Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Outdoor Wednesday - Top Notch!

It's Wednesday, time to visit some beautiful outdoor spaces with Susan at A Southern Daydreamer. Make sure to visit Susan's wonderful blog and see some fantastic photographs of the great outdoors. Like the rest of the country, we've been under a deep freeze since New Years. This weekend, we warmed up - to the 40s! But it was sunny and dry, and the wind finally died down, so we decided to escape and go on a photo safari.

Top Notch is a local legend in Austin. It was used as a location in Richard Linklater's 1993 film "Dazed and Confused" - recognize it? It still looks almost exactly as it did when it first opened several decades ago. Top Notch is old school - the burgers are cooked over a real charcoal grill - yum! And the onion rings are to die for. And the chicken.... Well you get the picture!

Top Notch is located on one of the busiest commercial streets in town. They still offer curb service!

We took these on Sunday so we could get shots without all the traffic. Believe me, you couldn't get near this parking lot to take these during business hours.


If you're ever in Austin, you need to try this local institution. But bring cash, that's all they accept (there is an ATM machine inside for your convenience!) Told you it was old school. Don't forget to stop by and say Hi to Susan and visit all the participants in Outdoor Wednesday!

26 comments:

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Kat, what a fabulous place. I love the old school look of the 50's. The burgers and onion rings sound so good. Makes me really hungry. Hope you warm up soon. Hugs, Marty

Lois said...

That looks like my kind of place! Looks like they have curb service too. We used to have a place like that where I grew up.

The Muse said...

Oldies are the best...and it stays clean (always a plus in my book)!

Now pass the fries :)

Blondie's Journal said...

I love places like this. The town I grew up in had something so similar, although I don't know if the burgers were grilled. But it was curb side service and my sister worked there.

Love this little walk down memory lane!! :-)

xoxo
Janie

xinex said...

Great photos, Kathy! I will have to remember that for next time if we ever visit Austin...Christine

Cathy~Mille Fleur said...

I love places like this...and I love a good burger...YUMMY!!!

Enjoy!!!
XOXO
Cathy

Cathy~Mille Fleur said...

I love places like this...and I love a good burger...YUMMY!!!

Enjoy!!!
XOXO
Cathy

La Dolfina said...

Oh, I'm so hungry for a classic burger and onion rings now! Thanks a lot. Don't you know it's not nice to tempt someone who just made a New Years Resolution to lose weight!
Love the music :)
xo
Terri

Bill said...

Hi Kathy,
It's good to know a place like that still exists! The menu sounds mouth-watering ... my kind of un-health foods!

Bill

ellen b. said...

Oh I get such a kick out of places like this! I really do hope to get to Austin someday...

Sonia said...

Wow that looks like a fun place..next time in Austin...hopefully this March I'm going to check it out! Thanks for the tip! Miss Bloomers

Ebie said...

It is a beautiful place! I love how the borders are uniformly painted in yellow.

Amy said...

I love a business like this that has stood the test of time. I am sure it is amazing. If I ever get out your way...I will for sure stop by for a bite! Thanks and have a great week!!!

Shellbelle said...

I'd like a malted with my fried chicken please and thank you! I love this look and those gas stations in your last post reminded me that we used to call them "filling stations" and would ask the attendant to fill 'er up with Ethel. Gosh, remember that days there were actual people who filled your gas tank and checked the oil? Boy, am I dating myself, lol.

EJ said...

The fried chicken sounds great. I just became your follower.

Tunnels in Korea

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

How fun, Kat! We still have a place like this in Atlanta...the Varsity! This brings back memories from my teenage years! lol I hope you are having a great week!...hugs...Debbie
Loved the music as usual! Love me some ZZ Top!

Kathysue said...

Kat, I love these picts. I was just talking about why don't they have places like this anymore, I think they are such a novelty, we always loved pulling into an AW rootbeer and ordering through the speaker, I think it made the rootbeer taste better, why, I have no idea. Hugs Kathysue

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I love a good hamburger. Kathy, so this is the type of place I'd go to frequently...yum! Loved all the photos.

Glad it warmed up a little for you!

Unknown said...

Nothing beats old-fashioned cooking and service. :)

Colleen said...

What fun outdoor pictures!

DesignTies said...

Is Top Notch closed on Sunday?! Wow!! That IS old school!! I'm so used to everything being open on Sundays!!

Love the bright blue sky in the first shot. I think you should do a little manipulating and get rid of the telephone wires. A little photographic plastic surgery ;-)

Thanks for your support in the Design Trade competition!! :-)

Kelly

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Oldies are always the best. I carhopped at the DognSuds when I was 16 and have very fond memories.. This was a great post.. hugs ~lynne~

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Oldies are always the best. I carhopped at the DognSuds when I was 16 and have very fond memories.. This was a great post.. hugs ~lynne~

Donna said...

I love places like this! We have a place in our town like this that serves grape ice cream! People drive for miles to have some!

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

What a neat look retro building. I'm so glad they have kept it the same. You made me drool with your description of the food. I love a good burger and onion rings! laurie

Deb said...

looks like a fun place to hang out.