Restaurant Review of Mooyah in Plano, Texas

Mooyah is one of those restaurant chains that the phrase "small but mighty" definitely fits. According to their website (www.mooyah.com), there are currently four locations all based in Texas. We frequent the Plano locale (6400 West Plano Parkway, #100, Plano, TX 75093). If you live in that area or have ever driven through it, you probably know that there is a small burger joint on every major block. My husband and I have tried quite a few of them, but we always find ourselves returning to Mooyah. I even crave their burgers now; which, says a lot because I don't typically like red meat.

This place is small and reminiscent of a 1950's dinner; you'll be greeted by a black and white checkered floor, steel colored tables and chairs, and splashes of red all throughout the room. (Yes, room. The whole restaurant is just one big, open space.) You order at the counter and can stand there and watch your burger being made right behind the person that took your order. Or, you can fill up you glass, sit down, and relax because there will probably be a line in front of you. We have been to Mooyah at all hours of the day and it is always pretty crowded, but the cooks know what they're doing and move things along very quickly. Besides, even if you do have to wait a short time, it's worth it!

The meal part of the menu is simple - a basic one patty burger (Mooyah junior), two patties (Mooyah burger), turkey burger, veggie burger, grilled cheese, iceberger (make your choice of meat in to a salad without the bread), or a hot dog. The only option as a side is fries, which are cut and made fresh daily. (There are two sizes - regular and large. Take them seriously when they say the large can feed a family of three or four; when it is just my husband and myself, we split the regular size and we are always full. My husband definitely likes to eat and does not normally share food, so the regular is big enough for him to share with me.) Now, the toppings for your burger is where you may want to take some time when ordering. There are 17-18 choices ranging from the basics (cheese, tomato, lettuce, and pickles) to toppings like buffalo sauce, grilled onions, sauteed mushrooms, A1 Steak Sauce, and their "special sauce" (which, I have yet to try but plan on doing so soon!) You can add as much as you would like to your burger; everything is made fresh after you order - no pre-made burgers here! In the many times we've been there and even with the abundance of topping choices, we have never had a burger made incorrectly.

The meat that they use is the some of the best hamburger meat that I have ever had; and, to be quite honest, I always get the Mooyah burger (the double patties). The patties are not too thick, so the two make it a perfect burger. I have stuck to the pretty basic toppings, but my husband always does something different (A1 Steak Sauce, grilled onions, and cheese seems to be a favorite of his.) Every thing has always been fresh; I hate ordering a hamburger somewhere and ending up with a green tomato or a limp piece of lettuce. The toppings are always fresh and they definitely pile them on here; they aren't stingy at Mooyah!

If you can possibly stand to eat anything else after filling up on a burger and fries, they offer homemade ice cream shakes in the three most basic flavors - chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. I've never been able to talk myself in to getting one of them because I'm always so full, but I am determined to give the chocolate shake a try the next time we go. But, I'm sure they are made from fresh ingredients just like the rest of the food and are absolutely wonderful.

Mooyah is definitely a gem in the burger world; the prices are the same as what you would pay at a fast food joint, too. We always get two Mooyah burgers, one order of regular fries, and two drinks for under $15.00; we also went with my parents one time, and all four of us still ate for under $30.00. This is a great place with the most amazing burger that you will find in the Plano area! Also, your burgers are numbered with a sticker on the wrapper; that way, you can easily keep up with which burger belongs to you. For example, if you are in a party of four and order second, your burger will have a "2" sticker on the top of the wrapper.

We love this place and would recommend it to anyone looking for a mouth watering burger; until you've heard that phrase that they yell out when your order is done - "Your Mooyah is ready!!" - you have not had a truly perfect burger!