Top Notch Hamburgers — Restaurant in Austin

Dazed & Confused Top Notch Hamburgers is best known for its appearance in the movie Dazed and Confused with Matthew Mcconaughey. The famous line "Alright Alright Alright" was delivered from a car parked in a carhop bay at this burger joint.

Join my Facebook group "The Best Food Anywhere"

1970s Ambiance The restaurant which opened in the 70's is a mix of things. The insides are decorated with western style motif, with antler and beer bottle chandeliers, while the outsides are very 1950's & 60's looking with a bright neon sign, carhop bays, and order boards.

Real Charcoal Cooked Burgers The restaurant advertises charcoal hamburgers, fried chicken, & shrimp. Lots of places claim to have charcoal burgers, but this place actually does. Look at the photos, theres actually a BBQ style pit grill with a tray holding red hot charcoal briquettes. Surprising the inside has almost no smell of charcoal, but the burgers deliver all of the flavor of a backyard of picnic style cooked hamburger.

I ordered 2 burgers, the Top Special & the Regular Hamburger. I also got a side of onion rings, which they said were made fresh in house, and a fried pie, also cooked at the time you order.

A decent BBQ Sauced Burger & Onion Rings My food came out after a few minutes, and the Top Special burger coated with hickory BBQ sauce, chopped onions, and pickles had a ton of BBQ and Charcoal flavor. It was easily one of my top 3 best BBQ style hamburgers. The onion rings were thick, large and the portion was pretty good size. My total for the BBQ burger onion rings and drink, $14.. My second order the pie and regular burger totaled about $8.

The regular burger boasted more of the charcoal grilled flavor than the top special did, due to the BBQ sauce overpowering other flavors. The regular burger had a fresh meat flavor, and was just a decent old fashioned hamburger.

Deep Fried Apple Pie The fried pie was great. It was what you used to get at many places 20 years ago.. Fried fresh in a deep fryer, with a crispy crunchy golden blister bubbled shell. For $2.19 it was definitely a good way to finish the meal.

I dined in, because I wanted to see the insides, a glass case with some props from the movie hung on the wall, shirts were for sale, and the place had a unique vibe of its own. But for those who want the 70s experience, you can just pull up, hit the button and order out the window of your car while parked.

Overall Impression Overall it was a fun experience, all my trips to Austin I had never stopped to check this place out. The food was pretty good, the prices were a bit high, but the portion sizes were decent. I had to take the 2nd burger to go and try it later.

While probably not worth a dedicated trip to Austin, its definitely a place to try if your in town and want to try something new, or are a fan of the movie. Theres even a board with face holes cut out near the entrance.

I would consider going back again, to try the chicken and shrimp. So far everything was good. Theres not too many places around that have survived 50 years and still look the same as they...

Menu and Food Quality: The star of the show is, of course, the burgers. Top Notch Burgers offers a diverse menu that caters to all tastes, including vegetarians and vegans. The burgers are made from high-quality, locally sourced ingredients, and you can taste the difference. Here are a few highlights:

Classic Cheeseburger: A perfectly cooked patty, juicy and flavorful, topped with melted cheddar, crisp lettuce, ripe tomato, and a tangy house sauce, all nestled in a soft, toasted bun. It’s the quintessential burger done right. Bacon Avocado Burger: This burger is a flavor explosion, combining crispy bacon, creamy avocado, and a beef patty cooked to perfection. The addition of a zesty lime mayo brings all the elements together beautifully. Vegan Delight: For non-meat eaters, the Vegan Delight is a revelation. A hearty plant-based patty topped with fresh veggies and a delicious vegan aioli, served on a gluten-free bun. It’s satisfying and delicious, proving that plant-based doesn’t mean compromising on taste. Sides and Extras: The hand-cut fries are crispy and golden, the onion rings are perfectly battered, and the milkshakes are thick and creamy, available in a variety of flavors. Don’t miss out on the house-made pickles, which add a delightful crunch to any burger.

Value for Money: Top Notch Burgers offers great value for money. The portion sizes are generous, and the quality of the ingredients justifies the price. They also offer a range of combo deals and a loyalty program for regular customers, making it even more affordable to enjoy their delicious offerings.

Conclusion: Top Notch Burgers is a must-visit for burger enthusiasts. With its delightful ambiance, excellent service, and mouth-watering food, it sets the standard for what a burger joint should be. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, make sure to stop by and treat yourself to one of the best burgers in town. You won’t be...

Second time posting on Top Notch - this time with an update. My family has been going here since before it was even Top Notch - a place called Berkhart's so I'm told. Anyway, My grandpa (rest in peace) and myself were big fans of the chili cheese burger, but I can tell you I will never eat it again because quite frankly Top Notch puts convenience above quality and their reputation. I gave them a chance - talked to the Manager Kai (maybe mispelled) nearly a year ago because the chili burger taste was definitely not right, and I asked if they changed ingredients. She assured me that IF they did, then they would make sure it tasted the same or did the brand right, something to that effect. I told her it was not the same and it was terrible. For some odd reason, it gives a black licorice slight taste or aftertaste. Kai said she would ask about it but that Top Notch was dedicated to the community and the communities' wishes. Well I can tell you that is a lie. I have been back a few times since, usually getting the #2 cheeseburger, but recently I tried the chili burger again. And again - same black licorice effect, and NOT the same chili burger as they have had for 50 years. I had previously told Kai that they used to have a really good chili burger, and when people would ask where to find a good one, I would reccommend them. But the way they taste now, I would NEVER recommend them to anyone. They are not even appeasing anymore. Thye don't taste right and have a bad flavor. Top Notch doesn't care about the community. They are co-owned by Galaxy Cafe, and when they took over years ago, things changed. It's hard to find a good chili burger - but Top Notch USED TO have a really great one. I honestly would not want to eat it if it were free because it just does not taste good. Top Notch, you Failed...