Are you a burger lover? Do you enjoy trying unique and mouth-watering burgers at different places? If yes, then you must not miss out on the gourmet burger joints in Austin. With their delicious and creative burgers, these joints offer a perfect blend of taste and ambience that will leave you wanting more. In this article, we will explore some of the best gourmet burger joints in Austin, along with their specialties and what makes them stand out from the rest.
The Best Gourmet Burger Joints in Austin
- Hopdoddy Burger Bar
- P. Terry’s Burger Stand
- Shake Shack
- Whataburger
- BurgerFi
- Mighty Fine Burgers
Hopdoddy Burger Bar
Hopdoddy Burger Bar is known for its handcrafted burgers made from fresh, high-quality ingredients. They take pride in sourcing their meat from ranches that practice sustainable farming methods. Their menu offers a variety of mouth-watering options such as the Classic Burger, El Diablo Burger, and the Impossible Burger for vegetarians. Along with burgers, they also serve hand-cut fries, house-made sauces, and handspun shakes. The ambience at Hopdoddy is hip and modern, making it a popular spot for locals and tourists alike.
How to enjoy the experience at Hopdoddy Burger Bar?
To fully enjoy the experience at Hopdoddy, try their signature burger, the Primetime Burger, which is made with Angus beef, Texas Akaushi beef, brie cheese, truffle aioli, and caramelized onions. Pair it with their seasoned parmesan fries and finish off with their famous red velvet shake for a complete meal.
Examples of their signature burgers:
- Impossible Burger – A plant-based burger made with a vegetarian patty, hatch green chilies, avocado, and pepper jack cheese.
- Buffalo Bill Burger – A mouth-watering combination of bison meat, applewood smoked bacon, blue jack cheese, and buffalo sauce.
- Terlingua Burger – Made with Angus beef, chili con carne, corn chips, cheddar cheese, and topped off with sour cream and guacamole.
Comparison with other gourmet burger joints:
Compared to other gourmet burger joints in Austin, Hopdoddy stands out for its commitment to using sustainable and high-quality ingredients. They also offer a variety of unique burgers that cater to different dietary preferences, such as vegetarian and gluten-free options.
Advice when visiting Hopdoddy Burger Bar:
It’s best to visit Hopdoddy during off-peak hours, as they are always busy and have long queues during peak hours. Also, be sure to try their special sauces, which are made in-house and add an extra kick to their burgers.
P. Terry’s Burger Stand
- Terry’s Burger Stand is a family-owned business known for its fresh and affordable burgers. They believe in using simple and natural ingredients, and their menu reflects this philosophy. Their burgers are made from fresh, never frozen, hormone-free beef, and their fries are cut daily from Idaho potatoes. Along with traditional beef burgers, they also offer chicken and veggie burgers to cater to all tastes. The ambience at P. Terry’s is casual and laid-back, making it a favorite spot among locals.
How to enjoy the experience at P. Terry’s Burger Stand?
To fully enjoy the experience at P. Terry’s, try their signature double cheeseburger, which comes with two patties, two slices of cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and their secret sauce. Add their famous crinkle-cut fries on the side and wash it down with their freshly made lemonade for the perfect meal.
Examples of their signature burgers:
- Double with Cheese – A classic burger made with two beef patties, American cheese, and all the traditional toppings.
- Veggie Burger – A vegetarian option made with a homemade patty of black beans, rice, oats, and veggies.
- Spicy Chicken Burger – For those who enjoy some heat, P. Terry’s offers a chicken burger made with crispy fried chicken strips, shredded lettuce, pickles, and spicy mayo.
Comparison with other gourmet burger joints:
- Terry’s stands out from other gourmet burger joints in Austin for its affordability and commitment to using fresh and natural ingredients. Their menu is simple but offers something for everyone, making it a popular spot for families and groups of friends.
Advice when visiting P. Terry’s Burger Stand:
Their drive-thru service can get busy during peak hours, so it’s best to order ahead online or through their app to skip the wait. Also, be sure to try their chocolate shake, which is made with vanilla custard and real Ghirardelli chocolate syrup.
Shake Shack
Originally from New York, Shake Shack has become a popular gourmet burger joint in Austin since its arrival. They are known for their juicy and flavorful burgers made from 100% Angus beef, free of hormones and antibiotics. Along with their famous burgers, they also serve hot dogs, fries, and shakes. The ambience at Shake Shack is modern and inviting, with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating options.
How to enjoy the experience at Shake Shack?
To fully enjoy the experience at Shake Shack, try their signature SmokeShack burger, made with bacon, cherry pepper relish, and their special sauce. Pair it with their crinkle-cut fries and wash it down with a hand-spun shake in flavors like cookies & cream or strawberry.
Examples of their signature burgers:
- SmokeShack – A fan favorite, made with all-natural Angus beef, smoked and griddled onions, applewood smoked bacon, and their special sauce.
- ‘Shroom Burger – For vegetarians, Shake Shack offers a crispy portobello mushroom filled with melted muenster and cheddar cheese topped with lettuce, tomato, and ShackSauce.
- Chick’n Shack – Made with 100% all-natural chicken breast, buttermilk marinated and fried to perfection, then topped with lettuce, pickles, and a buttermilk herb mayo.
Comparison with other gourmet burger joints:
Shake Shack stands out for its commitment to using high-quality ingredients, including antibiotic-free meat and cage-free eggs. They also offer a variety of unique burgers, like the ‘Shroom Burger and Chick’n Shack, which cater to different dietary preferences.
Advice when visiting Shake Shack:
They have a self-service ordering system, so be sure to check the screens carefully to customize your order. Also, their shakes can be made with custard or frozen yogurt, so make sure to specify your preference.
Whataburger
A Texas icon, Whataburger has been serving up delicious burgers since 1950. They pride themselves on using fresh, never frozen beef, and making each burger to order. Their menu includes traditional burgers like the Whataburger and the Double Meat Whataburger, along with unique options like the Jalapeno & Cheese Whataburger and the Mushroom Swiss Burger. The ambience at Whataburger is casual and nostalgic, making it a popular late-night spot for locals.
How to enjoy the experience at Whataburger?
To fully enjoy the experience at Whataburger, try their signature Whataburger, made with a beef patty, mustard, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and diced onions. Add a side of their famous onion rings and finish off with their classic chocolate shake for a satisfying meal.
Examples of their signature burgers:
- Whataburger – The original and most popular option, made with 100% beef, vegetables, and mustard.
- Avocado Bacon Burger – A unique option that includes slices of fresh avocado, applewood smoked bacon, American cheese, and creamy pepper sauce.
- Breakfast on a Bun – For those looking for a hearty breakfast option, Whataburger offers a sausage patty, egg, and cheese sandwiched between two buns.
Comparison with other gourmet burger joints:
Whataburger offers a traditional and no-frills menu, making it stand out from other gourmet burger joints in Austin. Their commitment to using fresh ingredients and making each burger to order has earned them a loyal fan base.
Advice when visiting Whataburger:
Be sure to try their spicy ketchup and honey butter chicken biscuit for a unique flavor experience. Also, don’t miss out on their famous Dr Pepper shake, which is only available at select locations.
BurgerFi
BurgerFi is a national chain that focuses on providing high-quality, all-natural burgers to its customers. They take pride in using grass-fed, hormone and antibiotic-free beef, and offering unique toppings like truffle aioli and chili. Along with burgers, they also offer hot dogs, fries, and custard shakes. The ambience at BurgerFi is modern and inviting, with plenty of outdoor seating options.
How to enjoy the experience at BurgerFi?
To fully enjoy the experience at BurgerFi, try their signature Fi’burger, made with two Angus beef patties, American & Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, and BurgerFi sauce. Add a side of their crispy onion rings and finish off with their red velvet custard shake for a delicious meal.
Examples of their signature burgers:
- CEO Burger – A unique option made with Wagyu and brisket blend beef, candied bacon-tomato jam, truffle aioli, and aged Swiss cheese.
- The Twenty-Eight – A plant-based burger made with Beyond Meat patty, American cheese, tomato, pickles, onions, ketchup, and mustard.
- The Conflicted Burger – For those who can’t decide between a burger and a hot dog, BurgerFi offers a combination of both in one delicious bun.
Comparison with other gourmet burger joints:
BurgerFi stands out for its commitment to using high-quality ingredients, including grass-fed beef and Beyond Meat plant-based options. They also offer unique toppings and combinations that cater to different tastes.
Advice when visiting BurgerFi:
Be sure to try their house-made sauces, which include garlic aioli, Sriracha mayo, and citrus mayo. Also, ask for their secret menu items, such as the Spicy Fi’ed Chicken Sandwich or the Urban Fries.
Mighty Fine Burgers
Mighty Fine Burgers is a local favorite for its classic burgers made with fresh and all-natural ingredients. Their menu includes traditional options like the Classic Burger and the Bacon Cheeseburger, along with unique options like the Veggie Burger and the Turkey Burger. The ambience at Mighty Fine is casual and family-friendly, making it a popular spot for groups and families.
How to enjoy the experience at Mighty Fine Burgers?
To fully enjoy the experience at Mighty Fine, try their signature Mighty Fine Burger, made with 100% beef, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and their special sauce. Add an order of their crispy crinkle-cut fries and top it off with their creamy vanilla custard for a satisfying meal.
Examples of their signature burgers:
- The Double – For those with a hearty appetite, Mighty Fine offers two beef patties, two slices of cheese, and all the traditional toppings.
- Veggie Burger – A vegetarian option made with a homemade patty of black beans, rice, oats, and veggies.
- Turkey Burger – Made with lean turkey meat, topped with lettuce, tomato, and cranberry sauce.
Comparison with other gourmet burger joints:
Mighty Fine stands out for its commitment to using fresh ingredients and making each burger to order. They also offer unique options like the Veggie Burger and the Turkey Burger, which cater to different dietary preferences.
Advice when visiting Mighty Fine Burgers:
Their fries are cooked in 100% peanut oil, so be aware if you have any allergies. Also, try their chili-cheese fries or their hand-spun shakes, which come in flavors like banana, Oreo, and black cherry.
FAQs
1. Can I customize my burger at these gourmet burger joints?
Yes, most of these gourmet burger joints offer customizable options, where you can choose your toppings and sauces.
2. Are there vegetarian and vegan options available at these joints?
Yes, most of these joints offer vegetarian and vegan options, such as veggie burgers and plant-based burgers.
3. Do these gourmet burger joints have a drive-thru service?
Some of these joints, like P. Terry’s and Shake Shack, have a drive-thru service. However, some, like Hopdoddy and Mighty Fine, do not.
4. Do these joints offer online ordering or delivery services?
Yes, most of these joints offer online ordering and delivery services through their websites or apps.
5. Do these joints use sustainable and high-quality ingredients?
Yes, most of these joints take pride in using sustainable and high-quality ingredients, such as grass-fed beef and organic produce.
Conclusion
If you’re a burger lover, then Austin is the place to be. With its vibrant food scene, the city offers a variety of gourmet burger joints that cater to all tastes and preferences. From classic beef burgers to plant-based options, these joints pride themselves on using fresh and high-quality ingredients to create mouth-watering burgers. So, the next time you’re in Austin, make sure to visit some of the best gourmet burger joints and treat yourself to a delicious and unique burger experience.
