Note: The establishment has since changed names to Mark’s Outing, but from what I can tell it is similar owners.
East of the railroad tracks from downtown on Commerce is a bright yellow restaurant called Fatty’s Burgers. I had been eying this restaurant for a while and when I was at the AT&T center box office to purchase Spurs tickets, I decided to try ole Fatty’s out.
Both the outside and the inside of the restaurant is a bright yellow that can’t help but to cheer you up. When I got to Fatty’s, there was a large family and a police woman in line in front of me (I know that the food would probably be good if one of San Antonio’s finest was picking up lunch for the station). While I guessed that it would take some time to get everyone’s orders filled, the staff seemed to move like molasses at Christmas time (and in a South Texas type of December, but a cold Minnesota December…). I decided to go ahead and wait it out because I was interested in finally seeing what their burger tasted like.
I ordered the 4 oz “Batter Up” bacon cheeseburger (there is a sports theme for all their burgers) and added on a small side of beer battered onion rings along with a water. I couldn’t believe it but they actually charged me a quarter for my water (who does this!) so my whole meal set me back around $8, a little pricey for lunch without a drink.
I took my number and grabbed a seat and waited… and waited… and waited… If you are in a hurry, I would not advise you to visit Fatty’s unless you call your order in. However, while I was waiting, I did notice that they had a pot of pinto beans that were for the dine in customers to enjoy.
Before I found the pinto beans I felt like a little kid waiting in anticipation for Christmas morning, after discovering them time just melted away. They were incredible. There was just the right amount of spice that lingers on your lips and causes them to tingle. I had to have seconds (and trust me, I had the time to enjoy them); if the pinto beans were any indication of what was to come then I knew the wait was worth it.
I finally got the meal and was not disappointed. The burger was greasy, juicy, and flavored with house seasoning. The bacon was crispy and the bun was nice and toasted and smothered with mayo. I absolutely loved the onion rings as well; they were kind of sweet and piping hot.
Sometimes good things come to those who wait; check your sense of time at the door, bring your book (or maybe two), and enjoy your Fatty Burger and onion rings.
Value: 7/10 (about $8 for a burger and side at lunch; get dinged because they charge you a quarter for water!)
Atmosphere: 9/10 (a very nice burger joint type of atmosphere)
Service: 8/10 (slow service and nice, but nothing to write home about; I did notice that they seem to interact with their locals pretty well)
Taste: 9/10 (my, now that’s a tasty burger; the complementary pinto beans are exceptional!)
Website: http://www.fattysburgers.com/
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