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Thursday, March 10, 2011

Burgers Burger joint of the week: Thirst 'N' Howl

Posted by Kat Robinson on Thu, Mar 10, 2011 at 3:44 PM

SKIPPER BURGER: First stop off the boat at Thirst N Howl

Kat Robinson
SKIPPER BURGER: First stop off the boat at Thirst 'N' Howl

Okay, I have a significant pet peeve about waiters. I’ll air it right now: Unless you have a perfect photographic memory and a flawless record of error-less order-taking, do not attempt to take someone’s order without writing it down.

That’s how I got that burger right there, the Skipper’s Burger at Thirst ‘N’ Howl, with American cheese instead of Pepper Jack. And how one of my companions received Pepper Jack on his Thirst ‘N’ Burger. I wish it weren’t the only issue I’d had at the restaurant out on Highway 10... because I rather liked the burger itself.

Grav Weldon

I stopped by a few weeks ago with a couple of my favorite dining companions for a quick spot of lunch. The idea of a Gilligan’s Island themed restaurant seemed fun and lighthearted, and I’d already been alerted to the perceived awesomeness of the burger by an astute and happy reader.

The restaurant was smaller than I had expected, a real storefront bar and grill down the strip from Blue Cake Company and the like. There was a TV playing an endless stream of Gilligan’s Island reruns, a bandstand and some light beach themed decorations. It was also close to empty, being about two in the afternoon.

We sat down and nodded through the fanciful entries. The restaurant’s name, Thirst ‘N’ Howl, is a play on the name of Thurston Howell the Third from the series. Most of the menu items have related names — Mary Ann’s Coconut Shrimp, Ginger’s Hut Salad, Professor’s Crab Cakes. I lamented the lack of a “Little Buddy” menu for the kids — seems like a no-brainer to me. We all flipped the menus over and perused the burger menu. I was kinda surprised to see the term “hand patty” listed for each one. Surely they meant hand-patted…

One of my dining companions warned me about the tea. He had arrived earlier and said it tasted wrong somehow. On questioning our waiter admitted it came from a mix, “a very good mix, you should try it,” he mentioned. I opted for Dr. Pepper instead. That’s right, I’m a tea snob.

My two dining companions dared each other to give the Volcano Burger ($7.50) a try. It was listed as coming with pepper jack, lettuce, tomato, Million Dollar Sauce and jalapeno peppers. They backed off, neither one really wanting to take the risk in the middle of a work day. The Island Burger ($7.50) was tempting with its slice of grilled pineapple. When both of my companions decided on the Thirst N’Burger ($7.50) I figured I should go with the basics and settled for a Skipper’s Burger ($6.50).

Here’s where I had my problem. Our waiter came over and took our orders, without writing anything down. He’d gotten through mine and was on the second one when he had to check with me about my order again. I ordered my Skipper’s Burger with his suggestion of cheese, pepper jack. One of the guys went for American. I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised then when my burger arrived with American instead of pepper jack. I did alert him to the problem but dealt with it — I was short on time that afternoon.

Grav Weldon

Grav Weldon

We all took our usual pictures. The guys had both gone for seasoned fries instead of chips ($1.75 as a

Grav Weldon

“first mate,” $1.25 as a substitution) while I had chosen onion rings ($2.75 or $2.25 as a substitution). Their burgers appeared to be identical, half-pound patties with a layer of fire-roasted garlic ketchup tucked under melted-on pepper jack cheese with a topper of criss-crossed bacon slices. Both agreed — the idea of the ketchup was good and it didn’t detract from the burger… but it didn’t really add anything, either. The bacon was crispy.

Kat Robinson

One of my companions gave the mango mustard a shot on the side, and declared it to be “somewhere between a sweet and sour and a honey mustard sauce with a light kick of spice.” Next time I’m asking for that on my burger.

The onion rings were cornmeal breaded and appeared to be pre-made instead of housemade. I can overlook that. They were cooked through well enough to have that sweetness in them that I like.

Grav Weldon

The burger… well, it was a pretty good burger. Served with American cheese, the Skipper’s Burger is a classic All-American burger (you can also have it with Swiss or pepper jack). It’s a nice Cavender’s-and-black-pepper flavored half pound burger patty cooked medium well, sitting on a soft untoasted and unseeded bun, griddle-cooked with cheese melted into the patty. It comes with ridgy hamburger dill slices, red onion, a couple of chunks of tomato and green leaf lettuce with a gob of mayo under the top bun and a good quality

Kat Robinson

stoneground type mustard on the bottom. It’s a very good example of what most people think of in a burger.

But it does seem a little bit pricey for this market, just because of the whole fries/chips thing. I have become spoiled with great burgers at the same price that came with fries instead of chips.

Still, Thirst ‘N’ Howl’s burgers should be included on any list of good burgers in Little Rock. They are worthy. Let’s see how well the restaurant manages to hold its own amidst the plethora of burgers around these parts.

You’ll find Thirst ‘N’ Howl at 14710 Cantrell Road, the last shop back on the left in the little center. They have a Facebook page. (501) 379-8189. Check ‘em out.

Tags: burgers, West Little Rock, Thirst 'N' Howl

        
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Comments (8)

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We went to American Burger last weekend. While the burger was good, we had to wait over an hour. At first we couldn't even find a table and it was 1:30. We had to sit outside and it was very windy and cold. We decided it wasn't worth the wait or hassle of trying to find a table in a small restaurant. I had read about this place in the Arkansas Times. Everyone in the restaurant had to wait as long as we did. I guess their grill isn't very big, since they had to do one order at a time. We won't be going back. I can make a better burger at home, without the wait. :) Your review of this place doesn't seem that much better. So tell me, where is the best place to get a burger in Little Rock? Jan G

KAT: My opinion? In order of rank: Capital Bar & Grill, Hunka Pie, EJ's Eats and Drinks, Frostop (technically in North Little Rock), Cotham's in the City, Lulav, The House, Crazee's Cool Cafe, Burger Mama's, Starlite Diner (also in NLR). I'd also throw in Buffalo Grill but it has been some time since I've been there. And Town Pump comes highly recommended... another place I'll be going once I recouperate.

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Posted by Jan G on 03/11/2011 at 10:44 AM

Jan, I'm a fan of Purple Cow's burgers.
Food is very much subjective. This blog has many entries on burger places in central AR. If you click on the "burgers" tags, you'll find other entries on burgers.

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Posted by SocialistArkie on 03/11/2011 at 10:51 AM

Thank you, we will try the Purple Cow this weekend. Just love a good burger and can't get them in Clarksville. :) Will also check out the burger tags.

KAT: Jan, if you're coming from Clarksville you should stop in to CJ's Butcher Boy Burgers in Russellville. One of the top five burgers in the state. When you walk in your burger's a ball of meat in a cooler, your French fries are still a potato. Great burgers and fries and shakes -- and that's all they do.

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Posted by Jan G on 03/11/2011 at 11:10 AM

Jan or Kat, is CJ's affiliated with David's Burgers of Conway? David's is putting a place in Little Rock where San Francisco Bread Company used to be at the corner of Bowman and Markham. I'm looking forward to trying David's.

Just sayin!

Arky

KAT: They are indeed affiliated. I'm wondering if it'll be David's or another name; each Butcher Boy has an individual name.

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Posted by Arkanzin on 03/11/2011 at 1:26 PM

Kat-

I have to agree on the pet peeve, I am not impressed by the the waitstaffs perceived memory, far to many times even when waiters write it down they get it wrong.

I have taken to the policy (which many will not like) of not tipping when a waiter takes my order, does not write it down, and subsequently gets it wrong.

I know they don't get a decent wage, I know that they depend on tips, yada yada yada... I waited tables through college I know the drill.

For me normal service will get you 15%, above average gets 20%, and great service routinely gets you 25% from me, but get the order wrong because you wanted to look impress me with memorization and then get it wrong you get zero.

I have places I frequent and for some reason I always seem to get the same servers at those places, and they always give me great service. Could it be that they know great service equates to great tips.

Tip jars also irritate me, they are everywhere, I am surprised they have not shown up at my dry cleaners. Since when did handing me a to go order merit a tip?

Did not mean to get on a tipping rant here, but would be interested to see what others think about tipping. It's always a great debate.

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Posted by lawdog2010 on 03/11/2011 at 2:19 PM

So glad you find time to pen such a story about your recent experience with

heart-stopping, bleached white flour goodness with just the right touch of

fatty acids splattered all over the whiteflour tasteless heaven/earth a bun

symbolizes. How fortunate we are.

'Honey, can I have my fresh pineapple now?'

KAT: I'm not sure what to think of that, eLwood...

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Posted by eLwood on 03/11/2011 at 3:17 PM

Kat--another one to add to the list of best burgers locally is Arkansas Burger Company on Cantrell. The service there is usually pretty quick too unless they get a big crowd in all at the same time.

KAT: I have been remiss. I also left off Purple Cow (mentioned here by others), Markham Street Bar & Grill, Jerry B's and I'm sure a dozen other places. Little Rock does not lack in good burgers.

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Posted by NeverVoteRepublican on 03/11/2011 at 11:27 PM

Lawdog2010, I'm with you on the percentages.
I tend to not tip at "to go places." The only places that cross my mind on tipping when it's "to go" are places like Planet Smoothie and Tropical Smoothie. I believe everyone that works there (barring the manager) gets a little above minimum wage so I don't really think they DESERVE a tip but some days I feel generous OR I'll give them a tip if my smoothie is made very quickly.

I don't really venture out much for burgers because the ones I make at home taste pretty good.
My only pet peeve with Purple Cow are the sometimes noisy kids. I know it's a VERY kid-friendly restaurant but kid friendly shouldn't mean enduring crying kids or parents who think their child's voice should be heard all around the restaurant. I try to go to Purple Cow when I think they'll be slow.

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Posted by SocialistArkie on 03/12/2011 at 11:08 AM

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