Upscale, Sit-Down Burgers

Your Mom's Burger Bar

5001 Airport, 454-6667
www.eatatyourmoms.com
Monday-Friday, 11am-10pm
Saturday, 12pm-10pm
Sunday, 12pm-8pm

When I began the serious research (eating plenty of burgers) for this story, tantalizing tidbits about an East Austin burger joint kept popping up. I eventually found the original location of Your Mom's Burger Bar tucked behind Las Cazuelas mexican restaurant at the corner of Cesar Chavez and Chalmers. The space is tiny, with a row of old-style stools at the counter and a few tables inside and out. Don't be fooled. The physical space may be small but the flavors are mighty. So mighty, in fact, that the debut of a second outlet on Airport Boulevard's emerging restaurant row is one of the most eagerly anticipated openings of the year. With any luck, the transformation of the old convenience store will be completed this week and the new restaurant should be open, according to owner Ryan Blackmore. It will be strictly BYOB for now, but immediate plans include adding a license to serve beer from a wall of beer taps, with local craft brews kept icy cold in the huge former convenience store walk-in. Beer and burger lovers all over cen­tral East Austin are chomping at the bit.

Your Mom's celebrity-themed stuffed burger collection is first-rate. Made with fresh, all-natural Angus beef, the burgers are stuffed and dressed with a mouthwatering array of toppers (meats and cheeses) and bling (vegetables, sauces, and condiments). I'm currently torn between the Frida Kahlo ($7.95) and the Marie Laveau ($7.75). The burger homage to Frida offers chorizo, jack cheese, guacamole, and a fried egg with a smear of chipotle-lime sauce; the legendary voodoo queen's burger is stuffed with boudin and pepper-jack cheese, blackened Cajun-style, and sauced with tangy remoulade. Both ladies should be proud. The DeNiro gets you marinara with provolone and parmesan, and the Foghorn Leghorn is made with a crispy fried chicken breast. My go-to side dish here is the hand-battered onion rings, impossibly crisp and lacy in a tempuralike batter. The alluring scent of cinnamon grabbed my attention when an order of sweet-potato fries with caramel drizzle went by one day, but I've yet to try them. Stop by here, Your Mom's will make sure you don't go home hungry. – V.B.W.