In the wake of leaving DC there were several things that I knew I would miss immediately. To quote Joni Mitchell, and for the younger folk (me included), the Counting Crows, “you don’t know what you got til it’s gone.” Well upon moving cross-country, one of the things we left behind was the best burger ever created, at a small shop known as Ray’s Hell Burger. Since this post isn’t specifically about Ray’s, I won’t go into the details and force myself to relive what I may not have again for a long time (ever?). Instead, I want to introduce you to the nearest competitor my taste buds have ever seen tasted.

On Sunday, only one day removed from an epic 21 mile run, Ev, Hazel, and I were on the lookout for a delicious ice cream sandwich from Coolhaus (also something to be discussed in a separate post). We found it downtown at the Arthouse Austin reopening. Two carts over from Coolhaus, billowing smoky deliciousness, was a giant yellow school bus with a short line and an amazing aroma.

I meandered over to check out the menu and it immediately came down to the brisket sandwich or the steak burger. But how to choose? I asked the bus driver guy in the window which way to go and he gave a non-committal “they’re both really good”, so I checked out what was coming out the window and opted for the burger. I ended up waiting longer than expected after placing my order, but I certainly appreciated the grilled-to-order touch. To top things off I got me some hand-cut fries in my to-go order and brought it all home to enjoy, and enjoy I did.

Upon unwrapping the behemoth, I realized this

is a roll-up-your-sleeves, prepare-for-battle type of undertaking. With grilled onions, cheese, tomatoes, and pickles, it comes fully loaded with flavor. You know you have your hands wrapped around a good burger when the bun disintegrates as it holds onto all the juicy goodness. Every bite was more exciting than the last, and I couldn’t seem to put it down. About 2/3 of the way through I had to take a step back to assess the situation and make sure I wasn’t dreaming. The fries were up to the task and complemented this work of art nicely: freshly cut, hot out of the fryer, but not quite crispy enough. Delicious nonetheless!

If you haven’t picked up on it yet, I would highly recommend making a stop at 6th & Waller if you’re in the area. It would be a good idea to check Twitter before making a trip out there, just in case. Be prepared to get down and dirty, but trust me that you’ll have a good time. Note: I take no responsibility for the food coma you will inevitably enter post-gorging.