Michael B.
Yelp
TLDR: One of the best burger places in Austin, bar none. A hidden gem you need to try.
Anybody on Yelp ever watch the show X-Files from way back when? Because they need to do an episode investigating the mystery of how a place this good got attached to a bowling alley. That's not a slam against bowling alleys, mind you. It's just that after eating here, I would be in too much of a calorie coma to bowl!
Like other Yelpers, I was drawn by the high ratings and number of reviews of this place. I arrived and tried the Poblano, which is a one-third pound patty served with lettuce, tomato, onions, pepper jack cheese, grilled Poblano peppers, and a homemade chipotle mayo.
Whoever dreamt up this combo knows their flavors. Easily, this is one of the best 'balanced' burgers I've had, in that neither the smoky peppers, the zippy mayo, or the zippier cheese dominate and blot out the beef or the rest of the burger's ingredients.
Extra kudos for wherever they get their buns. They're not sponge dough and not brioche, but something in between which has a nice feel, especially at this price point. Extra Extra kudos for the perfectly done fries, served with (from what I can tell) large-grain sea salt, pepper, and spices that remind me of Old Bay seasoning.
I'll definitely be back to try the rest of their menu, which seems to have a surprisingly wide variety of delicious stick-to-your-arteries food.
Pro Tip: Lebowski's is located just inside the Highland Lanes bowling alley. If you don't see the sign high up on the building, don't worry - just park, walk in, and look to your left.
This place scores a 5 out of 5 on the 'CTJ Scale', as noted below.
5 out of 5 stars: Come-to-Jesus good. Would be OK passing away after finishing a plate here.
4 out of 5 stars: Come-to-Mary good. Would be OK being seen eating here by Mother Mary.
3 out of 5 stars: Come-to-Joseph good. Would be OK having a beer here with Jesus' Dad.
2 out of 5 stars: Come-to-the-Apostles good. Meh. Wouldn't have my last supper here.
1 out of 5 stars: Come-to-Nobody good. I wouldn't have my penultimate supper here, either.