I'll have to admit, Fitz's was a little bigger than what I had expected.  I guess I had pictured a typical classic drive-in or perhaps an old fashioned dairy bar.  Turns out, this two story establishment has more of a warehouse vibe to it.  More square footage equals more people.  There's nothing wrong with a big crowd...and most of the time it can be a good sign that the food is worth waiting for.  Unfortunately, for my first visit, that wasn't the case.

Fitz's is famous for their root beer and have been bottling it since 1947.  I'm guessing if it wasn't for the root beer, this place would not have survived all these years as a stand alone restaurant.  If you are famous for a drink that has kept you in business for over 60 years, offer it to your guest when they order...instead of saying "what can I get you to drink?".  Give me some choices...tell me what you have!  I found out after I ordered that they also have cream soda, grape, orange, and many other flavors.  It would have been nice to have tried some different sodas, but it was never suggested.  I enjoyed drinking my root beer as we waited for our food to arrive.  It was so good!  I guzzled it down pretty fast.  Sadly, I went through my entire meal without a refill, even after asking for one.  By the time I finally received a second mug, my family and I had already finished eating.

Keeping the drinks topped off should be a no brainer, especially when the establishment is famous for its drinks!  Any good waiter or waitress should know this, however, ours did not.  The Texas Chili Burger I ordered was a disaster.  The top bun was so hard, I couldn't even cut it with a knife.  The whole thing folded in half like a piece of cardboard.  I tried sinking my teeth into it, but there was just no way.  The bottom bun fell into pieces and was deemed useless.  It was so aggravating!  I ended up using a fork and chiselled my way through it all.  The burger (minus the bun) was actually quite tasty.  The fries were good, but would have been even better if they were served hot.

Luckily for Fitz's, I'm an avid root beer lover.  That was the sole purpose for my visit.  I wasn't seeking America's best burger and I am able to forgive and forget.  Will I ever visit this place again?  Most definitely.  Yes, the root beer is that good!  And I would love to try some other flavors next time around.  I just hope when I do go back that I am provided with a server who can do more than just take an order.

02.14.09