Pop's Burgers and Grill - Top 10 Rank

Visited: Saturday June 26, 2010

4400 Benbrook Hwy
Fort Worth. TX 76116
817.560.1609
Map

Husband and wife team (used to run the Fairway Grill on the westside) run this new place in an old strip center on Hwy 377 just south of the Weatherford Traffic circle. Service was horrible - got our drink order and food order wrong and then forgot to even bring one of the burgers. But the food was quality.

Burger has great flavor. Definitely lots of grease, so be prepared for a hand towelette affair. Buns are toasted, which we like, and portion was 1/3rd pound. Basic cheeseburger comes with red onion, tomato and mustard, but no lettuce. Options for mushrooms, bacon and jalapenos.

Burgers are served in  basket (unwrapped) with fries or onion rings. Appearance was appetizing and temperature was great. Cheese nicely melted.  The fries were different than other places (as you can see.) Not hand-cut or made in the store, so you loose some authenticity points, but still nice.

The place itself is rather dull. We like the "hole-in-the-wall" atmosphere (like Charley's or Fred's Texas Cafe,) but this had a different feel. More of a "stripped down strip center" feel as it sits next to a washateria in an old strip center with little appeal. It may be hard to find due to the fact that there is no "real" sign out front - just a banner hanging on the wall - so drive slowly. It is on the west side of 377.

The menu was small and focused on meat (as it should be.) There are some options for your non-Burger Saturday friends, though.  

All in all, if you are a "purest" you will love this burger. But be patient.

Stats: 
Locations: 1
Date Est: 2010

SCORE:  (1-5)

Burger: 4 pickles

Sides: 2 pickles

Menu: 3 pickles

Character: 1 pickle

Service: 1 pickle

                                                 Price: $7 cheeseburger

Kincaid's - Top 10 Ranker

Visited: Saturday June 5, 2010


4901 Camp Bowie Blvd
Fort Worth. TX 76107
817.732.2881
Map
Website
Menu


A long time favorite in Fort Worth and of AGH, Kincaid's is a winner of many "best burger" honors through the years, we waited to add this place to our review list until we had been to many others. (After all, we have been to Kincaid's many times.)

First, the image here is from the original Camp Bowie store and the one we visited for this review. We have been to others, but they are sad compared to this one. Built originally as a grocery store and market back in the day, the original location has all the charm and appeal of visiting a place that has history and a little burger mystic. Visiting the other locations (like Hulen) leave quite a different impression. Think of it as watching 24 on Fox as it is now versus the "pilot" version on YouTube. So much left to be desired. We can't even go to the other places its so sad. The joint is lined with picnic tables all connected with red and white checked tablecloths (you can kind of see them in the burger pic.) There are also rows if you prefer to stand - which many do - or at least have to when its busy. So, of all the burger joints, this is the most "social" because you will have to sit next to someone and not at a table by yourself.

But, this is about the burger and for that, Kincaid's gets very high marks. Served in a white bag and wrapped in paper (even if you are dining in which is fun) the burger is a full 1/2 lb juicer. Cooked on a griddle, it loads up with flavor. Many places have large patties, but the flavor is dull or lacking. This is not the case with Kincaid's. Using the right beef is one thing, but seasoning it and cooking it to the right temp is another.

The presentation is different as we mentioned. The menu is small and focused, so if you are a "diablo stuffed heartattack" burger kind of guy, this is not your place. If you are cheeseburger purist, this is.

The buns are Mrs Baird's (so not made fresh like some places.) The burger comes with lettuce, tomato, pickle and onion. And in true Texas fashion, it comes with mustard standard.

The fries are crinkle cut old fashioned style (part of the charm,) but they are hit and miss in flavor. For many years, this was a cash only place, but they now accept credit cards.

Any way you slice it (or chomp it) this place has to be on the Top 10. 


Stats:


Locations: 6


Date Est: 1967


SCORE: (1 - 5)

Burger: 4 pickles

Sides: 2 pickles

Menu: 2 pickles

Character: 4 pickles (here, 1 pickle everywhere else)

Service: 2 pickles

                                                 Price: $6 cheeseburger