Lebowski's Grill at Highland Lanes — Restaurant in Austin

In the fluorescent-lit temple of cosmic insignificance—otherwise known as a bowling alley snack bar—I encountered a cheeseburger so monumentally decadent, so unapologetically greasy, it could make a vegan weep bacon-scented tears of betrayal.

Let me be clear: this was not a meal. This was a philosophical event. A double-pattied, cheddar-drenched monument to America’s subconscious desire to both dominate the food chain and die with a smile. It arrived served on a raft of wax paper like an offering to the cholesterol gods—its bun glistening like the polished dome of a televangelist’s head, its beef charred and seared with the kind of commitment you usually only find in cults or tragic love affairs.

This burger didn’t whisper its presence—it declared it, with the confidence of a congressman in a massage parlor. Pickles stacked like green currency. Onions sliced thinner than my last shred of self-respect. A slice of tomato, likely there for legal reasons. And let’s not forget the lettuce—a single green leaf trying desperately to convince you this is “fresh.”

And then there were the tater tots. Golden, crunchy, and more addictive than capitalism. They didn’t accompany the burger so much as witness it—tiny, fried apostles to a messiah of meat and melted cheese.

I took one bite and my arteries filed a restraining order. I took another and transcended time. I am currently writing this review from 1976.

In summary: this burger is a greasy, glorious, unapologetic celebration of excess. If you’re on a diet, stay away. If you’re on a quest for flavor, salvation, or just a reason to keep going—it’s waiting for you under that bun, baby. Just bring napkins. And maybe a lawyer. Tell JJ I...

My husband was craving a burger, he saw the ads for Lebowski's huge burgers, so we decided to go. It was really convenient since we live right on the other side of 183. We walked in, dude at the front was super nice, he directed us to the grill. We ordered 2 of the double meat burgers. When they called my name, only one burger came out. I said "Oh, I ordered two burgers." Miss ma'am at the grill shoots me the ugliest face, says "Nooo, you ordered one." I said "I ordered two, but it's cool, I'll just order another one." She still decides to hit me with another "No you didn't, you only ordered one." I just ignored it. Girl, I get it, it's loud in here and you didn't hear me. Just charge me for another one, it's not a big deal. I didn't realize that each burger was $14 and change, that's why i didn't notice she only charged me for one. I wasn't trippin though, we were there to eat. So the other girl that was there put my order in, and this time around was a longer wait for the same plain and dry double meat with cheese. Big ol' burgers, very little flavor. The meat was undercooked halfway into the burger. The order of tots was like 8 tots. I wouldn't recommend the food, but the bowling alley is pretty cool. They have bowling teams for kids and single...

So as of recently I've been getting a lot of ads on my phone for burger joints in Austin. One of those places just happened to be Lebowski's grill and people were raving over how good the burgers are.. I hopped in the car drove down and had to check it out myself.

The menu is simple, very simple as it should be. The burger is broken down to its core elements. Bun, meat, onion, pickle and lettuce. It also comes with mustard and mayo but of course you can always omit any of these toppings. I opted for the Walter where my significant other opted for the dude. As for what side?? We went with the tater tots because we were influenced by the workers there.

Simple ingredients do not always equal. A simple burger but sometimes that's all that it takes. This is the case here with their burgers. There's nothing fancy, there's nothing secret, there's no hidden crazy ingredients that you wouldn't think shouldn't go on a burger. We're talking burger at its core here. Burger patty, flat top griddle, and other accessories to go on top. That's it... It's elegant. If you're ever in the area or even if you're not in the area we weren't, I took a 25-minute drive just to go get this thing!!! You must stop by and pick one of these things...