In May, Mad Mack’s Burger Co. faced a delay in operations after a vehicle struck the small blue shack on San Antonio’s Southside. Months later, the burger business is going strong, with a menu of affordable eats that could give larger chains a run for their money.
I stopped by Mad Mack’s on a Tuesday, a little after 11 a.m., for an early lunch, and folks were already enjoying their burgers. The blue shack is essentially one big patio with a window where orders are taken and called out when ready. There’s a drive-thru for those who need to get in and out quickly, but on this day I stopped in to try the full Mad Mack’s experience.
My burger of choice was the single-patty mushroom Swiss, which comes with lettuce and tomato, for just $7.99. I added an order of fries and a canned Big Red to bring the total to $12.71, a price comparable to the simplest burgers at some other spots. After that, I grabbed one of the picnic tables and waited briefly until my meal was ready for pickup at the window.
The first couple of things I noticed about this burger were the bun and the patty. The bun was toasted but delicately packed so as not to smash the bread into crumbs, and the patty was extra crispy around the edges, providing a nice char that I appreciated. These elements, combined with the grilled mushrooms and melted cheese, made for a satisfying dining experience.
I could have lived without the fries, though I will say they were well seasoned and came out hot from the fryer. My decision to pair the meal with a Big Red was absolutely the right one. For less than $13, I got plenty of food, with flavorful bites throughout. I would consider going back to Mad Mack’s to try one of their other specialty burgers, especially since even the double-patty ones were priced under $12…