Finding a good burger in the Metroplex is about as hard as pushing a thumb tack into Jell-O. Finding a good Philly cheese steak on the other hand can be as frustrating as trying to teach a cat to sit. This is why I was thrilled to have found The Burger and Philly Shack.
The outside resembles something you might find near the beach or on the seawall in Galveston. There are dark shades over the windows and the parking lot is shared with a neighboring business. So I wasn’t entirely sure they were open when I first pulled up. Luckily, they had a neon sign to reassure me that they were indeed open.
Finding the Burger and Philly Shack can be a bit of a challenge as it is located off of the very busy Denton Highway. It is set back rather far from the street which makes it very easy to miss. The owner, who is a pretty funny guy, reassured me that he likes it this way because he doesn’t want every person out there to come flooding in. “I’m pretty picky about my customers” he said with a wink and hint of a smile. I guess I passed because he made my son and I feel right at home in his establishment.
Inside was a little dark with the shades over the windows, but not gloomy. I arrived at lunch time and there were a handful of other diners inside. Everyone seemed to know each other and enjoyed chatting about the news on the T.V. with themselves and the owner. It was a bit like being inside of Cheers, but with no bar.
I was excited that I had found a Philly cheese steak close to home, but a little apprehensive about it. A good Philly is sliced thin and piled high! The problem with it being so thin is that it is very easy to overcook the meat. It then becomes like trying to eat a dry piece of rubber. So the question remained, would this finally be the place to give me a juicy Philly?
Ordering was quick and simple. I asked for a Philly and asked if I wanted onions, mushrooms, or peppers. I was given a choice of cheeses and went with Provolone. When I asked what type of cheeses they had I couldn’t help but laugh when he listed Cheese Whiz. The owner said “don’t knock it till you try it.” I’m still not 100% sure if he was joking or not. I ordered sweet potatoes French fries with my sandwich. It came as a meal which included the fries and a drink for $8.99. That’s cheaper than some fast food places I go to!
My food arrived a little over ten minutes after I had ordered it. It was hot and fresh off of the grill. I was happy to see that my Philly was large and the meat was overflowing from the bun, just as I like it. As soon as I had my first bite I knew that I would be back again. The meat was cooked perfectly and had a nice rich flavor. The caramelized onions and small slices of onions complimented the melted provolone cheese. My only minor complaint would be that I would like it to have had a little more cheese in the mixture. It wasn’t that it was lacking, but it wasn’t as much as I am used to and I love my cheese!
I got my son a child’s meal which came with a bottle of Kool Aid. I chose the cheeseburger and regular fries for my son. To my surprise, the burger was a quarter pound, which was more than ample. They sliced it into four quarters to make it easier for him to eat. When it comes to service, I appreciate personalization so I appreciated that. Since there was more than enough food for my son I helped myself to part of his burger. The bun was fresh but the meat was just a little overcooked. The fries were fresh and not greasy. I think that they would be even better with a little more seasoning. Overall though, for the price of a kids’ meal, this was an amazing value.
The Burger and Philly Shack is now my go to place for when I have a Philly craving. Between their great food, friendly owner and great prices, I have a feeling that my cravings will occur on a weekly basis now!
Location: The Burger and Philly Shack