Austin Bites: Mighty Fine Burgers, Fries, and Shakes (Hmm, Not So Fine Really)

Mighty Fine Burgers, Fries, and Shakes (Burgers)
Location: 10515 N Mopac Expressway #205 in the Arbor Walk Shopping Center [map]
Phone: (512) 524-2400
Cost: Burger, fries, and a drink $9-10
Atmosphere: Clean, downhome-style strip-center location with long tables, red checkered tablecloths and inordinately advanced soda machines. A bit cynical in terms of market branding for our tastes.
Food: Mighty Fine Burgers have set themselves up a branding punchline. At the risk of being obvious to the point of heavy-handed, we'll say that Mighty Fine Burgers is not so much mighty fine as somewhat passable.

While their website has the word quality peppered on practically every page, the truth is that the ingredients are sub-par for a lunch place that only sells a few menu items: hamburgers, a chopped hot dog chili dog, fries, and shakes (and not at terribly cheap prices). The meat in the cheeseburger itself was probably good quality, but it was unseasoned and overcooked to the point of being unpleasant. Good ground beef should be seasoned well, formed with a gentle touch, and cooked to just slightly underdone in order to preserve the fat and flavor. If the Mighty Fine burger was seasoned, it wasn't detectable, and it was unquestionably overcooked.

Where did this leave us? Basically, with a tasteless half-pound hunk of meat, some pretty shoddy American cheese, a substandard bun, and one of the biggest cheesburger sins - mealy tomatoes. The pickles were nice with a good snap, but snappy pickles couldn't save this project. The fries were really good: the fresh crinkle-cut fries were thin, well-cooked, and (unlike our burger) seasoned.

And then there's the atmosphere. The same management group behind Rudy's is behind this new venture, and if you like the atmosphere at Rudy's, you may like the atmosphere here. We did not. The opportunity to order our burgers White, Yeller, or Red (determining if you get mayo, French's or Heinz - get it?) did not charm, and the faux whee-doggie-service-with-a-friendly-smile would have been much better appreciated (or at least ignored) had the food lived up to it.

For fast food burgers, you'd do better at Culver's, and for the big honkin' real deal, there's Casino el Camino. If you just need a quick and yummy place to eat near work and the Arbor Walk fits in your day, try Tino's Greek Cafe instead; at least everything there tastes like something.

Link: Mighty Fine Burgers

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

By shannon kreiger in Food on December 13, 2007 11:15 AM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

des1017

I'm not sure what you people consider good hamburgers. But Mighty Fine Burgers is one of my favorite places to stop and grab a burger and milk shake.

I've read a lot of useless reviews about local restaurants here in Austin, and this is one of them.

I would recommend this place to anyone. It's certainly not the best hamburger I've had, but it's good.

des1017

I'm not sure what you people consider good hamburgers. But Mighty Fine Burgers is one of my favorite places to stop and grab a burger and milk shake.

I've read a lot of useless reviews about local restaurants here in Austin, and this is one of them.

I would recommend this place to anyone. It's certainly not the best hamburger I've had, but it's good.

Grape Ape

For a burger aficiando, you seem to only know of mainstream burger joints. There are much better burgers than those you mentioned. I will not mention them here as I like that they don't attract the Austin tourist.

jaybird255

Anyone who's lived in Austin for more than three months learns that Rudy's Barbecue is the best by far. Since Rudy's owns Mighty Fine, wouldn't it be fair to extrapolate that any venture that is an extension of Rudy's would have the best hamburger in town also?

Not true, my friend. We were so excited to try Mighty Fine last night, and we could not believe how sub-par the burger was. The fries are really good, and crunchy, and salty, but the burger was overcooked and prosaic. It was impossible to taste the chopped-up crinkled pickles, and the tomatoes were as mushy as those you buy in the grocery store!

Also, I thought it was absurd to watch the staff measure the hamburger meat on a scale before cooking them! The guys would remove like 1/4 teaspoon or add like 1/4 teaspoon of hamburger to ensure it weighed 1/4 or 1/2 pound. This is clearly an effort to duplicate the really cool "Cutter Cam" in the Rudy's barbecue joints, but what a silly failure.

We were so disappointed! The ambience is also horrible; this is a rented place in a terrible shopping center that also houses Home Depot!

Since Rudy's has so much financial strength, it is our hope the owners will read these comments and upgrade the burger. Dan's and Wally's still rule!!!

jaybird255

Anyone who's lived in Austin for more than three months learns that Rudy's Barbecue is the best by far. Since Rudy's owns Mighty Fine, wouldn't it be fair to extrapolate that any venture that is an extension of Rudy's would have the best hamburger in town also?

Not true, my friend. We were so excited to try Mighty Fine last night, and we could not believe how sub-par the burger was. The fries are really good, and crunchy, and salty, but the burger was overcooked and prosaic. It was impossible to taste the chopped-up crinkled pickles, and the tomatoes were as mushy as those you buy in the grocery store!

Also, I thought it was absurd to watch the staff measure the hamburger meat on a scale before cooking them! The guys would remove like 1/4 teaspoon or add like 1/4 teaspoon of hamburger to ensure it weighed 1/4 or 1/2 pound. This is clearly an effort to duplicate the really cool "Cutter Cam" in the Rudy's barbecue joints, but what a silly failure.

We were so disappointed! The ambience is also horrible; this is a rented place in a terrible shopping center that also houses Home Depot!

Since Rudy's has so much financial strength, it is our hope the owners will read these comments and upgrade the burger. Dan's and Wally's still rule!!!

leggyblonde

Finally, a place for manly women! Thanks for the recommendation.

oh steph

I love Hut's. Disclaimer: Once upon a time, I worked there behind the counter that masquerades as a "bar." Even after one of the owners told me to "shut my trap" and I walked out after two years of service, I still think their burgers and veggie patties are mighty tasty.

On a related note, I went to Mighty Fine, and the little counter guy asked me how I was doing, so I returned his cordial greeting with a "Great, how are you?" He actually said "Mighty Fine." It was awesome. However, the 20+ minute wait to order and get my food was not so awesome and they should really tell you that a "junior" burger is actually a normal size person burger, meaning 1/4 lb and that their regular size is HALF A POUND. I wondered why my bag was so frackin' heavy....If you are a man or a manly woman, you will love this place.

senortenor

I agree with this review.

I am a burger aficionado, and my favorite burger places in Austin are P. Terry's, EZ's, and Waterloo.

senortenor

I agree with this review.

I am a burger aficionado, and my favorite burger places in Austin are P. Terry's, EZ's, and Waterloo.

rextasy

Went back to Mighty Fine for lunch today. Junior burger was once again very delicious and only required a light application of salt. I gave the fries a second shot, and while they were fresh and hot this time, they are still not my favorite french fry. I tried the strawberry lemonade and it was good, but I will stick with a soda or hand-dipped shake next time.

LoudMouth

Maybe I'm thinking of another place. I haven't had a Hut's burger in years it were so bad the first time.

Alan Sudo

My advice?

Skip Mighty Fine - when in Arbor Walk, go to Spec's.

Get an overpriced (but actually pretty close to worth what ur paying) sandwich from the in-store deli (I like the massive Ruban) and, if it's a tough day in the cubicle, a little mini bottle of Tito's that won't be as obvious as the Hornitos you keep in the truck, behind the visor.

M_Twilson

I understand hating huts. I like it but to each his own, but dry patties? I have to pour Dawn all over myself and take a hot shower before I leave just to get the grease and juices off.

Grape Ape

Agree - Hut's is by far the most overrated in town. But that's fine, becasue it just leaves the couple of only good places uncrowded.

Benj

Several years ago I went to Sluts and got a double-pattied chicken-fried veggie burger with avocado on it. Who else will do that for you?

Bre

Hmmmm...what's with the Hut's hatin'? I went there on Sunday and had a delicious burger (supposedly made with grassfed beef). I just skip the cutesy menu and tell them what I want. With fries? Mmmm.

In case people haven't noticed, food costs more these days. Something about oil prices, I don't know.

LoudMouth

Huts is terrible, anybody that pays for those dry patties is paying too much. I'd rather pay $10 for a Dirty's burger than pay $1 for a Hut's burger.

kenneth1

That's true. 2 for 1 is always a good deal. But it's still loud & crowded, and I don't like having to tip $2 just for a friggin' cheeseburger.

leggyblonde

hut's on a wed night is NOT overpriced.....

(i've never been otherwise!)

bluejar

I wull have you know that when a project is failing ALL i do is throw snappy pickles at it...works every time.

kenneth1

Here's my Most Overrated Burger In Austin nominee: Huts.

I know this place is an Austin Institution, but IMO it's way overpriced, mediocre burgers, too many choices with cutesy names, crowded dining room, loud, and table service means you have to tip.

LoudMouth

$10 for a burger and fries? Are you shitting me?

rextasy

Nice review! Glad to hear official word this place is run by the Rudy's crew because that is the first thing I noticed: the checked table clothes, folding chairs, and the automatic handwasher against the wall.

My first and only experience at Mighty Fine was a polar opposite from Shannon's. First, I loved the simplicity of the menu. Second thing I noticed was that the quarter-pound junior burgers were better scaled for human comsumption -- I just don't like the thought of being served a half pound of ground beef.

I was excited at the thought of "Texas only fresh-cut crinkle fries" but I found them to be cut small and thin; I prefer my fries with a very high potato to crispy ratio. In the 10 minutes it took to drive home the fries had become cold and chewy. (I wish I had some onion rings from Jasper's in the Domain!)

My hamburger was moist and delicious. I prefer my patty seasoned with nothing but salt, so it was very easy to achieve the flavor I desired. The condiments were as expected: the lettuce crisp, the tomato slightly acidic, and while the pickles were indeed dill, I did a double-take after the first bite suspecting they were sweet.

To finish off the meal the wife and I split a yummy Blue Bell vanilla shake. It was sized right (I don't need a big gulp's worth of ice cream and milk) and the consistency was perfect for slurping through a straw.

I will likely return to Mighty Fine (although I can never remember the name of the place when recounting my story to friends and end up saying "Pretty Good Okay Burger") but I will skip the fries, stick with the junior sized burgers, and definitely order another milkshake.

cymblue

Thanks for reviewing a place up North. I work right near the Arbor Walk and had been thinking about trying this place for lunch - sounds like I might want to pass.

Benj

"...snappy pickles couldn't save this project."

I'm going to use this phrase until the day I die.

heyzeus

I highly recommend Steak n' Shake, a midwestern chain that has finally come to Austin. Well, sorta. The only one i know if is at Southpark Meadows.