There’s always talk of the best burgers in town and yadda yadda. If Wingfield’s isn’t the best in Dallas then The Grape offers the best in Texas. It can be a bit much. However, I’m hoping one restaurant makes any of those lists next year. A trio of us Voicers went to Maple & Motor Burgers and Beer today for lunch on a whim and left feeling greasily satisfied.
As you can see, the outer facade is very simple and inside, they don’t go for the cheesy diner look. Instead they keep it clean and modern with corrugated tin at the counter and booths and tables that are both stylish and retro. It looks like the twin burger brother of Taco Joint in East Dallas.
Counter service was easy with a refreshingly simple menu of either a burger or a cheeseburger and a small handful of other sandwiches. Chance observed that M & M seemed “focused on perfecting the basics rather than having a million options that are simply mediocre.” I paid a smidgen extra for bacon on my cheeseburger. Kristina and I added the obligatory fries and soft drink which was self-serve but Chance went with the onion rings. Root beer fit nicely here but the sweet tea really wasn’t. No matter because I was pretty stoked they had RC Cola. Score!
- Reliable fried sides may look ordinary but have great crunch and taste.
Upon arrival of the burgers to our table (one at a time), I heard angels sing when the top bun was glistening. The burger was a two-hander for sure with a burger patty cooked to a rather medium-well perfection. The cheese was a melty ideal and the lettuce and pickles weren’t overbearing but not invisible. The slight grease drippings that fell from elevation to the mouth weren’t ever icky as much as a welcome site compared to some of the dryer patties around town.
- It might look small but trust, it’s a handful.
Chance offered his unique perspective and said, “Hot doctors abound, with the Medical District just around the corner, and a few blue hairs to boot, what’s not to love? Not exactly sure who their target demographic is, but the gays had better stake their claim, stat!”
Our bills averaged about $10. Owner Jack Perkins came around greeting people when he had some downtime. It was a nice touch and he even remembered Chance’s face from his first time there. Impressive. Despite it’s location across Elliott’s Hardware, M & M is a funky addition to the fringes of the gayborhood.
On the ride back, we were no less than impressed. Kristina kinda summed it up for us, “That burger was so good, I’m full three whole hours later.”
I definitely second that.
- These homemade whoopie pies are like a big fat cake-y Oreo.
Absolutely Amazing food! My partner and I went last Tuesday and had a wonderful experience. I then turned around and took co-workers there Thursday and Friday! Two Thumbs Up!!!
Haven’t had a chance to experience it yet but it seems pretty packed when I pass by it everyday. I hope it remains successful.
Whoopy pies have been a dessert/snack staple up here in New England for years. The owner or manager must be from NE.
The owner (me) is a native Texan born right down on Colorado Blvd. We call the dessert a Gob. The recipe is from my mother-in-law. She and my wife are from Western PA where the dessert is a staple.
I went to eat there today, because Arnold Wayne Jones wrote on his facebook page today that he had a great burger, but never responded where and I remembered reading this back in Sept. so decided to give it a try. Fantastic. Burger $4.50, Onion Rings $1.95, Drink $1.50. Nice thick piece of meat. Not a frozen patty. Home style. Ground beef formed into a thick patty. Red/purple onion slices. Tomato. What appeared to be dill pickle relish. Lettuce. And of course, mustard. Batter on the onion rings not to thick and doughy. Just right. Decor, relaxing, clean. When I went, at 4pm, no other customers, I liked it that way, cause I had my choice of seating. Booth was nice and roomy. Owner Jack was polite and introduced himself. Now, I love Hunky’s. I especially like giving my gay dollars to gay owned businesses. I’m a big believer in buying gay when I can. However, there’s a problem. Meat twice as thick and lower prices. I would suggest the owners of Hunky’s go have a burger at M&M and consider matching the competitions quality and price, or they must just loose some business, including mine.
my friend daniel toke me there last sat., it was delicious! We were there a couple of days after the d mag article broke. We sat at the bar,drinking mimosas, and watched the place fill up to an overflow.