Dunston's Steakhouse - March 17, 2010

This weeks's burger rave took us to the Park Cities location of Dunston's Steakhouse on Lovers Lane between Inwood and the North Dallas Tollway. Dunston's has been in this location for over 39 years and as we walked up to the door, the smell of wood smoke was heavy in the air. We were excited as we walked into the dark restaurant with a salad bar and wood fired grill featured prominently near the seating area. We were seated by a server and a pitcher of water and menus were brought to our table. We asked the server if the burgers were thin style or thicker patties and we were told they use a thin patty so I ordered a bacon double cheeseburger with grilled onions and a side of onion rings. The server asked how I wanted my burger cooked and I told her medium. We kept expecting to see our burgers cooked on the grill but when we asked we were told all burgers are cooked in the back kitchen. I would have liked to have the burgers cooked over open flame but I also realize that thin-style patties work best on a flattop. About 15 minutes later, the following burger was brought to the table:





Two meager but crispy slices of bacon were halved and placed on the bottom bun. The two thin patties had a layer of gooey melted cheese between them and then mayonnaise was placed on the top bun. The grilled onions were thick rings of onion and were served in a small bowl on the side. I took my first bite and tasted mainly the whole wheat bun with a slight flavor of burger and bacon. The patties were cooked fine but really had no flavor or seasoning and tasted like frozen patties. The bacon was nonexistent in the flavor of the burger. I took a small bite of a slice and it was crispy and had a good flavor but the slices were too small for the size of the bun. Onion rings were thick rings of onion that were breaded. Some were really good but others could have used a little more time in the fryer to cook out the excess moisture from being frozen.


Overall I was disappointed in the burger offering at Dunston's. Going to a steakhouse that prides itself on mesquite grilled prime steaks, we were hoping for a really good burger made with fresh ingredients especially when the total bill for a bacon double cheeseburger with grilled onions was $12.12 before tip. I will probably go back to try the steak offerings but definitely will not be ordering another burger.


Ratings (1-25):


Bun - 17, ok bun but overpowered the rest of the burger


Meat - 15, unseasoned thin frozen patties, meager but tasty slices of bacon


Appearance - 17, gooey cheese between two patties, looked good on the plate


Taste - 16, an ok burger that could have used additional seasoning and fresher meat


Overall - 65