Catherine "Witty Kitty" T.'s Profile

It's hard for me to believe I have lived in Austin for eight years and just tonight tried Hut's for the first time.  Over the years I have heard varying reports on Hut's.  In fact, today on Facebook when I announced I was heading over there, one friend said, "Prepare to have all other burgers ruined by the awesomeness of Hut's."  Another friend warned, "Hut's is not that great, IMHO."

I don't know the first friend all that well, and I tend to agree with the second friend fairly often about food, so I wasn't completely sure about eating at Hut's today.  I thought I might make a last-minute dash to Frank and Angie's instead.  I've been there and know how great it is.

So I parked at Whole Foods -- I had planned to attend their rooftop presentation of Ghostbusters later that evening, so I didn't feel like I was abusing the parking space -- and walked to Hut's.  I was surprised at how small it is.  I mean, I've driven by it several times, but it seems a lot smaller on the inside.  I liked the black leather booths and the oldies music.  I had studied the menu the night before and discovered they were styled to be a '50s burger joint.

I think it's great that they have a burger named after each rock 'n' roll artist who died in that plane crash on February 3, 1959, and one named after the man who coined the phrase "rock 'n' roll".  They also have burgers named after Wolfman Jack (WHOM I MET ONCE -- yes, I'm bragging), Chubby Checker, and Fats Domino.  Unfortunately, the burger I wanted did not have a neat-o rock 'n' roll name... "Hut's Favorite".  I also like that they serve Diet Dr Pepper.  You don't find Diet Dr Pepper in as many places as you should.  Restaurant owners:  DIET COKE IS FOUL!  PLEASE OPT FOR DIET DR PEPPER INSTEAD, OR AT LEAST IN ADDITION.

My burger was a lot better than I figured it would be.  The meat was cooked medium well, which was fab, and the bun was just heavenly.  The cheese, mayo and lettuce toppings were such a great addition.  Everything tasted wonderfully.

My waiter was quite relaxed.  He was nice, but still didn't seem to care about me too much.  It didn't really bother me, though, since I was more interested in playing with my cell phone than talking to him.

I found it odd that there was no regular sugar in the sugar caddy.  I normally steal a few sugar packets to keep in my purse when I go to a restaurant because I'm a diabetic (need those sugar packets in case of hypoglycemia).  I wasn't irked that they didn't have regular sugar (because I had plenty in my purse already), but it was strange that no table at which I looked had any sugar... they only had Sweet 'n' Low.

I will more than likely go back to Hut's, especially now that I work at 6th and Lavaca.

For those of you who read my reviews of Fran's and Little Red Wagon Burgers, you know that my taste buds recently became a battleground between those two for the coveted title of Catherine's Favorite Austin Hamburger.  Then I decided to make Fran's my favorite Austin hamburger and Little Red Wagon my favorite Round Rock burger.  Well, a new battle upon my taste buds has commenced:  Fran's is now vying with Hut's for that coveted title.

I was a little apprehensive about eating here after my lackluster experience at The Onion a couple of weeks ago.  I simultaneously wrote my review of The Onion with this one, mainly because eating at Cozzoli's (and passing The Onion this morning on my way to CVS) reminded me that I initially forgot to write that review.

So here's the good and bad at Cozzoli's:

You can buy one slice with whatever toppings you want (among various other menu choices).  Granted, they take a slice of cheese pizza that's been sitting out for who knows how long, add the toppings, and then bake it for a few minutes.  I didn't count off for that, though, because you'll find that at any pizza place that sells by the slice, whether or not they're willing to add toppings to the slice (hello, Onion).

The pizza surprisingly tastes great.  They cut up the hamburger meat very fine, and that somehow makes it better.  The crust is wonderfully crunchy.

The guy brought my slice out to me, which was nice.  I don't know if they do that during the lunch crunch, though.

The thing I don't like is that they have a lunch deal that gives you a slice of pizza plus a drink for $5... but only if you get a fountain drink.  The problem is, the only diet drink they have on tap is Diet Coke.  I didn't even see the soda fountain (hidden behind the counter) until after I pointed to a can of Diet Dr. Pepper in the fridge when he asked if I wanted a drink.  God only knows if they have iced tea back there.  I got charged 33 extra cents for the canned drink.  I know I sound like a cheapskate, but come on.  I later saw the fountain cup size; I could fit more soda from the tap into that cup than I got in my can.  Seems to me they should be charging extra for fountain drinks instead of canned ones.   And I think the likelihood of getting a free refill on a fountain drink is slim with the fountain being behind the register.

Stupid me, I forgot to bring the coupon I printed from their website:  "Buy a one-topping slice and medium drink, GET YOUR SECOND SLICE FREE."  I doubt that applies to canned drinks, though, since it says "medium".  So, I guess you'll have to deal with drinking foul Diet Coke, unless you're able to have regular sodas on your diet.

It's tough having a tasty pizza place in the neighborhood.  I will want to eat there fairly often, but I know I can't do that.  Once, maybe twice, per month is all I will allow myself.

Cozzoli's isn't the absolute greatest pizza ever, but I think people who compare it negatively to The Onion are soft in the skull.