Americans love burgers. We love them so much that we eat about 20 BILLION burgers every year. That’s about 60 burgers per person per year.
And in Texas, we really love burgers. We not only eat 72 burgers per person per year, we claim ownership over the invention of the burger itself. In the 1880’s it is said that Fletcher Davis of Athens, Texas was the first to put fried ground beef patties with mustard and Bermuda onion between two slices of bread, with a pickle on the side.
In the nearly 150 years since that time, Texans, Americans, and the rest of the world have been putting their own spin on the burger. At Goodstock by Nolan Ryan, we believe that a truly great burger—whether it sticks to the basics or goes off the wall to stand out with toppings—must be built on quality local Texas beef. Read below as we highlight 11 of our favorite burgers across the Lone Star state. And for more information on these restaurants and others, visit our Restaurant Locator.
The Famous Junkyard Burger at Tommy’s Burgers + Brews, Fort Worth, TX
Have you tried to take every ingredient in your fridge and add it to a burger? Fort Worth staple Tommy’s gave themselves that challenge, and have spent years perfecting the balance of American, Swiss and cheddar cheeses, bacon, sauteed onions & mushrooms, lettuce, tomato, mayo and mustard on an all-natural half-pound Goodstock Angus beef patty. The result is a symphony of flavors that will leave you not only impressed, but wanting more.
The Hamburgesa de Caracol at Caracol, Houston, TX
One of the most unique and delicious burgers we’ve ever tasted hails from this upscale Houston restaurant that specializes in Coastal Mexican cuisine. They start with a Goodstock brisket-chuck blend patty and add a host of traditional Mexican flavors: house-made quesillo, chorizo, rajas, avocado, tomato, and a smear of black beans. Accented with crunchy garnishes and mayonnaise and paired with the perfectly crispy papas bravas, this is the kind of meal that opens your eyes to a whole new dimension of deliciousness.
The Chili Cheeseburger at Dog & Pony Grill, Boerne, TX
This family-friendly outpost north of San Antonio asks a question that seems obvious on the surface: Why should hot dogs have all the “Chili Cheese” fun? Dog & Pony tops their local beef with queso and chili for a unique and unmissable burger that hits the spot—especially if you get it on their jalapeno cheddar sourdough bun!
The Outlaw Burger at Outlaw Burgers & BBQ, Justin, TX
If you’re a fan of spicy food, you’ll want to stop at Outlaw Burgers & BBQ and order the namesake Outlaw Burger. This fiery burger made with USDA Choice beef gets its kick from pepper jack cheese and a house-made habanero spread that is balanced perfectly with lettuce, pickles, onions and tomatoes for a beefy, creamy, crisp bite that you won’t soon forget. Keep the water or milk handy just in case!
The Cheeseburger at Hank’s Austin, Austin, TX
This trendy neighborhood restaurant may not seem the likeliest place for a simple cheeseburger, but Hank’s delivers. They start with the same premium Goodstock beef as every other burger on this list, but stay committed to elevated classics: sharp cheddar, bibb lettuce, red onion, and dijonaise. This Texas burger uses only the finest ingredients, and it makes all the difference.
The E.J. Burger at E.J. Wills Gastropub, Dallas, TX
It’s no longer revolutionary to put breakfast on a burger, but the eponymous E.J. Burger at E.J. Wills Gastropub pays extra attention to every element to deliver an extraordinary cheeseburger. They top a hefty local Goodstock USDA Choice beef patty with jack cheese and candied jalapeño bacon to give it a creamy-spicy-sweet-salty jolt. A sunny side up egg puts the finishing touch on an elevated burger experience you need to start off your day with.
The Country Fried Dutch at Dutch’s Hamburgers, Fort Worth, TX
A true innovator challenges closely held assumptions and makes you question why nobody has ever thought of this before. Such is the case with the team at Fort Worth institution, Dutch’s Hamburgers. The Country Fried Dutch starts out as a Goodstock beef patty just like the others on this list, but instead of cooking it on a grill or flat top, they beer batter it and deep fry it to add an incredible crispy texture while sealing in the beefy goodness. The golden patty sits between slices of grilled sweet sourdough bread, and is topped with homestyle gravy, shredded lettuce, and tomato for a unique Texas treat.
The Double Cheeseburger at McKenzie’s Barbeque & Burgers, Conroe & Montgomery, TX
Sometimes we just need a soul-satisfying gut bomb of a cheeseburger. When the craving hits, nothing will do the trick but a double stack of quality beef patties, smoked and seared to perfection, topped with two slices of American cheese on a simple bun. Whether you visit the Conroe or Montgomery location, McKenzie’s Barbeque & Burgers double cheeseburger will hook you up with a sublime meal that will leave your stomach—and your soul—feeling rejuvenated.
The L.U.S.T. Burger at The Bearded Lady, Fort Worth, TX
Most burgers have toppings on top and some have them stuffed inside the burger…but some burgers aim to deliver so much flavorful goodness that they must do both. The L.U.S.T. Burger features a generous Goodstock beef patty stuffed with feta cheese and roasted poblano peppers on a toasted brioche bun. As if that weren’t enough, they add melted gouda, caramelized onions, and avocado on top for a juicy mosaic of flavors and textures you won’t find anywhere else.
The Precinct Burger at Blue 22 Sports Grill, Dallas, TX
Among a roster that features several unique burgers, the Precinct stands out for its stellar combination of flavors that would be perfectly comfortable on the menu at a high-end steakhouse. The fresh ground chuck patty is graced with bleu cheese crumbles, mixed greens, a sweet kick from balsamic glazed red onions and balsamic mayo, all on a toasted challah bun. The umami levels are off the charts!
The Green Chile Burger at Sweetie Pie’s Ribeyes, North Richland Hills & Decatur, TX
For a Southwestern take on a Texas classic, order the Green Chile Burger, topped with fire roasted green chiles, Monterrey Jack cheese, and sauteed onions on a soft but sturdy homemade bun that has just the right level of sweet yeasty goodness. Goodstock by Nolan Ryan supplies more than just the namesake hand-cut ribeye steaks at this family destination with outposts in Fort Worth and Decatur; they also serve the same local Choice Angus beef in each of their burgers.
To learn more about the finest beef in Texas and find out where you can try some for yourself visit GoodstockTX.com and follow along on Facebook and Instagram.
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