Hard not to like Easy Slider’s creativity

By Sara Newberry

Sliders, in and of themselves, are not something I normally seek out. I like a burger (OK, I love a burger), but part of the burger experience I enjoy is the meal-on-bread aspect of it. Sliders are great at a cocktail party or as part of a larger multi-food experience (like a food truck rally), but on their own I’ve always found them kind of unsatisfying. But recently I adjusted my slider-related worldview, because I wanted to check out the new location of Easy Slider.

You’ve probably seen an Easy Slider truck around town. Started in 2011, they are one of the original local trucks, popping up at various locations before food truck festivals became a thing. Recently they opened their first brick-and-mortar location in Deep Ellum, so we can find sliders anytime without having to track down a truck.

Now, rather than look at sliders as too-small versions of burgers, I’m looking at them as a perfect option for those of us that have trouble choosing just one burger. Mushrooms or grilled onions? BBQ sauce or mayo? Jalapenos? And I haven’t even started considering cheese options. Easy Slider alleviates this issue and adds ingredients that you might not have considered.

Most of the sliders start with Angus beef, then topped with ingredients ranging from cheddar cheese to french-fried onions to strawberry jam. There are also a few non-beef options, like mushrooms and tuna steak, as well as a slider-sized chili dog.

We tried a range of sliders on a recent visit. Out of the six we sampled, there were definitely a couple of favorites, but all of them were creative and tasty. The Roadside, topped with bacon, Tillamook cheddar, grilled jalapenos, french-fried onions and BBQ sauce, was the most traditional flavor we tried. It was a nice respite from the more unusual combinations. The Notorious P.I.G. is the perfect gateway slider, with the bacon being joined by shaved ham, havarti, and a sweet and spicy pear chow chow.

It’s All Gouda was one of my two favorites. I add mushrooms to a burger at any opportunity, and smoked gouda was a lovely upgrade from the Swiss that’s normally available. Roasted garlic mayo adds a little sweetness to offset the tangy cheese and earthy mushrooms. The Sweet & Lowdown was my other favorite: salty goat cheese, smoky bacon and sweet strawberry jam combine to make a deeply satisfying slider.

My least favorites were the two non-burger options: an ahi tuna burger and a mini-chili dog. The tuna was flavorful and perfectly cooked, but a little too heavy on the soy sauce. The cashew slaw was tasty enough to have on its own. The Doublewide Dog was ridiculously cute, and the chili was spot-on. The dog itself was super salty (which is an issue I’ve had lately with hot dogs).

The other surprise at Easy Slider was the quality of the tater tots served as a side. I’m not anti-tot insofar as I am pro-any other potato treatment, but these could sway my opinion. They were crisp, salty (in a good way), and loaded with cheddar, bacon and housemade ranch. For maybe the first time, I didn’t wish I had French fries instead.

Service at Easy Slider is friendly and casual while being knowledgeable, and the crowd is eclectic.

If you are hesitant because, like me, you think of sliders as less-satisfying burgers, I encourage you to give Easy Slider a shot. You will not be disappointed!

Easy Slider

2701 Main St, Dallas, 75226

469-917-7111

easyslidertexas.com

Sunday-Wednesday

11 a.m.–12 a.m.

Thursday- Saturday

11 a.m.–2 a.m.

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