Patty Palace

Sometimes you want a thick, juicy burger with a little ribbon of pink through the middle. Other times you just want a patty that’s smashed so thin it might get mistaken for an ancient piece of papyrus. Patty Palace is for when you want the latter. 

photo credit: Richard Casteel

photo credit: Richard Casteel

photo credit: Richard Casteel

photo credit: Richard Casteel

photo credit: Richard Casteel

There are only two main items on the menu at this burger trailer at St. Elmo Brewing in South Austin—a beef smashburger and a veggie burger. The beef version is about as classic as they come, with super-smashed crispy-edged patties, grilled onions, a few slices of pickles, cheese, and some mustard or special sauce. And you can get it without waiting in a long line like you might find at other hyped-up burger spots. The veggie version is made with a housemade patty of mushrooms, chickpeas, carrots, lentils, and probably a ray of sunshine. It’s a little thicker than its beefy counterpart, but it holds together surprisingly well and never feels like a second-place option. 

photo credit: Richard Casteel