Hut’s Hamburgers
807 W 6th St
Austin, TX 78703
Rating: 7 out of 10
Hut’s is a bit of an ATX institution. Open in the same spot since 1969, they occupy an unassuming building right by the Wholefoods on W.6th. It’s a bitch to find parking nearby because the place is always pumping, but it’s worth the effort to circle the block a few times- the mark of a great eatery.
In addition to burgers, Hut’s offer a large selection of sandwiches and have daily blue plate specials for the bargain price of $7.95 (note to self: return on a Tuesday to try the chicken fried steak). Let’s not muck around though, it’s the burgers that made ‘em famous. The menu advises that the patty will only be cooked to well-done upon the customers insistence, which ever-so-gently suggests that you are a heretic if you choose to eat your burgers this way. I like these guys already.
I had the Buddy Holly burger (mustard, onions, pickles, lettuce, tomatoes & American cheese, hold the mayo!) and was a little surprised that fries were not an included side. The burger itself was a perfect size and cooked well with excellent flavour. But it was the tourist in me that was most excited when I found the option to upgrade from a normal beef patty to Longhorn Grassfeed Beef- the very same Longhorn that is the iconic symbol of the State of Texas. I’d imagine that’s how visitors to Australia feel when they get to sample kangaroo, then pay for their meal with coins bearing the animal’s likeness. It’s that whole “let’s celebrate your country by eating your national animal” mentality. And it’s delicious.
One thing though, and there really isn’t a nice way to say this, the onion rings suck. Do not order them. They are colossal sized par-cooked slabs of onion (think huge Vidalia sliced horizontally into thirds) with a cornmeal crust that immediately falls away from the onion within. Australia says no.
I for one look forward to heading back and snacking on Bevo.
One of the chip companies in Oz had a comp to nominate a new flavour combination and 4 varieties had a limited release. My favourite was lamb kebab. I’m pretty sure there was a coat of arms variety which was ‘room & emu. Didn’t so well (emu’s not a familiar taste). Nothing stopping anyone eating the national symbol. Bald Eagle drumsticks anyone?
What were the other three flavours? Vaguely remember the comp….
The onion rings sound blerrrrrrgggggggggggggg
BUT
The burger looks damn tasty, reminds me of Danny’s Burgers in Melbs.
Now I want a BURGER
Yeah sorry about that. Perhaps I should pop a disclaimer on the site that content are likely to incite extreme hunger?
7/10 for Hut’s? My faith in your burger judging skills is starting to waver!
I give them a 5/10 at best. I don’t think there is really anything special about it. I think people just go there because it’s “Hut’s”.
Bonus points for the bottle of Shiner in the background of your photo though.