The 50 Greatest Hamburgers In Texas
A gastro-scientific inquiry into the finest burgers in the state that invented the burger, including the Toro (#4), the Stodg (#6), the Miss Hattie (#28), and, in our top slot, a miracle of meat served only on Sundays. No wonder they call it the Lord’s day.
47 comments
Thursday, May 31st, 2012, 4:39 pm
Steven says:
Stomps in Bacliff has it all when it comes to burgers. You can’t get a better burger anywhere!!
Saturday, August 13th, 2011, 10:24 am
samantha says:
Lee’s Creek grill on the south side of lake cherokee near longview. This place is a hidden gem. Best burger around along with everything else there.
Sunday, April 10th, 2011, 1:18 pm
Ann says:
Ray’s Burgers in Lufkin make the BEST ones!! A Ray’s Special is to die for! The onion rings are great too. Check them out.
Monday, February 21st, 2011, 7:11 pm
steve says:
"The Caesar" at Scotty P’s in Frisco. Best I’ve had so far.
Sunday, January 30th, 2011, 1:57 pm
kristina says:
Will you be making another list? You have to take a little trip to Taproom in San Marcos. Guacamole Queso Burger. Seriously.
Monday, January 17th, 2011, 1:11 pm
Jared says:
MAPLE & MOTOR in dallas - try it
Tuesday, October 26th, 2010, 2:24 pm
Lisa says:
Make sure you try Rooster’s in Denton for the next round... both the Big A** Double Burger (2 grilled cheese sandwiches serve as the bun) and the Chez Bubba Double Burger (sauteed mushrooms, provolone, truffle mayo, and a fried egg) are amazing (I am partial to the Chez Bubba). I look forward to my trips to little d about a million times more since discovering them!
Wednesday, October 20th, 2010, 10:55 pm
Alex says:
you all did not come to Brownsville and try a Rutledge Burger. They have been making the same burger since 1925 and its the best so far that I have tasted. Its location is just as unique as there burgers as is the grill.
Sunday, September 5th, 2010, 1:50 pm
JL Green says:
Just had one of the best burgers I’ve ever eaten at Woody’s in Mineral Wells. So good in fact, that another round was called for and enjoyed. Woody’s omission from the list is HUGE mistake. But then again, how can you trust a "Best of" list that was compiled and published by the same group that included avacodos on the cover of its "Best BBQ" issue?
Thursday, August 12th, 2010, 10:12 pm
Amy says:
Dutch’s has me wanting more. The bun is delicious, the meat is cooked to perfection, and the onionrings are incredible. Wish I had one now!
Saturday, April 3rd, 2010, 8:13 pm
Daniel says:
It’s already been mentioned several times, but ask anyone in San Antonio who makes the best burger and the answer will always be Chris Madrid’s. You have to be the best to be in business over 30 years!!
Monday, March 15th, 2010, 9:41 pm
emily says:
Hands down best burger in Dallas is the Hole in Wall. The service might not be the friendliest, but my husband and I find ourselves going back time and time again. There is rumor they might be closing down. Please Texas Monthly, make a trip over and try it. You will never regret you did.
Friday, October 30th, 2009, 5:03 am
Sarah B says:
Chris Madrid’s in San Antonio? Chester’s Green Chile Cheeseburger? Bobby J’s in Helotes? I would really love to see the process of choosing which restaurants to dine in. I feel some of the Texas greats were missed and that this list is more of an advertisement than a representation of the best burger. Where can I see a list of all the restaurants that participated and comments on each burger tasted?
Monday, October 26th, 2009, 11:00 pm
TheStolenOlive says:
Did your critics ever think to entertain the thought of a restaurant that hasn’t been featured on FoodNetwork’s Diners Dine Ins and Dives?
Seriously? Twisted Root? They put bread crumbs in their burgers... which is an automatic disqualification of a good burger on any level.
You obviously didn’t even get close to the best burger in Texas... which is at Kenny’s Wood Fired Grill in Addison, Texas.
Monday, October 26th, 2009, 10:59 pm
TheStolenOlive says:
Did your critics ever think to entertain a restaurant that hasn’t been featured on FoodNetwork’s Diners Dine Ins and Dives?
Seriously? Twisted Root? They put bread crumbs in their burgers... which is an automatic disqualification of a good burger on any level.
You obviously didn’t even get close to the best burger in Texas... which is at Kenny’s Wood Fired Grill in Addison, Texas.
Tuesday, October 20th, 2009, 3:58 pm
Bill says:
You obviously have not been to Dan’s in Austin. This is hands down the best, real hamburger I’ve ever eaten.
Tuesday, October 20th, 2009, 11:30 am
David says:
How did you not have Pappas Grill in Houston or Koppe Bridge in College Station? Clearly, these were missed or else they would have beaten out the abundance of imposters on this list.
Wednesday, September 16th, 2009, 4:10 pm
Stella says:
I recently moved to S.A. from California and so far had MoMak’s which was okay, (but the kids loved the backyard), and 2 days ago went to Fatty’s. OMG! Loved how they serve it hot and juicy on a homemade bun! They also serve complimentary beans to dine-in customers which were very good and spicy. Service was great, and we saw a long line after we were done, we beat the rush hour, I guess. I even text’d a few friends about it. No I am on a mission to try the rest here in S.A. and will also go to Chris Madrid’s cuz I saw here on the comments. Thanks for your article, I read it @ the S.A.Public Library.
Thursday, September 3rd, 2009, 8:28 am
Jeff Mayes says:
Although it is impossible to please everyone, and debatable at best that a wine bistro serving burgers once a week should even qualify as a Texas burger joint, there should at least be one minimum requirement for your list - fresh ground meat. I visited a ranked Houston-area joint yesterday and was shocked to see the box of pre-formed frozen patties (as well as frozen fries and onion rings) next to the flat-top. That alone should have bumped the place from the list.
Thursday, August 27th, 2009, 2:46 pm
Ryan Berryhill says:
Who would have known that tenth best burger in texas comes from Orlando’s in Lubbock? I would have.. every thing they make is great! They also own Caprock Cafe which makes a great philly cheesesteak.
Wednesday, August 26th, 2009, 2:31 am
Mike Robinson says:
Any list that doesn’t include the "Double Double Herdburger" from Herd’s in Jacksboro is flawed.
Tuesday, August 25th, 2009, 11:59 pm
says:
I live in Austin Texas and Casion El Camino has really awesome burgers. I don’t understand why some of the other Austin places were picked over Casino El Camino, Huts, and Sandy’s?!?
Monday, August 24th, 2009, 2:26 pm
Aaron says:
Really? Not even a mention of Jucy’s Hamburgers in Longview/Tyler?
C’mon, guys. Get with the program.
Sunday, August 23rd, 2009, 8:12 pm
poryorick says:
This burger list is somewhat of a travesty. I tried to have numbers 1 and 6 while in Dallas this weekend, and the fact that The Porch’s offering was so delicious gave pause to my initial concerns about quality considering that obvious picks had been denied. Couldn’t make The Grape due to scheduling, but tried Counter upon my return to ATX. One would expect the number 2 to exceed the number 6, but not so. Nor did it match up to the notably absent Camino El Camino. Now I have qualms about even utilizing this list as a reference for places in the area, much less the state. Perhaps if there were multiple strata of verification, you’d have more luck. As it stands, this list is only as reliable as a someone’s willingness to blindly trust the authors.
Sunday, August 23rd, 2009, 4:22 pm
says:
I’m with Allyson. How could you exclude Casino El Camino in Austin?
Sunday, August 23rd, 2009, 10:56 am
caro says:
How can you compare "burbburgers" with Chris Madrid’s in SanAntonio. They are divine.
Sunday, August 23rd, 2009, 10:20 am
j says:
Did you just decide it was somebody elses turn?Chris Madrid’s reigns as best burger in my book. With 10 times the parking they had 20 years ago, Chris Madrid’s has maintained the high quality and best tasting burger in San Antonio!
Sunday, August 23rd, 2009, 8:53 am
dtown says:
What about Navajo Burger in West Fort Worth just past Jacksboro Hwy? This list excludes some of the greats. Political reasons maybe? Whatever the reason...this is a travesty.
Saturday, August 22nd, 2009, 11:10 am
Linda says:
I don’t know how they can find the 50 best burgers in town when they didn’t even venture 15 miles north to Round Rock where Ward’s Cafe has been voted Best Hamburger in Round Rock. Know one from Texas Monthly EVER came up here. Hey Texas Monthly go to more than the nice looking places. Come look at my small Mom/Pop family owned and operated place. It may not look so nice but the food is GREAT!!!!!!
Friday, August 21st, 2009, 11:59 am
Danelle says:
You need to spread out a little more in the state - come to Ballinger and eat the Mushroom Swiss Burger at the Main Street Corner Market. The Rio Grande is great, too - come give them a try!
Wednesday, August 19th, 2009, 12:59 pm
Pat says:
Really? Why don’t you just go ahead and call yourselves Dallas Monthly. The Houston Press’s Robb Walsh wrote it best, "So Texas Monthly’s ideal Texas burger joint is a wine bar with lofty culinary standards that turns out a couple of burgers two days a week in an atmosphere reminiscent of ’a small European village.’"
Wednesday, August 19th, 2009, 9:15 am
Joe says:
Spanky’s He-man woman hater, in Lubbock, should find a spot. I agree Madrids in SA is world wide...
Tuesday, August 18th, 2009, 4:04 pm
Deborah Carrigan says:
Oh My! How can you search for the best burgers in Texas and not find Mel’s Burger Joint in Copperas Cove?! Be sure to come through if you’re gonna be judging french fries; they’re the best too!!
Tuesday, August 18th, 2009, 3:34 pm
Dana says:
Sorry Texas, but you can’t lay claim to the invention of the hamburger without some debate. There has been long-standing arguments about who first put beef between two slices of bread--the Library of Congress states it was in Connecticut in 1895 by Louis Lassen. You can still have a Louis Lunch burger served up by his great great grandson in New Haven. They are amazing.
Some believe it occurred in Hamburg, NY and others in Texas. Most likely it occurred in all these places without communication between them. Texas’s Fletcher Davis didn’t make it widely known until 1904 at the St. Louis World’s Fair.
Monday, August 17th, 2009, 1:39 pm
Emily says:
Becks prime for Houston?!?! Â Wow, I’m a native Houstonian & that’s disappointing. Â
I suggest a "Top 50" for each of the big cities. How can you expect to get all the legendary places in our wonderful state on one list?!?! Â Â
Thursday, August 6th, 2009, 10:15 am
Rubio says:
"Mighty Fine" is one of the 50 best you had? I’ve been there a couple of times and find them bland and completely unremarkable compared even to the slightly-better-than-average fare of Fuddrucker’s.
Add to that the lack of 3 truly amazing burgers in Austin (The Jackelope, Casino El Camino, Hill’s Cafe), and my faith in this list begins to dwindle.
Fortunately, the lovely photography is mouthwateringly compelling enough for me to plop my fat ass into a few seats in burger joints around the state.
Wednesday, August 5th, 2009, 1:47 pm
HC says:
Being forced to grow up in Northeast Texas, I hardly ever give it any props, but their burgers are something to talk about. I live in Austin and can’t find a burger better than East Texas Burger Co. in Mineola.
Tuesday, August 4th, 2009, 3:06 pm
TexanAlex says:
Your "Best Food" lists always make for interesting (and controversial!) reading. Perhaps the most interesting was your inclusion of Burger Tex II on the Drag in Austin. As a member of the UT Class of 06, I often saw this hole in the wall and dismissively passed it by. Now I will have to try it next time I’m back in town. HOWEVER. I am highly doubtful that it will supplant Player’s (student No. 1) or Hut’s as my Austin choice for a great burger.
Psst! Another place you have to try. Mik’s Cafe in Schulenberg. The best burger I’ve ever had. It shares a building with the Schulenberg cattle auction. Anytime you can hear the mooing of beeves on your way in, you know the burger is legit.
Monday, August 3rd, 2009, 5:13 pm
ETX Traveler says:
I was very disappointed that East Texas was so inadequately represented in this list, especially in light of some of the other selections. (Goode Co. sells burgers? Really? Who cares?) East Texas, after all, is not only the origin of the hamburger (by your own reluctant admission), but also home to hamburger capital of the state: Texarkana. Give us our due; we’ve been doing it the longest!
Friday, July 31st, 2009, 7:03 am
Cedric says:
I have gone to two of the burger places in your article. Speedy Burgers and Lankford in Houston. And I can only say they must have known y’all were coming. Though not bad they were not what I would consider the best. A good burger should come to your table hot not warm. The meat should be hot and juicy not dry. You guys should stick to writing and leave the tasting to the real folks in Texas.
Wednesday, July 29th, 2009, 3:45 pm
Ron Mathis says:
I found your burger article offensive to say the least, especially the comments made by Jordan Breal regarding the Whataburger. I don’t know anything about this gentleman except that he doesn’t know squat about what constitutes an exceptional hamburger. God graced our state with an abundance of natural wonders which fortunatly include the Whataburger. I have been eating them for at least 50 years, and have repeatedly compared them with "gourmet" hamburgers across Texas and california, and the latter have always come up short. Try one with Mayo on both buns, no mustard.
Monday, July 27th, 2009, 4:47 pm
Allyson says:
I can’t believe you didn’t include Casino El Camino in Austin, TX. Their burgers are the stuff of legends.
Sunday, July 26th, 2009, 1:06 pm
Todd Shirley says:
I am The General Manager of a great Steakhouse and last night I belive your staff of critics may have not recieved the service the we strive for. Please give us another opportunity. I realize that your program is to be anonymous, but this is a people business which is a variable
and to give a true review you must at least try any food establishment more than once to get a true impression. Thank You. Todd @ Fiddle Creek Steakhouse Stephenville Texas
Saturday, July 25th, 2009, 6:24 am
Brian says:
Did your minions forget Koppe Bridge on their single trip through the Bryan/College Station area? While the Snuffy Burger at Chicken Oil Company in Bryan is good, it doesn’t even win awards for the best LOCAL burger. That distinction has gone to Koppe Bridge for the last several years. Pull your heads out of your Aus(tin) bias and recognize that other burgers out there are really, really good.
Thursday, July 23rd, 2009, 2:24 pm
CJ says:
Every San Antonio burger listed is mediocre at best. Tried them all. I think all San Antonians will agree that there are about 5 or so places that appear on everyones list of top burgers here (Chris Madrid’s being near the top), and you have mentioned none of them. And I know you missed several of the good ones in Austin too.
Thursday, July 23rd, 2009, 12:41 am
Janet says:
I was disappointed that the Longhorn Special burger at Top Notch in Austin did not make the list. Top Notch cooks their burgers over real charcoal....they are delicious!
Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009, 9:49 pm
J.D. says:
If you did not try the hamburgers at DUBL-R, 1810 Herring Ave in Waco that negates the whole survey. Judge the burger itself not the fancy or crazy sides.
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