Burger wars, revisted
Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2001 4:17 pmJust got back from a lunchtime sojourn to Jack's Burger House with Peruna Punch (and the lovely Mrs. Punch, who is WAY out of PP's league .... but I digress). Hard to believe I went to SMU and have been in Dallas for over a dozen years and had never made it to Jack's. Found the burger tasty and with a decent (but not gross) level of grease - overall a solid performance from the guys at the fryer .... uh, grill. Peruna Punch got a little bent because he forgot to order his without mustard, and mine had so damn many pickes that even when I picked them off, the pickle slime lingered a little more than I'd like. The fries, however, were grossly oversold. They're OK, but way too salty and slimy. Burger made a solid showing, but there are LOTS of fries in town that are better.
The new official rankings: (be sure to mark this down when planning next week's lunches.)
1. First & 10
Still the reigning champion. Burger is unmatched. True PonyFans have to wrap themselves around the big burger - the "slim burger" or whatever they call the little one is for TCU and Baylor High grads. Cottage fries also are excellent. SMU memoribilia is a big bonus, too.
2. Fuddrucker's
I hate to promote a chain, but their burgers are excellent (just a hair below first & 10's) and their fries are the best one going. Very close second on this list.
3. Chip's
Slightly greasier burgers than F's (and maybe greasier than first & 10), but still excellent, and filling. Fries are too salty, but this place makes its claim on its onion rings. Best in Dallas, bar none.
4. Joe Willy's
Burgers are the closest thing to a healthy burger (meaning low grease) anywhere. Pep that thing up at the condiment bar, and you're in business. Good meat in those burgers, and the onion rings beat those anywhere except Chip's. And the beer is always extremely cold - a definite plus.
5. Jack's Burger House
Solid effort, although not quite up to the legendary status that it boasts in the community. Good meal, but not worth going way out of the way for. (For the full review, see above.)
6. Milo's
Stable burger, but that's all. Average fries. Go there only if there's no place else for lunch.
7. Ball's Burgers
Overrated. These are nothing more than salted grease patties. This may ruffle feathers in the Park Cities bubble, but there's very little reason to go to Ball's. Mediocre-to-average fries can't save these burgers. Best item there is the hot dog, but it's not exceptional. Even the sports memoribilia looks fake.
The new official rankings: (be sure to mark this down when planning next week's lunches.)
1. First & 10
Still the reigning champion. Burger is unmatched. True PonyFans have to wrap themselves around the big burger - the "slim burger" or whatever they call the little one is for TCU and Baylor High grads. Cottage fries also are excellent. SMU memoribilia is a big bonus, too.
2. Fuddrucker's
I hate to promote a chain, but their burgers are excellent (just a hair below first & 10's) and their fries are the best one going. Very close second on this list.
3. Chip's
Slightly greasier burgers than F's (and maybe greasier than first & 10), but still excellent, and filling. Fries are too salty, but this place makes its claim on its onion rings. Best in Dallas, bar none.
4. Joe Willy's
Burgers are the closest thing to a healthy burger (meaning low grease) anywhere. Pep that thing up at the condiment bar, and you're in business. Good meat in those burgers, and the onion rings beat those anywhere except Chip's. And the beer is always extremely cold - a definite plus.
5. Jack's Burger House
Solid effort, although not quite up to the legendary status that it boasts in the community. Good meal, but not worth going way out of the way for. (For the full review, see above.)
6. Milo's
Stable burger, but that's all. Average fries. Go there only if there's no place else for lunch.
7. Ball's Burgers
Overrated. These are nothing more than salted grease patties. This may ruffle feathers in the Park Cities bubble, but there's very little reason to go to Ball's. Mediocre-to-average fries can't save these burgers. Best item there is the hot dog, but it's not exceptional. Even the sports memoribilia looks fake.