Let’s Take a Trip to Hopdoddy!

Soon after I moved to Austin, I was introduced to the wonderful world of Hopdoddy. The burgers and fries here are quite exceptional, and they have the GENIUS strategy of serving you shakes (or beers or other alcohol) whilst you’re waiting in line to order. Nothing like noshing on some sweet liquid ice cream as I peruse the menu.

All these years later, I’ve continued my Hopdoddy love affair, most recently at the Austin Food Blogger Alliance happy hour late last month. Admittedly, it had been quite some time since my last visit, but I’m happy to report that, much like the Backstreet Boys, they’ve got it goin’ on for years. Let’s take a lil’ tour of what you can expect on your next trip.

Oh, Those Glorious Burgers

The best Hopdoddy burger I’ve ever had was a Bánh Mì offering that was a specialty menu item for about a month or so. I mean…pork belly on top of your burger…can you really do better than that?

Luckily, Hopdoddy’s regular burgers are pretty delicious, too. The Greek and Primetime are my main go-tos. The former delightfully combines lamb, feta cheese, tzatziki sauce and pickled red onions, while the latter is a perfect blend of Kobe beef, brie, arugula, caramelized onions, truffle aioli, and steak sauce.

Meanwhile, the Impossible burger is plant-based but aimed at people that love the taste of meat. It’s one of the highly-touted burgers from Hopdoddy that I’ve never tried before. I sampled it for the first time during the AFBA happy hour. Honestly, I think you’re better off spending half the money on La Bandita, which puts avocado, goat cheese, arugula, cilantro pesto, and chipotle aioli on a black bean corn patty. If I’m having a veggie burger, I don’t want it to try and be a meat substitute. The veggie patty can stand on its own – it’s plenty tasty!

Fries on Fries on Fries

True, there may be the occasional burger that doesn’t blow your mind. However, the fries at Hopdoddy will keep you smiling all night long. Kennebec, sweet potato with chipotle aioli, parmesan truffle fries with truffle aioli, green chile queso with fries…all marvelous. You really can’t go wrong.

Dang, I just rhymed in that last paragraph. Look at me go.

Shake Your Booty (or Just Your Beverage)

Hopdoddy has all the different alcoholic drinks you can imagine, but the wise eater will purchase one drink and one drink only: a milkshake. They are INCREDIBLE. And as I mentioned earlier, you can purchase them while you wait in line, which means you can get your shake on even if you can’t get your eat on. The top options in my book are the caramel and sea salt and the Nutella and chocolate pretzel shakes. Much like the fries, though, you’ll be pleased with whatever you choose. So pick up a straw and get to drinkin’.

Big thanks to AFBA for hosting a lovely event. Getting to sample new burgers and gorge on fries is never a bad time, and it rekindled my love for one of the top burger spots in Austin. Happy eating!

View other Places here.