If you're into burgers you've come to the right place. Houston, that is. Although, yes - I can also help you sink your teeth into a fantastic burger, and maybe get yourself a nice house or a condo as well. But back to burgers: in H-Town, we take burgers seriously. From Stanton's City Bites (flipping burgers since the 50's!) to Bistro Menil (Picasso + a burger, how cool is that?!), and every other place in between, there is surely a juicy burger for every budget and every taste in this town. Here's a short-list of my TOP 5, although I could drive you to at least half a dozen more (that I've actually had).
Lankford Market's FIREHOUSE Burger
No. 1 - Lankford's Grocery and Market's "FIREHOUSE BURGER" $7.69 - 88 Dennis St., Midtown
If you're into HEAT, this is the one burger that'll do it for ya'. I have a fiery tongue and let me tell you, these guys outdid themselves. The wait for this behemoth of a burger is around 12mins. Fully worth the wait, if you ask me. These guys fire up the burger, load it with habanero sauce, fresh jalapeños, cheese, onions, tomato and pickles, resulting in a super-packed-with-heat bundle, so be sure to order an ice-cold beer as to better aid your tongue from minute one. Be advised this is a BIG burger as well; I do not recommend having it "on the run." Great location too, nice neighborhood feel, very friendly service.
If you're into HEAT, this is the one burger that'll do it for ya'. I have a fiery tongue and let me tell you, these guys outdid themselves. The wait for this behemoth of a burger is around 12mins. Fully worth the wait, if you ask me. These guys fire up the burger, load it with habanero sauce, fresh jalapeños, cheese, onions, tomato and pickles, resulting in a super-packed-with-heat bundle, so be sure to order an ice-cold beer as to better aid your tongue from minute one. Be advised this is a BIG burger as well; I do not recommend having it "on the run." Great location too, nice neighborhood feel, very friendly service.
Hopdoddy Burger Bar's EL DIABLO
No. 2 - Hopdoddy's "EL DIABLO" $8.25 - 4444 Westheimer Rd., River Oaks District
So we've all heard how Austin can cook a burger, and I can attest to the fact that these guys know their stuff. Although this burger is a distant second to Lankford's Firehouse Burger in terms of heat (i.e., Lankford's is a 9/10 on my heat scale, and Hopdoddy is a 6/10), this burger is juicy, delicious, and more digestible for a regular workday. Bread is fresh-baked (in-store), produce always looks fresh, and this particular location - The River Oaks District - is one where one could argue is a place to "see and be seen."
So we've all heard how Austin can cook a burger, and I can attest to the fact that these guys know their stuff. Although this burger is a distant second to Lankford's Firehouse Burger in terms of heat (i.e., Lankford's is a 9/10 on my heat scale, and Hopdoddy is a 6/10), this burger is juicy, delicious, and more digestible for a regular workday. Bread is fresh-baked (in-store), produce always looks fresh, and this particular location - The River Oaks District - is one where one could argue is a place to "see and be seen."
Bistro Menil's CHEESEBURGER
No. 3 - Bistro Menil's "Cheeseburger" $14.00 - 1513 W Alabama St., Montrose
People always have warned me about museum stores ("expensive!"). And museum cafes, restaurants and bistros ("expensive and bad!). So as expected, I love attending both. And boy was I surprised when I forfeited Crisp Duck Confit or Seared Sea Scallops in order to further my reputation as a burger connoisseur, and in came this guy. What a beaute!! 100% Angus beef, Gruyere, onions, roasted tomatoes, spring mix and Dijonnaise dressing. The simplicity and sophistication of this burger blew my mind. I wanted to make it No. 1 on my list, but my taste buds - ever demanding HEAT - did not allow for that. And of course if you've seen Picasso, Warhol or Bacon prior to hitting the Bistro, well... you get the idea, this is a real treat. A Houston, TX-only treat.
People always have warned me about museum stores ("expensive!"). And museum cafes, restaurants and bistros ("expensive and bad!). So as expected, I love attending both. And boy was I surprised when I forfeited Crisp Duck Confit or Seared Sea Scallops in order to further my reputation as a burger connoisseur, and in came this guy. What a beaute!! 100% Angus beef, Gruyere, onions, roasted tomatoes, spring mix and Dijonnaise dressing. The simplicity and sophistication of this burger blew my mind. I wanted to make it No. 1 on my list, but my taste buds - ever demanding HEAT - did not allow for that. And of course if you've seen Picasso, Warhol or Bacon prior to hitting the Bistro, well... you get the idea, this is a real treat. A Houston, TX-only treat.
Stanton's SPICY CHIPOTLE burger
No. 4 - Stanton's City Bites' "Spicy Chipotle" burger $9.00 - 1420 Edwards St., Sixth Ward
Alright, you've spotted a pattern, I'll usually go for burgers packed with heat. This burger, beautifully grilled ground beef with house chipotle mayo, house chipotle butter, jalapeno jack cheese, grilled onions, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes on a jalapeno bun is not hot (a 4/10 on my scale), but it is *delicious*. It is my "go-to" burger in Houston for sure, one that will never disappoint. It is also in an excellent price range and its size makes it perfect for any occasion, especially with family and friends. This place has been in its original location since the early 50's, so if you need to take someone to a Houston landmark, and show 'em how a burger is flipped in this town, this is it!!
Alright, you've spotted a pattern, I'll usually go for burgers packed with heat. This burger, beautifully grilled ground beef with house chipotle mayo, house chipotle butter, jalapeno jack cheese, grilled onions, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes on a jalapeno bun is not hot (a 4/10 on my scale), but it is *delicious*. It is my "go-to" burger in Houston for sure, one that will never disappoint. It is also in an excellent price range and its size makes it perfect for any occasion, especially with family and friends. This place has been in its original location since the early 50's, so if you need to take someone to a Houston landmark, and show 'em how a burger is flipped in this town, this is it!!
Del Frisco's GRILLE PRIME burger
No. 5 - Del Frisco's Grille's "The Grille Prime Cheese Burger" $13.5 - 2800 Kirby Dr. STE A132, Upper Kirby (WestAve)
Now this is what I call a wrapped up beauty. It is handed to you in a beautifully spun wax-paper, ready for you to enjoy: double patties, lettuce, red onion, tomato, pickle and sloppy sauce. That red onion - BAM!! This is a mid-level burger in terms of size and price; I've discussed business over this burger more than once. Decor at Del Frisco's is upscale, WestAve is nice. PLUS: if we're doing a real estate deal together, it's a 1-min walk from our WestAve office on the corner of Kirby & Westheimer. Double-BAM!!
Now this is what I call a wrapped up beauty. It is handed to you in a beautifully spun wax-paper, ready for you to enjoy: double patties, lettuce, red onion, tomato, pickle and sloppy sauce. That red onion - BAM!! This is a mid-level burger in terms of size and price; I've discussed business over this burger more than once. Decor at Del Frisco's is upscale, WestAve is nice. PLUS: if we're doing a real estate deal together, it's a 1-min walk from our WestAve office on the corner of Kirby & Westheimer. Double-BAM!!