This burger joint came highly recommended but we won't be going back. Number 1 - it was freezing cold in there. 2. The fries were extremely greasy. 3. The burger was marginal. 4. Basket of fries and burger cost 16.00. read more

This place is a total joke. It literally took my burger and fries 45 minutes to come out when they were slow and my fries were cold! When I told my server about it she tried to brush it off. It felt like I had to beg her to get some fresh hot fries, she was obviously a college student with very little serving experience. The bathrooms were unkept, when a restaurant is out of hand soap on the restrooms something just isn't right! I would avoid this place at all costs! read more

Probably some of the best onion rings I have ever had. If you get some ask for the onion dipping sauce to go with them. YUM

I like the place; the kitchen tries. Servers are friendly. Just a few problems keep this place from really shining (1) menu is a bit limited (2) the burgers are good, they just aren't _that_ good, and (3) the Burger Stand is just a few short blocks away and it's much better and that fact can never be too far from one's mind. I haven't tried the wings. read more

Ho-hum...nothing exciting here. I tried it in the past and thought it was OK, but decide to give it another try...nothing different, really. The service is OK, but not very friendly. Not rude by any means, but you sort of get the feeling that the staff would be happier doing...just about anything else. They get the job done efficiently enough, but don't create the most welcoming of atmospheres. So, on to the food itself - it's an average burger, honestly. I had the Smoked Stack burger, which had smoked bacon, swiss cheese, bbq sauce and lettuce. The meat wasn't anything special, nor was the bacon. The BBQ sauce (house made, supposedly) was enjoyable, but on the sweet side. The bun was tasty. I also got a side of truffle fries which tasted...more or less like most other fries. A bit better, but not quite enough to justify the price in my mind. It's a fine place, but not terribly special. I won't be rushing back, but I won't say no to going back if I am in a group that decides to head here. read more

Everyone claims that the Casbah has the best burgers in town, but I am a bigger fan of Dempsey's burgers. Sure, the competition's truffle fries are better, but the burgers here are extra delicious and are less greasy. Make sure to get here on Tuesdays with your student i.d. for half off burgers! read more

I am always down for some round ground round and after the great bruger divorce of last year I had made the "other burger joint" my usual. However after one lackluster and one piss poor performace up on Mass St. I wandered back into Dempsy's and was welcomed like the prodigal son. I have munched on the bleu and the au poive of late and really appreciated the simplicity of tastes that they provide. Yup they might not be the gastro-burger concoctions found a few blocks south, but they are solid, hearty, and pretty unpretentious. Oh yeah, great beer selection and most importantnly a staff whose beer knowledge is a little wide than 23rd St. to Boulevard Avenue. read more

I'm with Corey teetering around that 3.5 mark. The bar and decor are a couple of steps up from your average food-serving bar. I like how the place had a Guinness theme, complete with some cool ads painted on the brick walls, rather than just random crap on the walls. They have a good amount of 4 person tables that were full when we got there so we reluctantly grabbed a very small 3 person table in the middle of the aisle. Sitting in these crammed in tables you're guaranteed to get bumped into and hear "excuse me" about every 3 minutes. Thankfully we upgraded to a real table after someone left. I went the the Classic burger and the truffle fries. There are 6 different burgers on the menu. The ones I can remember are: Classic, Kobe Beef, Black and Bleu, Vegetarian, and some kind of Italian burger. There was also a small piece of paper attached to the menu board offering a fairly pricey Buffalo burger at $12.95. The burger was pretty good. Toasted buns are always nice and the burger was crisp on the outside without being overdone on the inside. The truffle fries are pretty much your standard truffle fries, although a little undercooked. They looked like they had a very good selection of beers and decent drink specials every night, including $3 Guinness on Tuesday. I would definitely like to come back sometime in the evening when I can enjoy a beer with my burger. read more

Quite simply the most fantastic, bestest, most awesomest burger and fries you've ever had in your life. A great wooden and brick interior really sells the Irish pub vibe, as do the Jaegermeister-topped pool tables. A chalkboard menu and large wooden bar add to the great feel. Like others have said, the fry selection can't be beat, nor can the amazing range of burgers they packed into a small menu. Something for everybody from the vegetarian to the carnivore. I highly recommend the Smoke Burger, but the Black and Blue is a family staple as well. Their sauces are one of my favorite parts. No highly processed red "ketchup" from a bottle here, things like Chipotle-cocoa ketchup make my tummy yummy every time. The locally grown micro-greens are superb as are every one of their veggies I've tried. One notable exception is the pickles, which seem to be universally admonished by my circle o' compadres. Not dill, they're an odd specimen of sweetness and non-crunchiness. One other minor nitpick, seating is a bit limited and is first come, first serve, so if you go with a party any larger than you and a date, it can be a little bit difficult to find a seat, much less a choice one. If you have a group larger than 4, well, good luck. A little pricey, but this ain't your regular burger. Well worth the extra buck or two. read more

For a burger place, I absolutely love this one! Burgers are interesting and gourmet, fries are awesome, staff is friendly, atmosphere is great. A favorite place for my group of friends. The Picante Burger is very spicy and very tasty. I always get truffle fries! read more

The thing that I always say when people ask me what I think of Dempsey's is, "Well, It's NOT the Burger Stand." (A somewhat ironic comparison, given that the Burger Stand used to be housed inside Dempsey's before moving to its new home at The Casbah. And I mean ironic in an Alanis Morissette kind of way, not in the actually ironic irony kind of way.) It probably irks the folks at here to know that they are now in direct competition with the fantastic burger-making chefs that used to pack the house every night back when they were under Dempsey's roof. Being only a couple of blocks away from the new location makes it pretty much inevitable that comparisons are going to happen, and unfortunately they mostly favor The Other One. Don't get me wrong; Dempsey's isn't terrible. They have a couple of burgers that are really pretty tasty. The quinoa burger and the portabella sandwich are both yummy, and tend to be my go-to choices when we eat there. The falafel burger, however, was disappointing. Not inedible, but pretty bland and mushy the one time I ordered it. As for the fries, they're also pretty good. One thing I do like about them, as opposed to the Burger Stand, is that you can order your sweet potato fries sweet or salty. However, the quality of the sweet potato fries just doesn't match up, and the dipping sauces that Dempsey's serves with them pretty much pale in comparison to what you can get down the street to go with your sweet and cinnamony version at the Burger Stand. I end up at Dempsey's about once a week for trivia night. (Wednesdays at nine, folks! See if you have what it takes to beat the Isotopes!) I usually do end up eating there, simply because I know I have several vegetarian options and they're going to be predictably decent. If I really disliked the food here, I'd eat before we go and not bother with their menu. I will say, though, that if there was a choice between playing trivia and eating at Dempsey's or playing and eating at the Burger Stand, there'd be no contest. (Also, a word of warning: Avoid this place like the plague on nights when Sporting Kansas City is playing, unless that's why you're coming here. It'll be full of soccer fans, about as loud as a stadium, and impossible to find seating. We learned this lesson the hard way.) read more

I had to go get this burger twice in the same week which shows how great it was!! This place has tried and failed so many times I was a skeptic and it took me until their 1 year anniversary to come up from KC to try it. I thought Kansas City had the best gourmet burger with Blanc so I was shocked when I tried theirs. The Mushroom Burger- Good the goat cheese gets a little lost The Black and Bleu- Amazing combo with the apple and the brioche is amazing The Smoke- Seemed a little generic but best bacon and Gouda combo ever The fries are what put this place above Blanc. I tried the regular, truffle and duck fat. The first time the duck fat were amazing however I was a little disappointed with how soggy they were the second but still delich. The sauces are what make them even more incredible. The mustard, parm and chili sauces were great! But the best is the chipotle ketchup get extra on the side! I will be back and I will be driving 45 minutes just for Dempsey's. Can't wait for their new restaurant coming in March. PS. The bartenders are great and awesome beer and good wine selection. This place isn't going anywhere! read more

Perfect Hamburgers, a little better burgers than The Burger Stand at the Casbah, mush better atmosphere. The hamburgers are large, so I like to order a slider and fries. Good news is...they have table service - makes choosing between the two easy! It is so much easier to just pop in and sit down with a waitress. The new Blue Burger with onion marmalade is awful. read more

Used to be my favorite hangout for a burger and a beer. After multiple bad experiences (forever waits for food, bad quality, bad service, complete disinterest in caring about the aforementioned when reported to management), I will never return. Mismanagement has destroyed a former gem in downtown Lawrence. read more

I'm not sure The Burger Stand necessarily needs another rave review, but that's what I have to give. I get the Classic every time. Someday I'll try something new, but it's too perfect - sweet greens, hand made ketchup, delicious bun that absorbs the juices just right and always seasoned well and cooked medium or closely thereabouts. The fries are also great! I get the side with my burger because a basket is better for 3 or more. The regular fries are good as are the truffle fries and the sweet potato fries. I too am a little uncomfortable with duck fat fries no matter how good they might be. The sweet potato fries are pretty rich and I don't need a whole side of them even so I only ordered them once. The counter service is fine - a little tricky when those in line and ordering get in the way of getting my hands on the most delicious burger evar! And who doesn't like the excitement of hearing your name called across the venue when your order is ready :) They've ruined me for other burgers - I only have eyes (and stomach) for Dempsey's burgers now. And the beer is good too! read more

My go-to place in Lawrence, great staff, excellent food & drinks. Would highly recommend to everyone if they're looking for a solid spot to stop in at and have a quality experience. read more

Totally believe the hype. The burgers are delicious. And, the fries are amazing. For me, the side order of fries is a pretty ample serving.

I have eaten burgers the world over and there is no comparison to the Burger Stand's Burgers (located within Dempsey's Irish Pub). This is fine burger dining at its best. I had the Kobe Burger with Sweet Potato Fries and a pint of Guiness. The combination of homemade roll, fresh spring greens, Sauteed onions, fresh ground Wagyu (Kobe) beef and a ridiculously decadent truffle sauce, made each bite an other-worldly experience. This had to be what CS Lewis envisioned when writing about Turkish Delight. The Sweet Potato fries, ketchup, pickle spears and roll were all hand made and unbelievable! I have been telling everyone I know about it, and got a Yelp! account for the sole purpose of preaching the Burger Stand gospel. If you are ever in Lawrence, or death row and have time for only one meal, this is it. Fully stocked bar, with International Beer and whiskey aplenty. One of Lawrence's hidden gems. read more

In the Dempsey's vs The Burger Stand argument, I always vote for Dempsey's. I can give you 6 reasons why (6 for the number of days a week I could eat there...I have to give myself a day off): 1) Their bleu burger is better because it has bacon on it. 2) The truffle fries are better. They just are. Don't question it. 3) The sweet potato fries are available in sweet or salty. Go with sweet. 4) I would promise my first-born child for a bucket of the roasted garlic aioli 5) Burgers are half price on Tuesdays with a student ID. Yes, I know The Burger Stand also does this, but Dempsey's did it first so they get points for being original. 6) It's a good place to watch the game, especially if you're into soccer. read more

Had the fried egg burger at Dempsey's last Friday, and I've been craving another one since. I was in Lawrence last weekend with my son. I found this place on yelp and gave it a try. I am really glad I did. The burgers were fantastic---juicy and delicious. I had the truffle fries with garlic aioli. Yum. The atmosphere is great too. The prices were incredible for such high quality food. We're talking gourmet burgers and fries. We both had burgers with fries and I had a cocktail and our final cost was around $27. Great value. The only downside to our visit was the wait time. We waited nearly an hour, but it was worth it! read more

I was so excited to try this place because people have raved about it. I was so incredibly disappointed. I will never go back. The service and the food was terrible. My boyfriend and I had the greasiest, bloodiest, nastiest burgers we've ever had. They were falling apart they were so greasy. I considered taking the burger home for the dog, but I ended up leaving it because I didn't want him to get sick from it. To top off this horrible experience, the place was filthy and the service was god awful. We were seated and ended up bussing our own table because there was sauce and grease from the people before us. After taking our order, our waitress sat at the cash wrap for about 20 minutes (counting out tips or something). I could see or food sitting under the heat lamp, but she couldn't be bothered. To be fair, the food would have sucked whether it sat under the heat lamp or if we had gotten it straight away. I included a picture of the dirty dishes on the bar just so you can get an idea of how dirty and chaotic it was. read more

Dempsey's Burger Pub - Dirty dishes piled on the counter - Burgers Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

My mouth waters when I think of this place and getting a chance to eat here!! The food is terrific and the service is great! I love the Hot Hawaiian Burger and the Thai PBB!! The fries are fantastic!! Everything we have ever had here is amazing!!! It's definitely the very best place to get a burger in Kansas!!! read more

Second time going to Dempsy's and it still great. Last time was about a year ago so it might have changed a bit. Service was polite and fast. Great selection of beers and nice interesting burgers. Ordered hot Hawaiian and pbbb. Both were great and had the fire fries. If you spice, that cpmbo of burgers and fries will not disaapoint. It was more than enough food. read more

Simply put......great food and even better drinks, definitely worth the 50 steps to travel off Mass street. Fun friendly staff kept the Cervaza's coming and great atmosphere......plenty of TV's to watch the game!!! read more

The service was poor. The bartender looked like he didn't want to be there. Charged me two different prices on the same drink. Kept the change on the second one without asking. Asked a waitress to put in an order for a medium rare burger. Which she let die in the window, I picked it up myself and it was medium well instead of medium rare. She didn't even bring me a ticket for it so I could pay. This place has potential but the staff isn't trained very well and have bad attitudes. read more

Best burgers and fries in all of the Midwest. Pleaseeeeee come to MO, i need those sweet fries in my life

My first thought upon walking into Dempseys Burger Pub was, "What a humble little establishment, lacking a bit on the irish side, but makes up for the fantastic family atmosphere and good spirited drinking folk." That was almost 9 years ago, and since then Ive come to think of the place as almost a second home. Always a bartender with a welcoming smile, and a wait staff that will go above and beyond to appease whatever need their patrons desire. Not to mention the whole staff (especially the wait staff) is rreeaalll easy on the eyes. Silly me, I haven't even began to boast about the delicious food yet! With an ever evolving burger or salad special and a rock solid constant menu they never fail to disappoint to bring the tastiest meat treats and something for the vegetarian crowd. A great menu is only made better by a consistent and loyal kitchen staff, which dempseys has had for years in my opinion. Never failing to make some ridiculous add ons and changes that suffice anyone's appetite needs. Lastly, and this is just of recently, the new management has seemed to really bring some stellar improvement not only cosmetically, but especially as far as the new beer and liquor choices have been. I've been finding some of the best new beers just because dempseys has kept a good, ever changing tap and can menu. Thank you so much for always being there for me at 11 in the morning when I really just need a good cocktail and some fries! Forever loyal patron, bless up to the burger gods and to many more years! read more

I had the pineapple wings great wings tasted like they were fresh off the chicken highly recommend- Chino Ramsey

we have been on a mission to find the best burgers in town, and this one easily fits in the top 5. Great service and attention to detail. They cooked it the way we asked, even with different doneness. Great atmosphere and the choices are awesome. Def a fan read more

Visited Dempsey's last Saturday - kitchen was backed up and it took awhile to get our food. However, our waitress was very apologetic and brought out a complimentary basket of truffle fries. Both the service and the food was great despite a slow night! read more

The burger was good but the fries were so bad it's difficult to believe it wasn't on purpose--cold and overlong in the grease is unacceptable. read more

First the switch the order that I have asked ( to go order) to something else (bacon burger). Then, I let Dampsey waitress to know that she gave me the wrong order ,yet, they were insisting i was wrong and they were right. Then, I showed them their mistake and they said "sorry" period(.) Please make sure you give the right order for your customers! It was first and last time read more

Recently, I feel like this establishment has declined in quality mostly with the staff, but the food has also been inconsistent. The staff is friendly but unprofessional in my opinion. When we walked in, 2 of them were playing Mario Kart on the TV. The cords were strung across the area where customers walk to get to their booths. Our waitress was prompt, but she looked disheveled and dirty as if she had just rolled out of bed. She was wearing oversized clothes with what looked like unbrushed hair and a large beanie. I wouldn't expect a pub staff to look immaculate, but somewhat presentable. Normally, I wouldn't bat an eye at how another person dresses or does their hair, but to me, it matters when you're serving food. My burger tasted good but was undercooked. I was still okay with the light pink center so I didn't bother with the hassle of sending it back and waiting for another order. Our fries were very greasy, so much that you could feel and taste the oil squeezing out of the fries with every bite. For the price of the food, I would expect better. Usually, I find Dempsey's fries to be perfect, but this time was not great. It is disappointing to have to say these things about Dempsey's because in the past they were one of the best places in town to get a burger. read more

Most delicious sweet potato fries I have ever had in my life -- lightly crisped with a hint of sweet potato. I tried the Smoke Burger, which was tasty as well, with bacon and chipotle sauce. This is simply one of the best burgers and fries I have ever tried! read more

Best burger we have had recently! This is a nice bar grill with excellent service. Several good craft beers on tap. We all had different burgers and fries. Most of these reviews give high marks to the dipping sauces for the fries. Our high marks are for the tasty burgers. read more

Burgers sounded good for a late night meal after some heavy happy hour drinks. Being gluten free, I always wonder if the burger place would have a gluten free bun that I can have. This place did not, so that made me a bit sad. I ended up with a bunless bacon, bleu cheese, onion marmalade burger. It was sub-par. I couldn't quite figure out what was so offputting but I think it might be that the whole burger was weirdly sweet given the onion marmalade business. Even the funky bleu cheese couldn't manage to cut the sweetness. Another bummer, but certainly not uncommon at all!, was the fact that I couldn't have an fries. Very few places have contamination free fryers for their potato products so from what I smelled, they looked yummy. Just can't speak to their texture or flavor. Overall a solid place, if you can eat gluten. read more

We had a traditional burger with fire fries, black cod with homemade tarter sauce, BBQ bacon burger with homemade BBQ sauce. Everything was so good. Can't wait to go back & tell everyone about it. Great food, service & decor. read more

As you might or might not know, the Krause's have packed up house and moved the Burger Stand to the Casbah, right next to their other establishment, Esquina. In its stead, the owners of Dempsey's have hired another chef to continue on the bar's tradition of hamburger excellence. They've also renamed the place: no longer do we go to Dempsey's Irish Pub--we go to Dempsey's Burger Pub. I really, really want to like the new menu and the new chef. Really, I do. I'm always happy when new local establishments are ... established, and happier when great ones transform themselves. With that said, after visiting the new Dempsey's, I can't give it any more than three stars. The atmosphere is the same: wooden tables, jagermeister pool tables, televisions playing baseball or association football or something else good. The food has changed, though. I ordered the Au Poivre Burger, and my friend ordered the egg burger. We both thought the same thing: the burger was too charred on the outside. While the rest of my burger was all right, the over-charred outside detracted from the burger. Equally importantly, they neglected to ask me (or my friend) a very important burger question: how I liked my burger prepared. If I go to the Burger Stand (or Blanc), I'm asked how I want my burger. Generally (with a few exceptions), I'm a fan of my animal products being cooked only so much as to not make me sick. My burgers end up coming out medium. Dempsey's didn't offer this choice: I got a well-done burger. For a supposedly gourmet burger, this is a deal-breaker. No thanks. The truffle fries are still awesome, though. The truffle cream that they serve with the fries is terribly wonderful. The beer and drink selection looks to be about the same as before. (I had to work soon after lunch, at my place of employment does not appreciate me coming in after drinks.) I do wish that they would take a page from 715 and Esquina and the Burger Stand and Blanc and offer a selection of more premium non-alcoholic beverages. (715 and the Krause establishments offer Dublin, TX Dr. Pepper and Mexican Coca-Cola, amongst other selections. Blanc offers Shatto lemonade and milk, amongst other selections.) Unless I (and the person taking my order) missed something, the non-alcoholic beverage selection at Dempsey's remains soda fountain colas and water. My hope is that Dempsey's can get the kinks worked out of the new burgers. They could turn out fantastic: they just haven't yet. read more

Nice pub atmosphere: poorly lit, loud, and sort of dingy - all the more reason to enjoy Dempsey's. There are rarely huge crowds here so the atmosphere is low-key, a nice place to just chill. The selection of beer on tap is pretty large for a Lawrence bar, and they carry numerous bottles as well. And, if you're in the mood for munchies, their duck fat and truffle fries are to die for - the perfect complement to a glass of cold beer. read more

Let's just get this out of the way for those of you who don't have time to really read the reviews, or the desire, but simply scan them for the high points. Ding, Ding, Ding! We have a winner! 1) The truffle fries are killer. They are everything a french fry should be...salty, crispy, and ridiculously flavorful from the truffle oil. They should sell these by the pail...5 gallon pail that is! I found myself licking my fingers, the basket, and searching around my plate for escapees. Sadly, none could be found. If they had been, they would have been Hoovered up immediately. 2) The sauces! Awesome, Chipotle cocoa ketchup, Parmesan and roasted garlic ailoi, habanero cactus jam...come on...that screams fine dining, and yet it looks like your typical pub, very unassuming. Anyone would be comfortable in here. Bring your Grandma, bring your friends, for crying out loud, bring me. You will forever be known as the guy/gal that knows all the cool places to eat. Be that Guy! 3) Clever burger options. This ain't no Irish pub I ever saw. Watch out Blanc! The Kobe burger, Smoke burger, Fire burger, Fromage burger, Black and Blue burger, and the Classic. They also have 2 vegetarian options: Falafel burger, and the Romesco burger. 4) Groovy toppings: truffle butter, micro-greens, pickled onions, and apple chutney. All of this, and you would think I would give it 5 stars, but alas, they over cooked my burger...1 demerit! I ought to take away a star for the hideous flavored pickle spear on my plate, however, I was really quite enamored with the rest of the meal. I will definitely be back to give them a shot at the title of "Best of my Hamburger Heaven. For now they will just have to be happy with runner up. read more

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