by Trey Moran
Located across from the Trinity River on White Settlement road sits a little place that serves up big flavors. Thurber Mingus has been open for roughly 2 months now and starting to find its place. They strive to use only local and Texas sourced products including a good selection of beer from most, if not all, of the local breweries. You will also find plenty of local beers and spirits used at the bar. All mixes and syrups are created in house.
Inside is laid back with a good sized bar. Outside has a very nice two level patio area and a garden area with picnic tables and chairs all made from reclaimed pallet wood and stage at the end of the garden for live music. The outdoor space is spacious and comfortable.
The menu seems basic with primarily burgers and tacos but as you delve into the preparations and ingredients you see that it is anything but simple. Burgers topped with goat cheese and bacon jam that is made by rendering down the bacon with Franconia’s Dunkel brew. After tasting a sample of the jam I caught myself trying to drink the last of drop of liquid from the cup. Another burger features a roasted poblano pepper stuffed with Oaxacan cheese then topped with green onion and cilantro mayo. This is one of the best burgers I can ever remember having.
They use 100% Grass Fed Texas beef in all the burgers. The featured burger for the day contained a nicely seasoned patty, candied jalapenos, pickled onions, goat cheese and an over easy fried egg. There was no way I could pass that up and it did not disappoint.
Tacos are large and loaded with your choice skirt steak, chicken thighs or two kinds of pork shoulder. The skirt steak was the most tender I have ever had. The steak is prepared sous vide then grilled to finish and the final result is tender, almost buttery strips of steak. I can’t say enough good things about the flavor and texture of the skirt steak. A definite item to try of you stop in here.
Desserts include a grilled pound cake topped with fresh fruit and a mason jar filled with banana pudding and a shot of 1835 Bourbon. In the pudding they use cubes of pound cake in place of the usual vanilla wafer. The sweetness of the custard mixes well with the bite of the bourbon. It was hard not to eat the whole jar.
Thurber Mingus will have it’s official Garden Grand Opening on May 9th with beer and cocktail specials and a live local band. They are also offering a Mother’s Day Brunch for $28, reservations recommended.
