Big'z is a local hamburger joint, known for their large indoor and outdoor seating, play areas for the kiddos, and "cut above' burgers. We had visited the 1604 location in years past, and decided to visit their newest location on UTSA Boulevard. This facility used to be The Well, a dance hall and watering hole, now repurposed in the image of the other two restaurants.
First observation: PLENTY of parking! One enters, then faces an order window, the posted menu featuring single, double or triple meat burgers. Add on items include choices of bun, cheese, mushrooms, bacon, jalapenos (pickled or grilled). There are also chicken sandwiches listed, salads, as well as types of fries. Adjacent to the cashier is a chart of desired cook: well done, medium..etc. As the reader will note, this is not a typical fast food (McDonalds) style of burger...and the burgers are priced accordingly. An example: my single meat "base" burger was priced at $7.99. And loaded with pepper jack. mushrooms, and jalapenos, the dressed burger was $12.06. Fries were an additional $3.29. So, my order was $15.35. Patrons leave their name, and are called to another window when the order is ready. There is no waitstaff on the floor, rather 4-5 attendants that promptly police the tables after diners leave.
For those that enjoy brewed, fermented grains, there is a separate counter that serves only beer and a few wines, featuring over 50....yes over 50 beers on tap! There is a physically separate bar island offering mixed drinks.
The place is spotless, expansive, with multiple tables and booths for patrons. Music plays popular hits, the level easily allowing quiet conversation. There is porch seating left of the main dining area, and beyond, a grassy area, tree shaded with play area for the kiddos, picnic tables for outdoor dining. I did not notice any patrons with pets.
Marjan and I ordered the burger medium, and the finish was just as desired. Juicy, delicious, seasoned adequately, not overbearing. Our added items rendered the burger a very desirable lunch! Fries were gently fried, with soft interiors....just the way we prefer. We thought this was a respectable offering of a custom burger!
We must say, ours seems a contrarian review, as some other reviews of this location and of the other two locations, considered the physical plant unkempt, the staff surly, the food too pricey. (By way of price comparison, a similarly dressed burger at Chris Madrid, Five Guys, Chesters and Ginos deli are quite in line with the price of our custom Big'z burger.) And for some, they considered the Big'z burgers pretty pedestrian and lacking distinction. This was just not our experience on any of those issues. We did experience some delay at the beer counter, as the bartender was training other employees. We considered he should have dealt with his waiting customers (not just us), and completed his discussion after patrons were served. He also had difficulty with his credit card reader, that device low on battery. Nontheless, to his credit, he was pleasant, conversational throughout, offering tastings of some beers of which we had questions. With a relatively new opening at this location, expecting some operational hiccups, we forgave this small bump in the experience.
So our overall impression? We enjoyed the restaurant, the food, and the overall dining experience. We definitely will return. We rate the restaurant Marjan's origami rating of....4 boots! Enjoy yelpers! read more