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Austin lunch restaurant reviews & photos
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Culver's--Info & Reviews
2240 W Braker Ln
Austin TX 78758
836-4162
- Service: Counter, drive-thru window
- Cuisine: Hamburgers, Fried Chicken, American, Sandwiches
- National Chain
- Coke or Pepsi: Pepsi :(
Overall Rating: +1.5/+3
About Culver's
Midwestern-based fast food restaurant. Extensive menu of burgers and sandwiches, etc. Only a few locations in Texas. Located right at the corner of Kramer and Braker. They have another location in South Austin.
Staff Reviews (Your Reviews Below)
Damn good ButterBurger!
Reviewer: Chris
Original Review Date: 08/17/2005
Rating: +2/+3(Goooood)
I have to admit I had low expectations of Culver's after having driven by on a few occasions and after a visit to their website--I was expecting the usual bland fast food burger experience. The Culver's claim to fame is their "ButterBurger," made from "fresh, never frozen, 100% U.S. raised beef." I discounted this as marketing gimmickry.
I have to say, though, that "fresh, never frozen" must make a difference. I got a "Cheddar Burger Basket," and the burger tasted like a real hamburger, and looked like one also--appeared to be hand-formed, instead of the perfect compacted-meat-product disc or square offered at most fast food places (although this hand-formed look could certainly be a clever machine-made illusion). It is cooked on a griddle--no flame kissed action here, which I generally prefer--but the quality of this burger overcame the lack of besos del fuego that I usually find essential in a good burger. Another impressive note is that they offer real cheddar cheese. Most fast food places are limited to American cheese, which I can't stomach.
As for the "Butter" portion of the "ButterBurger,"--the butter on the bun--I can take it or leave it, but the bun did seem like an actual piece of fresh bread (see pix), as opposed to the spongy mashed-up bun usually served on a fast food burger.
The place was packed but was kept very clean. Someone brings your order to you after you sit down (a nice touch). There are also employees who come by offering condiments while you are eating, reminiscent of the Luby's Ladies. The environment is very comfortable, especially if you get a booth. They have the largest booths I've ever seen--can sit six easily. They are especially nice if you are dining alone and want to spread out your newspaper. Plenty of room to read and eat.
Their menu is quite extensive, so there are probably other good things to eat, and no doubt some bad stuff as well. They also make a big deal out of their frozen custard offerings.
All in all, a very good fast food burger.
Update: I went back on 9/15/2005 and had to try the vaunted Pork Tenderloin sandwich (see WSZsr's review below). Not bad. Struck me as a typical frozen-breaded-fried-disk-of-meat, pork in this case (photo here). It seems to be a midwestern favorite though, judging by the comments below and other websites I've perused that laud this type of sandwich. I imagine it's kind of the equivalent to a chicken fried steak for us Texans in terms of a regional dish. Here's a compendium of some online Breaded Pork Tenderloin resources:
Roadfood.com discussion of the Pork Tenderloin, with several tantilizing photos of genuine midwestern specimens.
Also worth a visit is Stalking the wild breaded pork tenderloin in Iowa. Features several photos of sandwiches, including one incredible sandwich where the tenderloin is spilling out all sides and completely dwarfs the bun. Good stuff.
Here's a site with several sections devoted to Pork Tenderloin sandwiches:
- Pursuing Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches--A gallery of photos from various restaurants as well as the author's own attempts at homemade sandwiches.
- Nick's Kitchen, Huntington, Indiana--Photo tour of the apparent home of the Pork Tenderloin Sandwich.
- Breaded Pork Tenderloin Sandwich Tutorials--Step by step instructions, with photos, on making your own sandwich at home.
Your Reviews (add a review)
Well Lets talk!!!!
Reviewer: Bob Pietrasik
Review Date: 03/19/2008 09:58PM
Rating: +2/+3(Goooood)
I like the burgers and love the fries, only wish the burgers were warmer when the arrive at table.
They have a seasonal fish called Walleye Pike for the great North lakes.
This fish is fried but one of the best tasting I have had.
I eat there every couple of weeks or so.
Awesome if you don't care about cholesterol
Reviewer: Deb
Review Date: 03/06/2008 09:55PM
Rating: +2/+3(Goooood)
This food is really good for "fast food". If you're into eating healthy, don't order here. The burgers are indeed greasy, but sometimes that's just what you're craving. My fav burger is the swiss mushroom burger. The menu is not limited to burgers and the Reuben is certainly noteworthy. Additionally, if you've never had cheese curds, give them a try - - they're sure hard to find in Austin. If you like ice cream shakes/blizzards, I highly recommend the peanut butter shake. Or chocolate peanut butter shake. But keep in mind you gotta eat it with a spoon.
Amazing food, great selection
Reviewer: Chris
Review Date: 10/31/2007 12:21PM
Rating: +3/+3(Great)
I cant get enough of how dedicated and wonderful the staff is here. They want to serve you and make sure you enjoy your food.
The food is great, the place is clean.
tastes like cafeteria food.
Reviewer: matt
Review Date: 08/20/2007 07:18PM
Rating: -1/+3(Crap)
fries are bad
burgers are bad
cheese curds are alright.
Gotta love the cheese curds
Reviewer: amysuehere
Review Date: 04/02/2007 04:49PM
Rating: +1/+3(Not bad)
Burgers are better than average for fast food and I love the cheese curds (just which they had maranara sauce for dipping)
You can feel yourself getting fatter....
Reviewer: A-Rob
Review Date: 03/06/2007 01:32PM
Rating: -1/+3(Crap)
If you like grease-soaked oil, or you dream of someone deep-frying a stick of butter as the perfect desert... you found your home at Culver's.
Great!!
Reviewer: Rob Jones
Review Date: 05/15/2006 06:00PM
Rating: +3/+3(Great)
Drive through has never let me down. Easy to hear, very out going and thanked me evrytime. The Mushroom Swiss basket was upgraded with large fries and Iced Tea. Everyting was as ordered. Will be more than happy to drive through again soon.
best burger AND custard on the planet
Reviewer: Mac
Review Date: 12/26/2005 01:26AM
Rating: +3/+3(Great)
I am not a beef eater--especially if it involves dining out (allergies). We went here 6 times before I got brave enough to try a bite of hubbys. I was hooked! My fav is the Butterburger swiss. So nice to have a choice of GOOD cheese. I've tried just about everything on the menu, and I have to say, it's all good. But the best part of a Culver's experience is their frozen custard. The FOD (Flavor of the Day) keeps us coming back.
Cheese Curds
Reviewer: a311shark
Review Date: 09/20/2005 06:45PM
Rating: +3/+3(Great)
Culvers is the only place in TX that I can find deep fried cheese curds.
The Norwegian Cod kicks butt.
Butter burgers Rock.
Very clean plus good pork tenderloins!
Reviewer: WSZsr
Review Date: 09/10/2005 07:50AM
Rating: +2/+3(Goooood)
Being a midwestern guy, I like my pork tenderloins. Culvers has a great tenderloin that keeps me coming back for more. Good root beer also!
Very friendly people and they sure keep the place clean.