During SXSW in Austin I decided to venture to East Austin’s
Your Mom’s Burger Bar. First impression is that it’s a cute little building with a cute concept – burgers, most stuffed with cheese, named after
famous people who tie into the theme of what the burger is topped/stuffed with. For example, the Don Ho is a grilled chicken sandwich marinated in Hawaiian salsa, topped with pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and onions on Texas Toast (maybe should’ve been on Hawaiian bread?). The Frida Kahlo is a ½ pound burger stuffed with pepper jack and chorizo topped with a fried egg, lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado and chipotle lime spread.
Since it was SXSW when I stopped in, they had a limited menu: the Norma Jean burger, hot dogs, wings and fries.
My friend ordered the burger, stuffed with American cheese:
She enjoyed it and was shocked she finished the whole thing.
I opted to get a hot dog ($4.50 and you get to pick three toppings):
I chose to get mine topped with fried pickles and bacon, and they put regular pickles on it too:
I really enjoyed the fact that they split the hot dog when they grilled it (that’s how I make mine at home). I did not however like that it came on a giant piece of bread. The bread tasted very fresh but it seemed better suited for a po-boy and not a hot dog.
As I mentioned before, I got fried pickles on my hot dog which is genius! Other possible options for toppings on your burger or hot dog are: 4 different cheeses, wonton strips, chorizo, mushrooms, French fries, fried egg, avocado, bacon, boudin, onion rings, and jalapeno. I was a little peeved that grilled onions were not an option, but I did notice when looking at the full menu that they come on the Chi Cheng burger so I’m sure they’d be willing to put them on your hot dog too.
The major downside of this place is the size. It’s too small and quite honestly seemed a little dirty inside (I’m gonna blame that on SXSW). The ordering is confusing but it all works out cause you do get your food pretty quickly.
I don’t want to end on a con, so I will add that they use 100% certified black angus beef and claim to use meat with no hormones or antibiotics. That does impact the price a little (burgers range from $7.25 -$7.75) but I would say it’s well worth it. I look forward to going back and getting a burger.