Willy O's Burgers & More - Cedar Park

Willy O's Burgers & More - Cedar Park

Written by Tiffany Young Friday, 21 November 2008

In December 2007, cousins William Payne and Don Hendrix opened Willy O’s Burgers & More, a burger joint offering delicious Blue Bell milkshakes ($3.79), fresh-cut fries ($1.89) and made-to-order hamburgers ($3.49 and up).

Payne brings knowledge in marketing to the locally owned restaurant, while Hendrix brings to the table more than 20 years of restaurant experience. Hendrix owned eight Whataburger franchises before deciding to sell the restaurants and open his own. His son lived in Cedar Park and, after researching the area to see if it was a good place to open a restaurant, he decided to go for it.

Hendrix said what sets Willy O’s apart from other fast-food restaurants is a tastier burger, fresh-cut fries, fresh-cut continuous potato chips called ribbon fries ($2.89) and seasonings from Zapp’s Potato Chip Co.

Conveniently located in 1890 Ranch near Cinemark Cedar Park, the restaurant is a great place for a casual date or meeting with friends before catching a movie.

During the lunch hour, a steady stream of customers line up at the cash register to order and try samples of ribbon fries and fried pickle chips ($4.99). After placing an order, patrons receive a beeper and can sit at a booth, table or a patio table out front. The bacon cheeseburger ($5.04), made with certified Angus beef, comes on a toasted bun with ample amounts of mayonnaise, lettuce, onions, crispy bacon, tomatoes and melted cheese.

Customers said the reasons for dining at Willy O’s range from being locally owned to knowing the potatoes are being cut fresh. The open kitchen area behind the cashiers make it possible to see what the cooks were doing to the food — and nothing is prepackaged or frozen.

If beef is not for you, Willy O’s also serves chicken sandwiches ($3.99), chicken strips ($5.69), chicken wraps ($3.45) and quesadillas ($5.29).

For dessert, try a strawberry, chocolate or vanilla milkshake. The strawberry shakes are made with ice cream and real strawberries. Instead of milk, Willy O’s uses a special ingredient by Blue Bell to make the shake creamier than most. Or try a swirl ($4.69), which is a shake with add-ons such as Oreos, Butterfingers or M&Ms mixed in.

Willy O’s is also open for breakfast, serving items such as breakfast tacos ($1.89), buttermilk pancakes ($3.99) and biscuits and gravy ($2.39).

After being open in Cedar Park less than a year, Payne and Hendrix opened a second location in South Austin at the Arbor Trails Shopping Center.

The owners hope to franchise Willy O’s in the future, but for now they are focused on their two restaurants, ensuring customers can receive quality service and food.

Several seasonings

Top fries with a choice of Zapp’s seasonings:

• BBQ
• Sea salt and vinegar
• Cracked pepper
• Jalapeño

Willy O’s Burgers & More, 1335 E. Whitestone Blvd., Bldg. T, Ste. 130 • 260-7344, www.willyoburgers.com, Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 8 a.m.-10 p.m.

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