Name: Dirty Martin’s Place
Telephone: (512) 477-3173

An Austin tradition for great burgers and shakes since 1926. Full sports bar and live music too.

“A Classic Since 1926”

In 1926 John Martin opened a little restaurant named Martin’s Kum-Bak which served hamburgers, shakes and other popular items of the time. It was a small place with a dirt floor along with just eight bar stools inside and a small drive through. Up until the 1940s and 1950s the majority of Martin’s business was done in the parking lot with car hops.

“Burgers That Hit Different”

But what about our food? When you eat at Dirty Martin’s, you are guaranteed to have the freshest food possible! Every day we get a fresh delivery of bread, meat and produce. We have been serving our burgers the same way since 1926 – Only the freshest hamburger meat is used and it is NEVER frozen.

“Shakes, Rings, and Good Times”

Our onion rings and French fries are homemade as well as our hand squeezed lemonades and limeades. Our shakes and malts are made to order the old fashioned way. Everything we serve has been perfected over the years and has made “Kum-Bak” customers of just about everyone!

So come on in to see us and enjoy the bar style dining up front , watch a sporting event in the relaxed dining area in the back, or if you prefer the outdoors, feel free to dine on our front or back patios while you people-watch and listen to some music.

See The Menu

(512) 477-3173

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Ended up at Dirty Martin’s Place and really enjoyed it. The burgers are classic and full of flavor, exactly what you want from spot like this. It has that old school vibe that makes it feel authentic and easy to hang out. Service was quick and straightforward. Definitely a place I’d come back to.
John Kelly , 4 months ago
They have been here a hundred years. It’s taken me 100 years+ to finally make my way here. I have been missing out. the D. H. Special was so good. I thought I was going to miss the hamburger bun and not like it as much on the Texas toast but I was incorrect, it ended up being excellent. The bread so perfectly grilled and the double cheese, sautéed onions, and burgers tasted incredible I also got onion rings and they were also super. Plus the guy at the counter was such a friendly person. I recently had surgery so I was using a walker and he carried stuff out to my table and then we engaged in conversation multiple times (dangit, wished I had caught his name). What a great experience, I’ll be back soon
Kevin B , 4 months ago
Just as good as 45 years ago. Delicious food. I had an egg sandwich. My son had a Dirty’s kumback hamburger. No complaints.
Jeanne Kavanaugh , 7 months ago
Dirty Martin’s Place: A Timeless Austin Classic
Nestled in the heart of Austin’s West Campus, Dirty Martin’s Place stands as a testament to the city’s rich culinary history. Established in 1926 by John Martin as Martin’s Kum-Bak, the establishment began with a single flat-top grill, an eight-stool bar, and a small drive-thru. The original dirt floors led to the affectionate nickname “Dirty’s,” a nickname that has endured even after the floors were replaced with concrete in the early 1950s.

Over the decades, Dirty Martin’s has become a regular hangout for University of Texas students and locals. The restaurant’s commitment to quality and tradition has kept it a staple in Austin’s dining scene. I went with two friends, Mark and Susan Wilson, who attended UT almost 50 years ago, and they remembered going on dates there on Friday nights.

“I remember the cook frying burgers, and he would have cigarette in his mouth. We always joked that there was a good chance some ashes would fall on the grill and provide extra flavoring. We have a ton of good memories in this place,” said Susan.

I asked the waitress what the main sellers are these days, and she said the Kumbak Cheeseburger, the D.H. Special and Dirty’s Chicken Sandwich are the big three.

Kumbak Cheeseburger – The signature dish since 1926, the Kumbak Cheeseburger features a juicy 100% Angus beef patty, topped with American cheese, mayo, pickle and tomato and toasted sesame bun. It’s a simple yet satisfying choice that has stood the test of time.

The D.H. Special – This is a double patty melt served with grilled onions, pickle and tomato on Texas toast.

Dirty Chicken Sandwich – Fried chicken tenders, with lettuce, tomato, pepper jack cheese, and chipotle mayo served on a toasted sesame bun.

While the Kumbak Cheeseburger is good, I liked the O.T. Special. It’s basically the Kumbak Cheeseburger but add bacon. I also chose to double the meat. Guys will want to add the double meat option. The patties are thinner, and the extra meat made the choice perfect. Next time I want to add a fried egg, grilled onions and jalapenos to the O.T.

I also tried sides of tater tots and onion rings. The tots were so good. Soft and properly salted. Onion rings were a little dry for me. Some people may like that style. I will go with tots and Fried Pickles next time.

The restaurant’s rich history is also marked by the dedication of its staff. Cook Wesley Hughes served at Dirty Martin’s from 1956 to 2009, becoming a beloved icon in the community. Legend has it that his brother, J.T., created Austin’s first bacon cheeseburger, which evolved into the O.T. Special.

Dirty Martin’s Place offers more than just a meal; it provides a glimpse into Austin’s past and a taste of its enduring flavors. Whether you’re a long-time local or a first-time visitor, a stop at Dirty Martin’s is a must to experience a piece of Austin’s culinary history. #MattGoodEats
Matthew Hughes , 10 months ago
My bf and I love this place. He was talking about how his dad used to come here back in the day so we checked it out. The best milkshakes ever. The hamburgers are to die for as is the BLT. The fried pickles are the bomb. We also love looking at all the photos.
Kimberly Bush , 1 year ago
The Shake was delicious and I just love the big red and white straw cool. The burger was good with the hot fries. The staff was awesome!!
Maria M. , 3 years ago
I finally got a chance to visit this restaurant and was very pleased I did. I got the Friday Special – Dirty’s Chicken Sandwich and fries for only $10! That’s a bargain in Austin. The sandwich and fries were very good. I loved the spicy sauce on the sandwich. This is such a nice old dive bar and I love that it is a piece of Austin history. The staff were very friendly. I need to visit again sometime and try one of the drinks.
Carina J. , 3 years ago
Had the double cheeseburger and the 1926 Nachos. The burger at first appearance seemed way to basic, but to my surprise it was (yes, simple) but very flavorful. The nachos were very tasty. The cheese sauce and the chili were quite nice and the nacho portion generous.

Longhorn lemonade was refreshing and tasty. Not too boozy not too sweet. nicely balanced.
Ed F. , 3 years ago
Awesome, historic little piece of Austin in the middle of the city. I love going to places that have been around. This place has been there since 1926 and what a cool little gem it is. Good food, cute space and good drinks. Hope they don’t tear it down for the railroad. Gotta visit if you are looking for genuine Austin feels.
janel w. , 3 years ago
Delicious burger! Fried jalapeños were perfectly crispy! Great atmosphere!
Buddy T. , 3 years ago
Delicious hamburgers! I was roaming around in the UT area of Austin looking for a place to eat when I stumbled upon Dirty Martin’s, established in 1926. It originally had a dirt floor, which led to the local crowd calling it “Dirty Martin’s. “
Steve T. , 3 years ago
A small Kumback burger(everything on it), Onion Rings, A Small Malt, a Water and Fried Pickles represented around $28. But everything was amazing.
The Kumback Burger was good and cooked made to order(the bun was good, often overlooked in the burger, but it was toasted and wasn’t falling apart or super greasy).
The Onion Rings were in their own Ball Park and some of the best in recent memory, I don’t like super thick coating so this was perfect).
The Malt(Sm $5) was amazing, not quite as thick as some of the others I’ve had but still unique and good.
The Fried Pickles also held their own($10). I thought them very satisfying. It’s hard to find that balance with fried pickles breading/oil/saltiness. This place found that balance. Not too Salty or Oily. The breading didn’t overwhelm the pickle. Perfection IMO
Bruce R. , 3 years ago
This was a wonderful first experience. We were greeted with friendliness and warmth, and you could feel the employees love their job. To me, that is important. The food was absolutely fabulous. No worries about leaving hungry! The burger was great and didn’t just taste like a pile of grease. I took the recommendation and had the onion rings. No regrets! And the fried pickles were out of this world. Definitely saved in my go-to places.
Jennifer L. , 3 years ago
Was Recommended By My Wife’s Friends , So We Went. Cool Place!!! Went On A Thursday , So $1.00 Wings! I Had The Wings! Very Good! My Wife Loved Her Burger. I Would Come Back!
Joel D. , 3 years ago
Probably the best burger I’ve ever had was at Dirty Martin’s. It was so good, we went twice in one week! You can tell they’ve been doing this a while. I recommend the corn nuggets and the Kum Bak cheeseburger with added grilled onions.
Violet B. , 3 years ago
Tried this place for lunch today since I was checking out the Army/Navy store across the street. All of the staff was friendly. I had the Wednesday Special which was the OT burger and a side of onion rings. Food was fresh, came out fast, and was delicious. The Lone Star beer was great in a chilled glass.

This spot is exactly what a ninety something year old burger place should be. So many places try to create the atmosphere that this place has earned. I hear that the railroad might be tearing it down to build tracks. This would be a great loss to Austin. Too many American cities are having their landmarks destroyed to be replaced by cookie cutter buildings. Definitely try this place and skip the two fast food chain burgers that share then block
Paul T. , 3 years ago
My wife and I were looking for a burger joint that was a local biz and not a chain restaurant we could go to anywhere. Found Dirty Martin’s and WOW! We aren’t local to Austin so this was treat. Love the vibe and the history. Gotta keep these local spots alive. OH! and the food was just so good. Simple burger that doesn’t need a ton of flash to be good!

definitely recommend if you’re looking for a local jewel!
David B. , 3 years ago
Dirty Martin’s did not disappoint An Austin staple since 1926 , and it ain’t hard to see why. Lemme get that large Kumbak cheeseburger with tots and a cherry limeade please just as the good Lord intended!
Corando C. , 3 years ago
Went to Dirty Martins Place solely for their milkshakes based on recommendations and enticing photos. The restaurant offers ample parking and spacious indoor and outdoor seating. The vanilla malt milkshake was absolutely amazing and perfectly crafted. Highly recommend this place for anyone craving a fantastic traditional milkshake in Austin. Can’t wait to try more flavors on my next visit!

Side Note: While my focus was on the milkshakes, Dirty Martins Place offers a full dining experience, so you might want to explore their menu beyond the milkshakes as well.
Alec V. , 3 years ago
The double cheeseburger was oily goooood! But the onion rings are not as crispy as I want
Wendee H. , 3 years ago
Very good and cheap burger around campus

I had a habanero burger and it was a bit spicy for a burger, which was really good.

I also had dirty totchos which is the best!

I would come again for the dirty totchos
Hye L. , 3 years ago
Really lovely traditional burger!
One of those places that has been around for decades and found the right recipe. The burger tastes fresh with that perfect amount of grill flavor. The single was an appropriate size, but I may opt for a double next time.

Fries were also fresh, hot and crispy.
I need to try the tots and sweet potato options next time.

Lots of outdoor seating (20 or so picnic tables under a large tent cover). There’s a dedicated parking lot (free parking).

Staff was really nice… Ordered at the counter and they bring it out to your table.
Robbie B. , 3 years ago
Met with Danny the owner and got the double bacon Burger with onion rings phenomenonl. The reason it’s called dirty Martin’s is because it’s 97 years old and originally it had a dirt floor. I would highly recommend. Rated one of the best burgers in Texas.
Mike W. , 3 years ago
The food was excellent. Just the sort of burger I was craving. We will definitely be back. That “greasy diner burger” flavor was just what I was hoping for. We had the D. H. Special and the O. T. Special. The malt, float, and milkshake options looked tempting but we opted for double pattys instead. We shared a side of fries and got some jalapeño ranch dressing for dipping. The ranch may have also found its way into my burger as well. It was smoky and spicy. Service was excellent and staff was super friendly. Did I mention, we will be back.
Paul K. , 4 years ago
I wanted a burger that was WORTH breaking my diet. I came here and I was not disappointed.!!!! They have small and large size so it’s perfect! Taste home made. We tried the Habanero burger and the DH Special with a side of pickles. Oh and they Have 4 Dollar MIMOSAS SUNDAYS !!
Kay , 4 years ago
My first visit here was circa 1981 and I was impressed then. Fast forward about 41 years and I’m making my second visit bc I read Dirty’s may be demoed to make way for CapMetro. This place is an Austin favorite and institution that deserves to trump any new train track that won’t serve as many citizens as Dirty’s currently serves. The burgers are to die for. The O.T. Special (large) with raw onions is the way to go. The basket of tots were perfectly seasoned and fried also. It’s not as cheap as the ’80s, but nothing else is either. Help save Dirty’s!
Bob P. , 4 years ago
Enjoyed the nostalgia of this classic burger joint. Great Austin style vibe. Decent grille top style burger. The onion rings and fried pickles could use some improvement. Could taste the “city water” in the fountain soda.
Sean L. , 4 years ago
My family has been going to Dirty’s for 3 generations and is still a great burger joint with greasy fries and onion rings! I’ve recently gone vegetarian so this time I had the fried egg sandwich instead of the burger and it was good!
Sarah S. , 4 years ago
We visited the Dirty Martini’s Place on a Friday afternoon for a late lunch. The indoor space is really big, there is a dining hall/private event kind of space and also small sitting area by the bar counter. There is also a large sitting area outside by the parking lot that looked very nice.
We had the O.T Special, Habanero Burger and the Dirty’s chicken sandwich with a side of the onion rings. Everything was really tasty, we enjoyed the experience very much. The onion rings needed a bit more salt but there was salt shaker on the table.
There is a large selection of cocktails and some beer on tap, we had the Shiner Bock on tap that was very fresh and cold, also the Oreo Milkshake.
Everybody was very friendly and the music selection playing was, for me, very nice.
Carolina N. , 4 years ago
First time I’ve ever been here. I didn’t know there was so much history with this place. Food was very good. I think there should’ve been more tater tots but still good. Strawberry lemonade could’ve been sweeter. No complaints at all. Oreo shake was delicious. Fried pickles and the chips and queso was awesome. Very good burger with a homemade quality. Great atmosphere with plenty of inside and outside seating and a nice looking bar. Highly recommend it!!! 5 stars!!!
Andrae M. , 4 years ago
Had a small cheeseburger and it was so juicy and tender. On side, we ordered fried jalapeños which were so good. I had one of the best old fashioned drinks I’ve ever had with an Angel Envy ice cube. Also tried the prickly pear mule and Mellow melon which I actually loved. Beware the watermelon soaked in vodka. The bartender and manager were very friendly. It wasn’t very busy on a Saturday night as the college kids have gone home for the summer.
Pearl J. , 4 years ago

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