Moonie’s Burger House

Moonie’s Burger House

Written by Deb Arnold Wednesday, 07 February 2007

Couple keeps it simple with quality hamburgers

Angela and Brian Gingrass always contemplated opening a restaurant that served good ol’ fashion hamburgers. Last November, after some business planning, Angela placed her mother-in-law’s nickname “up in lights” and Moonie’s Burger House became a reality.

Moonie’s occupies the old Bubba’s Ice House spot in Cedar Park on US 183. Keeping the menu simple to offer a quality product is the approach Angela and Brian have taken with the restaurant.

“Because we keep [the menu] simple, we can make sure everything is top of the line,” Angela said. “We want to offer our customers the best.”

Orders are placed at the front counter in plain view of the kitchen/grill area. A large well-stocked cooler of 22 domestic and imported beers is available, as well as a serve yourself fountain of assorted soft drinks.

The fresh Angus beef and top quality buns are the nuts and bolts of some really good hamburger options. Each hamburger choice can be prepared with beef or chicken, and for those preferring no meat, the Veggie Burger is available and touted as a tasty choice.

Our first selection, the Plain Jane with Swiss cheese ($4.59) had a well-cooked, flavorful meat patty with plenty of fresh lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and onions. The California Burger ($5.49), with guacamole, bacon, pepper-jack cheese, and fresh, crisp lettuce and tomatoes, was equally enjoyable.

The Hawaiian Burger ($5.49) was a real treat with a thick, succulent slice of grilled pineapple dressed with a sweet teriyaki sauce. Our final selection, a bacon cheeseburger ($5.29), was extraordinary with smoky bacon, smooth cheddar cheese, and all the traditional accoutrements.

To round out our hamburgers, we chose onion rings ($2.99), crispy fries ($1.69), and sweet potato fries ($2.49). There is a kids’ meal portion of the menu ($3.50) that includes hamburgers, cheeseburgers, corn dog bites and Frito pie. Angela and Brian also plan to add a selection of salads to their menu in the future.

When it comes to dessert, a nostalgic snow cone machine sitting on the front counter offers a refreshing treat to adults and children alike. A large screen television plays quietly in the corner for folks catching the last of the news or a game, and the kids have a little niche of their own complete with Legos.

“We figure if having an area for the kids to play buys the parents 10 minutes of peace, it’s worth it,” Angela said. “We want everyone to feel relaxed.”

A Family-Friendly Atmosphere:

“We figure if having an area for the kids to play buys the parents 10 minutes of peace, it’s worth it.” –Angela Gingrass, co-owner

Extra fixins:

• A big-screen television
• A children’s play area
• A snow cone machine

Moonie’s Burger House, 200 S. US 183, 249-5214

Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday & Saturday 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.