Top Notch Hamburgers: Iconic Austin Diner Serving Classic Flame-Grilled Burgers & Southern Comfort

L I V I N' truly captures the essence of Top Notch, a legendary hot spot where vibes, American cuisine, and car culture converge on an unparalleled level. My love affair with Top Notch and its entire atmosphere runs deep. It's not just a restaurant; it's an image that exudes quality in every aspect, evoking a sense of Texan home comfort with its BBQ/grilled offerings. Having been familiar with Top Notch from its appearance in Dazed N' Confused, I was naturally intrigued, but my connection to Texas runs far deeper, I can attest that Austin has always possessed a unique vibe (traffic notwithstanding!). Each time we pass through, the allure of Top Notch is irresistible, and finally, in late 2025, we've made it a recurring destination, experiencing pure satisfaction with every visit. The shakes are simply primo, the burgers are exquisite masterpieces, the fries sparkle with perfection, and the mashed potatoes are divine! Everything is undeniably top-tier, crafted with the finest ingredients and utmost care. So, if you seek that Top Notch experience, look no further than Top Notch itself. It's an adventure for the senses, a culinary journey that will leave you craving more. Click. Click. BOOM.

I finally made it to Top Notch Burgers, one of the old school burger joints in the city. Over 54 years ago, Ray and Frances Stanish founded Top Notch, creating a restaurant with a throwback look set in the 1950s. One could imagine car hops whizzing around on roller skates delivering trays to couples out on a date in their father's cars. Sonic has tried to replicate that feel for younger generations. In 1971, Top Notch cooked their burgers over an open flame. Fire still sears the burgers five decades later. Their burgers are thin, like McDonald's but they have a bigger circumference. When I go back, I would do two patties because I like more meat on my burgers. They sell a ton of regular hamburgers and cheeseburgers, under the motto of "don't fix what isn't broken." Three of their specialty burgers also are popular including one I tried, their Top Pick Burger. The Top Pick comes with their special sauce, hickory sauce, grated cheese and onions. It is a messy burger, but full of flavor that meld well together. As I said, and adding an extra patty would have made it perfect. Their best selling burger is the Longhorn Special Burger which comes with two patties on it. Yes, you can add a third patty if needed (wanted). Their special sauce tips a set up of cheese, tomato, lettuce and onion. Besides burgers they do a lot of chicken, both breasts and tenders. You can get chicken sandwiches grilled or breaded and fried. They hand bread all their chicken in house. Top Notch also offers fried chicken dinners where you can get dark meat or a dark/light mixed plate. I tried their tater tots as a side with mu burger. They were perfectly cooked, crunchy on the outside and soft inside. My car hops said the onion rings very popular. He told me the mashed potatoes and gravy are must have with the dinner. He didn't lie. As I read other reviews about Top Notch, diners cited all the choices he suggested as their favorites. This really loved his job and stood behind what he was saying. He was proud he had worked at Top Notch for eight years, and he said I'm the baby here. The workers stay because it's a good business. Customers return because the food and service are consistently excellent. Prices are fair. What more can you ask for. Definitely worth your time to give them a try sometime for lunch or dinner!

Had thought about coming here on a previous visit to Austin but did not make it here then so glad we came here this time. Got 2-piece Chicken Dinner (as recommended), Chicken Tenders Dinner and onion rings. Fried chicken was very good and we loved everything. Both meals came with gravy, and it went great with the chicken. There is traditional diner "car service" available but we dined in. Portions were good so we had a little leftover food "to go" with us. Friendly staff and fun atmosphere. Want to try a burger next time.

You can’t go wrong with an old-school diner, and Top Notch definitely lives up to the name. I went mainly because it’s the diner featured in Dazed and Confused, but I ended up loving the whole experience. The burger was solid, but the chicken tenders were even better. They were crispy, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. My son loved the meal that came in a little hot rod car, which made it extra fun. Great food, nostalgic atmosphere, and a piece of movie history all in one spot. I’d definitely go again.

All Right, All Right, All Right!!! Yes the most famous hamburger spot in Texas. It is a must! From shooting one of the coolest movies, Dazed and Confused with our very own Matthew McConaughey, to hosting multiple car club gatherings throughout the month like Chrome Nights Hydraulics and Hamburgers, Hot Rod Nights to name a couple. This place here stands out from all the rest. Not only do they have the best food, but they have the best service and staff to go with it. Plenty of swag merch to take home also. Hats off to Top Notch Hamburger 1971 for your outstanding customer service and to the way you give back to our community by letting us gather to make new friends, see really cool cars, eating some classic foods with a classic vibes. I love bringing my friends and family here when they come in from out of town.. Thank you

Better quality food for less cost than a standard fast food drive thru. Cheeseburger, fries, drink under $13!! Service was extremely fast. Fries were hot and crispy (ask for salted if you want em that way or dine in and use the table salt). Nostalgia factor is a huge plus to this place but the food also delivers.

As a native “north of the river” Austinite, I’ve had many Top Notch meals over the years. Nothing fancy just consistently good with shakes that taste like the strawberries were just picked that day to be churned into ice cream. Tonight, same food, but I sat in their hickory/bbq sauce on my seat…yuck! Yes, I should have looked but I was busy chatting with the rest of my party. I’m sure I’ll be back… but fyi, watch where you sit

Best chocolate milkshakes! Best hamburgers in town. My mom had them in the 70's, and they are still just as good! Great date night spot, or place to take the fam. All kids meals are served in cool paper cars!