Austin Burger Bracket - Hat Creek Burger Co.

The great thing about this burger bracket is it gives me a "reason" to try out new burgers. And just this week I headed over to the Burnet Road location of Hat Creek Burger Co. Formerly Arby's and its obvious as you look at the sign but I'm glad the Austin company made an effort in reusing and repurposing the signage.

It's lunchtime and I need something to fill the void in my belly. I hop in Natalie (Nissan) and take a short ride from the office to Hat Creek. Skim the the menu and quickly realize I'm not leaving this parking lot without easily spending over $7.00 on burger, fries and drink. regardless though, I make my selection and request a tea to drink, the speaker box blares "That'll be an extra $2.00 for tea". The fuck, what kinda tea is this? Never mind the tea I tell the lady, I'll just take a Dr. Pepper. Still, I checkout with a $7.57 check.

For that price this better be a damn good burger... I'll let you check out the picture first, drop me a comment and let me know what you think...

... I got back to my desk, fumbled around in the bag grabbed my burger and fresh cut fries. The cool thing is that they packed my back with a little ketchup cup, very cool! Unwrapped everything and, well you saw the picture. What the hell is this? The presentation is on par with vending machine hamburgers or something. The fries were cut and packaged like P. Terry's but not at all comparable. Let's just say, that for the price I could've gotten something better at at least two other surrounding burger joints.

See Also: Austin Burger Bracket.

Austin Burger Bracket - Waterloo Ice House

Waterloo Ice House, I thoroughly enjoy this place. Not too long ago The Wife and I along with some good friends were pretty much regulars here (South Park Meadows). It's a great place to get your Lone Star fill at a great price and watch sporting events on their high definition flat screens, not a bad seat in the house. But with all the mugs bottom-upped I don't recall ever having a hamburger.

That recently changed; The Wife and I along with Lil Money spent the evening with our good friend CHUBBS. First stop was Wahoo's, good times, then we headed over to Waterloo. I hadn't eaten since lunch so needless to say I was HUNGRY! No need to look at the menu, I'm on a mission and I don't need anything fancy, I just need a standard issue hamburger and it's on.

The burger was good, but it was just a standard issue burger. It got me thinking that maybe I need to change it up a bit. I don't know though, this is a burger bracket not a burger creation bracket. All I'm saying is, for the price I could get a better standard somewhere else. I guess we'll have to see how it does against it's competition, Hill-Bert's.

Horrible picture, I know. It was dark and the camera on my phone doesn't have flash.

See Also: Austin Burger Bracket

The First Annual Pitchin Washers Tournament

The First Annual Pitchin Washers Tournament

July 31st, 2010

-The Players.-

-Serving it up to Reno.-

-The Final Game.-

Austin Burger Bracket - Black Sheep Lodge

I've been wanting to try Black Sheep Lodge for quite some time... I remember when I first saw the sign go up I knew I had to stop in. The reason behind my wanting to patronize this establishment was more about beer selections than burger selection. But there is a competition going on and for the sake of champions the games must go on.

So the last Thursday in July my brothers and I headed over to South Lamar. We had another destination in mind (Resurrection Tattoo) but there was a bit of wait time and I was as usual, hungry. Out the door we went and on to the patio of BSL. We were greeted by what I can only define as an attractive "Austin girl". Yeah, lame description but she was simply dressed for work and it worked. It was a hot one (outside) and I new I wanted a drink so I asked for the list and as she handed it to me she said that margarita's were only $2.00. Yes please! So much for beer.

I ordered The Black Sheep Burger and as I waited our waitress walked up with the deliciousness that is a cool breeze to a hot summer evening... The margarita was refreshing and just what I needed as we were sitting out front, rolling up my chinos above my calves was only helping so much (or so little). I downed it pretty quickly, not in a "we're going streaking" kinda quickly more like a "this car has no AC kinda quickly". Finished it just in time for the arrival of my burger.

My brother and I both got the same thing, rita and burger. He was, I don't know, confused at the site of mixed greens laying on his burger but I enjoyed the mix to the same ole standard of lettuce. The bun, well I can't remember the bun now but the patty was a fatty and juicy. The flavor was on par of what I'd grill up at home, not number one but definitely not the worst just pretty good in a "if I say so myself" kinda way. But for the sake of competition and bragging rights (Note: restaurants have no idea I'm even doing this and therefore aren't concerned with bragging rights in regards to my opinions)... you gotta be on top of your burger game. And for a website that proudly boasts "The No. 1 Burger in South Austin" they kinda left me expecting more.

I'll definitely enjoy Black Sheep Lodge again but this round of The Austin Burger Bracket goes to Doc's Motorworks. Congratulations Doc's you're the first establishment to advance to the next round.

See Also: Austin Burger Bracket.

And play along!

101 in 1001... The End

For those of you following and or keeping track, my 101 things to do in 1001 days ends today and with pretty good success. If I say so myself. Although I didn't complete every single goal I set out for myself, I feel accomplished. What started in November of 2007 has just ended July 2010.

Highlights (In order from 1 - 101):

#15. Get a New Tattoo - This was a busy Valentines Day for The Wife and I but we both got some good ink and had a great day.

#25. Get Healthy (Diet & Exercise) - I started P90X in March of 2009 and completed in 3 months later. I took a couple of weeks off then started a modified version for about 2 months. Probably the fittest I had been in 10 years.

#26. Have a Child - I've never known love like I now know love. My life is better with my son in it.

#35. Learn How to Grill Ribs - Mmmm, Baby Backs. Ask The Wife, they were damn good.

#82. Enjoy a REAL Massage - I had never had one before but now I'm hooked.

Lowlights:

#7. Finally go on Honeymoon - And the winning lotto number is... Guess I need to play lotto for that to really matter.

#39. Host an Outdoor Movie Night - Since before I was a homeowner I've always wanted to host an outdoor movie night and thought that within 1001 days I would have done that. Nope. That gear costs some coin, maybe in my next 1001 days.

#44. Make a Damn Good Pomarita - Why haven't I done this yet?!

#51. Skydive - If you've got a plane and will let me fall out of it, call me.

#55. Write a Short Story - I wrote one but somehow lost it. True story.

Video(s)

Hopefully these hardcore videos can/will hold you over until I post some actual content on this here blog. Enjoy, I know I do.

Tea Party

Dad Life

My 101

Well if you look at the counter above, time is about to expire on me and my list. Well not me, I'm not dying and if I was a counter on my life would just be creepy. With that said, I think I did a pretty good job in completing almost half of my list. Some were fun, dumb, exhausting, educational, healthy and even life changing. Below is what's left to and/or wasn't done.

5. Change light bulbs: (To more efficient bulbs) Uhh, we’ve lived in our house for about 4 years and we haven’t had to change a bulb yet.
6. Sign a hobo: I gave up on this.
7. Finally go on honeymoon: We WISH.
9. Visit Grandma and Grandpa: I missed too many opportunities to visit Grandma and fear that I’m doing the same with Grandpa. In my defense, my calls often go unanswered or returned.
16. Do one new thing a month: I’m sure I’ve done a few new things since this began but I haven’t kept track.
17. Learn a full song on the guitar: If it takes time and effort… I’m out.
22. Write an original song: I think this takes talent, scratch that, I’ve heard the state of pop music today… I guess I need a few hours, a beat machine, sub par dance lyrics, boobs and blonde hair.
23. Get a bike (Haro) ride it: I am now waiting on Lil Money.
27. Acquire a new digital camera: I think we’ve been through this.
28. Take a year’s worth of pictures: Working on it.
29. Visit at LEAST one new place in the U.S.: By this I meant city or state which hasn’t happened, but I went to Don Darios this weekend and it was pretty good.
30. Take more pictures of our house and yard: Ehh, nothing worth documenting. We did lose a tree this season though.
31. Fly a balloon with a note of my 101: Time is about to expire on my list, too late.
32. Buy a CD a Month & write a review: Nah.
39. Host an outdoor movie night: Need a projector and screen, kinda thought I’d have one by now.
40. Host a Halloween party: I think I’ve grown out of this idea.
41. Find a new swimming hole: 5 mile dam.
44. Make a damn good pomarita: Mmm, I might have to do this soon.
46. Bathe cats: It’s a battle that hasn’t recently been conquered… Actually, The Wife did recently bathe Mia (The easy one).
47. Keep records of yard work: We just do it and call it a day.
48. Maintain a Bonsai: Didn’t even try, I have a way with either letting them die or killing them.
49. Bowl with friends/family (150 game): I know I had a couple of good games in March but I’m not sure if I made the 150 mark.
51. Skydive: Crystal, when are we going to finally fall out of a plane?
53: Walk more: What was I thinking when I wrote this, am I a senior citizen, all I do is walk.
55. Write a short story: I wrote one but lost it, true story.
56. Send post cards whenever possible: Really I haven’t gone anywhere; well I did go to Don Darios recently.
57. Work a full week with no personal internet: But how will I blog? When will I find time to read the 94 blogs I follow?
58. Picnic in the park: When the weather is cooler The Wife, Lil Money and I will most definitely get on this.
59. Go skinny dipping: When appropriate.
62. Learn – Crank Dat Soulja Boy: I think I learned it in my head, good enough.
63. Learn how to C-Walk: Still want to do this.
64. Hold my own sign for 15 minutes: Nope.
66. Write my own joke: Cricket… cricket…
67. Carry a pocket sized note pad: In case I’m involved in an intriguing impromptu interview?
69. Purchase my favorite Disney movies: Stupid vault!
70. Make my own beer: I need to add a kit to my wish list.
71. Make my own shirt: I’m with lazy. Lazy is wearing me. (In other words, hasn’t happened yet).
74. Write a Haiku a week: A haiku a week / I’m admittedly lazy / this haiku is weak.
75. Make a soundtrack of my life: I think of this all the time and haven’t done it.
76. Buy a Bible and read it: Maybe I’ll go to church and “borrow” one… I’ll be forgiven.
78. Ride a train anywhere: What, am I hobo?
79. Buy gifts all year long: Who does that?
81: Enjoy my backyard with my wife: F that, it’s much cooler inside on the couch watching House Hunters.
85. Draw more: I draw a bath for Lil Money every night.
86. Have another “Super Saturday”: Since the first and only one, another has yet to happen.
87. Go to a movie alone: I have too many on Netflix to watch.
88. Learn more about Mexican culture: America doesn’t want them here.
89. Learn about African American Culture: America wishes they never brought them.
90. Learn Spanish: It’s a shame that I don’t already know it.
93. Save a quarter: I have a ton, but I spent them all on Mocha Frappe’s. Damn you McDonalds and your empty flavorful calories.
98. Pedicure, manicure twice a year: let me just say that my game isn’t quite up to par.
99. Have lunch/dinner with The Cohens: We’ve been slacking on this.
100. Date night with Crystal: It’s a shame that this doesn’t happen.
101. Start a new list: Not for a while.