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    The Tendermaid

    4.5 (81 reviews)
    InexpensiveBurgers, Delis, Fast Food
    Closed • 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

    The Tendermaid Photos

    THE TENDERMAID ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

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    Here it is!
    Denise C.

    What a fun experience! The nicest people and solid nostalgic kind of food. The malt, sea salt caramel banana, was OUTSTANDING!! Having never had a loose meat sandwich I took the advice of the friendly staff and was not disappointed. If you find yourself in Austin you should 100% go here for good food and great history along with the nicest family run place!

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    Su E. G.

    Their malt shakes are delicious! I got the bacon cheeseburger and banana malt shake. Their pricing is based on cash pricing so if you are paying with card, expect to pay 4% more. Their burger is chopped burger, so they serve it with a spoon. They have been around for 85 years!

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    Jingle M.

    Can't even tell you how long I've been eating at The Tendermaid . . Like maybe 40 years??? Family loved the burgers as kids and we still all go back if we're anywhere close by! The tendermaid sandwiches are still awesome (think crumbled sloppy joes without sauce). Add your choice of onions, cheese, mustard, ketchup, pickles and anything else you can think of! One big difference. I used to eat 2 or 3, so I ordered two. They are twice the size they used to be! Wowza . . my tummy . . . The tiny building looks exactly the same, but no counter seat sadly. Takeout only. Oh well, I'll still go again.

    Making my shake
    Mary T.

    I had completed my visit at the SPAM Museum. I asked Dave, a friendly and helpful SPAM-bassador, what recommendations he had for food in downtown Austin. I asked the right person! He has eaten his way around the city and gave me three suggestions. One of them was Tendermaid. He said that I could keep my car parked at the museum and walk over there. It's funny, but I actually saw this restaurant as I was heading over to the SPAM Museum. Google Maps got me to the museum's front entrance. I needed to find parking, so I drove around the block, as it's downtown and many streets are one-way. I had to do a full stop at an intersection and I was staring at Tendermaid. It reminded me of the small burger joints in Winnipeg. They are small, but mighty. Never knock a small burger joint. Anyway, I walked over to Tendermaid. There are two doors. Both work. Coming or going, just use whichever one works best. I was immediately greeted by a nice woman. I hung up my jacket and chose a stool in this cute diner that feels like I'm in the 50's or even earlier. I wouldn't know, as I'm not that old... haha! It was almost as if this woman knew that I like hearing about the history of a food joint and how the loose burger came into play. I loved all of that, including what I could order from the menus. This place is famous for its loose burger. It hasn't changed how it has made it for decades. Instead of a ground beef patty, you get loose ground beef that goes between the bun. It's like a sloppy Joe, but without it being drenched in sloppy sauce. There is an area where the loose ground beef keeps its temperature. This place had malts, shakes, and pop. I went with a black raspberry shake. It is made the way it was done back in the day. Cool! After going through the menu, I ordered a bacon cheeseburger, with jalapeno cheese, relish, and mayo. You can ask for whatever toppings you'd like. My black raspberry shake came out. I get moments where I am so floored by how good something tastes that I want to share how great it is with the world. It would have been odd to have told the man sitting three stools away from me about it. Instead, I told the woman who made it for me. She was delighted and didn't think I was crazy. The black raspberry had so much flavour. It was thick and creamy. It was excellent. My burger came out next. The woman gave it to me carefully wrapped up and said that I'll be needing a spoon. I love having such a different burger experience. I unwrapped by burger and took my first bite. It was awesome! The bacon was chopped into smaller bits, to complement the loose beef. I loved the jalapeno cheese that was in it. It was flavourful. I love relish and mayo in a burger. The bun was soft and perfect. I was elated! And, yes, you do need a spoon to scoop up the ground beef. It wasn't overcooked. It wasn't bland. It was yummy. I had another woman behind the counter ask where I was from. Not in a prying, nosy way. Just in a curious, friendly way. She told me that she loves Toronto and would love to visit again. This place accepts credit cards and cash. I paid with a credit card and I was good. You get mini Tootsie Rolls at the end of your meal. I liked the gesture. I got water in a plastic cup. I took it with me as I left. It was a nice touch. Part of me wanted another milkshake, but I didn't want to fall asleep driving away. It is worth coming here just for the shake alone. I thanked the two women there. They were so nice and friendly. Parking is at the back of the restaurant. There is plenty! You can also get Tendermaid t-shirts and more if you want a physical momento of your time here. I'd come back here again. I had a great lunch. Thanks to Dave back at the SPAM Museum for the recommendation. (24)

    Inside of diner
    Maria B.

    Loved it! Flew in from salt lake and drove straight to Austin for a couple Tendermaid's burgers. Totally worth waking up at 5 am, flying to Minnesota, not eating all day and rolling in for before they close at 4pm. Always delicious, we inhaled them in a couple minutes. The original with cheese or the one with thousand island sauce on it are the best. Get them with the pickles on them and don't forget a fabulous, smooth, best you've ever had chocolate shake! Love these folks may they stay open forever!

    Butterscotch shake

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    5 months ago

    The Tendermaid is always great. This place has been in Austin for almost 90 years. We go every time we are in town.

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    1 day ago

    Best spot in town!!! I met the owner and they're a great team. Best place to get a burger

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    2 years ago

    The loose meat burger was tasteless. The girls behind the counter were all very friendly. But I probably wouldn't go back.

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    3 years ago

    A classic! Sadly they are only to go since COVID but same old food. A great spot to stop :)

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    2 years ago

    Way too expensive and not even hot enough. It's a favorite of long time people whom delight in nostalgic rememberance.

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    5 years ago

    This is the old fashioned tender maid! You should have at least one in your life! This is my seven year old sons favorite restaurant! Enjoy!

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    5 years ago

    Looks can be deceiving but the food was excellent. A must if you are looking for something different but tasty.

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    Arby's

    Arby's

    1.0(2 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    •$

    While visiting my family in Austin, Mn I found myself hungry for a sweet Jalapeno Roast beef…read moreslider. You know the one... So I stopped in the drive through at Arbys on June 12,2019 at about 2 pm. Let's make that clear: ARBY'S, AUSTIN 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM 1305 18th Ave NW Austin, MN 55912-1857 (507) 433-2722 Store ID: #7573 I ordered 2 of those roast beef with jalapeno sliders and an onion ring. I had a $20 bill and a $1 bill in my wallet. The elderly woman with short curley gray hair told me the cost was $5.25. I gave her my $20 bill. She gave me change which I held in my hand in full view on my steering wheel and at that location. There was a sign for a collection to Alzheimers Research. I asked to give to the research and she held out a beaten old coleslaw container or something like what they serve a cup of food in. It made me wonder if it was legit. I dropped 75 cents in and asked where and whom was doing the research. They babbled to each other, no one seemed to know anything. So I started to count my change in full view. I was short $5.00. She hadn't given me the correct change. I told her. She turned away and spoke to a shorter gal with sort of a brunette or maybe slightly slate color hair in an above the shoulder straight cut. This gal came to the window and told me she would have to count the drawer. I told her the woman did not give me the correct change and I showed her the bills. I had been holding it in full view the whole time. She insisted I wait while she counted. I should have parked at the window. Instead, furious that she was calling me a liar, pulled to the parking lot, tried to be calm and went inside. I was supposed to be visiting family. My time was being stolen from me. The fellow at the register asked if I was ok. I told him, "No! I was not ok." I had been short changed and called a liar. I was furious. I don't know about you all, but them's fighting words where I come from. Normally I would have stood there and insisted she count in public view. However, I was already tired and ready to go. I dont like paying $10.25 for two sliders and onion rings. So I said a terse "goodbye!" and left. After speaking to my family about the incident and mulling over what had happened it dawned on me that this had happened before in the last visit my husband and I had made, possibly with the same women. I wonder how much supplemental income these two gals make every day they work there. I'm sorry that Minnesota has become such a den of dishonesty and thievery. Don't give them anything but the exact change if you want to keep what belongs to you.

    The employees are extremely rude, but the food is mediocre. There was one Employee named Ethan that…read morewas charming, but everything else was awful.

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    The Tendermaid - burgers - Updated September 2026

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