Fred's Texas Cafe: A Nationally Recognized Dive Offers Up The Good Stuff

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At first glance, driving into Ft Worth's Cultural District you might miss the average and aged outside that proclaims that it is Fred's Texas Cafe. That's if you hadn't seen it before. There's a good chance you have as this old Ft Worth eatery has been featured on Food Network's Diner Drive In's & Dives. There's also a reason that I've seen it plastered all over my local access channel and written about in several publications very frequently over the years. This nationally recognized eatery offers up the goods in the form of some of the best tasting burgers this side of Texas.

I gotta tell you that if you come to Fred's be ready for a delicious and hearty 1/2 pound burger. That's advice not to skimp for the 1/4 pound burger. No, you're going to want something heartier trust me on this one. Don't worry, if you can't finish it you can let the always hungry kiddos have at it. I took my own advice in advance of giving the advice and got the 1/2 lbs Fredburger with fries. It was quite a burger with very well seasoned meat and sandwiched in between what seemed like above average buns. Now, it was good don't get me wrong but I did need something a bit more on it besides mustard (yes I held off on the cheese). I wish I would of given myself some more advice in advance and was more daring. As delicious tasting and filling as my burger was, Fred's is the kind of burger that would be 100x better with the bonus extras. That's because after I ate my burger, I opened up the menu again (it's nice when a eatery leaves their menu on the table - a lot of places scoop them up so fast like you're going to run off with em) and knew immediately that I could of upped my burger happiness. Just looking at some of the burgers descriptions such as the BBQ Cheddar Burger and the Blue Cheese Burger, it's like they were staring in the face from the menu saying, "you missed out buddy"! The one on the menu that probably proclaimed this the loudest was the Bacon Mushroom Burger which comes topped with a a portabello mushroom, bacon, grilled onions, melted Swiss cheese, pickles, lettuce, and tomato. Oh well, reasons to go back.. always a good thing.

It was so hot even our burgers were sweating!

Now, my foodie partner in crime, she did an extraordinary thing by getting the Portabella Burger. Mind you that it was meatless but when you have a Portabella mushroom as succulent and juicy as the one I taste tested, then going meatless is not the end of the world. My taste buds were very happy that she was kind enough to let me sample this wonderful veggie creation. It was also nice to see that they offered this choice for fans that aren't as big of burger lovers as some of us. 

Speaking of lovers, you might know by now (if you've been following this blog) that I'm not a huge fry lover as some of your kind might be. As tempting and great sounding as the menu was at Fred's Texas Cafe my heart was a little saddened that they did not offer the choice in the form of onion rings to those of us that share my sentiment. Ok, I'll hand it to them though, the fries at Fred's couldn't of been much better. They came out warm and it was obvious that they were cut fresh. What more could you ask for? Silly me, I shouldn't of asked that because the onion rings, if they did make them would of been made in the fries likeness. If you're reading this Fred's, make at least a secret menu where my kind could order O-rings! Ok, I'll stop complaining but you should know this was coming. Hell hath no fury like a man that loves his onions! 

Gotta love a place that has such a sign as spotted behind the bar.

You should also know (and if you don't I'll tell you) that I don't seek to sit outside and eat. I sweat way too easily in this scorching Texas heat. Oh but I didn't have a choice because all those that appreciate the A/C were jammed inside so I sat wherever I could. The reason I mention this is because this is not a bad thing to do at Fred's especially as hot as it was. Fred's not only has satisfying your stomach in on the menu, they also have your comfort in mind. Comfort in the form of a huge nicely decorated covered patio with plenty of tables to be exact. One of the most important comfort features being oversized and powerful fans blowing on us sweltering hungry customers.. nice touch Fred's.. thanks! That reminds me, the service was A+ for as busy as it was. I like to see that in my service and I surly thanked them in the tip department.

All in all, Fred's Texas Cafe was a experience worth writing home about and then going back and sampling some of their already awesome burgers and then writing home about it again. In other words, I am going back and I'm going to be daring enough and go all out for some fabulous fixings on my burger. When your in town be sure to do the same and don't pass up this nationally known foodie gem right middle of the Ft Worth cultural district. Fred's Texas Cafe will satisfy your beefy burger mood like few others. 

Scotty P's Hamburgers in Dallas, TX Equals Attention To Detail

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The bang for your buck feature is at play here as all this awesome American grub came in at just under $19.

Livin' Tejas has a theory when it comes to knowing whether a restaurant is going to be a winner or a loser and we like to think it comes down to attention to detail. We found such a place that proves our theory correct and what a delicious find it is. Yes, it's name is Scotty P's Hamburgers and they truly live up to expectations and not to mention their catchy little motto that says, "That's One Historic Burger." We found ourselves whole heartily agreeing with that motto in every bite we took.

When a burger looks like that you know it's gonna be good, it was.

Case numero uno with the attention to detail that was exhibited at this burger eatery started with the bun. Case in point, a ton of hamburger joints that we've been to overlook the importance of having a tasty bun. Have no fear though because Scotty P's has this covered and then some. Then some was the fact that not only was the bun very tasty but it was toasted to a buttery perfection. How do they do it? We don't know because this was one of the best buns we've ever consumed. Ok, come to think of it, we did wait awhile for our food, maybe they were back there baking them fresh. We really don't know but they sure tasted like it. This should tell you that, I can be a little impatient when it comes to waiting on food at a restaurant probably like most of you if you can admit to letting your hunger get the best of you. What really counts as my wife likes to tell me when I complain as I did here, as that probably means they are really cooking your food and that it's going to be good. How right she was as it was totally worth the agonizing wait.

Also, come to think of it this place was PACKED and got even more so as we lucked out and get there in the nick of time before an even bigger rush came whooshing through the restaurant and I kid you not, took every available seat! I was thankful that, my party got a booth and was not the table next to me, where we heard a customer ask another if they could share their long table. Yeah, hate me, but I like my space and privacy when I'm chowing down on my grub. It's a very intimate moment when your a foodie like me so let no women, man, or child interrupt that. I digress, but you know when a place gets as packed as this restaurant was, you know it's probably word of mouth and that it's a good sign that it's gonna be good!

A couple of winning bites into my Scotty P's experience and I was in burger heaven.

Case numero dos, for greatness and attention to detail which leads to perfection, the quality of the ingredients and in this case, (forgive me for over using case but I have to make my case) the quality of the beef. Damn, Dang it, every word that comes to mind but not in a bad way, Scotty P's gives their choice of beef the attention it deserves. The ground chuck that I chucked into my mouth was so unimaginably tasty, it had me wanting to bum rush the counter and ask them where they got it. Alas, I didn't but I should of.

What kind of burger did I get you might ask? You gotta give me mucho props for this and I'll tell you because you'll never guess on you own. The name for this creation was called the Borchardt Cheeseburger. I told you that you'd never guess. Yes, funny name but serious burger, to kind of borrow a famous fast food phrase but if the burger fits then it works. This Borchardt did work in ever sense of the word, with not with an ordinary ol' slice of American cheese but with grated cheese, fresh tomato and shredded lettuce.

You've seen this before but you got to have these to believe it.

Case numero tres, deeeee-licious sides. Scotty P's put the P in scrumPtious and sealed the deal with none other than my favorite kind of onion ring known as onion strings. It would of been one thing if these were average onion stings but that wasn't the case. These were fried to onion string perfection and had that tasty crunch where you can't stop eating them because they fall into the addictive category.

These are not even the onion rings that Scotty P's is known for. Believe or not they offer two different kind onion rings, the other affectionately known as Scotty P's O'mazing Onion Rings which as the menu states are handmade every morning. That right there makes me want to try them but it will have to wait until next trip as I couldn't pass up the onion strings because like I said in past posts, you don't find them everywhere you go.

How were the fries you might ask? You might know from reading this blog that I'm not a french fan fanatic because I like my onion rings too much but I know a good fry when I taste one. The fries at Scotty P's were no exception. Just like the onion strings, they were fried to perfection and had a very addictive quality to them. Seems to be a trend at Scotty P's.

The atmosphere at Scotty P's (at least at the Frisco, TX location) is nothing fancy, which is just fine for a burger joint. Ask any Texan, and they'll probably tell you that it's not about that when it comes their burgers, they just want a mighty tasty one. I think we've made the case that Scotty P's has that and more. However, while Scotty P's is not big on atmosphere, it does have a very easy going casualness that I look for. What I mean, is it's an order at the counter, sit where you want, and pick up you food when it's called system which is very convenient and relaxed.

We now can close this case of Scotty P's Hamburgers but it trust me, it will be reopened time and time again in the future when I return to this winning hamburger joint. To dive into your own case of Scotty P's please check out their website: Scotty P's Hamburgers for the 7 locations that have spread hamburger greatness across the Dallas metroplex.

Chip's Old Fashioned Hamburger in Dallas Has It Right

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Some eateries just know how to do food right. When it comes to American food, Chip's Old Fashioned Hamburger in Dallas has it right and then some. On first look, you might pass up the old building that sits on a old street called Lover's Lane in Dallas. Mainly because its overshadowed by the Dallas Tollway's looming overpass. To do this, if your in the mood for American food in the way of hamburgers, french fries and the best shoe-string onion rings this Texas boy has had in a long time, would be a food crime. Of course, if you know where to look and did your homework, (I'll help with that) you'd know that Chip's has been a Dallas favorite since 1981. That's how I found my way to Chip's  for the first time, on one very hot summer afternoon in late June a year ago. As summer is on our doorstep once again and American food is appropriate especially during the summer, I'd be doing no wrong by making it an excuse to Chip's. 

To be totally honest, I was not convinced that I'd like this place as much as I did, when I walked in the door. It's like a place you might think needs updating but hey you know that people always say don't judge a book by its cover. I'm really glad that I've learned that worldly piece of advice or I would of missed out some extraordinary old fashioned American food.

To start with it's an order at the counter system which is always more than ok with me because in this economy it's always nice to save a little money on not having to give a tip. On having saved that bit of money by paying at the counter, I proceeded to take my seat at one of many picnic patterned vinyl covered tables of my choice...hey they fit this place perfectly. Then after a brief wait, I received the goods back at the counter when they called my name.

The big piece of fried chicken in this sandwich was better than most places can do.

The goods in this case was not a hamburger as you might presume since it's a hamburger joint in name....no not this time, I was in the mood for a American food favorite of mine, a good old fried chicken sandwich. The rest is history, because one bite had me saying nothing because it was so good. The reason, well simply, it was wonderfully fried, big and juicy piece of chicken in between two very tasty poppy seed buns, with all the trimmings of mayo, lettuce, and tomato. Needless to say, it put a lot of chicken sandwiches that have met my stomach to shame! I would certainly rank it up their in the best 5 chicken sandwiches that I've had the pleasure of tasting in my life. That's saying a lot because I've eaten a lot of them.

These shoe-string onion rings are what dreams are made of.  Eat slowly, I know it's hard but these have to be savoured first.

Hold on, I'm not done yet because this eatery got 2 of 2 right. The second of my favorites being shoe-string onion rings! I wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to have some here because onion rings in the shoe-string kind are not always on the menu at some American food eateries. Believe it or not they can be a little hard to find especially if you're a fan and desire them over traditional onion rings. Alas, I don't think I have to tell you how I thought of Chip's onion rings because after all, I did say they got it right. However, I'd go a step further, and say I'd come back just for those! Oh yeah, that and the chicken sandwich, then maybe next time after that I'd go for the burger because the odds are they can do that right too! How can they not? At a place that impressed with this much on my first visit. Impossible! If you're in Dallas, find a way there by all means, a good start would be the website: Chip's Old Fashioned Hamburger

Famed Kincaid's Hamburgers in Ft Worth, TX, The Original!

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Last week when Livin Tejas went to original and legendary Sonny Bryan's BBQ in Dallas, we knew that it was only right to follow that up with something in the same ballpark.  Livin Tejas only wants to show our readers the best eateries that Texas offers and there is no doubt that we did that again for this week.

The original Kincaid's Hamburgers that we visited is in Ft Worth and is what the original Sonny Bryan's  is for Dallas. This is to say, as with Sonny Bryan's, the history of Kincaid's is part of what makes it as legendary as the food they serve.

Inside Kincaid's, it's storied history lives on in the original store shelves that lead to the ordering counter

The background of Kincaid's dates back all the way to 1946 when it started as a bustling grocery store and full service meat market named Charles Kincaid's Grocery and Meat Market. As you can see from the first picture that name was never disregarded. Evolving from that, in 1964 the meat cutter for the meat market, a man by the name of O.R Gentry (who'd been working there since 1947) started cooking up hamburgers for the customers. The rest was history as in 1967 he bought the place and Kincaid's Hamburgers was born. It's safe to say, that they probably never looked back, as the burgers soon became a hit and the news about how good they were got out and still does today.

We know that Mr Gentry, the man who started it all, would be proud that his popular burgers still bring in the crowds. This is true, as we went on a Saturday afternoon and were hard pressed to find a table. After a little patience and a good eye, we found a smaller table near the order counter and waited for our order to be called. Finally, it did and we unwrapped our food like giddy little children on Christmas Day. You see, Kincaid's is known for serving their food in a paper sack even if you're dining in.

It all was worth our time and unwrapping effort though because the first bite of Ft Worth's famed 8 oz Kincaid's burger was as good as the last. Maybe, the reason that it was so good, is that Kincaid's states that it only uses the best U.S.D.A Black Angus chuck and we could tell by the freshness of the meat. Also, the juiciness of the meat, topped with fresh tomatoes, lettuce and pickles in combo with a tasty bun really packed a delicious punch.

There is no way that we could forget to tell you about the onion rings pictured above. If we thought Sonny Bryan's in the below post had knockout onion rings and they do, these take the heavy weight prize for the best we've ever had. Livin Tejas, really didn't think that was possible after Sonny Bryan's so we see no way, that onion rings could possibly be any better than at Kincaid's. It's hard to put into words how great they were because you'd have to taste them to believe it. Simply.... warm, fresh, juicy, breaded, and fried to taste like heaven is the closest we can come. Go immediately to Kincaid's if you're town just to try them and we know you'll agree.

 These stand up counters were popular back in the day and people still enjoy them at Kincaid's today

During our experience at Kincaid's, we could see why countless articles have been written about how good Kincaid's burgers really are. We feel like it's only right to back them up by saying that in our opinion, Kincaid's has to be one of the best burger joints in the Texas and we've tried many in Texas. We hope you'll get to experience it's one of a kind burger and history so please don't pass up the opportunity if you're ever in Ft Worth. To find this original location and others, please visit Kincaid's Hamburgers