Brenda's Burgers — Restaurant in San Antonio

Brenda's Burgers, oh how you tantalize the taste buds! Without a doubt, they serve up some of the juiciest, most mouthwatering burgers I've ever sunk my teeth into. However, let's address the elephant in the room - their audacity to charge for drink refills. It's like a tiny dagger of annoyance every time I reach for a refill.

Update: I revisited the burger haven, only to find my joy tainted by the unchanged refill policy. And to add insult to injury, I'm pretty sure they've hiked up the price! In this day and age, seriously? It's time to join the ranks of establishments offering free refills, Brenda's! Despite this, the burgers still managed to salvage the experience.

Update: Still no sign of free refills... Seriously, Brenda's, it's 2017! Another star bites the dust.

Update (August 2017): Back at Brenda's, my taste buds rejoiced once more, only to be overshadowed by the ongoing battle over drink refills. Why, oh why, must they persist in nickel-and-diming us? Regrettably, another star must fall.

Update (September 2017): Brenda's, Brenda's, Brenda's... How you continue to disappoint. Once again, I faced the dreaded "No Free Refills" sign, mocking my thirst for justice. With a heavy heart, I strip away my final star. Brenda's Burgers, now officially starless.

Update (December 2019): A glimmer of hope - free refills have finally graced Brenda's, but at what cost? Canned soda replacing the fountain? Unexpected consequences indeed. But I'll own up to my part and restore Brenda's to its rightful starry glory. A haven for thin patty enthusiasts, no doubt.

Update (January 2024): Oh Brenda, you beguiling temptress. Imagine my dismay upon discovering your backslide into the abyss of refill charges. Brenda, Brenda, Brenda... Charging for a mere dribble of water and soda syrup? Utterly nonsensical. It's time to get with the program and just bump up the drink prices a tad. Alas, with a heavy heart, I must subtract all your stars. You've plummeted into the negative realm in my estimation,...

In my opinion, an average burger joint. The food was fine but service was slow, even at the end of the "lunch hour".

To be honest, I felt the burger was comparable to What-a-Burger. I got the Special burger, which is essentially the What-a-Burger jalapeno & cheese burger. Yes, the bun was toasted, but that's not a big deal for me. The taste was fine, but nothing special. Spices might have helped.

My family said their burgers were overcooked; I couldn't tell with mine, probably due to the jalapenos and other toppings. The onion rings were extra large, almost like a whole onion was used, and the rings themselves were physically larger than normal. Unfortunately, they were a little on the over-done side.

There is very little seating. Most of the inside tables are for couples; larger tables are available outside.

Service was slow, even accounting for the lunch rush. We arrived just after noon, when the place was clearing out, but it still took 15 minutes to be served.

As a final note, refills are 50 cents. This is the first place I've been in years that charges for refills. It's almost a better deal to buy a large and not get a refill.

Speaking of deals, everything is a la carte; no meals available. This resulted in a large burger, small fry, and large drink costing nearly $9. A comparable meal at What-a-Burger would be several dollars cheaper, and comparable quality. Plus, the service would be faster, there would be more seating, and parking would be better.

Which reminds me, parking is difficult. I think there might be a total of 14 or so spots at the restaurant. As the location is in a residential area, you might end up having to park...

I was starving after a medical procedure, and Brenda's was on the way home and therefore perfectly located. They have a drive through, which was also helpful in my situation. Anyway, I had the Berry's Special with onion rings. First of all, no heat lamps over these burgers. When I got the bag of food, the meat was still hot enough that it was almost burning me through the bag. When they say cooked to order and made fresh, they aren't lying! Anyway, the onion rings were great. Chains all have the same boring O rings. They are fine, just nothing special. Brenda's has real onion rings, with the perfect amount of 'crunch' without being tough. Just how it should be. The burger was really good as well. Just the right amount of messy, which is to say that the toppings were generous. Beef was hot, juicy, and well seasoned. My wife had some fries with her burger and I got to try those as well. I'm a little bit of a fries snob, and only really like the narrower type. Think mickey Ds in size, those tend to be my preferred type. Anyway, these were spot on. Not to salty, but salted. Read some other reviews of people complaining about them, but like I said I'm picky on my fries and these are great. All around a really good experience. Next time we go, we'll dine in and I'm getting the chili...