Remember when a good burger used to cost less than $10? At San Antonio’s Krazy Katsu, an affordable burger is not a thing of the past, so I paid the Asian-inspired chicken sandwich joint a visit to try its $7 smashburger.
Krazy Katsu can be found in a somewhat hidden Olmos Park-adjacent location inside a literal train car. Because of its size, pretty much all of the restaurant’s seating is outside, which can be a challenge during hot Texas summers, but taking your food to go is an easy solution to blazing temperatures. There’s also plenty of shade over the patio, so dining outdoors at Krazy Katsu is possible.
I arrived around noon on a Tuesday, entered the train car and stepped up to the order counter. The menu hung behind the Krazy Katsu employee who went over the options with me before I decided on a $7 smashburger with a small side of fries ($2) and a soda ($2.99). The total came to $13.54 before tip, a price comparable to other burgers available in the area.
Krazy Katsu’s single-patty smashburger is fairly standard with pickles, tomatoes, American cheese and lettuce, but the Kewpie mayo delivers a richer, more savory flavor than other Americanized versions of the topping. The soft, buttery buns were also a standout and did well to sop up any excess juices from the smashed burger patty, which was crispy around the edges yet succulent throughout. The fries were lightly seasoned and crinkle-cut, perfect for dipping into ketchup between bites of the burger, the real star of the show.
The rest of Krazy Katsu’s menu might not fall under the “Budget Bites” category, but the Asian-infused dishes are certainly an enticing draw for this small train-car eatery. I came for the $7 smashburger and certainly enjoyed it, but I might return for the panko-breaded chicken katsu sandwich or the green pandan burger…