Twistedly Good Burgers

Lubbock is not exactly known for having a wide array of good restaurants; in fact, I’m a little sick of eating Whataburger myself. In the past several months, however, there’s been a boom of new openings.

With additions of Qdoba, Red Robin, Back 40 Grill, and Freddy’s Frozen Custards and Steakburgers, Lubbock grubbers have more diverse and yummy options than ever, and there is more on the way, with Hurricane Grill & Wings projected to open October 20.

The latest restaurant to open in the 806 is sure to give Blue Sky and Spanky’s a run for their money – putting unconventional, imaginative twists on a classic burger joint.

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Twisted Root Burger Co. in Lubbock, Texas

Twisted Root Burger Co. opened a new location on North Slide and Loop 289 (next to Alamo Drafthouse Cinema), adding to their list of restaurants all over Texas, including Dallas, where they are the reigning ‘Best Burger’ in the city, according to D Magazine’s Readers’ Choice 2011-14 and the Dallas Observer 2008-13.

These are not any ordinary burgers. Where else can you get a burger topped with a fried egg, bacon and French fries. The monster dubbed ‘the Freshman 15’ is just one of the mouthwatering items on the menu.

Every gourmet burger is unique and a tad of a boundary-pusher. I can personally attest to ‘the Freshman 15,’ but if you are trying to get weird, the ‘Sexy Hawaiian’ with jalapeño jack cheese, teriyaki sauce, pineapple salsa and prosciutto is one of their signatures. Another one of Twisted Root’s items is more of a Texas classic: a burger topped with pepperjack cheese, bacon, fried onion strings and jalepenos, called ‘The Western.’

'The Western' burger

‘The Western’ burger

They also offer customized burgers, with a list of toppings that includes some oddities like nacho cheese, Frito’s chips, garlic mushrooms, and peanut butter, as well as a pickle bar with four different kinds of flavors. If you don’t have enough food piled on your burger, cheddar fries, sweet potato chips, fried pickles,  green beans, and more are offered on the side. Twisted Root can even satisfy the biggest sweet tooth with house-made custard shakes, and it also has adult shakes like ‘Banana and Bailey’s’ and ‘Oreo and Amaretto.’

Everything about this place is out of the box. While dining at Twisted Root, you are given a new identity (well, at least when picking up your food.) The elderly man in line in front of me became Young Jeezy; I had to answer to Lisa Simpson, and Ron Burgandy and ‘Yonce were called on the speaker system, consequently making me feel a little bit of jealousy.

With its lively, fun atmosphere, Texas themed décor, large, open patio, and full bar in the middle of the restaurant, Twisted Root is a prime place to enjoy some good brews and some really good burgers.

About Nicole Crites

Entertainment Director - Senior journalism major from Fort Worth, TX