Hat Creek Burger Company — Restaurant in Austin

I truly hope someone with the authority to make meaningful changes reads this.

I’ve been coming to this Hat Creek location 3–5 times a week for almost 5 years, largely because I live right next door at the Haus 5350 apartments. I’ve invested a significant amount of my time and money here, and I used to feel proud recommending it as a laid-back, friendly neighborhood spot—even if it wasn’t the best burger or price in town. (For reference, Phil’s Ice House is just 100 yards away, serves better burgers for the same price, and is consistently well-run.) Yet, what kept me loyal to Hat Creek was the warm atmosphere, the sense of community, and the staff who knew my face and treated me like a neighbor.

This all changed about 9 months ago when they hired a new manager, Alejandra. Since her arrival, Hat Creek has felt more like a McDonald’s—impersonal, inattentive, and completely lacking the neighborhood charm it once had. I know firsthand how drastically the culture has shifted because I had become friends with several of the employees, including two managers and three front-of-house staff members who were all part of this small Allandale community. They confided in me about how poorly she treated them, and one by one, they all quit. Now we’re left with new employees who don’t know the old menu, can’t serve staple items like queso tots (a personal favorite of mine), and don’t seem to understand what made this place special to begin with.

It’s not just a matter of losing menu items; it’s losing the neighborhood feeling and the authenticity that brought people here for years. One particularly frustrating incident occurred when I left my phone inside the restaurant after closing. I could see the new manager right there through the window, yet she refused to open the door and let me retrieve my phone just because they were “closed.” It was a small moment that summed up the larger problem—no willingness to go the extra mile, no recognition of a regular customer, no sense of community.

Still, I tried to stick it out, thinking maybe things would improve. But the final straw happened recently. Despite the fact that this manager has served me beer multiple times a week for months—knowing full well who I am—she suddenly demanded to see my ID. I had to walk all the way back home to get it. The entire interaction felt cold and mechanical, like I was just another transaction rather than a familiar face she’d seen countless times before.

Today, I’ve decided I’m done. I won’t return, even though I’ve easily spent thousands of dollars here over the years. The culture and attitude at this Hat Creek location have deteriorated beyond recognition. Word travels fast in Allandale, and I know I’m not alone in this sentiment. Many neighbors have already noticed the steep decline in service and vibe, and I’m certain the store will feel the impact in its sales.

My advice: This is supposed to be a neighborhood burger spot, not a faceless fast-food chain. Lean into that identity. Hire people who care, who communicate well, and who value customer relationships—don’t hire managers who drive away loyal, long-term staff and treat customers poorly. If I’m coming in several times a week, spending my hard-earned money, know me well enough not to send me home for an ID you’ve never needed before. Learn your menu, including the old favorites like queso tots. Remember what made this location thrive: genuine human connection and a welcoming atmosphere.

I won’t see whether you turn things around because I won’t be back. But for the sake of this neighborhood, I genuinely...

Hat Creek is certainly a unique burger joint even for Austin standards. First off, their building is very eye-catching and not something you would see everywhere. The building is styled like a new age farm house. The exterior is very rustic and salt of the earth styled and the shape is very simple. You wouldn't bat an eye if you saw this in a traditional rural community, that is of course until you see the section of the building that was cut out and replaced with an outdoor play ground for kids. In the spirit of the giant missing section of the farm house, the interior has a very open concept that lets the outside air come in freely.

Now as for the food, the real reason you came by. They serve up some very decent home cooked styled burgers. I had their Big Hat, which is a double patty burger, their fresh cut fries, and their mint chocolate shake. Their burgers were a good size, probably 1/3 lb, their fries were fresh from the fryers, and their shake was certainly sweet. It was strange, despite having more natural ingredients for all of their food, their shakes seemed out of place with their use of syrups and candy. One thing I really liked about this place were their sauces. They have a sauce section where you can use 3 of their mixed sauces, one being a combo of mustard and ketchup, another being mayo and ketchup, and then a third which I can't recall because it was missing on my visit. If you're the type who loves to combine sauces to eat with their fries/burgers, you would like what they have to offer here.

Another unique twist to this burger joint over others is the fact that they serve breakfast. While I haven't tried it yet, it certainly is intriguing to see what they have to offer in...

Hat Creek Burger Company is our go-to spot for family fun and a little reward system for my boys! 🍔✨ Whenever my oldest follows the rules (well, most of them 😂), we treat ourselves to the delicious burgers, amazing milkshakes, and that unbeatable family-friendly vibe.

The service is always top-notch, the burgers are a hit, and those milkshakes? Pure happiness in a cup. But let’s be real one of our favorite traditions is "accidentally" ignoring the “Do Not Climb the Slide" sign. SMH! I promise we’ve grown a bit since then…at least I hope so.

Pro tip: Bring your own bubble machine trust me, it’s a game changer for keeping the kids entertained and adding a little extra magic to the play area. 🫧✨

We’re already looking forward to our next adventure at Hat Creek. It’s the perfect place to enjoy great food, create memories, and let the kids burn off some energy (even if they’re breaking a few slide rules along the way). 😂❤️ #HatCreekAdventures...