Monday, December 30, 2013

Big State Drug

Since many of the Burger Babes are teachers and we have two glorious weeks off, we opted for a daytime excursion this month and we went to Big State Drug in Irving. Big State is a family owned pharmacy/diner/gift shop that's been around since 1948.  This was actually my third time to visit Big State, although the first time I've been for a burger.  Previously I've had the fried egg sandwich and the BLT . . . highly recommend either of them!

Service was super fast.  Esther, who arrived a few minutes after we had ordered, got her meal at the same time we did.  I guess it helps that it's a small establishment; it seats maybe 15???

I ordered the Bacon Cheeseburger with fries.  After just a few minutes, this is what was delivered to me:

The patty was done, with a bit of char, which I always appreciate.  And it was a nice thickness.  Not so thin that you want to order double meat, but not so thick that it doesn't fit on the bun.  I'm always intrigued by the condiments a burger place offers.  Big State will prepare your burger with mustard, mayo, or both, but it's up to the customer to add the ketchup.  To me, ketchup is the non-negotiable.  But no biggie, easy to add.  As usual, the shredded lettuce made a mess, but I fought through it.  The bacon was definitely the absolute best part of the burger.  My burger had three beautifully perfectly prepared strips of bacon, overflowing out of my burger.  The fries, unfortunately, were not anything to speak of.  I'm pretty sure they are Ore Ida.  And I'm fine with Ore Ida when you add some seasoning and do something to make it your own.  Just like a brownie or cookie mix.  Add a chopped up Milky Way to the brownie batter, or a teaspoon of almond extract to the sugar cookie mix to make it have that homemade feel.  That's how I feel about Ore Ida french fries.  

Overall, I'm not super impressed with the burgers at Big State.  Future visits would include the aforementioned fried egg sandwich, or even a malt.  I know that many consider Big State an Irving institution, but after having had so many fabulous burgers over the last few years, it's hard to get excited about their burgers.  Not that they're bad, they're just not great.