Burger Bonanza

Photo by John Anderson

Hang Town Grill

With one store established in West Lake, the newest Hang Town Grill on Burnet Road seems to have effortlessly settled into the neighborhood tent, attracting a multigenerational crowd from around Allandale, Brentwood, and Crest­view. "Best burgers in town," claimed one septuagenarian sitting at a table near mine during a recent visit. "You know it," responded a gentleman at another table who was surely pushing 90. After my own tasting, I have to admit: They seem to be on to something.

Hang Town's burgers are expansive, juicy, made with hand-pattied meat grilled over an open flame, and served on toasted whole-wheat buns with plenty of fresh lettuce and tomato. While the plain, old-fashioned burgers are good ($5.45), the specialty burgers are even more enticing. The green-chile cheeseburger, topped with melted jack cheese, a mound of mild green chiles, and accented by chipotle mayonnaise ($6.25), was a delightful, if sloppy, rendition of the steak-and-pepper sandwich. I was equally impressed by the savory jalapeño-jack cheeseburger ($6.25), amply topped with what seemed like home-pickled jalapeños (though the manager confessed he buys them in a jar). The staff spices and patties the meat for the burgers every morning, and all the sauces and dressings are made on site.

The Hang Town on Burnet Road is wrenched into a cramped corner space in the Allandale shopping center at Koenig Lane. The frankly uninviting facade belies an interior with surprising light, though its ambience is only a step above cafeteria. But hey, it's a burger joint and a pretty good one too, it turns out. – Rachel Feit