Chapp's

Visited: Saturday April 24, 2010

6219 Oakmont Blvd
Fort Worth. TX 76132
817.263.5172
Map
Website
Menu



So, we went to the Fort Worth location on Oakmont and had heard good things about this place. We were underwhelmed for sure. Like a lot of the burger joints, you order at the counter and then find a seat. The decor leaves you saying, "I hope they spent a lot of money on the food."

When our burgers arrived served on a round white tray on paper, the burger had a flag sticking out of the bun that read - Genuine Nolan Ryan Beef.  I am not sure why that is important or how it made my burger taste any better- in fact, I would say it did nothing more than present itself as pina colada's sad cousin (umbrella reference.)

The buns were baked in the restaurant and toasted - good. And the temperature was good. The fries on the side were skin on hand cut fries. But they tasted like they were cooked in the same grease as the fries from a few weeks ago. And they were overdone. But this is a burger competition, so I digress. 

The burgers were a ½ lb. of fresh 100% Nolan Ryan! ground beef. (Could not resist) An array of compliments such as grilled onions, mayonnaise, mustard, lettuce, tomato, & pickles to choose from as well as your choice of  American, Swiss or Cheddar Cheese. But as you can see from the picture, when you use a huge platter for the food, your burger looks rather puny - probably why the best joints all use baskets.

Unfortunately, when you start going someplace new each week and see whats out there and available in burgerdom, you will quickly say that Chapp's joins the likes of Snookie's in in the "and also serving burgers in Fort Worth" category.  They won best burger in 2004, but a lot must have happened since then. Too bad - especially since this is family-owned and we always pull for the local.

Stats:

Locations: 9

Date Est: 1984

SCORE: (1 - 5)

Burger: 3 pickles

Sides: 2 pickles

Menu: 2 pickles

Character: 1 pickle

Service: 3 pickle

                                                 Price: $7 cheeseburger

Fred's Texas Cafe - Top 10 Rank

Visited: Saturday April 17, 2010

915 Currie Street

Fort Worth. TX 76107

817.332.0083

Map

Website

Menu

Burger was great. Served on a plate with handcut fries (skins on) the basic cheeseburger comes with

Stats:

Locations: 1
Date Est: 1978

SCORE:
Burger: 4 pickles
Sides: 2 pickles
Menu: 3 pickles
Atmosphere: 4 pickle
Service: 3 pickle
Price: $7 cheeseburger

Trailboss Burgers

Visited: Saturday April 10, 2010

140 East Exchange Avenue

Fort Worth. TX 76164

817.625.1070

Hours: Sun thru Thurs, 11am - 7pmMap
Friday, 11am - 9pm
Saturday, 11am - 10pm
 

Website

Menu

This place is in the optimal spot for burgers - the Fort Worth Stockyards. Its actually part of the Risky's family of restaurants. Risky's started in 1927 as a barbecue joint and has several locations around the city. Trailboss is their attempt at a burger done the Fort Worth way.

This place has a lot of character. From the saddles you can sit on whilst you eat to the cowboys who serve you to the red and white checkered table cloths. the menu is more traditional restaurant then burger joint as there are more entries for non-burgers than there are for burgers. The claim to fame for this place is their buffalo burger. We tried this on one visit and found it to be dry and not so famous. But since these reviews are about the basic staple cheeseburger, we had to go back and try that as well.

The "Trail Boss" (which you have to get if you want the right amount of meat) is served in a basket with white Risky's paper. It comes with American cheese, lettuce, pickle, tomato and onions. The beef patties are round, thin 1/4 lb versions that make it hard to create much juice. The Trail Boss is 2 patties stacked to get it into the serious burger category. We are not fans of this because, as we said, its hard to get a lot of juice from such a thin patty. And, lets face it, 2 patties versus one big one just seems lame for a burger joint. The seasoning was average, but the temperature was good. The bun is standard issue, but it was toasted which is good.

The fries are disappointing crinkle-cut from a bag and deep fried just like a fast food place. They are seasoned with black pepper and salt.  They were served cool (both times we visited) and not piping hot.

As we stated, the menu is large and varied. This place has an outdoor patio and lots of character. Plus it sits just across the street from the Cowtown Rodeo, so you have got to like that. We would recommend this place for an entertaining outing with the family, but not place it on your "must eat" burger list in Fort Worth.

Stats:

Locations: 1

Date Est: 2004

SCORE: (1 - 7)

Burger: 4 pickles

Sides: 3 pickles

Menu: 3 pickles


Atmosphere: 5 pickles

Service: 3 pickles

Price: $8 cheeseburger (with fries)

Billy Miner's Saloon

Visited: Saturday April 3, 2010




150 West 3rd Street
Fort Worth. TX 76102
817.877.3301
Map
Website

Located in the heart of Sundance Square downtown, this bar is a hot spot for tourists (not locals.) This used ot be a fun place in the days when you could eat peanuts and throw the shells on the floor.

Burger was dry and uninspired. It comes plane on a Mrs Bairds bun and you make it your way in the old style "fixins" bar. Portion is 1/2 pound. 


Burgers are served on a wrapper in a tray with the fries in thier own basket.  Appearance was dissapointing and temperature was okay. Honestly tweeted that Whataburger beats this easy. 

This burger will make our Top 10 Worst list.
Stats:
Locations: 1
Date Est: 1985?

SCORE:

Burger: 1 pickles

Sides: 2 pickles

Menu: 2 pickles

Atmosphere: 3 pickles

Service: 1 pickle

Price: $7 cheeseburger