Between the Buns Slides into Dallas’ Hearts (and Stomachs)

Nearly 2,000 people made it out in one of the first warmer days of the year for Between the Buns, a Dallas Observer event that had attendees tasting and voting for their favorite sliders from local restaurants.

Chef John Tesar was on the griddle for Knife’s pimento cheese burgers, and the Easy Slider truck was at the entrance of the event at the Shed of the Dallas Farmers Market. (For more Between the Buns photos, check out photographer Melissa Hennings’ slideshow.)

The winner was one of our personal favorites, too: Haystack Burgers and Barley with a chicken-fried steak slider.

Here are some of our other favored sliders from the day:

Haystack Burgers and Barley
Chicken-fried burger

Even if you were full by the time you got to this booth, you weren’t going to let a bite of this one go to waste. The chicken-fried steak on its own would’ve been good enough. But being sandwiched between a slightly sweet bun made it better. And, of course, jalapeño-bacon cream gravy never hurts, either.

Full Circle Tavern
Italian beef slider

You could tell the Italian beef was made with care and a well-thought-out recipe. Some pepperoncini peppers made this simple sandwich worthy of the voting coins that were quickly filling the jar at this table.

Dot’s Hop House & Cocktail Courtyard
Club Schmitz slider

The Deep Ellum spot with one of the best patio spaces also makes a damn good burger. The Club Schmitz (inspired by the double cheeseburger of the former bar by the same name) may seem like a simple enough burger, but it’s perfectly seasoned, balanced and towered between two buns. It made us think of cheeseburgers our grandmothers used to make.

Hutchins BBQ
Brisket slider

It wouldn’t be a food event in Dallas without a few barbecue options. This one was a straightforward brisket made better with some roughly sliced cabbage and a perfect bun. Too simple? No such thing when it comes to brisket.

Arepa TX
BBQ pulled-pork arepa

After you had fluffy bun after decadent, carb-filled, fluffy bun, the little pocket cradling slightly sweet barbecued pork made this a tasting you could enjoy without guilt. The slaw and pickle paired with it had us wanting more.