Best Houston Burgers
Since Austin Hounds have done the best burger thing a couple times I though I would throw Houston's Best out there.
Langford's Grocery on Denis in the 4th Ward Montrose area. Lanford's has a perfectly non cemitrical look to the patty. That's right a hand formed monster with tons of grease. Tons of mayo and a huge slice of tomato. If you go on a wednesday and have never been here you might need to get a great beef enchilada served with frijoles al a charro and mex rice. Both sides are as good as I have ever had.
Rudyard's on Waugh in the Montrose area. Rudz serves a nice thick chargrilled burger with a good bun. Make sure to get it cooked medium at the most(I guess this goes without saying).
KC's bar and grill on Fountanview in the Galleria/Richmond Strip area. I was extremely surprised by the quality of burger I got here. Nice juicy burger with good enough fries.
The Palm Steakhouse does a great burger at lunch for $10. It is supposedly ground prime meat and is probably over a pound when all is sadi and done.
Adrians in the 5th ward serves the biggest tastiest damn burger around. This place is off the beaten path but worth searching for. It is in a very rough area but the owner is super friendly and the clientele is always fun.
Good but not great burgers:
Roznofski's has a good burger if you do the double meat.
Bellare Broiler is good for a chili burger.
Goode Co when someone you are dinning with doesn't want a burger.
The Tavern on Gray served one of the best burgers I had ever had then dissapointed on the next 2 visits. I think they put either msg or superfine salt because the meat is salty but you really can't see it (that doesn't make sense).
Tookies in sea brook/kemah area. tookies is good but I think it is a little overrated. I like the 99?
What are some other favorites out there?
John Scar
Jan 15, 2003 03:49PM
I agree wholly re: Langford Grocery. Their burgers rock. I would add Otto's.
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Maybe it was all of the hype, but I was a little underwhelmed by the Langford Grocery burger I had. It was certainly good and quite tasty, but to call it the "best" seems like a bit of a stretch.
For a traditional greasy good old hamburger, I prefer Otto's. The OSB (Otto's Super Burger) is double meat, double cheese. It is a heart attack on a bun, but it is great.
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I'm sure if you got a double meat at Langford's it would be just as much a heart attack on a bun.
Otto's has a good burger and maybe it belongs in the top 5 but for my money I will hit Langford's 9 times out of ten. The problem with Otto's is that you have to get a double meat in order to make the meat to bun ratio in the meat favor. Either way I will stand by Langford's til I find another burger that is better.
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Three words: Bellaire Broiler Burger
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I'm a big fan of S. W. Tookies in Seabrook (on the Seabrook side of the Kemah bridge), particularly their #99 burger--made with red wine, chopped onions, and cheddar cheese. Don't skip the onion rings!
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My fav at Tookies is the Stomps Roadhouse Special.
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I think Langford's is the best burger in Houston
Bellaire has by far the best chili cheese fries I have ever had
and I plan to try a few of the places mentioned above.
I am surprised that nobody has mentioned Christian's Tailgate bar (the second best burger in Houston) - the original is on Washington (next to Denny's on I-10) and they have a new location in the revamped area on Gray and Bagby.
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>>>>Langford's Grocery on Denis in the 4th Ward Montrose area.
I like Lankfords, but it's not one of my top burgers. Good though, but I found myself skipping it more often than not.
>>>>>Rudyard's on Waugh in the Montrose area.
One of my favorites, but the kitchen is absolutely inconsistant in being able to cook anything below medium well. If you can somehow convince them to cook it medium rare, you're great, but that only happens one out of three times for me.
>>>>The Palm Steakhouse does a great burger at lunch for $10. It is supposedly ground prime meat and is probably over a pound when all is sadi and done.
Never had the Palm Burger, but maybe I'll go for lunch today.
>>>>>Adrians in the 5th ward serves the biggest tastiest damn burger around.
I second (and third!) Adrian's. It is in a sketchy neighborhood (close to Finnegan Park in the Fifth Ward), but they do make perhaps the biggest and one of the best burgers I've had in Houston. I think I made the mistake the first time of having a double.
I've also enjoyed some good burgers at Papa's Burgers on Westheimer, though I don't go out there a lot. A little too chain-y and well lit.
Finally, for a reference burger, I just got back from a whirlwind trip to New Orleans and ate at Port of Call on Esplanade. Simply the best, and I found myself shaking me head wondering how it was so good. Unlike most every burger joint in America, I order them medium at Port of Call, since 1) they actually know how to cook their burgers, and 2) medium rare seemed too bloody/juicy. Across the street at Buffa's Tavern on Esplanade is a good burger as well, recommended by a cab driver, that was exceptionally peppery, but Port of Call stood head and shoulders above it.
Good luck, and thanks for the recommendations.
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Bill's Cafe in Kingwood on 494 has great burgers.
I look forward to trying some of the others mentioned.
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Where's Bill's Cafe? I've seen Pete's on 494 in Porter - which I've heard is great.
Another great burger is found at D.J's Old Timey Burger's in the shadow of Reliant Stadium. Their "D.J's" Burger is chili, bacon, cheese, and jalepeno - delicious.
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Bill's Cafe
22845 Loop 494
Kingwood, TX 77339
281.358.6198
Don't expect much in decor but the burgers are good!
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John, have you given up on the BBQ burger at Gus's Meat Market on OST? My husband says it is still good.
I might not call it the best in town, but Southwell's on Holcombe has apretty good burger.
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How about Annie's on South Post Oak Rd (@ Willowbend)? I have been eating there for maybe 30 years. Thin patty, flame broiled with lots of lettuce and tomatoes. My favorite is a single with cheese, bacon and jalapenos (no tomatoes, too much juice) every time. Great fries, too.
I grew up less than a mile from there and try to go in every time I go home.
It is sort of comfort food to me, I'd be curious to see what other chowhounds think.
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Thanks for the tip on Annie's, I have passed it and thought it looked promising...good to hear that the fries are fine, too.
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Port of Call is a great Burger - #2 on my entire USA list.
It is a distant second only to the Westport Flea Market's 10 OZ Flea Market Burger - and they will cook it anyway you want it.
I get bacon, mushrooms and pepperjack cheese - don't forget the BBQ sauce located behind the fixin counter.
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To call it a great burger you need a great burger plus great home-made, crispy fried. I nominate the burger at Jim Goode's Armadillo Palace (but good luck having a conversation over the music). Their fries are skinny and great.
Pappas Burgers, which are supposedly ground fresh next door at Pappas steak restaurant, are very good.
Jax, at Bellaire and Rice, makes a good burger, and great onion rings. Everything they make is great.
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I have to modify my Houston's greatest burger. After several trips top each - I think Christian's Totem (Tailgate Bar) has overtaken Lankfords. I have had most of the rest except Annie's.
When I want a Burger I go to Tailgate, when I want Enchiladas (Wed.) or Chicken Fried Steak (Thur. special) I go to Lankfords
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I really like the burgers at Goode's Armadillo saloon because they're big and juicy and come with crisp skinny frieds. Great atmosphere. I wish it wasn't so noisy. Well, it's not noise, just good music, but you can't talk over it easily. Just sit outside if you want to talk.
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Dry Creek Cafe has the best burgers in Houston. It has other options for people that don't eat burgers and you can even bring your dog if you sit outside.
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and its BYOB - I just found out about Dry Creek today, and plan to try it next week
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My faves (full disclosure - I like burger joint burgers, not fern bar burgers, designer burgers, 5 star restaurant burgers):
1. Christian’s Tailgate - a lot has changed at Christian’s Totem since it was first ‘discovered’ by the Press, the most salutary thing being that the kitchen is now open til 8pm and for a few hours on Sunday (hint, hint, Lankford). But the burgers are always the same - there’s an amazing consistency to the kitchen - and great. I believe it was John T. Edge of the Southern Foodways Alliance who called it the quintessential Texas burger.
http://tinypic.com/2v3672o.jpg
(That was too much food for me - I usually only go for the excellent beer-battered ORs for a side
)2. Lankford Grocery - bigger, messier, cheaper, and still excellent. I savor each bite of Christian’s burger while I wolf down Lankford’s. Downsides are less appealing sides, except the tater tots, some inconsistency from time to time in the kitchen, and shorter hours.
http://tinypic.com/2urwf3k.jpg
3. Someburger - 11th and Studewood in the Heights - not for everybody, thin meat patties, 50s style burgers so hot and fresh off the grill even the bun could singe your tongue. If you want red meat juices running down your chin when you bite into a burger, this ain’t for you. Hand-dipped shakes and malts. No drive-thru, no kiddie playground, not even indoor dining; no Biggie size, SuperSize, you can’t even choose between S,M,L - a faded sign in the window advises customers FFs, ORs, shakes and malts come in one size only. You probably have to go for the double-meat, which may be about the only alteration to the menu since the chain was founded in the 1950s in Austin by a couple of UT students. This and the one in beautiful downtown Baytown are the only remaining Someburger locations.
http://tinypic.com/2dhbibq.jpg
Honorable mentions:
Blake’s BBQ & Burgers on Jeanetta, just south of Westheimer. Only been going here a few months but never been disappointed and it’s a lot closer to me than the others. Hand-formed patty, thick slice of onion (grilled onions available for extra). They cut it in half for you, not because it’s so big but because it’s so juicy. Good ORs; I haven’t tried the FFs yet. The double meat is too big for me, besides I have to leave room for the home-made cake:
http://tinypic.com/47j3pk3.jpg
(Pictured, a slice of pineapple-coconut cake, one of about 8 varieties available plus 3 varieties of Hank’s Ice Cream).
Guy’s Meat Market smoked burger:
http://tinypic.com/4cdmft2.jpg
There’s no ORs, FFs, or place to eat at Guy’s. That’s a chilled, creamy macaroni on the side.
Pete’s Fine Meats cheeseburger
Bean Burger at Tookie’s in Seabrook - refritos, fritos and Cheez Whiz on a burger. Get jalapenos too but you might want to order them on the side because they really put a lot on it.
Cheeseburger at Avalon Drug/Diner
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I rather like Barnaby's burgers. They are tasty and juicy! Mulitple locations within the loop.
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Original location only for me, but I usually go for something other than a burger. As I recall, Baba Yega makes a fine burger, but I haven't had one in probably 10 years.
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My first choice is Jax up on Sheppard. juicy with nice thick bacon on it and the onion rings are the best! I always eat there everytime I'm over in Houston. I also like KC's too. Again juicy, good fries, but only make the effort to go there if I'm at friends house that live close by.
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Haven't been to that location but I want to, since Friday nights they have a Zydeco band playing (which makes it one of the main places in Houston to catch regular Zydeco). At the Jax in Bellaire I always enjoy the burgers and the home made onion rings.
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I didn't like the burgers at Barnaby's or Ziggy's Healthy Grill--kind of dry and blah. I like Beck's Prime and Pappas Burger ok. My favorites were at Hobbit Cafe (especially the mushroom one--Martinique?) and Goode Co. Taqueria (although I haven't been there in a couple years).
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i completely agree with the raves about lankford's grocery and christian's totem (i didn't like the new location in midtown), but my super faves are the burgers at rudyard's and red lion. red lion has a monday night burger special for $5 that is hard to miss. i enjoy the upbeat, bar atmosphere.
becks prime is the best "fast food" burger, but their veggie burger is the best out there. i get it with lettuce, tomato, onion, and sliced avocado.
also, i've been meaning to try the burger in the cigar bar at vic and anthony's steakhouse. has anyone?
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Someburger on the corner of Studemont and 11th. Awesome! It's a little green and yellow building with no indoor seating. They do have outdoor tables...nicely located next to the dumpstes...so I suggest care-out. There's been some new construction in that area so they may no longer be there, but certainly worth checking out.
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Pappas Burgers on Westheimer (I know, sorry part of a local chain/family of restaurants.) They have a fantastic chili cheeseburger. And, Someburger is still there - always a line whenever I pass by.
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I just tried the Burger at Stantons yesterday and have to put it in the top tier burger places in houston. Its not a dine in place so be prepared to eat in the car ot take to office/home.
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A number of you would probably like Champ Burger, just east of downtown out Harrisonburg. Since 1963, a walk-up window with picnic tables outside. Not as good as Lankford or Christians. Skinny patties so get a double, onion rings better than the fries.
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I kept seeing the little piece on Ch. 8 about that in their 'What's Hot in Houston' series and had to go check it out. Not bad. I thought it was very comparable to the late Original New Orleans PoBoy place on Main. I'd love to have a place that good in my neighborhood but I didn't think it was worth a drive across town for.
It's on Sampson, which is one-way southbound, just north of Harrisburg, so you have to go out Navigation or Canal and head south. Can't miss it. I love what they've done to that little corner of that rather depressing neighborhood.
http://www.champburger.net/
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Pappa's Burgers on Westheimer, very good!
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Based on recommendations from this board and others, I was excited when a friend called me this morning and asked me to join him for a burger at Lankford's. I was SO psyched to try what so many have called the best burger in Houston.
Not only was it NOT the best burger in Houston -- not only was it FAR from being the best -- it was downright awful. Soggy buns (that were somehow almost burned as well), absolutely flavorless meat, drenched in Sysco mayo -- I can't recall ever having been as disappointed in a burger as I was in this one. I guess nothing can ever live up to such massive hype, but I really wanted to love this burger and I didn't. The people working there were lovely, and the place has a great down-home "ambience," but I'm afraid I won't be back to Lankford's for a long while.
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Then try the specials - enchiladas on Wed. Chicken fried steak on Thur.
I usually get those now - I like Christians (tailgate Bar) burgers better anyway.
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I don't find myself eating at Lankfords much these days. I do remember the burger not being as good as it was10+years ago when I first started eating there but its still a good burger IMO. My favortie burger right now is probably Stantons on Houston Ave across from Montalbano Lumber.
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it's been a while, but i remember the burgers at Market Square Bar and Grill (downtown) being pretty good
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yup
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