Hometown Tourism: Gourdough’s Public House

Fried.

That is what comes to mind when people think of the South – and with Gourdough’s Public House in Austin, Texas, they couldn’t be more right. If you’re wondering where to eat in Austin, this would be the place to go.

Do you remember my finger lickin’ good review of the Gourdough’s Donuts food trailer? Over the past few years they have become an important Austin establishment with a very serious fan base. They have been so wildly successful with their made-on-the-spot fresh donuts that it blew up into a full blown restaurant – Gourdough’s Public House.

At first I was a little hesitant about the location. They had taken over a long abandoned restaurant that used to house the Austin late night institution, Kerbey Lane. Many a college night I would somehow wind up there long after the bars had closed. There was a special nostalgic place in my heart for this building and I just wasn’t sure about a new place moving in – regardless of the yummy dough involved.

But the moment we walked in, my fears quickly went out the window. This run down location had been revitalized. Super hip and downright Southern, this place knocked my socks off. With all wood decor, mood lighting, Texas blues blaring from the speakers, and a very hip clientele, it gave the place a very at home, yet cool feel. Mason jar beers and drinks? I was okay with the renovations. It was time to eat.

If you are counting your calories, don’t eat here. I’m not kidding. This is a place you go to eat on a blue moon. Your heart will thank you for it. We went straight for delicious and artery clogging awesomeness – anything made with a donut/doughnut bun.

I took the “girlie” route and went for a light affair with the Three Little Guidos.

Brown sugar and cracked black pepper rubbed bacon, fresh basil, mozzarella, sliced tomato, & balsamic reduction.

I think I was just on a weird “OMG I MISS FOOD FROM ITALY” kick when I ordered what was basically a caprese salad on crack. It arrived like an open face sandwich with all the goodies on top and a mound of fresh potato chips (crisps) in the middle. The dough was cooked to perfection and the bacon was thick and delicious – just the way I like it. But to be honest, I think it was a little too light. I was still hungry by the end. I think it would be better served as an appetizer for a group.

Shaun went for the Ron Burgundy.

Angus beef cooked to order, bacon, fried egg, two slices of American cheese, cilantro, guacamole, sliced tomato, and mayonnaise.

This was the winner for the night and probably made my list of Top 3 Burgers of All Time. I was jealous that I didn’t order it. Next time, I guess. For Shaun and I, there is so much a burger has to accomplish in order to make it a good one. We’re burger snobs – and for a good reason. We live in Austin and there is just so much good food here.

The dough was crispy on the outside, soft in the middle, and never really became soggy at any point of the burger eating. The meat was seasoned and cooked perfectly – medium rare for our liking. And last but not least, the combination of the toppings made the flavors compliment each other perfectly and the texture, divine. The one thing that surprised us was the strong flavor of the cilantro that really brought the burger together.

While we left with our burgers/sandwiches sitting hard in our stomachs, this was not a burger experience I was going to soon forget. I have, quite literally, had thousands of burgers in my lifetime and few have ever come this close to perfection. As I look for that “perfect burger”, my Holy Grail, at least I’ll always know of a damn good burger waiting for me at Gourdoughs.

Go.

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Disclosure: We are in no way affiliated with Gourdough’s – I just really like to eat good food and tell people about awesome local businesses to visit when in Austin!