Big Daddy's Ship Store - Lake Grapevine, TX

Over the recent Memorial Day the wife and I decided to find a place to eat lakeside. I called up Urban Spoon and found Big Daddy's Ship Store on Lake Grapevine.

When I saw their menu offered burgers, I knew it was a place I would have to try. I also figured a place on the lake might have some fish and chips, something I was craving at the moment. I was somewhat disappointed when I asked what type of fish they offered and found it to be catfish. The trend of Texas restaurants offering catfish as the only choice for fish and chips annoys me, but that's another post, another day.

Joe Tucker

The menu is pretty large, so there were a lot of choices. I chose the Little John, a single patty 'burger' topped with fries, chili, cheese, onions and jalapenos. The Big Daddy, a double-meat version, seemed a bit excessive. My wife, Kathy, choose a cheeseburger. All burgers come with fries or chips. Kathy opted for onion rings.

A sign on the wall read 'We make good food, not fast food', so I expected a wait. We went outside and choose one of the resin picnic tables on the large dock. They had music piping through the speakers, everything from Stevie Ray Vaughan to Britney Spears. A one-man band was setting up and would begin playing just as we were leaving.

After about 20 minutes I begin to wonder if they had forgotten our order, but the cashier assured me it was coming right up.

The food arrived a few minutes later. My order was piled high with crisp, thin fries dusted with a hint of season salt, chili (no beans), cheese, onions and jalapenos. The patty, lightly seasoned and cooked well done, was sitting on top of a hamburger bottom that had been cooked a short time on the grill. It did not include the top bun. Good thing, I didn't need it anyway.

Kathy's food was cooked the same and included the standard things that make up a good cheese burger, fresh lettuce and tomatoes, a slice of a American cheese and onions. We were caught up in conversation and didn't realize they delivered fries instead of onion rings. Oh well, maybe next time.

Overall the food was good, the music was enjoyable and the atmosphere was exactly what we were looking for. I can see myself coming back again next time I have a desire to sit by the water and grab a burger.

Even though I didn't get to enjoy the entertainment, as we left before he got cranked up, I seeded the tip jar on the way out.

As for the Texas Burger Stop's rating, here goes:

• Patty Size and Style: medium thick, not handmade handmade, never frozen, according to the owner, and cooked just right
• Cooking style: grilled on a flat top
• Char: good char across the patty
• Bun: cooked on the grill (not toasty)
• Vegetables: onions and jalapenos were great
• Napkins needs: needed a fork for this one
• Special attributes: chili was great. Eating on the water was the reason for seeking the place out
• Ownership: local owner