"When Hopdoddy first opened its doors on South Congress in 2010, the lines spilling out the door rivaled those of many Austin barbecue joints. These days, Hopdoddy can be found across the United States, and you can generally walk in without much of a wait. A burger here feels in line with what you’d get at one of those gastropubs in the early 2010s—with edison bulbs hanging from the ceilings and food served on wooden planks—but without the farm-to-table spiel and sweat-inducing prices. The verdict: This is a simple burger made with quality ingredients that are a step above the average chain. The patty is thick, well seasoned, and slightly pink on the inside. And the brioche buns are sweet, buttery, and nicely toasted. It’s more expensive than a typical fast food burger, but it also doesn’t really taste like one." - nicolai mccrary