BurgerTex

This week we followed our fans recommendation and chowed down at BurgerTex. There was some confusion as to which BurgerTex to visit, but after a little research it was found that the BurgerTex on Airport is the original location. BurgerMatt and FriedEd always prefer an Austin original as those old grills have a story to tell and some good deep meet seasoning. We will have to try the "new" BurgerTex on Guadalupe on down the road, but as the two are not associated with each other, despite the name, it will be a separate entry.

On this visit, questioning Nicole joined us and so we had to break down a few groundrules of the Odyssey. First of all, we never accept free food. Later, when we are huge and have our own TV show and Internet (that's right, not a website but an Internet) and when we are more recognizable than Vince Young, we anticipate that our arrivals will be a huge event. Even then, we will not accept free food. Secondly, when choosing burger joints, chains are a no no. You will not see the Burger Odyssey at a McDonald's, that would be about as interesting to us as a visit to Norman, Oklahoma. Our basic guideline for this is that it must be homegrown Austin, and the original location. For the Odyssey is more about Burgers, and chics and sports, it is also an Odyssey through Austin history. And what better way to experience Austin history than through legendary burger joints where generations have enjoyed the simple idea of a cow on a bun. To this end, FriedEd, the official Odyssey historian, always asks about the history of the place. This usually leads to a long conversation as Austin burger joints are proud of their history. Now that we have that settled, let's eat.

BurgerTex makes all of its buns fresh daily, twice a day actually and they are good, mmm good. Burgers are served up plain and then the customer dresses the burger. This is a great system to some, FriedEd does not like this system as it gives him too much freedom to mess up his burger and exposes him to out of control ketchup and mayonnaise squirts. It was only with great dexterity that FriedEd avoided having ketchup squirt all over himself, but his burger was not quite so lucky. FriedEd clearly put too much mayonnaise on his burger which overwhelmed the whole thing. Now, if BurgerTex had put the mayonnaise on, they would have known just the right proportions for a perfect taste. The general public, or at least FriedEd, is too stupid to know the perfect amount and giving them the freedom to dress their own burgers makes BurgerTex burgers way too mayonaissey.

Dressings aside, along with the bun, the patty itself is impressive. Nicely salted and seasoned, it comes as close as any patty in Austin to capturing the Jack’s Burger House taste, which is acknowledged by the Odyssey as the perfect burger. Those 1973 grills have some kick in them that oozzes through every bite.

Overall burger score: 89

Fries: 80

Bulgoki-

The name of the burger that has sparked a lot of interest at this local establishment, is a Korean invention that has taken root in the heart of central Texas. This thinly sliced beef, that has marinated in soy sauce, garlic and ginger, has a ton of Korean bar-b-que flavor. (Where is the Kimchi?) Although not quite the burger we are used to this burger offers more of a unique twist with a lot of flavor to the classic burger. Along with the trimmings bar, which FriedEd was not so fond of, I concocted a gourmet burger that was equally delicious as it was unique.

The fries were a bit on the crunchy side, though the flavor was good, still did not live up to the lofty expectations Jack's has set. As for the ambiance Burger Tex is a classic establishment with TV and pool table. This is where you want to sit, have a burger, hang out with some friends and enjoy the company.

As I did enjoy the Bulgoki, I am going to have to give it two separate grades. I am grading it as a regular burger and as a specialty burger.

Burger Score:

80 for a regular burger

84 for a specialty burger

Fries 79

Next week we are headed out to Huts on Monday night around 7:30 as we will have a guest writer, Rock Star and poker pro with us. None other than the lead singer of Romance Fantasy, Rodd Pardey. Here is a link to their home page.

http://www.romancefantasymusic.com/home.htm