Paramount Theatre
Disappointed With Hamburger Roundup
RECEIVED Wed., May 27, 2009
Dear Editor,
Congratulations for the Austin hamburger roundup [“Burger Bonanza,” Food, May 22]. Keep in mind that there are many other places that serve wonderful burgers – perhaps better than all that you've reviewed. Fuddruckers still serves great hamburgers. Red Robin has expanded into Austin and San Marcos. Chili's, Applebee's, and even Mimis Cafe serve quality hamburgers. Burger King has a free Whopper coupon in every Valpak mailing. Whataburger is still a favorite – much better than about half of the places you reviewed, in my opinion.
I was disappointed that Short Stop was neglected, as always. When I first saw these places located in parking lots, I thought they did film developing. Short Stop never seems to advertise or get reviewed, but the little shacks seem to be all over Austin. Isn't it time that Short Stop gets written up somewhere?
As you may know, I'm a hamburger historian who found the first citations of the word "hamburger." The hamburger was not invented by Fletcher Davis of Athens, Texas, who opened a hamburger stand at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis. I was cited on some popular blogs this month after Obama wanted some Dijon mustard on his cheeseburger – a Texas nonketchup tradition. I guess no one is interested in free, reliable food history these days from your friendly, local, penniless food historian. Overlooked, just like Short Stop!
Congratulations for the Austin hamburger roundup [“Burger Bonanza,” Food, May 22]. Keep in mind that there are many other places that serve wonderful burgers – perhaps better than all that you've reviewed. Fuddruckers still serves great hamburgers. Red Robin has expanded into Austin and San Marcos. Chili's, Applebee's, and even Mimis Cafe serve quality hamburgers. Burger King has a free Whopper coupon in every Valpak mailing. Whataburger is still a favorite – much better than about half of the places you reviewed, in my opinion.
I was disappointed that Short Stop was neglected, as always. When I first saw these places located in parking lots, I thought they did film developing. Short Stop never seems to advertise or get reviewed, but the little shacks seem to be all over Austin. Isn't it time that Short Stop gets written up somewhere?
As you may know, I'm a hamburger historian who found the first citations of the word "hamburger." The hamburger was not invented by Fletcher Davis of Athens, Texas, who opened a hamburger stand at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis. I was cited on some popular blogs this month after Obama wanted some Dijon mustard on his cheeseburger – a Texas nonketchup tradition. I guess no one is interested in free, reliable food history these days from your friendly, local, penniless food historian. Overlooked, just like Short Stop!
Barry Popik
[Food Editor Virginia B. Wood replies: Perhaps you overlooked the introduction of the burger feature where I explained the parameters of our list. For the purposes of this feature, we covered 12 new local or regional burger places that have opened in Austin within the last couple of years. None of the national or regional family restaurants that you've mentioned fit that criteria and neither do Fuddruckers or Short Stop. As always, I appreciate your efforts to broaden my horizons.]
