Shuggie's. Oh, balls.

So, I had planned to tell you guys about this delicious burger we discovered, from this trailer called Shuggie's down off of South 1st Street that also serves up a heckuva brunch every Sunday, and what happens?

 

They announce this morning that the place is closing.  Well, actually, the announcement was that Shuggie himself had been killed in a drive-by shooting by Ronald McDonald and Jack (in the box), but I'll forgive them the levity this once.  (Here's the link, though I don't know how long it will be active.)

 

We had some pictures languishing on our hard drive from a tasty brunch we ate about a month ago, so I'll show those off as an incentive for you guys to get to Shuggie's on Sunday - that's the last day they'll be serving!

First off, bring a pitcher of mimosas or your favorite brunch beverage - I don't think they have a liquor license.

We went with a group of 5, which meant we were able to order most of the menu, and enjoy it under spreading trees and umbrellas.  I'd definitely suggest grabbing a few people who like to eat, since the food's fairly heavy and it's all worth trying!

Sigh.  I'll miss this brunch, even though I only had it once (which might very well be part of the problem).

The Elvis Cristo is a good place to start, as well as a good way to get an idea of what kind of brunch we're talking about here.  This ain't no prissy fruit salad and dainty pinky-out cuppa tea type brunch, no sir - this is a fried peanut butter and banana sandwich with strawberry preserves.  A quarter of this did me just fine.

After your pre-brunch dessert, you can tuck into a plate of chicken and waffles, which I thought were well superior to Lucky J's offerings.

We also ordered some of their shrimp and grits, which seem to be extra well-liked.  The small portion was just fine, because they were pretty rich, but I found them to be a little bland when we tried them.  Salt helped, but didn't totally rescue the dish.

We also ordered their migas, which were really good - eggs and bacon and a passable cheese grit and some really, really good home fries.  Pictures didn't do these homefries justice, so you don't get any, sorry.

How about some doughnut holes, instead?

And, because this brunch was our first visit to Shuggie's, we also tried their burger funtime known as the Rambler.  It's topped with gouda, grilled onions, homemade BBQ sauce, and in a final finger thrown right up at your arteries, chicken fried bacon.

You heard me right.

And it was good.  Especially split several ways, and with our mimosas alongside.  I've always been one for savory breakfasts, so I see nothing wrong with a morning burger.  As long as you keep it light for the rest of the day (or week, for this particular specimen).

So, that was our first introduction to Shuggie's, less than a month ago.  We've been back a couple of times for their seriously good burgers, all soft buns and enormously wide, yet still thin patties.  The ingredients seemed good, and the burgers were among some of the best we've enjoyed in town (take THAT, Phil's Icehouse!).

So when I found out this morning on Twitter that they were closing, I immediately threw Logan out of bed and told him to get ready, 'cause we were having a freaking burger for lunch.

I expected there'd be a huge line.  I was wrong.  Huh.

A makeshift memorial had been set up, and lingerie flapped in the breeze.  For some reason.

It actually made me a little sad.  Not for "Shuggie," but for the folks working at the place.  Hopefully they'll get absorbed into the ever-growing Torchy's conglomerate.  The memorial didn't help my mood.

I stared at the menu, realizing there were so many things we'd never ordered.  The chili dog!  The house-made veggie patty!  Green chile cheese fries!  So many burgers!

So I ordered their fried chicken sandwich, the Yard Bird, and a lemonade.  Logan went for a classic cheeseburger and fries.

The Yard Bird wasn't bad, fried in a Lay's potato chips coating, with green chile mayo and otherwise normal burger toppings, but I can't help thinking that I missed my last chance to get a Shuggie's burger.  Logan liked his cheeseburger, like he knew he would, and the fries were so good I finished the stupid basket.  Sigh.

So, guys, you have two days to try this place out, if you haven't, or to go back one last time.  Have a burger for me, please, since I was too dumb to order one today.  Thanks, appreciate ya.

Otherwise, have a good weekend!

For now, Shuggie's can be found in the South Austin trailer park and eatery, at 1311 S. 1st street.  Their website is the same as Torchy's.

Comments

[Su-Lin]

What a shame - the food looks amazing! And that line is quite long though I suppose when the weather is bad, business would be bad too.

[Rachel @ Boots in the Oven]

Thanks! Yeah, between the economy and the weather, I imagine we'll have more closings in the next few months. Hope not, but fear so...