(8) Heart Attack Grill, 1718 N. Market St., Dallas vs. (1) Five Guys Burgers and Fries, 4833 S. Hulen St., Fort Worth
Five Guys was one of our Final Four burgers in 2009, but there it stumbled with a dry patty. Two summers later, we were back, hoping for a better performance out of the bacon cheeseburger. The bacon was salty bliss -- the crunchy texture playing magically off the softness of the sandwich. On its own, the two thin beef patties had that mouthwatering grilled flavor we pine for. Still, the cheese slices took awhile to melt and the patty was slightly underseasoned; it seemed eminently beatable. Alas, new-to-town Heart Attack Grill, with its unabashedly caloric menu and hospital gowns for patrons, wasn't up to that task. The single bypass burger -- a half-pound patty -- stood formidably tall, with bacon, tomato, onion and cheese. But the five strips of bacon just laid there in a rather limp nest, and the meat itself was dull -- the only discernible seasoning was pepper. It's a cardinal rule: When you try to bury your burger in toppings tomfoolery, you will be found out. This time, Heart Attack flat-lines it.
The winner: Five Guys
