Willy O's--Info & Reviews
This restaurant has CLOSED!
The information on this page is kept here for historical purposes and for the benefit of future generations
1335 E Whitestone Blvd
Cedar Park TX
260-7344
- Service: Counter
- Cuisine: Hamburgers, Breakfast, Breakfast Tacos
- Coke or Pepsi: Coke!
Overall Rating:
About Willy O's
New local soon-to-be-chain touting fresh Angus beef, fresh cut fries and fresh baked buns. Their website proclaims they have "the most incredible hamburger on the planet" and "one of the most memorable burgers in history".
Elsewhere Online
- Austin Business Journal article
- An article discussing the founders of the Willie O's concept. They did not ask the origin of the goofy name.
Staff Reviews (Your Reviews Below)
Could Be Better
Reviewer: Chris
Original Review Date: 02/29/2008
Rating: +1/+3(Not bad)
Read about this place on Chowhound. It's a bit of a drive, but sounded like it might be worth it. They tout their all-fresh ingredients--Angus Beef burgers, fresh cut french fries. So, I made the trek up 183, bypassing the toll road and wound my way up to Cedar Park to the brand new development that houses Willy O's. Pretty desolate there at the "1890 Ranch" development. Still lots of construction going on. It's right at the NW corner of the 183A toll road and 1461. I had some trouble finding the restaurant--it's back behind the Super Target.
The place has an "upscale fast food" decor--still very antiseptic fast foody, but not as pedestrian as your average Chick-Fil-A or Whataburger. But certainly devoid of much character or charm.
You walk up and place your order at the counter, and receive one of the vibrating pager thingys that starts buzzing when your order is ready.
The first thing I noticed is the griddle, staring me in the face as I wait in line to order. Yep, another grill-snubbing brand new burger concept place (see Mighty Fine also). I don't get why these new "burger concept" places drop the ball on the cooking method.
So I get the burger (no cheddar available, only american) and some of the regular fries (they also offer something they call "ribbon fries", which I have only seen served at the great State Fair of Texas until now--they are like a potato transformed into one long corkscrewy-potato chip, if you can imagine that, to which they will apply (taking a page from the Burger House book) your choice of seasoning salt...but back to my meal). Burger was ok--fairly thin patty, griddle-cooked. Nothing special, but not bad. The fries were pretty good. They are indeed fresh-cut, and the "small" size serving which I ordered was quite large.
So, to summarize:
Pros
- Decent tasting burger
- Decent tasting fresh-cut fries
- Generous serving of those fries
Cons
- No onion rings
- No cheddar cheese
- Griddle-cooked burger, standard thin patty
- Too damn far away
So, for those in the vicinity, it's worth a stop for a decent fast-food burger. But not worth a special trip. And their milkshakes are supposed to be good, but I did not indulge.
Your Reviews (add a review)
Reviewer: Alan 69.149.116.9
Review Date: 01/09/2009 12:30PM
Rating: -1/+3(Crap)
Just as I predicted in July - they are closed due to crappy food, crummy service and high overhead costs. Moonie's watch out!!
Loved the mushroom burger!
Reviewer: Lila 72.177.6.40
Review Date: 11/10/2008 01:03PM
Rating: +2/+3(Goooood)
We've been here twice and both times we really enjoyed our burgers. The first time we ordered the curly fries (plain) and the second time we got the regular fries. The curly fries win hands-down. They are more like chips than fries. The regular fries were extremely greasy and limp, but we ate them all so I guess they weren't that bad. The burgers were very tasty - the beef patties were a little on the thin side, but still very good. They are generous with the veggies and the buns taste homemade. The mushroom burger is delicious!
Amazing Food, Amazing service!!!
Reviewer: john 75.27.143.106
Review Date: 07/25/2008 08:58PM
Rating: +3/+3(Great)
The food is great, The shakes are wonderful, the breakfast is good, the service is friendly, fast, and acurate. Need I say more!!!
Great!
Reviewer: Susan 152.131.12.195
Review Date: 07/22/2008 12:00PM
Rating: +3/+3(Great)
We ate here on the opening day - food was awesome. Ribbon Fries best ever, seasoning selection was great. Hamburger was like the old fashioned home made one that people use to make. Everything tasted home cooked not a "run of the mill" fast food joint.
Family owned place - good food - better people.
Wish they would open one in the DFW area!
best burger ever!
Reviewer: Bree 70.253.67.90
Review Date: 07/20/2008 01:53AM
Rating: +3/+3(Great)
We were looking for a good burger joint and happened upon Willy O's. We have been there 5 times in the past 2 weeks. We recommend it to all our friends. You have to try the ribbon fries and the burgers are out of this world!
Won't be around this time next year!
Reviewer: Alan 70.243.81.36
Review Date: 07/02/2008 01:24AM
Rating: -1/+3(Crap)
Just made my first visit to Willy O's. I arrived twenty minutes bfore closing and ordered a jalapeno bacon cheeseburger and a large order of fries to go. The whole way home my car was filled with an odd odor eminating from the french fries. When I opened up the fries at home I was shocked to find soggy, dark, foul-smelling fries that were basically inedible. I then moved on to the burger which was wrapped in yellow paper and looked rather small. The bun was OK, the tomato slices (3) were fine as were the onions, pickles and lettuce. The jalapenos were not spicy at all. The meat patty appeared to be pre-cooked and was gray throughout. The patty also had an odd shape which was intended to make it appear like a hand-formed patty. No seasoning whatsoever. The cheese was the 160 version meaning that there are 160 slices per 10# versus the more costly 120 option. The bacon was left off completely. I spent $8.64 with no drink and was completely disappointed.
Fair at best
Reviewer: Jim G. 24.153.211.70
Review Date: 03/15/2008 01:59PM
Rating: 0/+3(Ho hum)
The burger was an imposter of a whata Burger but more pricey. The fries were very limp which I guess some like but i prefer some crunch. The place was nicer than a typical fast food place but the food had typical fast food flavor.