Billy’s on Burnet

Something for Everyone

At Billy’s, a tried and true neighborhood beer & burger hangout, a dollar goes a long way. While it features a kid’s menu for “kids of all ages,” the family-friendly atmosphere fades as the sun goes down. Billy’s then resumes its activities as a local watering hole. It offers something for every appetite. Drink from a continually rotating tap selection. If you abjure meat, have a veggie hot dog. Sit at a picnic table on the patio. Play arcade games in the game room. Play darts or pool. Watch the game on one of the countless TVs. More often than not, you’ll be able to chat with Billy himself over a cold pint and basket of fried zucchini.

Best Wings in Austin?

Start off with mouthwatering bone-in Buffalo wings. Many argue that they’re the best in the city. A basket of 10 of these big wings will satisfy most appetites. Sauce, mild or hot, packs dry heat — spicy enough to be exciting, but not uncomfortable. It strikes the right balance of peppery, tangy, and sweet. It sticks to the wing but doesn’t distract from the flavor of the meat or end up all over your face and hands.

Beautiful Burgers

Many Billy’s fans come for the Uptown Burger. A trifecta of bacon marmalade, avocado, and bleu cheese give it extraordinary pizzazz. Those three ingredients rank with such other classic Texas trios as ZZ-Top and the San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker. They all work together so well precisely because they eschew flash. They focus instead on fundamentals and teamwork. Not a bleu cheese fan? Try a basic American cheeseburger. Can’t decide between a burger and a Frito pie? The El Jefe Burger comes with a Frito pie on it. No matter which burger you choose, you can’t go wrong.

Must-Eat Reuben

Do not miss the Reuben sandwich. Corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and 1000 Islands dressing bulge from between slices of rye bread toasted on a well-seasoned flattop until golden brown. Ruffles potato chips and a pickle spear accompany it. Like everything else about this beer & burger hangout, the presentation lacks all pretension. But the execution is on the money.

A picnic table on Billy’s patio is where you want to relax on a sunny Saturday afternoon, the game on, the dog at your feet, and the pitcher full.

Notes: A vegetarian menu offers veggie alternatives to many sandwiches and other menu items. Wednesday night is trivia quiz night. *Original Post Devin Garza*