Tom B.
Yelp
There are a lot of reviews still under this name from when the place made bbq, and when they catered, if I am understanding all this correctly.
They're now a burger joint only, with a short, well-designed menu, and they're tearing it up.
If you're interested in a good burger with some subtle twists to it, don't hesitate based on old review scores. This place is rad now.
It's in the semi-industrial south side of downtown, with wide streets, decent parking, and lots of buildings put up in the 40s-60s when Boeing was first really booming. Uneven sidewalks, kind of an odd patio, and a dining room that must have been a couple other things through the decades before it became a restaurant. Continuing the industrial theme, I'm guessing by how loud a couple other diners were talking, they probably work around LOUD machines all day. It's a friendly blue-collar vibe.
There are booths in back, and sturdy little tables up front. The tables have tin tops that look like they probably got cut somewhere on this very block because the owners of these places are all friendly. There's old beer memorabilia, car memorabilia, and music memorabilia on the walls. The music's always playing and tends toward rowdy roadhouse country. I didn't hear anything too cowpunky, but I did see a framed poster from a Blasters show tacked up in the hall.
The staff could not be friendlier, nicer, or more organized. They keep everything moving and you get all your food and refills super quickly. You get a little plastic menu on your table, and you're in business.
Unsweet Tea
This had good flavor and being from here, I appreciate the option to order iced tea without sugar. She never let the glass sit empty, either--she was quick with refills.
Hand Cut Fries
These are no joke. Crispy edges, soft inside, non-greasy for every bite. I know a few people who could probably take down more than one order of these, but one is a good serving that won't leave you feeling beached after you eat.
Texas Heat Burger
Every patty here is ground pork, which isn't insanely different, to be honest. There are so many other flavors on most burgers that pork is just a little juicier and a little milder in flavor, compared to ground beef. This one has lots of peppers on it but for my money it just added some tang and a couple other mild flavors, no real burning heat at all. But it was delicious.
Fried Green Tomatoes
They're proud of their FGTs for good reason. You can get them in 2 entrees and as a side on their own. They coat them with plenty of cornmeal, which really adds to the crunch and flavor. The fryer sounds like a jet plane taking off; they really sizzle in there. They're too hot to even touch, much less eat, when they hit your table. And when you do take the first bite, remember that the tomato inside is magma in the center, because the core just liquefies in that hot fryer. Absolutely delicious but don't scald your mouth. Be patient.
FGT Sandwich
More delicious tomatoes, but maybe they could rethink the rest of this. Instead of the nice burger buns, some toasted sourdough would be rad. Instead of coarse-chopped romaine, maybe some leaf lettuce. Instead of chopped bacon, maybe thick rashers. It feels more like a vegetarian burger than a sandwich right now, and building it as a sandwich instead would really show off the FGT and land with bigger flavors overall.
We were out the door for $70 for 2 entrees, 2 sides, 2 drinks, and a good tip. Not the cheapest lunch, but not unheard-of prices anymore. And so worth it. It's AWESOME to find fried green tomatoes a little closer to home; we've been driving to Tacoma for 'em.
