#3, Hopdoddy (Austin, TX)

At this rate, I won't eat 100 veg burgers in 2011.  As my husburger pointed out, I would have to eat one every 3 days, and I have been delinquent.  I started this blog with so much gusto, I have to keep the momentum going!  First and foremost, I promised a set of basic criteria for judging.  Here are the elements of a veggie burger that matter most to me...followers (few but mighty) and friends, please comment if I'm missing something important to you:

- Flavor
- Texture
- Consistency (grainy, fall-aparty vs. stick to-edness)
- Does it satisfy?
- Uniqueness
- Extras/Toppings (if restaurant)
- Bread (if restaurant)
- The intangible: will I crave it again?

Last weekend, we took a family trip to Hopdoddy.  It's a fancy new burger joint South of Congress that is in the tradition of Shake Shack.  The line was soooo long, but it's the second time I've tried to go, so we waited it out, even though Slider was breaking my back!  During the 30 minute wait to order, we decided against the beers that everyone else in line ordered, and shared a chocolate shake (mostly Slider's) that was delish.  The ambiance at Hopdoddy is really cool too.  Sleek, minimal, greens and browns, a nice bar in the center.  And not for kids.  High tables only = no high chairs.  The line made me think that I must be waiting for the best veggie burger in town, or had better be...

So, I ordered my oh-so-Austinite named Janis Joplin burger and we were escorted to a nice booth.  They do have a good system going on there.

Grade: B-/C+

What I liked: 
Presentation - I love the parchment paper on the silver tray, and a bunch of fries thrown on there.  Speaking of, I did like those fries.  The burger was unique for sure, and I did like the hempseed idea, and haven't ever tasted a veggie burger quite like it.  I also liked the sprouts they put on without my asking, and the avo.  Those definitely added to the experience.

What Missed:
Too grainy!  Little Miss Janis was falling apart the minute I lifted that (huge) veggie burger up.  Also was just too sharply mustard-y tasting, and just not the right mix of seasoning for me. Pickles at the restaurant were not dill, they were like bread and butter or something gross and gaggy.

What Slider Liked: 
Fries, big time.  I agree, they were that perfect fresh-cut, hot and flavored salt. Yum.  Rejected the veggie burger after multiple tries.