Twisted Root Burger Makes Insane Burgers

There are a few facts a person must realize and know before they enter the great state of Texas. Facts such as high school football being characterized as a state religion, knowing that Chuck Norris is your God, and realizing that there is no better place to watch a sunset than in the Texas Hill Country. Facts such as these are near and dear to many people who call Texas home and while some of these “facts” may even be disputed, one in which all Texans can proudly agree on is that there is no more important aspect of life than the food that blesses our wonderful state. When people think of Texas food, they usually think of BBQ, Tex-Mex, Burgers, or Seafood (if you are on the Gulf Coast) and there is no doubt that these four corners definitely hold up the almighty Texas food scene throughout the state.

 

When speaking of classic Texas burger joints, the Dallas-Fort Worth establishment known as The Twisted Root Burger Company may in fact be the best burger you will ever have when visiting the region. Although many of their locations are in the immediate DFW area, there are Twisted Roots in Lubbock, Austin, and if you dare cross into Louisiana, one in Shreveport as well.

For this most recent assignment, I decided to attempt the Twisted Root located in the heart of Mustang country, which is only a few blocks from the beautiful Southern Methodist University Campus. The restaurant is often frequented by the college students who call the area home and is even known to be a hot spot for finding former president, George W. Bush, who has his own “assigned” booth that is strictly off limits when “43” is in town.

With the iconic SMU Pony decorated on the table in the form of Coors and Budweiser bottle caps, this specific table is the best of the best when it comes to seating at the Dallas Twisted Root. With a feeling of being more in a garage rather than a restaurant (every person in America only wishes their garage was a Twisted Root that’s for sure), then with a full size bar smack dab in the middle of the joint, the Twisted Root is one of the best places around simply based on atmosphere alone. When you factor in the burgers, fried pickles, adult milkshakes, and fried green beans… you begin to see why this place is like no other. Not only in DFW or Texas, but the entire “Burger Nation,” a place like Twisted Root is more than special.

One of the most unique aspects of the Twisted Root is their “Adult Shake” menu which consists of such delicacies as Amaretto & Oreo Cookies for your Cookies and Cream Milkshake, Bailey’s Irish Cream & Bananas Liqueur for your Bailey’s and Banana Milkshake, Crème Da Menthe & Chocolate for your Mint Chocolate Milkshake, or Strawberries & Bananas Liqueur for your Fruit Loop Milkshake. If you want to go on the sober side of things Twisted Root does offer non-alcoholic Milkshakes such as Toasted Marshmallow S’Smores, The Fat Elvis (Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Banana, & Bacon), Toasted Coconut Cream Pie, and many others.

While the Milkshakes are a very special aspect that helps separate the restaurant from others around, it is the sides which include Fried Green Beans, Fried Pickles, Homemade Sweet Potato Fries/Sweet Potato Chips, Onion Rings and their Regular Fries that make great additions to any of their delicious, hand-crafted burgers. With patrons literally ordering 2-3 burgers at a time, you know you are in a burger sanctuary. The Burgers are, and deserve to be, the center of attention with a jaw dropping menu that will catch any foodie’s eye as the menu welcomes everyone as they walk in the door.

From the “Spicy Goat” to the “Freshman 15,” these burgers are some of the best that will ever grace your taste buds. All the burgers, being offered are under $9, can be made with Beef, Turkey, and even Buffalo patties. The Burgers do not include sides, which is the only down side that made its appearance to me during my time at the restaurant. You can even have a Hot Dog version of the specific burger which is something I definitely will be trying next time. The available burgers at The Root are as follows…

THE SPICY GOAT • Chipotle sauce, Glenview Farms goat cheese & bacon

THE KEVIN BACON • 3 pieces of bacon & Danish Blue Cheese

RANCH HAND • House-made peppercorn ranch, bacon & Aged Swiss

SOUTHERN COMFORT • Cheddar Cheese, Fried green tomatoes & Bourbon BBQ glaze

LOTS-A-SHROOM • Baby ‘Bello Mushrooms, garlic & Aged Swiss

THE VERDE • Hatch green chilis, guacamole & Pepperjack

FRESHMAN 15 • French fries, cheddar cheese, a hard egg & 2 pieces of bacon

SEXY HAWAIIAN • Jalapeño Jack cheese, teryaki sauce, pineapple salsa & prosciutto

THE WESTERN • Pepperjack, bacon, fried onion strings & jalapeños

BIG TEX • Cheddar, guacamole, fried onion strings & chipotle sauce

ENOUGH SAID • Aged Cheddar, bacon-ranch sauce & potato chips on top

The burgers which specifically caught my eye were the fantastic looking “Western Burger” and the mouthwatering “Southern Comfort Burger,” so I naturally ordered both. Although I am usually someone who stays away from spicy items, such as the jalapenos on the Western Burger, the Twisted Root served up their jalapenos in a style in which there was an even distribution of sweet and spicy that was well received. This was a shock to me, but most definitely a good surprise to have. The bacon, fried onion strings, and pepper jack cheese tied everything in perfectly for the rest of the burger. Overall, The Western was a great choice.

While the Western was quite good, the Southern Comfort was the best burger I had ever had at any restaurant… the way that bourbon glaze encased your tongue with the pure beef flavor and the sweetness of the fried green tomatoes was literally one of the most enticing food experiences I have been blessed to receive during my 21 years on the planet. And then to add bacon to the equation… there was nothing better. Simply put, the Southern Comfort Burger was amazing…hands down amazing. If you do ever decide to frequent this wonderful temple of classic Texas burgers, be prepared to see a heavy crowd at night with a lesser crowd around lunch time during the weekdays. During the busy Dallas weekends, there is no other place as hot as The Twisted Root as this Texas classic will leave any foodie who rejoices in a burger, simply praying to our loving Texas God, Chuck Norris, for more and more Twisted Root Burgers.