Austinist: Woodland Restaurant: Old School Retro Without Being All Assy About It

kevin

Sun, 11 Mar 2007 19:29:54 -0600

We had an unfortunate first visit, with under cooked burgers...they were most apologetic. We're going again tonight for a second chance cause stuff happens, right?

sam

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 15:01:26 -0600

Yes, CBOT, I own it in fact. Please come eat at my restaurant. Sorry to boggle, Sam

CBOT

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 14:37:57 -0600

I've been to Woodlands twice, and it's okay, but it boggles the mind why anyone would think it's great. I've tried the corn fritters (fine for fried dough, and who doesn't like spicy mayo?), the roast chicken (decent but dry), the meatloaf (bland but comforting), and bites of the pork chop (eh), the cheeseburger (pretty good, but it's a cheeseburger), and the pecan pie (terrible - microwaved in front of us with burn-your-mouth hotspots and cold lumpy spots). I'll go back, because it's close to my house, it has a good atmosphere, and the drinks they made before they lost their liquor license were fantastic, but I (like Bruce) don't understand the lavish praise for such mediocre food. Perhaps you know someone there, Sam?

Sam

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 14:10:00 -0600

Since when does Casino not make the "cool kids" list? It still has a great burger.

Grape Ape

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 13:19:37 -0600

Best burger in this town is pretty easy to find. Same place its been for years and years. Casino. No its not a condo loving yuppie joint so I guess it won't make the "cool kids" list - but it is the best burger in town.

Bruce

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 12:56:24 -0600

I ate there for the first time just the other night. I got the burger. I'll admit it was a serious slab of beef, but it was also so salted I couldn't much taste the meat. The fries were very good, but big deal. My wife got a "salad" with her meal that was typical bland Agribusiness Medley of lettuce, carrot, and cucumber. I'm all for moderately priced food, but I really wish people would stop applauding this kind of mediocrity. This place just feels like what I call a Business Restaurant--just a place someone opened because running restaurants is their job and there's a demand, not out of any actual interest in food. Do we need another place to get a good burger in Austin? Sure, comfort food seems ironic and trendy, but too bad it's mostly bland. Maybe they should have put some of that funky decor attitude into the actual food.

Bruce

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 12:51:11 -0600

Or maybe... I ate there for the first time just the other night. I got the burger. I'll admit it was a serious slab of beef, but it was also so salted I couldn't much taste the meat. The fries were very good, but big deal. My wife got a "salad" with her meal that was typical bland Agribusiness Medley of lettuce, carrot, and cucumber. I'm all for moderately priced food, but I really wish people would stop applauding this kind of mediocrity. This place just feels like what I call a Business Restaurant--just a place someone opened because running restaurants is their job and there's a demand, not out of any actual interest in food. Do we need another place to get a good burger in Austin? Sure, comfort food seems ironic and trendy, but too bad it's mostly bland. Maybe they should have put some of that funky decor attitude into the actual food.