Bracken Cafe
| Address: | 1 Retama Pkwy, Selma, TX 78154, USA |
| Phone: | +1 210-651-6515 |
| Site: | brackenstore.com |
| Rating: | 4.7 |
| Working: | 7:30AM–3PM 7:30AM–3PM 7:30AM–3PM 7:30AM–3PM 7:30AM–8PM 7:30AM–8PM Closed |
Location
Photos 59
Reviews 9
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Brad Seehawer
Brackens one of those towns that are so small that you arent sure you visited until after you left. The only thing they seem to offer is a small collection of specialty shops and Bracken Cafe, a place offering freshly-made burgers in a unique environment. Theyre only open for four hours Monday through Thursday, but they are working for every second of it, judging by the completely packed house when I visited. It was loud, busy, and the staff was rushing about trying to keep up with the food and clearing tables. I placed my order and secured a bar stool for my wait. In all, it took about 25 minutes to get my burger - not too bad, considering the crowd, and I could plainly see that the folks working in the open kitchen were cooking as fast as they could. Like all good burgers, the patty was a 1/2 pounder, draped with cheddar cheese, and served with the usual burger cohorts of lettuce, tomato and onion on a plain white bun. The bun was improved by a little time on the griddle, leaving a nice toast. The medium-cooked patty was big and juicy, leaving a nice little puddle of flavor in my basket. In all, a fairly standard burger, but a respectably well-made one. While the burgers were freshly-made, the same could not be said of the sides - standard food service fries and onion rings. The rings were slightly less unremarkable thanks to the talent of the fry cook, leaving them in the oil until seconds away from burning, creating a very nice crunchy crust. While the same procedure was applied to the fries, the resulting product was ordinary: I nearly finished my order of rings, but I didnt bother with too many fries. This, along with a container of chili that definitely did not originate on-site, cemented my blasé attitude towards everything but the burger itself. Though my only experience with Bracken was eating here, I think its safe to say that Bracken Cafe is one of the best things that city has going for it. The greater San Antonio area is a tough racket in which to compete with burgers, and though the sandwich itself was very good, the sides left much to be desired.
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Jeff Turpin
Bracken Store Cafe has been on my list for two years, and now, Im slapping myself for waiting so long. This place is incredible: food, atmosphere, and nostalgia. On this trip, I ordered my usual "Classic" burger (just mayo, lettuce, and cheddar; my consistent benchmark for comparing burgers). First, the meat was fresh, well-seasoned, juicy, thick, unique, and delicious. Seriously, few burgers stand out in this world, and this is one of them. It doesnt have the same taste as say Bobby Js or Chris Madrids - which is the taste I prefer - but this is an undeniably great burger. Second, the bun was likely commercial but toasted perfectly. Additionally, it was in perfect proportion to everything else. Finding just one of these things is rare; finding both is like discovering a unicorn. Third, the cheese is processed but there is plenty of it with two thick slices. The freshly-torn lettuce was in ample amounts and there was a ton of mayo (but not too much). All in all, this burger was perfectly executed, uniquely-flavored, and perfectly balanced. Not one ingredient was overwhelming - the sandwich was perfectly blended. In short, Bracken Store Cafe has absolutely delicious food couched in a friendly atmosphere that will take you back to the 1950s in one of the last few country diners remaining. The burger is for all intents and purposes a perfect burger, although its unique taste isnt the taste I most prefer (that taste preference being the kind of taste Bobby Js and Chris Madrids provides). Its definitely in my top 3. My top 8 burger places remain: 1) Bobby Js, 2) Cullums Attaboy, 3) Bracken Store Cafe, 4) Chris Madrids, 5) Fattys (Marks Outing),6) CBQ Eatery, 7) The Cove, and 8) Chesters
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Tasi
Very lackluster. Ordered a burger, came out partially cooked, overcooked in some spots, undercooked in others. Extremely messy, burger fell apart less than halfway through the meal. Burgers do not come with sides and are priced almost $7 for just the burger. Fries/Onion rings are about $3-4 for a okay sized portion. Neither were anything beyond ordinary. We also ordered a taco salad, when it came out the hamburger meat had a funny taste to it. The overall feel of the place was dirty and dingy. Easy to see they have not thoroughly cleaned in years as dust is caked on the ceiling fans and other decorations. They even have a return air vent for their air conditioning flowing directly over a table pulling the dirty air right onto your food. The drink fountain as in one part of the restaurant, but things like lemon were on a different side of the place. The iced tea tasted like it was made a few days earlier. Overall I wouldnt recommend this place as a place to eat. The staff isnt very friendly and try to push "cake" on you while youre still eating your meal. I would call it a dive bar, but Ive been in cleaner dive bars.
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Ben Saucier
Excellent local business with delicious food! If you want a good home made burger that will fill the biggest of appetites then go here. Bracken Cafe has a small time diner feel to it inside, this isnt corporate McDonalds burgers! This place is exceptional! The owner will most likely be the one to take your order. They buy the ingredients fresh to make your food. Sometimes they bake a cake and offer it as a tasty free dessert. They welcome you in and out as a person not a number. They take cash only but have an ATM on site. Definitely go to this place, support your local business, it really is very good. Located in the Retama grounds, drive into the retama parking lot and its towards the left.
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Meridith Lewis
Highly recommend this cafe and its well reknown delicious hamburger. The decor, atmosphere, & method of operation takes one back in time. Good Service, Excellent Food, moderately priced. Greatly admire the owner, her loyalty to all of her employees, their loyalty to her, whom she retained when she moved the cafe to this location.
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Rusty Shackelford
Delicious burgers and a great nostalgic atmosphere! The staff is always pleasant and accomodating, and the burgers have literally ruined any other places burgers for me. YES THEYRE THAT GOOD. Seriously. Ive been coming here for years since before the move, and have never had anything less than a perfect meal. 5/5, must try!
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Chuck Bradley
Do yourself a favor and step back in time...burgers cooked the old fashion way. New, more modern, location, but same food...excellent! You want to be hungry to challenge one of these burgers. Wait time can get a bit lengthy (their cooking a thick burger), so ensure you have time for San Antonios best burger!
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Eric Lowman
Its not in its original place in Bracken, but its exactly the same as when my dad would take me there as a kid. Its a real great home town favorite that hasnt changed. Thick, juicy, hot burger. Fresh fries, onion rings or frings. Lots of menu items but Ive been getting the burger for almost 20 years.
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Erich Mazurek
Glad I stopped here, nice quaint place by the race track, I have a cheeseburger tater tots and a side salad and it was delicious. For the most part everything is all a cart slightly expensive. The reviews from this place are spot on great lunch place.
