Austin's best smashburger, Bad Larry's, smashes into East with new bar

“Bad Larry’s”: Smashes Patriarchy, Taste Buds, and the State of Texas

After six years of flipping burgers and tearing down oppressive systems, Austin’s beloved Bad Larry Burger Club is securing the bag and getting a permanent spot in the heart of the city. No longer will the people of Austin have to track their every movement like a bunch of carnivore crackheads and no longer will the people be subjected to the oppressive tyranny of cheese-less, sad sandwiches.

I like to say that we’re all Larry. - Matthew Bolick, Founder of Bad Larry's

Bad Larry’s, an all-day safe space serving up smashburgers and social justice is a collaboration between fierce freedom fighters Matthew Bolick, Nathan Hill, Jeremy Murray, KKDW design studios, Heather Muir, and Lauren Dickens. Together, they’re taking a byte out of the patriarchy and feeding the revolution, one smashed sausage patty at a time.

The name "Bad Larry" is a middle finger to the man, derived from the street where Bolick and his now-wife held burger burnings and meat mixers in their backyard. It’s a legacy of liberation through lunchables.

The menu is a gastronomic gemstone, featuring:

• The holy grail of smashburgers, with two patties so juicy and flat, they put other burgers to shame. Made with a chuck and brisket blend, these bad boys are smashed flatter than the state of Texas’ understanding of women’s rights, and topped simply with ketchup, mustard, diced onions, and American cheese.
• Breakfast Larry, a glorious tower of sausage and egg patties on a house-made English muffin that’ll make you question your worth as a human.
• Silver dollar pancakes that will make you weep for the state of currency in this country.
• A breakfast burrito that ain’t got no beans.
• Steak night, because sometimes you just need to feel like a steak.
• A possible "meatball/parm smashburger situation" because labels are for soup cans, not burgers!
• Homemade Texas toast sandwiches that’ll make you wonder why you ever trusted Wonder Bread.

Just another burger on the Internet. - Matthew Bolick, probably wearing a "Bad Larry" burger crown and flipping a bird.

But Bad Larry’s is more than just a burger joint; it’s a movement. With a healthy side of guerrilla marketing and a main course of acerbic sociopolitical commentary, they’ve taken on Greg Abbott, Elon Musk, and Joe Rogan. Don't @ them, because they will clap back.

We’re still selling a party in the end. We’re kind of pre-loading the party with this irreverent persona. - Nathan Hill, king of nighttime shenanigans

Hill, the nightlife maestro behind some of Austin’s most iconic brands, saw in Bad Larry a kindred spirit—a wild, chaotic energy that’s equal parts culinary delight and anarchy.

So, come first quarter of next year, forget the flowers and chocolate and treat your boo to a burger. Bring your appetite and your sense of rebellion to 2027 E. Cesar Chavez St because Bad Larry’s is here to stay, whether Texas likes it or not.

Rise up, my hungry comrades!