(May 30, 2008) One thing I've learned after all these years is that while people like to say they want smaller portions, leaner meats, and ultra-healthy dining choices the truth of the matter is this: when a joint opens up that serves big ole fat and juicy burgers, thick shakes, and hand cut French fries, the line forms into the parking lot. Welcome to Mighty Fine Burgers at Braker and Mopac in the Arborwalk Center!

Burgers formed by hand at Mighty Fine

Mighty Fine is helmed by the people who run Rudy's BBQ in Austin. It's fair to say that they know a thing or two about pleasing customers. And the first rule, which Schlotzsky's probably wishes they had figured out, is to keep things simple.

The menu at Mighty Fine is just that: simple. They essentially have a Hamburger and a Cheeseburger. The key though is the meat is ground on site and the patties are hand formed. These burgers are 100% all-natural beef and are served with sliced onions, tomatoes, dill pickles, and lettuce. The customer can add bacon or jalapenos and you can specify Red (ketchup), White (mayonnaise) or Yeller (mustard). Now that's simple. Last visit we tried ½ pound Cheeseburger with Red, White and Yeller. The meat was tender, juicy, and bursting with the kind of flavor that has endeared great cheeseburgers to generations of Americans. My dining partner added bacon and jalapenos to hers and the result was additional oohs and aahs. I think I heard her say: "you know, this is mighty fine!"

We also tried the sole remaining meat offering: the Chopped Chili Cheese Dogs. Now I'm not a chili dog fan as a rule. Know that going in. But the dogs were quite good [although I have to admit that I removed a bit of chili from mine ] and you could tell the freshness and quality of the meat.

And then I had the Crinkle Cut Fries. Mighty Fine claims to serve the only fresh cut crinklecut fries in Texas. And who am I to dispute them? They even bought a special machine to make these puppies and I can only tell you that they are awesome: crispy and reminiscent of the fries of my youth. And they have staying power: 15 minutes after hitting the table, they are still crisp and not the least bit soggy.

You also cannot leave Mighty Fine without trying one of the hand-dipped shakes [vanilla, chocolate and strawberry or course]. These are smooth and tasty, the kind of shake that will stand a straw straight up (and isn't that the ultimate test). It's the strawberry for me. The shakes are so good that you have to time the consumption. You know, you want to finish the burger and fries so there is one big sip of the shake left. Or, of the tangy and tart fresh-squeezed Original or Strawberry lemonade. That is equally good.

Ken Schiller told me the name of the restaurant came from his grandfather's favorite expression" Mighty fine." A damned good choice. My grandfather's favorite expression was "peachy keen." You know, that could have worked too. So head out to Mighty Fine burgers. If the décor reminds you a little of Rudy's BBQ, well that would be mighty fine, or peachy keen.

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