Happy New Year Odyssey and welcome to Player's

Players, since 1983. It seemed like a good place for a couple of players like BurgerMatt and FriedEd to kick off the new year! Ha, ha, just kidding, only one of us is a player. Players is on MLK street so close to the University of Texas one could almost call it the offical hamburger joint of U.T., though Dirty's and a few other places might disagree. We chose Players as a good location to watch the U.T.-Oklahoma basketball game. This was a mistake, as not only did U.T. get killed, but Players big screen T.V. hasn't been cool since 1997. Come on guys, let's join the H.D. age. And while you are at it, make sure your cable connection doesn't run lines across your screen.

That being said, Players makes an outstanding little burger creation. It is charbroiled goodness with real fresh lettuce and tomatoes and just the right amount of mayonaise. The bun is fresh and thin so as not to overwhelm the taste. The place has just the right college burger joint ambience with U.T. paraphanalia and photos from past 4th of July parties. If that day ever falls on a Monday, you know where you will find the Odyssey.

The Odyssey was joined by the Rock Stars. Rock Star Rodd was a little hungover after a legendary night of karaoke in which he depleted the wine stocks at the Alamo Drafthouse and almost had the cops called after accidently insulting a waitress. Ah, just another night in rock star land. How did the burgers treat the hangover rock star? The Sage also made it. He ordered a sampler basket of fried vegetables. He commented, "Players loves their fried food so much they include fried cheese in their fried vegetable basket." The Rock Stars had to leave early to polish up the new album, available on the blog in the first week of February.

Players also has a set of old school games. One asks what kind of lover you are. For 25 cents, you can squeeze a handle and your quality in the sack is rated from "Blah" to "Mild" to "Wild" to "Sexy" to "Fire" to "Hot Stuff" and the top "Uncontrollable." FriedEd went first and of course the red lights shot nearly to the top and registered a "Hot Stuff," one away from the top prize. In his head, FriedEd could hear the Chinese guy from Sixteen Candles saying "Hot Stuff" and he thought it was good in kind of a creepy Chinese guy kind of way. BurgerMatt stepped up next with clearly something to prove. The pressure was clearly on and BurgerMatt knowing full well that the outcome would be talked about for years pressed and pulled with all his might to the point that his veins were popping out of his head. Out of breath, BurgerMatt hardly noticed when the red dots shot to "Uncontrollable." FriedEd shook his head and said it was all random. So, the boys stepped up to the other old school game, a palm reader with a creepy swami on it. For 25 cents you can place your palm on a metal hand and push it down and one of eight lights will light up telling you what profession you should be. FriedEd went first, pushed down, and it showed up "teacher." FriedEd and BurgerMatt looked at each other in bewilderment (NOTE: FriedEd is a teacher). BurgerMatt pressed down and up popped "Athlete." BurgerMatt was a college swimmer. The boys looked at each other with more bewilderment. They looked at the creepy swami and decided it was time to leave. Weird.

BurgerMatt

The new year brings in a new dawn of the Burger Blog to a number of new burger options. We had discussed having Casino El Camino as the New Years kickoff burger but as we were thrown for a bit of a loop we moved to Player's, (we are still going to do Casino no worries)and we were very happy with the change in plan. As mentioned this bastion of burgerdom lies on the UT campus and has no doubt seen its share of tailgaters and crazy college kids looking to celebrate UT's numerous victories. If your looking for a college feel, (they serve beer as well, always a bonus) this is your spot. Great atmosphere, really good service, (leave them a tip you will like the response)and a burger worthy of some kind of award at the end of next year. (Did you read the Salvos yet?)

The classic double cheesburger was flame-broiled and came with all the fresh fixins. The meat was very tasty and the buns were perfect. The fries, although nice and crispy, needed some serious seasoning. I was told after to try the onion rings there, and I remembered I did have one in the enormous fried basket of goodies. If you like fried stuff you will love the basket, Fried Zucchini, Okra, Onion Rings, Mushrooms and cheese. Does it get anymore decadent, and or heart attack inducing?

I would highly recommend this place before or after a tailgate as it will not dissapoint.

Burger 91
Fries 82
Heart healthy basket 87

Gameday retreat 94

Oh yea and the Rockstar and the Sage are playing Wednesday night at Roux on 6th Street. 10pm. Romance Fantasy for those not in the know. See you there!