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| - There are some places that are "hole in the wall" gems. Hooligans has the potential to be that place. The burgers are excellent, the meat comes from australia, they are stuffed with goodies like cheddar, bacon, etc.. and then topped with more goodies. They are huge, 2/3 lb'ers so be forewarned. I had the barbecue burger. I always get the sauce on the side so I can taste the burger without it first and also because there are some bbq sauces that are too overpowering or taste bad. The taste of the burger is great. The sauce was actually perfect for me, a mild but tangy bbq flavor. The complaint I have about the burger is the buns. They are not fresh and actually detract from the amazing flavor of the burger. If the bun wasn't smooshed into the toppings, I would have removed it completely after the first bite. The bun fell apart, making it difficult to eat the burger without it falling over the plate.
The fries are excellent also, They are flat steak fries with great seasoning (maybe a little too much salt for me but still good).
If I was reviewing just the burger alone, this would be a 3.5 -4 star. However, there were several negatives about the location. I did love the vegas theme on the walls. 1) there were no formal menus. The lovely bartender explained this to me as they were redesigning the menu. 2) The ice freezer has been broken for several months (how does this happen to a new restaurant and why is it not fixed) and they were using ice from a bag in the bar sink. and 3) Way too smokey for me.
The bartender was very friendly and helpful and really cares about the establishment, speaking proudly about it. The owner wasn't there until I was about to leave but does spend time at the bar which is a positive.
The bartender stated they hope to have fresh baked buns from a local bakery soon and that will help.
Also they have several TV's around the bar so it is a good place to watch a game. Surprisingly, despite the great reviews and food, the place was empty on College Football gameday.
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