Gourdoughs Public House Review – Burger Donuts!

Gourdoughs is a food trailer turned brick-and-mortar restaurant that has been named one of The 10 Food Trucks You Need to Visit in Austin, one of the 25 Best Austin Restaurants and has been featured by the Food Network UK and Bizarre Foods America.

When you think of Texas, a few things conjure up in your mind – desert, cowboys, guns, secession from the Union – and then there is Austin. Keep Austin Weird is the motto and Austin has more hipsters than cowboys, but when it comes to food, Austin is quintessential Texas. The primary conversation revolves around beef ribs the size of your arm and whether La Barbecue or Franklins is better. But if you extend your adventures outside of the traditional BBQ and Tex-Mex, you will find a mecca of other unexpected culinary creations. Enter Gourdough’s, a 1978 Airstream trailer cranking out piping hot fresh donuts that are out of this world.

The trailer was created by Paula Samford and Ryan Palmer and became so wildly popular that it quickly expanded to two brick-and-mortar locations. Originally created as a distraction from their real estate jobs, Samford realized it was meant to be when all of the 23 original menu items came to her within an hour. Neither Samford or Palmer have classic training, so in expanding their menu the pair relied on their friends’ and family’s favorite foods to imagine such creations as the Ron Burgundy.

There is no proper way to start this meal but I recommend bringing friends so you can try several menu items. A donut burger is a must and there is no better than the El Camino. They take a fresh-fried donut, cut it in half and stuff it with Angus beef, a chipotle cheese blend, chipotle mayo, jalapeños, bacon, cilantro and fried onions. It sounds absurd (like a heart attack between a bun) but it somehow works. The donut is heavier than a regular donut in order to hold its contents yet remains pillowy soft inside making this warm bun the perfect vessel for a burger. The donut isn’t sweet and the smokiness from the chipotle makes this dish truly savory.

Now this is where Gourdough’s really hits the mark (and all those late-night cravings). The Flying Pig is a maple-glazed donut topped with bacon. At first, you may think it is crazy to pay $6 for a donut. But these are no ordinary donuts. That will be clear when you see the sheer size alone as it is delivered piping hot to your table and a fork and knife is needed to conquer it. After your first bite, your mouth will be filled with all of the flavors of breakfast with this classic salty-sweet combo and you will soon be throwing around dollar bills in celebration. I recommend it with a side of bourbon.

The Salty Balls – so many jokes, so little time. After you snicker through the order, you will be delivered a bowl of donut balls covered with cream cheese frosting, salted butter caramel sauce and dry roasted peanuts. Each bite has everything you could ever want: soft, sweet, salty and crunchy. Euphoria sets in and everything becomes right in the world as you slip into a food coma. These balls are worth every calorie and surely will not be the worst thing you did this weekend.

Gourdough’s menu ranges from diabetic-shock sweet (see the Black Betty) to savory with some heat (see the Dirty South) and even has salads (not that such a thing is encouraged here), so there truly is something for everyone. The staff is also stocked with donut enthusiasts who are standing by to assist you in narrowing your options, put your faith in them.

It is hard to miss with all of the smells of fresh-fried dough wafting through the air, but Gourdough’s Public House (in downtown Austin and on South Lamar) is also a bar, and a damn good one at that serving up local craft beers, delectable cocktails and $3 fireball shots. The downtown location is open until 3 a.m., so after you are done partying on West 6th Street stumble on over for some doughy creations that are sure to soak up all that alcohol you consumed while gyrating to Tove Lo in the club.

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