The self-proclaimed “Home of the Best Burgers in Town” is Tom’s, and they may not be bragging. The grill for the burgers and steaks uses smoked pecan wood to provide a unique flavor. This is also a popular spot for breakfast, hand-spun shakes, made from scratch onion rings, and a chicken fried steak with batter rolled in potato chips. If you want to eat where the locals eat, try Tom’s Burgers n Grill. And while burgers are the specialty, I recommend the Shrimp-Bacon Specialty Wrap.
TOM’S BURGERS N GRILL
1530 N. Cooper (Cooper at I-30, southwest corner)
Open daily at 6am
(817) 459-9000
http://tomsburgersngrill.com
The retro look, both outside-and-inside, gives patrons the feel of the old-fashioned diners.
Located at the southwest corner of Cooper @ I-30, the big sign makes Tom’s easy-to-spot.
Tom’s looks like an old-fashioned diner and has that kind of feel, too. If you want, you can sit on the stools at the lunch counter. Tuesday nights are busy because it’s Half-Price Burger Night.
The grill for the burgers and steaks uses smoked pecan wood. You can also order a hot dog, bratwurst (soaked in beer) or smoked sausage off the grill (then add sauerkraut, smoked onions, chili, cheese, jalapenos, etc.)
Using a wood-flamed grill, these burgers are great. But I think it’s their buns (toasted butter-brioche) that make the real difference. The buns are really good and fresh.
Tom’s is also well-known for their made-from-scratch onion rings which are served with a homemade dipping sauce that regulars buy by-the-pint and take home with them. The onion rings are cut thick with lots of batter. You can get them as a side-dish with your burger or sandwich (a slight extra charge), or order them as an appetizer.
I also recommend trying the Chicken Fried Steak which is hand-battered in potato chips (that’s right….BATTER INCLUDES POTATO CHIPS!), then fried with secret seasonings.
The burgers are the specialty (1/3 pound starting at $4.49; ½ pound up to $7.29 for most expensive) and there’s a good variety including patty melts. I ordered the 1/3 pound mushroom swiss with a side of onion rings, and it was more-than-enough.
There are Monday-thru-Friday daily lunch specials and Burger Baskets that range in price from $6.99 to $8.99. I love a place where you have a choice of fries or tater tots with your burger basket!
In addition to burgers, there are specialty wraps (grilled chicken; turkey; shrimp/bacon; chicken fajita) that range in price from $6.79 to $8.49. There are also sandwiches, including their “Famous Chicken Fried Steak Sandwich”.
Tom’s also features homemade soup of the day and homemade chili.
Heads-up to families: Kids Eat Free on Thursday nights!!!!
And if you’re a UTA student, you get a discount with your student discount card. And if you’re wondering why there are UTA pennants decorating the walls, it’s because Tom graduated from UT-Arlington with a mechanical engineering degree. Tom left the world of engineering to open this restaurant in 2006. He jokes that he now builds-a-better-burger. You’ll probably see Tom working behind the counter or in the kitchen during your visit.
The daily lunch & dinner specials are: MONDAY – Fried Catfish on Mondays ($8.99 lunch, $9.99 dinner); TUESDAY – Cheeseburger Club for lunch and half-price burgers for dinner; WEDNESDAY – Featured Burger Night; THURSDAY – Chicken Fried Chicken for lunch and dinner and Kids-Eat-Free on Thursday nights; FRIDAY – Steaks (prices vary by cut & size); SATURDAY & SUNDAY – Breakfast Steak & Eggs ($10.99) as a breakfast, lunch & dinner steaks (prices vary by cut & size).
The Kids’ Menu ($3.99) includes choices like: mac n cheese, spaghetti, pb&j, kid dog, grilled cheese, or chicken fingers.
Click here to take a look at the daily full lunch/dinner menu: http://tomsburgersngrill.com/menu-lunchndinner.html
Speaking of BREAKFAST: Tom’s opens each morning at 6am for breakfast which is served until 11am (breakfast served ‘til 1pm on Saturdays & Sundays). You can BYOO (Build Your Own Omelette – three eggs with three addings) for $7.29. Chicken fried steak & eggs is $9.49. You may choose to go with the Southern Benedict rather than the Eggs Benedict (they use a biscuit & sausage instead of an English Muffin & ham on the Southern Benedict). Or you can go with migas ($6.49) or chorizo & eggs ($5.99). The breakfast burrito (includes a side of hash browns) is $5.69.
The kids’ breakfasts cost $3.99.
Click here for the full standards breakfast menu: http://tomsburgersngrill.com/menu-breakfast.html
I also want to quickly mention the appetizers on the lunch/dinner menu…..it’s probably the most unhealthy item on the menu, but the bacon cheese fries ($5.99) are awfully good!
And since we’re on the topping of not-good-for-you…the hand-dipped shakes are $3.49 (but worth every calorie!).
In a hurry and don’t have time for a sit-down inside the restaurant? You can order on-line for carry-out. Click here for the link: http://tomsburgersngrill.com/
Arlington Insider 