Thrift Way Deli

Located in the back corner of a fuel station that's been around since dinosaurs roamed the earth, lies a small flat-top grill that churns out burgers so divine, you'd swear they were grilled by the burger gods themselves.

Growing up here, I can't recall a time when Thrift Way wasn’t the beating heart of the Graham, TX community. At some point in ancient history—no clue when exactly—they added a flat top and deep fryer and began blessing patrons with breakfast and lunch.

Given that Graham runs on oil, farming, and ranching, the loyal patrons are mostly blue-collar warriors. They swing by, fuel up, grab a drink, possibly a snack, and embark on their daily adventures.

I popped by on a Friday just after the lunch rush, ordering up a cheeseburger, all the way with mustard and mayo. No fries for me because, well, I’m trying this thing called “healthy eating.”

The lady behind the spatula expertly pulled a thick patty from a plastic sleeve and tossed it on the grill with the confidence of a culinary artist. This wasn’t a run-of-the-mill frozen patty, it might even be hand-packed. You could tell by its charmingly imperfect shape.

As the grill worked its magic, she threw the buns on to toast them just right—crispy yet soft, like a toasted marshmallow on a summer night.

With meticulous finesse, she navigated the patty across the grill, harnessing her intimate knowledge of its hotspots. She pressed down gently, going for a smash-burger vibe without draining the juicy goodness.

Grabbing a large cup, I filled it with unsweet tea, brewed fresh by the Thriftway tea masters. One sip and I was transported to tea heaven. Before I knew it, I was already back for a refill.

When my burger was ready, it was clear this wasn’t 'fast food'—this was burger artistry. I tipped my hat to the culinary wizard, dropped a few bucks in the tip jar, and walked out, brown paper bag in hand. The telltale grease stain was like a badge of honor. As Dr. Nick from The Simpsons says, “If you’re not sure about something, rub it against a piece of paper. If the paper turns clear, it's your window to weight gain.”

Since there were no tables around, I ventured to the local park to eat my burger and commune with the ducks and squirrels. But with temperatures in the mid-30s, my car became my dining room.

Opening the neatly wrapped package, I noticed the extra black pepper I asked for as she was building the burger —thoughtful touch! The melted cheese fused bun and patty together, topped with lettuce, pickles, and tomato—a visual masterpiece. We eat with our eyes, right? Who am I to argue?

As I took a bite, burger juice dripped onto my shirt. Typical! Time to employ Guy Fieri’s “hunch” technique—bend, bite, arms at 45-degree angles—to keep the toppings from landing on my belly. Not easy in a car, but thank goodness for those extra napkins from my burger sensei.

Next time you’re passing through Graham, TX around lunchtime, don’t make the mistake of driving by. Stop, order a burger, and enjoy one of the finest gas station culinary experiences around.

Thrift Way Deli is located at 184 Elm Street, Graham, TX.

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

• Patty Size and Style: medium thick, looks to be hand formed
• Cooking style: grilled on a flat top
• Char: nice char across the patty
• Bun: soft, lightly toasted
• Vegetables: fresh green lettuce, onions, pickles and tomatoes
• Napkins needs: better grab a handful, it is juicy
• Special attributes: in a small gas station with the friendliest staff and some of the best tea available
• Ownership: local gas station deli

 

Rowdy T Burger Stop

Cheeseburger w/Bacon & Jalapenos

Ever picked up a burger, took the first bite, and it was so good you forgot to breathe until it was gone? Me too. Literally, just now.

On New Year's Eve, I saw the Rowdy T Burger Stop was open for lunch, so naturally, I had to swing by. Nestled in the tiny town of Italy, just south of Waxahachie, TX, this joint is more than just a café, it's burger nirvana.

They serve burgers so fresh, I swear if they were any fresher, a good vet could get them mooing again. The interior is decorated with an eclectic mix of checkered tablecloths and old-timey signs, which makes sense because I’m pretty sure it’s in an old gas station.

I ordered a regular cheeseburger, all the way, with jalapeños and bacon. And when I say “regular,” I mean anything but. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill, pre-formed patties. I like to imagine Ruth, a cook in the back, grabbing a chunk of beef and hand-forming it into a glorious patty, then smashing it on the griddle to create that perfect char. Probably not true, but that's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

By the time I took that first bite, I was in burger bliss. Didn’t even realize I’d eaten the whole thing until I looked down and saw an empty checkboard-lined basket, littered with juices from the burger, staring back at me. If that's not a testament to how good it was, I don't know what is.

Don't sleep on this place. If you are nearby, you owe it to yourself to drop in and enjoy one of the better burgers around.

On the day I visited, they were offering up a special of 'Cowboy Beans' with cornbread. I would have liked to try a small side of those, but they didn't offer that up. Seems like a real opportunity missed for them. I couldn't down another full meal, but I could have tore up a small side of those, I bet.

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

• Patty Size and Style: medium thick, hand formed
• Cooking style: grilled on a flat top
• Char: nice char across the patty
• Bun: soft, toasted (Branded on top with the Rowdy T Ranch brand)
• Vegetables: fresh leafy green lettuce, onions, pickles and tomatoes
• Napkins needs: better grab a handful, it is juicy
• Special attributes: in a small old gas station, beer available, friendly wait staff, very cool old building
• Ownership: local café 

Grump's Burgers - Burleson, TX

Move over, Kelly Clarkson, from where I stand, the star of Burleson is Grump's Burgers.

I was in Burleson, recently, and found Grump's Burgers. What a find it was.

Located in the Old Town section of Burleson, the burger joint is housed in an old two-story building, complete with a Texas Flag roof. The location screams 'Come on in and sit a spell', so I did.

Burgers, Texas Flag, Old Town charm, I held back tears of joy.

They offer peanuts to consume while you wait, ala Logan's Roadhouse, but they playfully call them Grump's Nuts. To-go bags can be picked up for $2.99/lb along with their much-talked-about jalapeño ketchup. I didn't sample the ketchup. I wish I had.

The line to order your food forms to the left. Step up, read the menu, place your order. Simple enough approach.

On this day, I opted for the standard cheeseburger, but decided to amp it up with a jalapeño bun (.99¢ upcharge). I also was intrigued by their sweet potato fries until I saw the Dirty Fries on the list of available fry choices. Grilled jalapeño and onions smothering my fries? How can I say no? My mouth watered at the thought of it.

I grabbed my drink glass (the large is refillable for $1 on every visit thereafter) and sat down to enjoy some peanuts before my meal arrived. They point out they are not a fast food joint on a sign near the register. Hand-formed, never frozen burgers take time. Why rush perfection, I thought. Wouldn't have it any other way.

As I enjoyed the peanuts, washed down with a tall glass of half-and-half sweet tea, I watched videos from GAC on the TVs around the room. 

My Dirty Fries arrived soon and I was surprised by the mounds of jalapeño's and onions covering them. Pleasantly surprised. I should have ordered a side of ranch dressing, I thought. But, alas, I dug in and it was pure greatness. They were no match.

A few minutes later a gentleman who I presumed to be the owner or manager arrived to inform me the supply truck did not have the jalapeño buns so my burger would require a regular bun. He was so nice and apologetic about it. "Things happen", I said and continued my assault on the Dirty Fries.

The burger arrived soon after and I noticed it had a large toast mark from its time on the flat top. Nice touch.

I opened it up to apply liberal amounts of black pepper, a ritual I always perform. It contained a good amount of onions and shredded lettuce, some pickles and two slices of tomato. The tomatoes weren't the deep-red color I usually like, but, they looked fine. Good deep-red-colored tomatoes are difficult to find any longer for some reason, even in the grocery stores. The patty was a medium thickness and looked to be perfectly prepared. Overall, visually, it's a home run.

When I took my first bite, the experience was complete. It packed plenty of flavor, was juicy but not dripping with grease and had a nice melding of flavors in each bite.

Was it the best burger I had ever had? Well, no, but it's in the top 10. Maybe top 5. It's good. 

I posted on my Facebook account that this is the kind of place that would do very well in Graham, TX, on the largest downtown square in America. The old world charm of the building, the non-nonsense approach to customer service, and the quality of the food would be in instant success. Sure, Graham has the Dairy King and KN Root Beer and I wouldn't trade them for all the tea in China. But a place like this on the Square would be awesome and there is always room for another burger joint.

If Grump's ever expands elsewhere, perhaps Graham and the NE Tarrant County area might make the list. Then, my options for burgers at each place I call home would be complete.

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

• Patty Size and Style: medium thick, hand formed
• Cooking style: grilled on a flat top
• Char: nice char across the patty
• Bun: soft, toasted (as noted above, opted for jalapeno bun, but it was out of stock)
• Vegetables: fresh shredded lettuce, onions, pickles and tomatoes
• Napkins needs: one napkin should do
• Special attributes: lots of TVs, adult beverages available, friendly wait staff, very cool old town building
• Ownership: local chain

Witten's Grill and Sports Pub - Hurst, TX

Driving down Pipeline near the Northeast Mall, I have seen Witten's Grill and Sports Pub many times, but never had an opportunity to stop and check it out.

I received the ad-pages mailer last week and decided to thumb through it. Sure enough Witten's was advertising in it. Since I need to stop by the Bank of America on Melbourne, and I was headed that direction anyway, it seemed like the perfect chance to grab some lunch and give it a try.

The place is hard to see coming eastbound on Pipeline or sitting at the red light on Melbourne, but if you are driving toward the setting sun on Pipeline, it's green and yellow signage stand out.

I arrived right before noon to an almost empty place. That isn't usually a good sign. I sat at the bar and was greeted by the barkeep, Kyle, with a firm handshake. I ordered up my standard drink, a glass of unsweetened iced tea with a side of Sweet and Low. It seems they just started opening at 11:30 am, recently, which probably explained the lack of patrons. 

He handed me the menu and I immediately saw things I wanted to try. When he pointed out the special of the day, Sloppy Joe sliders, my decision was made. I also ordered up two of the egg rolls hand-rolled by 'Jenny', I am guessing the owner.

Kyle explained the bar was non-smoking and very family friendly. They also have a number of the finest pool tables in the area, along with darts and shuffleboard.

The food arrived and I dipped the egg rolls into the sweet chili sauce provided. It was just the right mixture of sweet and heat. The eggs rolls were amazing, crispy and flaky without being soggy from the fryer. I can't recommend them enough.

When I finished off the egg rolls, I picked up one of the two sloppy joe sliders from the basket and dug in. It wasn't your typical ground beef and sauce from a can. It rated high on my list as well. The side of waffle fries were especially good too. I commented that they should toss the sloppy joe mixture on the waffle fries as an appetizer. Looking at the menu, they already thought of that. Damn. My goal of having a menu item named after me was thwarted again.

I knew I had to bring the better half here, so I planned a return trip later that evening to see how spirited the place can be on a Friday night.

So, I was off to do the things I needed to get accomplished that day until later that evening when I would feel like eating again.

Fast forward nine hours.

When we arrived the place was busy, but not packed. We found a table and soon a waitress stopped by and took our drink order. Again, I opted for the tea, while the Mrs ordered up a Shiner.

We choose the appetizer sampler with egg rolls, cheese sticks and jalapeno poppers, each coming with a dipping sauce (sweet chili, marinara and ranch, respectively).

My wife, Kathy, ordered by the B.E.L.T, a BLT with a fried egg, and waffle fries. I chose the Witten Burger with cheese and sweet potato fries.

The appetizer arrived in a timely manner. I tried one of the cheese sticks (homemade). It had a nice crust on it and was not your typical round stick battered and fried. The cheese was cut rectangular and about twice as wide as it was thick. The marinara was good but didn't appear to be made in house.

Kathy is a big fan of jalapeno poppers and went to work on one as her first choice. She ate a second one, later, so it must have met with her approval. She tried out the egg rolls as well and liked the dipping sauce as much as I did.

The B.E.L.T. arrived, with a basket full of waffle fries, and it looked great, as did my Witten burger surrounded by the sweet potato fries.

The burger was exceptional. The bun was soft and 'buttery', yet toasted on the inside just right. The big tomato slice, green lettuce and red onions really worked well together.

If you haven't been to Witten's, you are missing out.  The food ranks well above your typical bar food, the prices are competitive, the place is clean and it appears to be well managed. 

Now, if I was only closer to it during the week, I am sure it would be the kind of place 'where everybody knows my name' (and I might get a menu item finally named after me).

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

• Patty Size and Style: medium thick, hand formed
• Cooking style: grilled on a flat top
• Char: great char across the patty
• Bun: soft, buttery roll, toasted
• Vegetables: fresh lettuce and tomatoes, red onions
• Napkins needs: one napkin should do
• Special attributes: great pool table, lots of TVs, adult beverages of your choosing, friendly wait staff  
  
• Ownership: mom and pop (no affiliation with the great Cowboy's tight end that I can tell)

Another Hole In The Wall - Newcastle, TX

UPDATE: No longer in business.

I have been visiting Hole In The Wall in Newcastle for some time now and have been remiss about posting a review until now.


A quick history about the name and some confusion I have with it. About 13-14 years ago there was a place in Graham called 'The Hole In The Wall', HITW for short. It was nestled in a former gas station across from the old Shawnee School (Shawnee Park). The HITW was famous for their HOG burger and would post Polaroid pictures on their restaurant wall of people who defeated it. I never attempted it, for fear it might just be the artery-clogging end of me. I don't recall the exact ingredients, but I do recall it had lots of bacon and ham piled upon a burger.


About the time the HITW in Graham was popular, a similarly-named place sprang up in Newcastle with the same type of HOG burger. I am unsure if the original HITW owner was financially involved in the Newcastle venture. If I recall correctly, the sign in Newcastle said 'Hole In The Wall 2' at one time. After the closing of the HITW in Graham, it seems 'Another' was added to the front of the HITW's name in Newcastle to differentiate the location. Perhaps a change in ownership occurred, I am unsure. All of the various web posts I have found call in the Hole In The Wall, so that is what I refer to it as now, or HITW for short.


As I stated, I have not attempted the HOG burger. In fact, with all of the visits I have made, I usually order the same thing, a mini-burger with cheese, sometimes with a side of fries. I have tried the 'Irish burger/sandwich', a burger patty on toast with fries on top, smothered in brown gravy. If I were on Death Row it would probably be on my list of things for my last meal. I figure it would give me a Myocardial Infarction (heart attack) and save the State of Texas the trouble.


The HITW is a small place that probably, comfortably, seats 30-40 people. There is a small front area that was recently added on with a couple of tables and the main dining area has about 5-6 booths, a couple of tables end-to-end and a larger round table. 


Each time I visit the HITW, the round table is the center stage for the locals. I usually grab a booth, order some unsweet tea and my standard mini-burger with cheese, all the way. I then have a few moments while the order is being prepared to look over the collection of deer pictures hanging on the wall around the restaurant. Every year the owner has a Biggest Buck contest. Sitting in such a small dining area, one cannot help but overhear the local gossip coming from the round table. It is usually talk of the work day that just ended or the tasks ahead of them tomorrow. Good folks breaking bread, sipping coffee, swapping stories and telling lies, not always in that order. The side of the building even boasts this is the place 'Where Hunters, Fishermen and Other Liars Meet'.



Anyway, back to the burgers.


The burgers always arrive nice and hot. I have found the small burger is more than enough to satisfy my appetite. The burger to the right was my most recent order. As you can see, the patty is medium thick and hand formed. The cheese, yellow American, has melted over the piping hot patty and formed an inseparable bond between the bun and the meat. There are ample slices of white onions, a layer of lettuce, tomatoes and pickles with a thin layer of yellow mustard on the bottom bun to complete the entree. And, remember, this is the small burger. 


If you are near Newcastle, TX and looking for a burger, it's a great place to stop. The *only* drawback to the HITW is it is a smoking-allowed restaurant. And, trust me, after a meal in the small confines of the place, you *will* smell like an ashtray. I usually ride the Spyder over and fill up at the Newcastle Grocery, saving an average of 10 cents over any station in Graham, where I live. After my meal at the HITW, the ride back home rids my clothing of the cigarette smell and I can stand myself as I settle in for a few hours of television. 


Don't let the smokers bother you, though, as all of their menu items can be ordered to go and they have a convenient drive-up window.


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

• Patty Size and Style: medium thick and hand formed
• Cooking style: Cooked on a flat top
• Char: excellent seasoning on the grill makes for a great char across the patty
• Bun: Fresh buns, appears to be toasted lightly on the grill
• Vegetables: good veggies
• Napkins needs: Needed a napkin
• Special attributes: Smoking allowed. Where the locals gather. Biggest buck contest each deer season.
• Ownership: locally owned

Rock City Burger Co - Bridgeport, TX

I had a scheduled service call in Bridgeport, TX today, so I took an opportunity to grab some lunch while I was over there. I looked up local burger joints on Urbanspoon and found the Rock City Burger Company. It was sporting an 88% rating on Urbanspoon with many positive reviews, so I felt the need to visit.


Parking out front near the big green rock crawler Jeep, I noticed a covered patio area with some wood picnic tables. When the weather is nice, this would be the place to dine, I thought.


The inside of the restaurant looked somewhat industrial, with a nice black and yellow paint scheme and some shiny corrugated metal accents. There were around six booths and six tables inside with a few tables on the patio outside to serve the patrons. The windows were open and a nice breeze was blowing in.


A flat-panel TV was showing rock-crawling video clips and there were several pictures of Jeeps in various upside down and contorted positions hanging on the walls. With the name of the establishment and the rock crawling Jeep outside, I assumed it was a hobby of the owner and probably pictures of his escapades. As I found out later, it was.

I stepped to the counter and surveyed the menu on the wall. It was a chalkboard wall with the burgers, pricing and options available. I opted for the single with cheese, which the counter person begin checking off my selection on a paper menu affixed to a bag. A little like Which Wich, I thought. Exactly how I would do it, I told myself.


The reviews said to get the jalapeño bread, which I did, and the homemade chips. I opted, instead, for the onion rings and a drink. The total was a little over $10, so not your typical burger combo pricing.


I grabbed a cup and filled it up with a 75/25 mixture of unsweet and sweet tea. I noticed the small fountain had your typical sodas on tap. But, as the SNL skit said from long ago, Cheeburger, Cheeburger, Pepsi here, no Coke.


My food arrived in the paper bag where it all started at the counter. I opened the onions rings and noticed they looked like they were hand-breaded. They had a nice crust with a good amount of pepper in the batter. 

I opened the burger and found it was cooked on a flat-top grill, my favorite method. It was medium thin and looked to be hand-formed. The jalapeño bun was toasted on the grill as well, but was still a little soft, not hard and crunchy. I ordered my burger with lettuce, onions, grilled onions, cheese and mayo as well as mustard. The lettuce was your standard iceberg, the raw onions were white and the cheese looked to be a shredded cheddar variety. It was so well melted between the bun and burger, I couldn't be completely certain, but it looked like a shredded cheddar cheese. Not my first choice in cheese, but nothing that would prevent me from enjoying my meal. The grilled onions were translucent, but not caramelized like I prefer.


The burger had good flavor and was still pretty juicy. The jalapeño bun was the perfect choice, still soft, but a different texture than your normal boring bun. As I looked around the room, I could see this place could get busy on Friday nights after a football game or on the weekends after a bunch of crawlers worked over the local Northwest OHV Park.


I got an opportunity to visit with Trevor, the owner of the place. He has been in business a couple of years. He seems to enjoy running the restaurant and sponsors many of the Jeep clubs. 


It certainly is worth a trip. Tell Trevor you read about it here.

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

• Patty Size and Style: medium thick and hand formed
• Cooking style: Cooked on a flat top
• Char: good char across the patty
• Bun: Excellent bun, toasted on the grill
• Vegetables: good veggies
• Napkins needs: Needed a napkin (paper towel) or two
• Special attributes: BYOB, Music on weekends
• Ownership: locally owned

Paula's by the Lake - Graham, TX

I saw an advertisement for Paula's By The Lake, a new place occupying the space where The Steele Grill was on Lake Graham. Since I am always in the mood to try some place new, I figured I would drop by on my way home one evening.


It was past 7:30 when I arrived and there was only one other person in the place. Normally, that might be a bad sign, but being the trooper I am, I went inside.


The location is nicely decorated and clean looking. They took out the glass counter and salad prep area along the wall and added extra tables. It looks like they have a private area available for dining as well.


The menu, it appears, changes daily. I happened to visit on the 'homestyle' day, so chicken fried steak, chicken fried chicken and catfish were on the menu.


I noticed a chalkboard with two or three burger choices written down, so I inquired about them. I settled for the Claude Burger, named after the owner of the space, a half pound single-patty cheese burger with grilled jalapenos and bacon. I ordered a side of onion rings as well.


The cook went to work on the burger, I could hear the sizzle of the grill as he started cooking the patty. He brought out the burger and rings in a few minutes and I surveyed my meal.


The rings were cooked perfect. They were hand-dipped with a thick, crunchy batter. The burger was a medium-thick, hand-formed patty with a nice crunchy char where it made contact with the grill. It was cooked just right, enough of a sear on it to seal in the juices. I love charred mammal flesh.


I started with the rings first before moving to the burger. The jalapenos were grilled, swimming in mustard, and formed a nice layer on the bottom of the burger between the patty and the bun. The cheese melted into the patty, just the way I like it.


Overall the meal was great. The bun could have been a little more substantial, it started to fall apart before I was done, probably because it was one of the thinner buns you sometimes see.

I look forward to my next stop. I told them I would be in enough that they would name a burger after me.


If you are in the area, you should stop by. They are located at 1733 FM 3003, just this side of the Double Docks on Lake Graham.

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

• Patty Size and Style: medium thick and hand formed
• Cooking style: Cooked perfectly on a flat top
• Char: good char across the patty
• Bun: fresh tasting, little too thin, came apart before the burger was finished
• Vegetables: good veggies
• Napkins needs: I found I needed a couple
• Special attributes: Lake Graham
• Ownership: locally owned

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

The Kwik Stop - Jacksboro

I recently visited The Kwik Stop in Jacksboro, TX when I was in town for a computer-related service call. It was about lunch time, so I stopped in The Kwik Stop for a burger. I recall seeing a comment on their outdoor sign touting their burgers and BBQ, so I had to give it a try.

When I went inside there were a few people already waiting on their food. I stepped up to a window that looked in on the grill. The cook, a young lady, asked what I wanted. I ordered the standard cheeseburger, all the way.

After about 10 minutes she came out of the kitchen and delivered my burger in a paper 'basket' like you see fries and hotdogs in occasionally. The burger was wrapped in thin paper and you could see the grease starting to opaque the paper. This was going to be a good burger, I thought. I didn't bother ordering fries or any sides, the burger looked large enough to accommodate my appetite.

As I ate my lunch, I listened in to the cook banter about with the customers ordering their lunch. This is the kind of place you come back to again, I told myself. And it was populated by locals, always a good sign.

The burger was great. It was very juicy and had me using up several napkins to keep the goodness from dripping down my arm and off my face. I paid up and went to work, thinking I would have to stop by next time I was in town. And, to think, I thought the only good burger joint in Jacksboro was Herd's.

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

• Patty Size and Style: appears to be hand formed, medium thick and cooked perfectly
• Cooking style: grilled on a flat top
• Char: good char across the patty
• Bun: cooked on the grill (not toasty), fresh tasting
  
• Vegetables: the veggies were fresh
  
• Napkins needs: I needed several. It was juicy and 'messy'
  
• Special attributes: can't wait to try the BBQ
• Ownership: looks to be a single location, local owner

Bullfrog Grill - Lake Worth

I have driven by the Bullfrog BBQ Grill many, many times and have wanted to stop, but never seemed to have the opportunity to do so until tonight.

On my way to my weekend job, masquerading every weekend, and most appropriately on this night, Halloween, as the PC Doctor, I stopped by.

The Bullfrog is housed in what looks like an old Dairy Queen-style place, complete with drive-thru ordering. They have inside 'non smoking' seating. They also have a patio area out front that looks like it is *the* place to be on a rocking night. One would assume it is also known as 'the smoking section'.

The Bullfrog is biker friendly and I have seen dozens of choppers and custom bikes out front on my various trips past it. And, owning a bike and traveling to places like this, I know how rowdy it can get. Tonight wasn't your typical Friday night, I would assume, since it was Halloween and the Texas Motor Speedway, a few miles up the road, was hosting a big race weekend.

When I walked in the overwhelming smell of BBQ almost tempted me to give it a try. If they could bottle that smell, I would buy it. I ordered up a bacon cheeseburger, sort of my gauge for all burger joints. I got it just the way it comes, all the veggies, mustard and mayo.

I opted for the potato salad instead of fries or rings. Doing my research on the address and mapping it, I found a few reviewers that raved about the rings. I probably should have tried them too, but the potato salad looked too tempting.

Taking my glass of tea, I strolled outside and waited on the burger. They had some nice blues playing over the speakers on the patio. A most interesting conversation was also occurring among the clients there, so I sat back, relaxed and enjoyed the atmosphere.

My burger arrived quick enough and I surveyed the package. It was at least a half-pounder, medium thick and the patty looked to be hand formed and very fresh. It didn't appear to be a Bubba-burger or something like that, but I suppose it could have been.

It was cooked perfect, not too done, a little char from the flat top and still juicy.

The veggies were fresh looking, with nice red tomatoes, iceberg lettuce and coarsely-chopped white onions. It is rare to find RED tomatoes, these days, so I was glad I didn't leave them off like I normally do. The cheese, a single slice of American held the bacon in place. The bacon was cooked well, not burnt like I prefer it, but not squealing when I chomped into it, either.

I worked on the potato salad first. It was my favorite kind, the same kind you find at most BBQ joints, soft and mustardy. I know that's not a word, but it describes it best. You know the kind, boil and mash up some potatoes, toss in some onion and pickle drown it all in mustard with a little mayo to smooth it out and it's done.

I probably should have ate the potato salad in moderation instead of devouring it first because it wasn't able to finish the burger. I normally opt for the smaller quarter-pound burgers, but I didn't see that as an option. Sure enough, about half-way through the burger, I was stuffed. Like a Thankgiving turkey stuffed. It was a shame too, because I really enjoyed the burger. But, since I was driving and wouldn't be near a fridge for a few hours, I didn't put it in a to-go box, but instead, pushed the basket away, finished my tea and got a refill for the road.

Walking back inside for the tea refill, the 'cue sure smelled good, though. I have to stop back by and try it next time.

The Bullfrog BBQ Grill is located at 6700 Azle Ave in Lake Worth, TX just north of Highway 199.

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

• Patty Size and Style: appears to be hand formed, medium thick and cooked perfectly
• Cooking style: grilled on a flat top
• Char: good char across the patty
• Bun: cooked on the grill (not toasty), fresh tasting, I am guessing a Mrs Baird's bun
  
• Vegetables: the veggies were fresh. I prefer sliced onions, but the coarsely-chopped ones were a suitable replacement
  
• Napkins needs: I only needed one. It was juicy, but not 'messy'
  
• Special attributes: can't wait to try the BBQ, appears to be their specialty
• Ownership: looks to be a single location, local owner
  

SoDo Grill - Fort Worth

The SoDo Grill is located on Houston Street in South Downtown Fort Worth (hence the SoDo name).

I have been many times, but the old building it is in lacks what I would call an adequate air-conditioning system, so it gets a bit warmer in there than I care to endure in these hot Texas summers. It's not unbearable, don't get me wrong, but it could be cooler. The owners realize it's an issue and have fans blowing, which help greatly.

I have tried a number of items on the menu, including the Monster Taco's, the Sante Fe Chicken and Charlie's Chicken Strips. The food is good.

My friend Samson is going back to India next week and he loves the SoDo, so I had to go with him one more time before he leaves. I don't know why, but I haven't ever eaten the burger there. I finally tried it a few days ago and it was pretty good. Not Herd's good, but good.

It is a 1/2 lb burger served up on an untoasted sesame seed bun. The bun looks like it's from Mrs. Baird's (a legendary Fort Worth bakery) and that is fine with me.

It comes with your choice of Pepper Fries, Crinkle Cut Fries or a side salad. I chose the Pepper Fries this time, although I have tried the side salad with the vinaigrette and it's greatness. I still don't know where the 'Pepper' comes from in the Pepper Fries name, as they are neither spicy hot nor pepper-soaked. They were a little too plain for my tastes, but they were acceptable fries, something no burger should be without.

The burger arrived quickly. It was hot, served open-faced with nice red onions, a slice of red tomato, hamburger dill pickles and some green iceburg lettuce. Everything looked great.

There was a hint of mayo on one side and I might have detected a bit of a horseradish taste to it, although it was very mild. I had covered the burger in mustard, so with all of the flavors from the veggies and the condiments, my taste buds might have been misled.

Overall the burger was good, but it was a bit more than I usually eat. I normally go for the 1/4 lb or junior burgers. This one, at a 1/2 lb, was too much for lunch and I ended up leaving some of it, along with some of the fries, on the plate.

If you are near downtown at lunchtime, I recommend the SoDo. It's good food.

SoDo Grill
911 Houston St.
Fort Worth, TX
817-877-3939

• Patty Size and Style: medium thick, appears to be hand formed
  
• Cooking style: appears to be a flat top
  
• Char: some char
  
• Bun: soft, fresh and untoasted with sesame seeds
  
• Vegetables: 'hamburger' dill pickles, green iceberg lettuce, nice red tomato
  
• Napkins needs: one napkin should do
  
• Special attributes: the crawfish burrito is a local favorite, the old building is pretty cool and it's downtown, baby!
  
• Ownership: appears to be locally owned, non chain

Main Street Cafe, Keller

I dropped by the Main Street Cafe in Keller today for a quick lunch on my way to an eye doctor's appointment.

The menu is full of choices, but I honed in on the burger selection first thing, like I always do. I noticed the burgers were 1/2 lb and were served up with tomato, lettuce and pickles. No mention of onions, which I didn't realize until I had started eating the burger. I ordered it up, sans tomatoes, with mustard instead of mayo and decided to leave the fries that accompanied it instead of spending the extra ^$1.00 for onion rings.

First things first, this burger is 'flame broiled' like they do at Burger King. I am not a fan of the charbroiled/flame broiled burgers, they just taste too fake to me. Now, toss me a burger on a real charcoal or propane grill and that's a different story.

I normally ask if they are grilled or flame broiled and if the latter, I pass. Today, I didn't. And, that was my undoing.

When Kimberley, my waitress, brought out the open-faced plate, she noted there didn't appear to be any mustard on the bun. I lifted the patty and discovered a small dime-size patch of mustard (and mayo that I didn't order) underneath. She fetched a squirt bottle of French's Yellow Mustard and I proceeded to add some of the mustard to try and tone down the 'flame broiled' taste.

Since I was pressed for time to make my appointment and I couldn't dare send the burger back because I don't like flame broiled, I went to work on it. As soon as I added the mustard, I noticed the majority of the lettuce on the burger was the white, thick, sometimes hard outer 'leaves' that are most closely attached to the stem. I tossed that aside, leaving just a small bit of lettuce.

With no tomatoes because of the salmonella scare, the burger was basically meat, a few pickles, a sprig of slightly green iceberg lettuce and bread with a thin slice of swiss on top. As I bit into it, the taste of the flame-broiled patty was quite strong. I opened the bun and tossed on some House Recipe ketchup. That made things much more palatable.

The bun was fresh, but was not toasted. The fries were crispy on the outside, but still were soft inside, making for a nice difference in textures. The fries were a saving grace to an otherwise disappointing burger experience.

Will I go back again? Sure, but it won't be for a burger.

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

• Patty Size and Style: medium thick, hand formed
  
• Cooking style: appears to be flame broiled/char broiled
  
• Char: some char from the flame broiling
  
• Bun: soft, fresh and untoasted
  
• Vegetables: 'hamburger' dill pickles, disappointing iceberg lettuce
  
• Napkins needs: one napkin should do
  
• Special attributes: their menu is rather extensive. Their 'hot brown' seemed to be in favor by others around me
  
• Ownership: appears to be locally owned, non chain
  

Burgers and Billiards - Graham

Burgers and Billard's took my idea (great burger joint with an entertainment area) and turned it into a place I love to visit and miss dearly on Sunday when I am looking for a burger fix and the doors are shut.

If you are gonna stop by for a burger here, you better do it during a normal lunch or dinner time hours. I have called up there at 1:45 pm on Saturday to order a burger and been told by 'Bucket' that she's turned off the grill because it was slow today and I would have to wait until dinner.

That's the type of place she runs. If the local teenagers get a little unruly, she is quick to usher them out the door or get them back in line. Her boisterous voice carries over the jukebox playing in the corner, warning those who get a little rambunctious to tone it down a notch.

My first venture there was with my friend Chris. He and I stopped by for lunch. No need to vocalize what he wanted, Bucket knew his order and was waiting on mine. I followed his lead and ordered up the Jr Burger Combo. Although it has been a while back, it seems like the cost was about ^$4 for the 1/4 lb burger, fries and a drink. I think they might have gone up on the price a little bit now, but it is still well within reason.

Even though the Jr burger is the smaller bun and patty, I left feeling satisfied with the portion. It was so good, in fact, I was back in there the next day ordering up another combo for dinner.

I stumbled upon my favorite burger there sometime later, the Captain's Mate. It was at the insistence of my friend David Bryan. He and the family stopped by BnB one Saturday evening and he tried one and it was 'ggoooooooodddd'. When David talks about food like that, it has to be tried.

The worst part for me, however, was they weren't open on Sunday and I wouldn't be back in Graham for another week. That was a long week thinking about that burger. Like a dog who goes looking for a bone he buried, I navigated right to BnB the next Saturday and ordered up a burger.

The Captain's Mate (or, my choice, the smaller Mini Captain's Mate) is a half-pound burger with swiss cheese and shaved ham on top. It's my choice of 'drug' when I need a burger fix at the BnB.

For all of the burgers served at BnB, the patty starts off being hand formed every day by the staff. And, the final product shows the attention to detail. The patty is slightly thick and it comes out cooked perfectly on the flat top grill. They get just a bit of crust on the meat, indicative of a nice, hot, seasoned grill.

The burgers are always made fresh to order and the combo meal is well in line with your budget. In fact, I have told Bucket on more than one occasion she could raise the price a bit and not hurt herself. My comments were purely selfish. I would rather pay a few cents more and know they will be around for the long haul than save a few pennies and watch them go out of business because they can't pay the bills.

There are several great things on the menu at BnB besides the Captain's Mate. I have found the patty melt to be a nice alternative to the typical burger. It is served on Texas Toast and is a nice change of pace to the normal burger bun.

One more thing I can't rave about enough are the onion rings. This is another recommendation from David. The rings look to be hand battered and made on-site. The final product looks more like an 'onion loaf' when they arrive at your table. They look like they are sort of piled into the deep fryer on top of each other. Hanging on for dear life in the hot boiling grease, these tender, battered onions cling to each other as if vowing they will all go down together. The result is an 'onion ring clump' that borders on spectacular. Toss on a little 'hot salt' they have on each table while they are still moist from the grease and you have some kicked-up rings that are worth raving about.

Burgers and Billards can be found at 1222 Hwy 16 South, Graham, TX. Their phone number is 940-521-0113. They are tucked in off the road a bit, right next to the What-A-Burger, so you have to look kinda close to see them.

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

• Patty Size and Style: hand formed, medium thick patty
• Cooking style: grilled on a flat top
• Char: good char throughout the patty
  
• Bun: grilled bun
• Vegetables: fresh veggies
  
• Napkins needs: one napkin should do
  
• Special attributes: Stop in for a few games of pool after a good burger
  
• Ownership: locally owned, non chain
  

Kuntry Kitchen - Graham

The Kuntry Kitchen is a 'new' old place that recently moved to a new 'old' place. Yes, that's confusing, but maybe I can sort it out as we go.

Kuntry Kitchen is currently located in the old Hole In The Wall location at 934 Elm Street. The new owner, Mike, moved it down there after the building he was in on 4th Street was sold to The Cracker Town Cafe (review coming soon).

That covers the new 'old' place portion of today's lesson. Now for the 'new' old place portion, let me explain. Mike and his wife, Tina, purchased the Old Town Cafe from Billy and Laura just after they moved from their little nine-table place at 1021 4th Street to the much larger location in the old Layfield's building at the corner of 4th and Virginia.

The building owner, as I understand it, sold the building to The Cracker Town Cafe people, leaving Mike and Tina scrambling to find a place. They moved into the old Hole In The Wall location over the weekend, changed the name to Kuntry Kitchen, and appear to be doing very well.

Having tried the burgers when it was the Old Town Cafe and now as the Kuntry Kitchen, I can tell you the quality hasn't faltered. I enjoyed Laura's cooking and Mike and Tina have continued that tradition of good food at a reasonable price.

I recently dropped by on the motorcycle and ordered up a bacon cheeseburger, fries and iced tea. The burger arrived in a timely manner and was cooked to order. The bacon was crisp burnt, just the way I love it.

The veggies were fresh, although I am not a fan of iceberg lettuce. I find it bland and boring and prefer something a little greener, perhaps some romaine, field greens or spinach. A vegan friend of mine called iceberg, 'crunchy water', since it has almost no nutritional value.

One would be hard pressed to fault any burger joint in Texas for serving iceberg lettuce, it's the staple of burger joints all over. It would be nice, however, to begin a movement to replace that 'crunchy water' with something that is a little better for you, nutritionally. I mean, if you are gonna clog your arteries up with a greasy burger, at least try to offset it with some green veggies.

You know, like Al Gore offsets his enormous electric bills and carbon footprint for his mansion by buying up carbon credits.

Here's how to find the Kuntry Kitchen:

Kuntry Kitchen
934 Elm Street
Graham, TX 76450


Here at Texas Burger Stops, we rate the burger places on the following attributes:

• Patty Size and Style: slightly thick patty, appears to be hand made
• Cooking style: grilled on a flattop
• Char: decent amount of charring to give it that slight crunchiness I enjoy
• Bun: fresh bun, toasted
• Vegetables: good veggies, iceberg lettuce
• Napkins needs: one napkin should suffice
• Special attributes: on-site, working owners who listen to the customers and want to serve the best food possible. The hamburger steak is another favorite on the menu
• Ownership: locally owned, non chain

Skinny's - Weatherford

Whenever I am passing through Weatherford and the stomach is telling me it's time to eat, I immediately seek out Skinny's over on the west side of town.

Skinny's is officially located at 504 Palo Pinto Street and they have a rather decent web site at http://skinnyshamburgers.com/.

The night I stopped and snapped the picture in the top right corner it was late and we had the family pooch with us, so we sat outside on the large deck and enjoyed a great burger.

I ordered a burger with cheese (8 oz) and Kathleen ordered a Mini Skinny (4 oz) with cheese. The burgers arrived quickly and were nice and hot. The bun was grilled, but fresh, indicated by the tear I made it in while trying to manipulate it so I could snap a decent picture.

It is refreshing to find a nice place open late (11 am - 9 pm, daily) that maintains a good menu to choose from. Skinny's isn't just about burgers, they have many other items, but it's always the burger that brings me in. Well, that and the 'Skinny Fries'.

I could dedicate an entire post just describing the 'Skinny Fries'. Imagine a basket of piping hot fries intertwined and interlaced with fresh fried onions and jalapeños . Toss me a packet of ranch dressing and a basket of 'Skinny Fries' and I can make a meal of them. My mouth waters just thinking about them.

Next time you are driving through Weatherford and the tummy is growling, give Skinny's a try.

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

• Patty Size and Style: Medium thick and it looks to be hand formed
  
• Cooking style: grilled on a flat top
• Char: Some char throughout, indicative of a good seasoned grill
• Bun: Fresh and toasted
• Vegetables: Thick sliced onions, average tomatoes and iceberg lettuce, dill pickles
• Napkins needs: one napkin should do
  
• Special attributes: The jalapeno and onion-laced fries 'Skinny's Fries' are worth the trip alone
• Ownership: locally owned, single location from what I can tell