1926Martin's Kum-Bak
One grill, eight stools
John Martin opens at 2808 Guadalupe with a flat-top, an eight-stool bar and a dirt floor. He spells "Come Back" his own way so people notice.
★ The 100th year · 2808 Guadalupe ★
100 years on the Dragstill flipping burgers on Guadalupe
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John Martin opened Martin's Kum-Bak in 1926 with one flat-top grill, eight stools and a dirt floor. The regulars called it Dirty's. A century later, they still do.
Photo: Carol M. Highsmith Archive, Library of CongressPick one. Watch it stack.
Every weekday has a deal.
Happy hour$5 small cheeseburgers · $1 off tallboys · $1 off drafts · $2 off Dirty's cocktails
A century on the Drag
100 years, one corner.
'50sa real floor
Goodbye, dirt
In the early 1950s, concrete finally covers the dirt floor. The nickname stays.
1989the Nemir years
Family hands
Mark Nemir takes over the restaurant, and later buys the property in 2001.
2017a new back room
Room to grow
The patio is enclosed, the TVs and a music stage go in, and a full bar opens.
2022Save Dirty's
The town shows up
A light-rail route threatens the building. Tens of thousands sign the petition to save it.
2024saved
The rail bends
A redesigned rail plan spares the building. Dirty's celebrates by trolling A&M fans with a replica "national championship" plaque.
2026one hundred
The 100th birthday
July 10, 2026: an all-day celebration, and a 90-minute line out the door.
Loretold at the counter
Carved and cooked
Janis Joplin carved her name into a table here. Will Colvin has worked the grill for nearly three decades; Earl Campbell used to give him a ride to work.
Book the back room.
Burnt Orange Room
Birthdays, retirements, happy hours and game days. We set up and clean up.
Under the Tent
For big groups, around 100 people. Book at least a week ahead.
Outdoor Bar
Add it on or buy it out: open bar, drink tickets or your own drinks list.
Dirty's Alumni
Points for every visit.
Thanks for helping us reach our 100th year. Every tier is named for someone who makes Dirty's what it is.
Draft Club
Thirty visits gets you a 22-ounce draft for the 16-ounce price, all year, and your name on the plaque.
Sun – Wed11am – 9pm
Thu – Sat11am – 11pm