Chip's Old Fashioned Hamburger — Restaurant in University Park

• Critic’s Review… Sad * Although the food quality is tasty, the issues and poor cleanliness will keep me away.

My Burger: Good size, meat to the edges of the bun, a traditional big burger. I kept it simple… 1/3 lb patty cooked medium, cheese, crispy bacon, double lettuce, and ketchup. Flavor score: 8 of 10

However, when I ordered cheese, I was not asked which type. They offer several cheeses and I was testing the cashier. Sadly, the cashier picked American without saying anything.

There was no ketchup on the burger and the lettuce was so minimal, you could barely see it in the center cut photo (left half) - not even close the 2x I ordered. I was able to get a side of lettuce which I used on the right 1/2 of the center cut photo to demonstrate what I expected. Not a good order fulfillment. Overall: 3 out of 10 for bad construction.

Onion Rings - thin cut: What a delicious blast!!! Ate every one!!! Delicious! Score: 9 of 10

Fries: I asked for extra crispy “so they snap”. I was told it could be done. Sadly, got so-so medium cooked and not really crispy at all. Only ate a few with ranch… about 8-10 fries in all. Sadly, just ordinary. (Do not expect crispy.) Score: 4 of 10

Chocolate Shake: Perfect thickness to get through a straw without being too runny. But that’s only when you first get it. That fact is gone within 6+/- minutes. It’s served in a thin plastic cup - not styrofoam to keep it cold. (Stupid mistake!) Would be better to be thinker and colder to last longer. Lost it’s consistency 1/2 way through it. Score: 3 of 10… (but flavor is 9 of 10.)

Bar $16 for a class of cheap Chardonnay that costs $14 a bottle retail is a bit much per glass. Get water and drink at home.

Bathrooms: Not good - sadly disgusting. Go before you arrive! Friend said she had flys all over the seat in there and “wanted to be anywhere else!” Score: 2 of 10 (I would give a zero but I didn’t go in the women’s bathroom and see it personally.)

Music: They play country music a little too loud to chat easily. (Really? Is this a burger joint or BBQ place?!?) I was ready to move a few tables and start 2-stepping! Classic 60’s-70’s wold be a better match to the decor.

Atmosphere: Visually fun… but the walls are the cleanest part of this place. Our table was sticky from the first time I touch it! I went to wash my hands and wanted move tables, but she said no. Seemed to only have had crumbs brushed on the floor all day long between customers - never wiped down with cleaning solution and a rag all day. (And in the 90 min we were there, customers came and went but I never observed a table wipe down!)

Ugh - the floor was rancid throughout the dining area… 20-30 foot area of visible old sticky spills from the day all over the ‘main walkway’. You could see gross areas so noticeably it was easy to step around the small spots. I told staff it needed to be cleaned now and in the 90 minutes we were there… no one cleaned it. (Lazy standards!) Accountability it at the top!!! Needs a new GM!

Also, 6pm on a Monday night there were only 3 other tables while we were there. At a minimum, that should have been 8-10 tables. Seems people have noticed what I see and are silent voting by not going back.

FYI - I asked for a to-go portion of lettuce in a sealed container. Although airtight, 15 hours later, the lettuce was mostly brown. Not very fresh or if the sack was opened that day… it’s the cheapest available. (Many places I test for lettuce to-go can last 15+ hrs staying fresh… and Tex-Mex places are the best!)

If the tables, floors and bathrooms are this gross… what will you find in the food storage areas, freezers and refrigerators?!? (Did they get a segment on “Kitchen Nightmares” with Gordon Ramsey?!? They definitely qualify from what I saw!)

Overall Score = 2 stars Unfortunately, if everyone has my experience… it’s only an overall 2 star (and that’s being generous!) The food is tasty - but I’m now scared of what I’m eating there.

Today… you are not getting...

So disappointed in the fish (the last piece of fish was NOT cooked long enough as it immediately tasted RANCID, awful and very BAD (i had to spit it out so i wouldn't get food poisoning from improperly cooked fish). We have been eating fish and chips for over 12 years at the former Lakewood location and this Lovers Lane location and up until now, it was wonderful. I read the review that Chip's is under "new" ownership (Brent) and how he mistreats his employees. Brent, would you want to be treated this way? Don't you know the golden rule? "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." You're just going to lose many loyal customers and hopefully all of your employees. There's absolutely no reason to scream at good, hardworking employees (I've been screamed at on the job in the medical field in 1995 so i know how it feels. I refused to take it and was not going to come back the next day, but luckily I got fired). Bad guys and bad behavior NEVER win. Please, Brent, don't let the devil get a hold of your mind, which is where all sin begins - in the mind. Do you believe in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit? Please, I beg you, get a Bible, open it and read just one verse. It's not hard. That's all it takes to get started on the right path. Please don't ruin a unique place like Chip's which so many people really like and have been going to for decades. You lost my business for sure. I can tolerate slow service, occasion order mistakes and an unclean table (big deal), but BAD FISH - no way. Thank God my sister or a child didn't get this bad fish. I know it's hard out there now after the pandemic, but that's no excuse to mistreat people. The battle is the Lord's. I have so many fond memories of going to Chip's Lakewood with my late honey, and at this location with my twin sister. I really enjoyed eating in the "PATTY-O" (!!) and am going to really miss it; and sadly, I have made the decision to NEVER go back to Chip's because I am too scared to eat their food. Don't trust the cooks anymore. Well, there goes another good ol' eatin' place. By Friday, hardworking people just need a good place to eat and relax. I am so tired of this big vain, selfish and critical city (Dallas and snooty Park Cities) that I would love to move out. Dallas has gotten too big for it's britches. I sure don't like the way you responded to the people who took time out of their busy day to write detailed, truthful reviews. You reap what you sow. The love of money is the root of all evil. How dare you take what was once a great burger joint and run it into the ground. There just ain't no sense in mistreating good, hardworking people. You're going to get it...

My mind was blown. I haven’t had service this great in years! That’s the best part about Mom and Pop owned businesses. I was so impressed with the service, food, and atmosphere; I insisted on writing a prompt review!

Brent served us and was incredibly personable and attentive. He helped with ordering and made an incredible house special margarita ($6) from scratch. With Cointreau. Mhhh, this mama was happy! Later when I requested water, he offered a lemon before I could remember to. It’s like he read my mind because he put it in a to-go cup, too!

We had fried pickles as an app. It was lightly breaded and not to pickle-y if that makes sense. In other words, they were perfect and served with a good amount of ranch.

As I’ve mentioned in previous reviews, Hubby is a picky eater. He had never had bison and so I insisted. It was sold as a 1/3 patty and Brent suggested it cooked medium. He got the most popular buttered poppyseed bun. No veggies for this guy. He added jalapeños, bacon, ketchup, and both american and cheddar cheeses. He devoured it like a true man and gave it 5 stars.

I had a 1/3 medium well cheeseburger on the same bun and I added an over-easy egg, bacon, avocado, and blue cheese. It came with mayo, mustard, lettuce, tomato, onions, and pickles. My egg was not runny enough and I didn’t complain but they noticed and were quick to bring me another!

We shared a combo side of fries and Chips famous shoestring fried onions. My husband actually loved the fried onions. I was in awe. Ha!

When we were ready to leave, Brent was still on it with A1 service. He helped pack our food and was proactive in providing us with covers for our ranch dressing and even offered another to go. He loved talking about the place especially as I inquired and encouraged it. A fact I learned is that everything, including dressing and seasonings, are made in house.

After eyeing the menu, the stuffed jalapeños and sweet potato fries are on my list for next time. I’ll also try a bison burger since Hubby forgot to share a bite. It was THAT good! When I say I can’t wait to come...