tells me that there's no reason to expect that they'll be any different in the future.

But the other things like getting an order wrong, possibly seasoning the meat wrong and cooking it poorly...I can understand that being done on opening day. So I went back and tried again...and it was all the same. Almost exactly. Should I try again and expect it to be different? Possibly, but why when there were so many other things that I didn't like about the place. There are too many good burger places in town, why waste time going back again and again that I've already been to twice and have not enjoyed?

And my biggest complaint was the price. So, if I have now waited a couple of months and go back again, do you think the price will have dropped by 1/3 to be more in line with the quality? I'm fairly sure it won't.

But thanks for the "rocket science" comment. I think I really gave them a fair shot. I didn't just go on opening day and then bash them. I went twice, had two OK experiences, but nothing that I feel that I need to have again. After all of the hype I've read about the place, I was quite disappointed. And I was blown away by the price! Thanks for trying.

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From A Hamburger Today

Whole Foods Burger Fail in Austin

@JimMoran - Your friend knows his/her burgers. Do your shopping at Whole Foods. If it's at a high traffic time, use the parking garage there and walk down to Hut's instead of settling for a Whole Foods burger. It's worth the trip!

From A Hamburger Today

Roger Ebert on His Love for Steak 'n Shake

I really like it. Probably in my Top 5 fast food burger joints here in town. Unfortunately, there's only one that I know of and it's all the way on the other side. It was convenient when I lived down there, but once I moved, I hardly ever go. But when I'm in the area, It's Steak 'n Shake all the way!

From A Hamburger Today

Five Guys' Fries Make Me Weep with Happiness, Burger Is Not Bad

@toad3000:
I completely agree about never writing off an establishment on opening day...that's why, if you read the rest of what I wrote, I went back again about 2 weeks later and had the EXACT SAME EXPERIENCE. Some of the things that I had a problem with really should have no bearing on when I went...the quality of the ingredients like buns and cheese are not going to change and should have been INCREDIBLY fresh on opening day. They should never be more fresh than when I went the first time. Those were two of the biggest problems for me. Gummy buns and cheese that tasted worse than what they use at McDonalds is not going to win any points. And they were the exact same the second time, which tells me that there's no reason to expect that they'll be any different in the future.

But the other things like getting an order wrong, possibly seasoning the meat wrong and cooking it poorly...I can understand that being done on opening day. So I went back and tried again...and it was all the same. Almost exactly. Should I try again and expect it to be different? Possibly, but why when there were so many other things that I didn't like about the place. There are too many good burger places in town, why waste time going back again and again that I've already been to twice and have not enjoyed?

And my biggest complaint was the price. So, if I have now waited a couple of months and go back again, do you think the price will have dropped by 1/3 to be more in line with the quality? I'm fairly sure it won't.

But thanks for the "rocket science" comment. I think I really gave them a fair shot. I didn't just go on opening day and then bash them. I went twice, had two OK experiences, but nothing that I feel that I need to have again. After all of the hype I've read about the place, I was quite disappointed. And I was blown away by the price! Thanks for trying.

From A Hamburger Today

Have You Eaten Burgers Made With Fruit?

Wow, you're all being very negative for the usually adventurous food-blog commentors that I'm used to. I saw the recipe for the blueberry burger a while back on SE and thought I'd try it. The reason for the blueberry addition to the meat has nothing to do with changing the flavor, it's just to add moisture when you use a very lean ground beef. Buying organic, grass fed, ground beef with less fat and adding finely chopped blueberries made for a very juicy patty indeed! I had no problem adding cheese, veggies, condiments, etc. to the burger. It was delicious!

There was no taste of blueberry at all, and the only visual cue that anything was different was occasionally noticing some of the less finely chopped blueberry skin in the meat. If I had done a finer job of mincing the skins and served the burgers to anyone without telling them what had been done, no one would be the wiser.

About the comment of why not just going with onions instead...onions add a very distinct flavor and texture. Not everyone likes them, or might not want that flavor or texture in their burger. This is an alternative that really does not alter the texture or flavor of the meat...you still alter that to your own preference with salt, pepper, garlic, onion, whatever you like...it just adds juiciness to the meat without adding fat.

From A Hamburger Today

What I Got for Christmas

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."

That sounds like something my family would do to torture me. Living in Texas, I only get to have In-N-Out once a year when we visit family in California, and I eat as much as possible while we're out there. Hang in there...you'll be using that card soon...

From A Hamburger Today

Five Guys' Fries Make Me Weep with Happiness, Burger Is Not Bad

Five Guys opened in Austin about a month ago and I was excited! I had heard nothing but great things and even tales about how it was BETTER than my beloved In N Out Burger. I only get In N Out a few times a year when my wife and I travel to the West Coast to visit family, but while I'm there, I have it as often as possible. So when the local Five Guys opened, I was there opening day!

I was horribly disappointed. The fries were pretty good, but definitely not the best I'd ever had by any stretch. I'd even put In N Out's against them, but maybe they were just having a bad day. The burger was not good. Bun was gummy, meat was bland, cheese was blah, they got my toppings wrong (but it was the first day, so what are you gonna do?).

I gave them a second chance about 2 weeks later, thinking that it was just opening day jitters and it was an almost exact duplicate of my first experience. Weak burger with tasteless meat, smooshy, gummy bun, messed up toppings (if you offer that many, at least be able to get them right when I order them...0 for 2 is not a good ratio on orders). Fries were pretty good again, but still nothing I'd go back specifically for.

And as has been said, you can't put this up against either gourmet burgers or fast food. It's not good enough to compete with the big boys, and it's WAAAAY too expensive to compete with fast food. A little burger, regular fries (the smallest possible order...LET ME ORDER A SMALL IF THERE'S JUST ONE OF ME, I DON'T NEED A POUND OF FRIES!!!), and a drink comes to $9+! At In N Out, the closest thing I could compare it to because it's a good tasting fast food burger joint, a regular combo is like $4.35 and tastes like heaven! There's no reason I should pay double for Five Guys, and I definitely won't in the future. There are too many good places that I'll go to instead.

Anyone that tries to tell me that Five Guys is better than In N Out can argue until they're blue in the face...no chance. Not the burgers, not the atmosphere (I didn't even get into the extreme loudness of the place...ugh! Really with all the shouting?), not the price, and I won't even give you the fries...I actually prefer In N Out fries! What do you think of that?!?

:)

From Serious Eats

Is the New Starbucks Gold Card Worth It?

I was about to ask why anyone would get one of these unless they were die-hards and drink Starbucks all the time (and if you can afford that, do you really need the 10% discount?), but I decided to check out the other perks. That's when I saw this:

"Free Wi-Fi access for up to 2 hours each day in participating Starbucks stores"

I travel quite a bit and I'm always looking for free or cheap wi-fi hotspots. Starbucks locations are EVERYWHERE! If I can get a guaranteed 2 hours of wi-fi access per day (at participating locations obviously), the 10% discount, a free coffee when I sign up and again on my birthday, and also "Exclusive offers and discounts throughout the year" I think this gold card just might be worth the $25!

From Serious Eats

Sweet Potato Fries -- Who Likes These Things?

Sweet potatoes are completely worthless...unless made into sweet potato fries. Even then, they have to be done perfectly or they're just a mess (as you described above). Properly done sweet potato fries are wonderful...anything less belongs in the garbage with the rest of the sweet potato dishes.

From A Hamburger Today

Five Guys' Fries Make Me Weep with Happiness, Burger Is Not Bad

The fries are wayyyy overrated! They must not cook them twice, or rinse them or soak them or neither. The fries are too starchy (and barely crisp) an end result. The burgers are very good though; bun has good density.

From A Hamburger Today

Five Guys' Fries Make Me Weep with Happiness, Burger Is Not Bad

try burger 'n que's 1/2 pound cheeseburger in orland park--it beats them all

From Slice

Pizzeria Delfina's Genius Anti-Yelp T-Shirts

When it comes to decisions about good eats, do people take yelp all that seriously anyways? I thought yelp was more for fun, just to have a laugh reading people's comments and personal experiences. Anywho, that shirt idea is funny kool, Hope it works out Delfina.

From Slice

Pizzeria Delfina's Genius Anti-Yelp T-Shirts

Oh, bah. PC-rallying sensitivity training aside, the shirts are funny, and were they purchasable merch I'd get one right now.

From Slice

Pizzeria Delfina's Genius Anti-Yelp T-Shirts

Oh yeah, wearing t-shirts with crappy reviews is totally like women organizing to proclaim their right to walk freely through their neighborhoods at night without fear of being raped! In fact, I'd say that being given a crappy review is like being raped!
/angry snark

From Slice

Pizzeria Delfina's Genius Anti-Yelp T-Shirts

watch out for my SENSITIVITY TRAINING t-shirt!

From Slice

Pizzeria Delfina's Genius Anti-Yelp T-Shirts

Kinda funny, but I hardly ever look at Yelp and certainly wouldn't consider it to be some kind of tastemaking clearinghouse.

From Slice

Pizzeria Delfina's Genius Anti-Yelp T-Shirts

@eleeb and MollieBeth: Though I described it as a "great" analogy, yeah, perhaps it's not. Though I was not the one who came up with the original analogy to taking back the night—that would be 7x7.

From Slice

Pizzeria Delfina's Genius Anti-Yelp T-Shirts

I agree with eleeb. The comparison to Take Back the Night is wildly inappropriate. Do Serious Eaters need sensitivity training?

From Slice

Pizzeria Delfina's Genius Anti-Yelp T-Shirts

it is cute, but it's not like Take Back the Night at all. Better to scrap that analogy, it's pretty inappropriate.

From Slice

Pizzeria Delfina's Genius Anti-Yelp T-Shirts

juliebugsmama - that's awesome advice. i used to do the same thing when i was a kid. it was good for my self-confidence as well. besides, everybody has something odd about them.

From Slice

Pizzeria Delfina's Genius Anti-Yelp T-Shirts

i think they are being overly sensitive. they have over 600 reviews and have a solid 4 star rating. that being said, it's a funny idea, but i think people will start making bogus negative reviews to get their 15 seconds of t-shirt fame. it might actually backfire if they really care that much about their status on yelp.

From Slice

Pizzeria Delfina's Genius Anti-Yelp T-Shirts

that's awesome. it's like what I tell my kids to do when someone teases them about something...they should agree with them heartily..."Yeah, I am skinny and have large ears!" -- totally disarms your persecutors.

From Slice

Pizzeria Delfina's Genius Anti-Yelp T-Shirts

Wonderful idea that can't be pulled off at any resto, but the ones who can-should!

From Serious Eats

Sweet Potato Fries -- Who Likes These Things?

Have you ever had them with honey and melted butter? You might feel differently.

From A Hamburger Today

Five Guys' Fries Make Me Weep with Happiness, Burger Is Not Bad

I rate the place exactly as you do. The cooked in peanut oil fries were fantastic, the burger was rather mundane. Free peanuts were a nice touch, but kinda kill the appetite.

From A Hamburger Today

Roger Ebert on His Love for Steak 'n Shake

Looking at their balance sheet shows a lot. SnS has 60.3 million dollars in current assest but they have but they have 76.3 million in current liabilities. In todays economic climate, I just don't see any bank lending 16 million dollars to SnS. Hence they will have to start shutting down many of their stores and selling what they can. On there sales, SnS can expect to get a small percentage of their property plant and equipment booked amount. Hence the future does not look bright for steak and shake. Whether they will be able to reinvent themselves ala Hardees is unknown. But clearly this is not a company that I would be investing in. And for that matter I will not be eating there either as there are many superior places that actually know how to make a great hamburger and a rich thick and creamy milk shake

From A Hamburger Today

Roger Ebert on His Love for Steak 'n Shake

Steak 'n Shake is definitely in my top 3 burger chains. Every time I head west into Pittsburgh, I make sure to make at least one stop there (usually the midnight snack). The burgers are excellent, the shakes are awesome, and unlike yabooo, I've always have good service. I thought the fries were the most disappointing part (go for the chili instead), and I have noticed the portions shrinking as well. Bring back the goods, SnS! And continue eastward and give Five Guys a run for their money!

From A Hamburger Today

Roger Ebert on His Love for Steak 'n Shake

Yahoo - maybe you had a bad visit, but their shakes usually are pretty good. Also, they've been going strong for 70+ years so I don't think they'll be out of business soon.

From A Hamburger Today

Roger Ebert on His Love for Steak 'n Shake

Let's get serious here. They don't have steaks and their shakes are terrible. The service sucks and they will likely be out of business in a couple of years. I'm sorry but after moving to the midwest and hearing so much about S & S, I have constantly been disappointed with them although I must admit that they have good fries

From A Hamburger Today

Roger Ebert on His Love for Steak 'n Shake

I don't consider S & S to be a "fast food" place. Any place that serves on china with metal utensils is not a fast food place to me. Anyhow - they do have good burgers, and as someone mentioned above - they are getting smaller. I usually go for the triple cheese with a salad and fries, and a wonderful fountain cherry coke.

From A Hamburger Today

Roger Ebert on His Love for Steak 'n Shake

I have a love hate with SnS, the burgers are good but the service is always terrible and they rarely get my order right. The most despicable act is the fact that they have started downsizing their food. They have reduced the amount of beef in each patty and to hide this they downsized their buns. They also have reduced the portion size of their chili and their sides. I know times are tight but I really think they could cut costs elsewhere instead of reducing the amount of food you get.

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About bwbollom

Website: http://burninghammer.com/wordpress/

Location: Austin, TX

About: PhD Student, married, etc.

Favorite foods: poppy seed kolaches, pickles, In-N-Out Burger, tacos

Last bite on earth: