Eating at Frisco, By Popular Demand

We never considered going to Frisco on Burnet despite passing it every day. We never considered it because it looks sort of like a hole in the wall and the sign out front regularly advertises steak and steak related dinners. We are vegetarians and we don't eat steak. Not until some Austinist commenters spoke out so passionately about the restaurant did we think we ought to give it a shot. What the heck?

Frisco is the last of Austin's historic Night Hawk restaurants. Under the ownership of Harry Akin, the Night Hawk restaurants were a popular Austin chain. The first one opened in 1932. Akin died in 1976, and Frisco on Burnet is the last that remains of an Austin legend. Walking in is not only like stepping back in time, but like stepping back in time to some small town where the waitresses know your name. Perhaps the time we are stepping back into is 1985--because that was seemingly the last time the waitresses got a new hairdo.

Ouch.

Well, we love them that way. Who says teased bangs are out?

Actually, it's like 1957 and you've never even heard of espresso. You've got your burgers, your blt, your club sandwich, and a shake in only two flavors. It's not in a house, it's not decorated with Christmas lights, and besides the grilled cheese, there isn't a vegetarian option on the menu. Are we in Austin or Peoria?

Eating at Frisco is a definite experience, and while we don't want to dissuade you from the experience, we can't exactly recommend it, either.

It's a seat yourself place, so we were in and comfortable very quick. We pulled out our menus and made our decisions. When the waitress came by to ask us if we were ready to order, our one little "uh..." sent her packing faster than Vince Young after the Rose Bowl win. "I'll come back" she stammered and was off. The rest of our sentence beginning with the "Uh..." was going to be "we'll have the club sandwich without the meat." Hey, grilled cheese is boring. So then we waited. And waited and waited. At least she had dropped off a dish of crackers. And a dish of butter. Was the butter supposed to go on the crackers? Do people do that?

When she finally came back we put in our order: one regular club sandwich with a coke, one club sandwich sans meat with a chocolate shake, and one kid's menu grilled cheese and fries with a glass of milk. The kid's meal and the shake came right away. The milk and the coke never showed up. The kid was done with the kid's meal long before the club sandwiches ever made an appearance. And then we had to remind the waitress for the milk and the coke.

The club sandwich is made of toasted white bread, cheese slices, lettuce, tomato, ham, bacon, and lots of mayo. Lots and lots and lots of mayo. We, of course, got it without the ham and bacon. In the middle of the plate is a stack of unappetizing onion rings. The burnt batter falls off when we pick one up to eat it. That's no fun. Who wants on onion without the ring? The dish costs $8.45. For a toasted sandwhich and some onion rings. Even without the meat. It felt like a rip-off.

For dessert we ordered the Banana Cream Pie. It was okay. We didn't finish it.

So you see, it is difficult for us to give the place a thumbs up. It wasn't exactly a primo dining experience. But the place is pretty cool and it is historic. Perhaps your dining adventure at Frisco will prove better than ours. Obviously we didn't try The Frisco Burger. Perhaps the burger is key. Just stay away from the onion rings.

Frisco Shop Restaurant
5819 Burnet Rd
Austin, TX 78756

Contact the author of this article or email tips@austinist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Alison Coffey in Food on January 13, 2006 1:01 PM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

alison

George, awesome link!

Okay, so just for the record, no one SENT me to go review Frisco. We aren't paid writers and no one is calling up and giving us free meals, so most of the time I just write about where I happen to end up eating. I tried to be very up front about the no meat thing and careful to comment on only what I felt I could--the service, the onion rings, the dessert, the experience. I made it known that I didn't try the dishes that they were known for and that if you wanted to go try em I wouldnt' dissuade you. It is a cool place to try, but obviously my experience was lacking.

George

Click my link, beyotch

LSW

I am not surprised that you are unfamiliar with "pu nanny".

If you like Ruth Chris good for you. Please drop $40 dollars off at my house on your way downtown. Then I will send you to the Frisco for the best Filet Mignon in town.........

Maybe I should write a review on Mothers. This makes as much sense..............

George

I have TOO been to the Frisco Shop, so don't say mean things like that. It hurts my feelings. And, I do not appreciate your reference to "gay men", nor am I familiar with the term "pu nanny". Anyway, for filet mignon, I prefer going to Ruth's Chris.

The Frisco sign is still cool.

LSW

In reply to Georges comment above.

You have never been to the Frisco Shop.

If you have, what pussy orders a hamburger at a steak place?

Anyway, I say the filet mignon is THE BEST IN TOWN. Hands down, and value priced at $18.95

This review is like sending a gay man, to review some pu nanny..

George

I've lived in Texas nearly all my life, and I eat meat about three times a day. I've been to the Frisco a handful of times, and it has always sucked. I wanted to enjoy it, with the history and the kitsch and all, but mainly it was just gross food with bad service. The TV Dinner comment was right on--my Frisco Burger was served still partially frozen.

But the sign is cool.

Lee

I'll go further with the "blind person" metaphor and ask: Are you guys from Texas? If not, you're not the people to do this review. The Frisco is classic old-time Texas cuisine. Perhaps you should be someplace else reviewing different styles of tofu. You probably don't like Frito Pie, either. And if you thought their banana cream pie was "okay," then rest assured I won't be looking to you for restaurant reviews again.

Paul

Sigh...

Sending a vegetarian to review the Frisco is like sending a blind person to review a movie.

Shame on you, Austinist.

A

So, Sean - do you really have 4 thumbs? (not that there's anything wrong with it)...

sean

I've eaten there, and I give this place four thumbs down. I'm not even vegetarian. Just stay at home and eat a TV dinner if you want to experience this restaurant on the cheap.

DSK

Yes, the Frisco isn't really a place for non-meateaters. If you like meat and grease, though, it's good.

And the service you encountered was below par for the course. I've not had a problem with service there.

Meateaters should give them a try if so inclined.

Ray

I think it goes without saying that if you take all the meat out of a club sandwich and don't put something back in its place, it's gonna be sub-optimal.