The weather is chilly, football playoff games are over and we’re not roasting in the heat quite yet — it’s the perfect season for hamburgers!
If you’ve been enjoying a life of kale and spinach salad since the clock struck midnight on December 31st, perhaps you’re in the mood for a Texas-sized burger?
If so, we’ve got lots of mouth-watering options to share. And the best part is you can find them all right here in the Lake Travis area.
In your opinion, what makes a burger great? The quality of the beef? The freshness of the veggies? The preparation of the bun? The ambiance that surrounds you when you take that first hot and juicy bite?
We’re breaking down the burger debate with 7 must-try burgers in Lake Travis. Got your “I Like Ketchup on My Ketchup” shirt on? Good! Here we go:
(In no particular order, they are all worth devouring)
Sandeez Hamburger Hut
If you live in the Lake Travis area, you know there’s one name that’s synonymous with juicy, delicious burgers — Sandeez. Think American grub, milkshakes and classic cars.
Sandeez Hamburger Hut is a great little no-frills spot with a big burger-licious personality. The restaurant still embraces its younger 1979 self that transports you back to a time when burgers were considered health food.
Must-try: do the Humpty Dumpty. It’s a classic Sandeez burger with a fried egg on top (we recommend adding bacon and a side of Sandeez famous onion rings). Order it up on a Friday afternoon when the guys from the Lakeway Classic Car Club are hanging out.
All Star Burger
Of course, you can’t have a hamburger conversation in Lake Travis without mentioning All Star Burger in the Hill Country Galleria. With the freshest ingredients, every bite is pretty magical. And it’s not just the burgers because the salads are equally fantastic and the seasonal strawberry milkshakes are perhaps the best thing ever.
All Star Burger prides itself on local veggies, beef that is free of artificial growth hormones, and preservative-free buns.
Must-try: the (stuffed) Veteran. It’s a hand-crafted burger with pepper jack cheese stuffed in between two Angus beef patties. And you get your greens (with a red) … green chiles, green leaf lettuce, green chile mayo, red onion.
Mighty Fine
If you’re a food truck kinda foodie, you’ve got to stop at Mighty Fine Burgers near Four Points. Mighty Fine has been awarded the “best burger in Austin award,” so it’s definitely a contender when it comes to satisfying, mouth-watering bites.
The menu is simple, allowing the high-quality ingredients to be the star of the show. The Mighty Fine motto is all about freshness. Their meat is antibiotic and preservative-free. It’s locally sourced from certified small ranchers who raise vegetarian fed cows.
Must-try: Crinkle. Cut. Fries. These little potato-y treats are a customer fav. They’re prepped daily from fresh Idaho potatoes with a genuine a crinkle cutter machine.
Sundancer Grill
Ok, ok … car clubs and speakeasies are fun and all, but let’s get back to the real reason we all live where we do … the lake.
This little waterfront gem makes you feel like you are kicking it in Key West with it’s beach house design and sunny interior.
Must-try: the Bacon Blue Cheeseburger is the way to go. Not exactly bathing suit food, but worth every single delicious calorie. Stop by on a Tuesday for the Buy One Get One Free Burgers special.
Moviehouse and Eatery
Remember the old days when movies only had expensive popcorn and sodas? And perhaps some sad nachos and hotdogs in a weird display case. Now you can enjoy the big screen with tasty, chef-inspired food. At Moviehouse & Eatery, the Big Jake burger gets rave reviews.
Must-try: a Big Jake (pepper jack cheese, house bacon, horseradish aioli, red pepper, relish, & Bourbon BBQ sauce) served “Man Style” with queso fries and a whole pickled jalapeno.
Table 620 at H-E-B
Grocery shopping and burger joints don’t usually hang out at the same place, but in this instance, it’s a good thing.
H-E-B’s restaurant has surprisingly amazing dining options, including a burger that will make you want to never purchase ground beef again (if you can’t replicate greatness, might as well make chicken at home).
Must-try: the Brisket Blue Burger is where it’s at with chopped BBQ brisket, beef patty, grilled red onions, and Amish blue cheese. It will make “grocery shopping dread” a thing of the past.
Poodie’s Hilltop Roadhouse
We couldn’t list burger joints without including one that celebrates all that is Texas.
Poodie’s is a special place that not only keeps the music of the Hill Country alive but also offers up delicious roadhouse grub to hungry bikers, hikers, and mini-van drivers.
Must-try: eat a famous Poodie Burger (green chiles, onions, pepper jack cheese) and listen to the guitar player on stage or the bartender’s stories of the good ol’ days. Add double meat and make sure to rub Poodie’s belly on the way out the door.
Ah, so many burgers, so little stomach space.
What’s your favorite burger in the Lake Travis area? Let us know in the comments section on our Facebook page!
I expected to see a mention of Hat Creek now that it’s here in Lakeway…….
Ate at Hat Creek once here in Lakeway, and it seemed to be about like a P.Terrys as far as size and price. Nothing particularly special. Maybe I’ll give it another shot.