In 1926 John Martin opened a little restaurant named Martin's Kum-Bak which served hamburgers, shakes and other popular items of the time. Up until the 1940s and 1950s the majority of Martin's business was done in the parking lot with car hops. Through those early years, the dirt floor was responsible for Martin's Kum-Bak eventually being nicknamed "Dirty's" or "Dirty Martin's". Though a concrete
floor was added in 1951, the unofficial name of "Dirty's" stuck with the patrons and, years later, was adopted by Martin's. The original Martin's was neighbored by a local gas station until 1957 and sometime after, a bar named The Friendly Tavern. But in the mid 1960s the walls between the two were knocked down and the two buildings were joined to create a back dining area for the restaurant giving more indoor space to patrons. This same building has been providing a comfortable, friendly atmosphere to our loyal customers to this day. Obviously we couldn't have been so successful so long with out great food! When you eat at Dirty Martin's, you are guaranteed to have the freshest food possible! Every day we get a fresh delivery of bread, meat and produce. We have been serving our burgers the same way since 1926 - Only the freshest hamburger meat is used and it is NEVER frozen. Our onion rings and French fries are homemade as well as our hand squeezed lemonades and limeades. Our shakes and malts are made to order the old fashioned way. Everything we serve has been perfected over the years and has made "Kum-Bak" customers of just about everyone! Feel free to check out our menu to get more information about all the tasty meals that we offer. Another thing we at Dirty Martin's accredit our longtime success to is our "family" of employees. For years our patrons have seen many of the same smiling faces serving them their favorite meals. Doc Mallard who was loved by all started working with us in 1947 as a car hop. He eventually worked as the Head of Public Relations until six months before his death in 1993. People still remember Doc to this day and he has been missed by us all. Today you can see Wesley, who has been cooking for us since 1957; he can still be found, as our head of public relations, during lunch at the end of our counter keeping a careful eye out to make sure things are done the way they have always been done and that every customer is treating like an old friend. And if you have been in Dirty's in or after the 1970s, you most likely have been waited on by Margie, who retired in 2003 just before her 80th birthday! We miss you Margie! Today, Dirty's is still in the original building and location near the University of Texas campus in Austin. The ceiling in the back dining room has been raised to accommodate four large-screen TVs and a few new menu items have been added such as the Grilled Chicken Sandwich, Veggie Burger, Homemade Chili and Queso, an assortment of appetizers, and our wonderful Cheeseburger Salad. Other than that, Dirty Martin's is still providing the same delicious food and great service that it always has. So come on in to see us and enjoy the bar style dining up front , watch a sporting event in the relaxed dining area in the back, or if you prefer the outdoors, feel free to dine on our front or our new back patio while you people-watch and listen to some music. Any way you like it, you can't lose with the combination of the cozy Dirty Martin's atmosphere, our friendly family of employees and of course our famous, award winning food!! We look forward to seeing you soon.
