Maple & Motor
4810 Maple Ave.
214-522-4400
Dude Factor: 9, or "Mama" Cass Elliot, on a scale of 1 (Billy Elliot) to 10 (Eliot Ness)
I believe the name of this place is actually Maple & Motor Burgers & Beer, but I'm pretty sure a "motor burger" also refers to something akin to a "Dirty Sanchez" or a "Cincinatti Bowtie," so I figured I'd do these guys a solid and cut down on confused, disappointed customers.
When I first saw Maple & Motor's building while on a jaunt down Maple, I couldn't help but be excited--finally, a promising looking burger joint opening within spittin' distance of Observer headquarters. I'd recently been burned by the disappointing Burguesa Burger, however, so I tried to maintain some healthy skepticism about the new venture.
With fellow Dude Food-er Jesse Hughey celebrating a birthday last week,
a few members of the Dude Food crew seized on the opportunity to try
Maple & Motor's grub--it was something like the post-YMCA
basketball Fuddrucker's celebrations I took part in as a child, only
for adults.
In what must be a good omen for Hughey's health, Maple
& Motor did not disappoint, with burgers that stand among some of
the best offerings in Big D. I'm not sure I'd go so far as the internet
reviewer who likened them to the fare at Angry Dog, but I'd definitely
rank the M&M burger (now that's an idea...) well above Jake's, the
other decent burger joint near Observer headquarters. The meat,
cheese and bacon on mine did not disappoint, but what really stood out
was the hot, buttered, grill-toasted bun. Likewise, a grilled cheese
(also with bacon, naturally) we sampled on another visit triumphed
thanks to hot, buttered Texas toast.
The fries and onion rings were also solid, though the bacon-cheese tots
our table received on accident were simply astounding. I've always
considered the tater tot the red-headed stepchild of the fast food
world, but those cheese tots have me seriously rethinking my philosophy.
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the fact that Maple & Motor is
still waiting their liquor license, which means you're entitled to two
small beers with your meal--for free. And I seriously had to fight back
tears when I gazed upon their soda fountain, which features Big Red,
IBC Root Beer and R.C. Cola, the world's best cola with somewhat questionable distribution.
The only thing they don't have is shakes or soft serve, which is
against burger joint law as far as I'm concerned. But I think they're
still within the 90-day grace period, so there's time to buy some ice
cream before I have to report them to the city,
Obviously, the Dude Food crew will be back to sample other offerings
like the fried baloney sandwich and the flat-top brisket sandwich, but
until then the memory of washing down artery-clogging cheese tots with
a cold R.C. will have to suffice.
And for all you handy dudes, Maple & Motor is located right across
the street from Elliott's, which bests the Home Depot/hot dog cart
combo any day of the week.
