Hot Burgers, Cold Ice Cream and Nostalgia at The Dairyette in Mt. Ida.

Since 1958, Mt. Ida's Dairyette has been the go-to dairy diner for locals and visitors alike, seeking ice cream and burgers. Find out more about this great roadside stop.

Burge's, Smoked Turkey That Took Over The World.

The original Burge's location in
Lewisville. (Kat Robinson)

Most restaurants begin with a concept or a family dream.  Burge's began with a backyard smoker -- and a whole lot of friends who loved what came out of it.  It took nearly 10 years to get to a restaurant, but what was created there has endured generations.

Burger joint of the week: The Dairyette in Mt. Ida.

You know a place is going to be good when you pull up and there’s a line out the door — at least, usually you do. So when I saw the line of young men at the order window of The Dairyette I was pretty jazzed.

Several people turned me on to the old fashioned country diner in Mt. Ida. They all told me one thing — there wasn’t a finer burger around said parts, and if I didn’t stop in while I was in the area I was nuts. So… I did.

Burgers come in 1/3 pound sizes or junior burgers. The cheese is American. Chopped iceberg lettuce, wrinkly hamburger dills and a slice of tomato are all the vegetation you're going to get with a standard order — and mayo is the default condiment.

On this particular visit, I noticed my ordered-up burger came with a bottom bun that didn't fit — it was larger than the top bun and a bit larger than the patty that sat on it. The buns are very soft, unseeded white buns that absorb the juice just fine.

That medium-packed medium well burger patty comes with a slightly salty, buttery flavor to it, a light griddle-char and just enough crust to feel it in your teeth. I was concerned about the apparent gray to the burger surface but found the patty more than satisfying. The American cheese melts in just fine.

Of course, I needed a beverage, and instead of going for soda I chose a shake. The Dairyette's shakes seem impossibly creamy, as if there's an extra concentration of fat in the mix. Many swear by the chocolate or chocolate malt; I found the cherry to be deliciously uplifting, with dark pie cherry chunks throughout. A regular is about the size you should be attempting for this burger — you can get a large, 20 ounce shake for 40 cents more, but that's pretty darn decadent.

There are many, many other items you can order at The Dairyette… catfish, chicken tenders, salads, chili dogs and a host of ice cream dishes. Worth another stop-in, for sure.

You’ll find The Dairyette on Highway 270 heading through Mt. Ida. No credit cards accepted. (870) 867-2312. Check out the Facebook.

Burger joint of the week: The Dairyette in Mt. Ida.

• KAT ROBINSON
• OLD FASHIONED: Girls work the counter at The Dairyette

• KAT ROBINSON

You know a place is going to be good when you pull up and there’s a line out the door — at least, usually you do. So when I saw the line of young men at the order window ofThe Dairyette I was pretty jazzed.

Several people turned me on to the old fashioned country diner in Mt. Ida. They all told me one thing — there wasn’t a finer burger around said parts, and if I didn’t stop in while I was in the area I was nuts. So… I did.

Burgers come in 1/3 pound sizes or junior burgers. The cheese is American. Chopped iceberg lettuce, wrinkly hamburger dills and a slice of tomato are all the vegetation you're going to get with a standard order — and mayo is the default condiment.

• KAT ROBINSON

On this particular visit, I noticed my ordered-up burger came with a bottom bun that didn't fit — it was larger than the top bun and a bit larger than the patty that sat on it. The buns are very soft, unseeded white buns that absorb the juice just fine.

That medium-packed medium well burger patty comes with a slightly salty, buttery flavor to it, a light griddle-char and just enough crust to feel it in your teeth. I was concerned about the apparent gray to the burger surface but found the patty more than satisfying. The American cheese melts in just fine.

• KAT ROBINSON

Of course, I needed a beverage, and instead of going for soda I chose a shake. The Dairyette's shakes seem impossibly creamy, as if there's an extra concentration of cow juice in the mix. Many swear by the chocolate or chocolate malt; I found the cherry to be deliciously uplifting, with dark pie cherry chunks throughout. A regular is about the size you should be attempting for this burger — you can get a large, 20 ounce shake for 40 cents more, but that's pretty darn decadent.

• KAT ROBINSON

There are many, many other items you can order at The Dairyette… catfish, chicken tenders, salads, chili dogs and a host of ice cream dishes. Worth another stop-in, for sure.

You’ll find The Dairyette on Highway 270 heading through Mt. Ida. No credit cards accepted. (870) 867-2312.