The smash burger trend is alive and well in Houston. Even before hip hop legend Bun B’s Trill Burger–a double beef patty smash burger lathered with Trill sauce–was awarded the coveted title of “Best Burger in America” by Good Morning America in 2022, a number of Houston chefs were wowing guests with their approach to the cheesy, melty handheld.
A welcome alternative to a traditional backyard-style burg, smash burgers are made with ground beef that is cooked on a hot griddle, then smashed with a flat spatula or burger press until it forms a thin, seared patty. This technique results in imperfect, caramelized rounds that pack in plenty of juicy flavor. Topped with a slice of melted cheese, the patty is layered on a hamburger bun with condiments and toppings like pickles and chopped onions.
With Houston chefs putting their own spin on smash burgers, whether it be using locally sourced beef and buns, or creating their own secret sauce, there is much to consider when choosing one to sink your teeth into. Here are six worthy smash burgers to try around Houston.
Burger Bodega
This pop-up turned brick-and-mortar on Washington Avenue serves up one of the best smash burgers in the city. As its name suggests, the restaurant is reminiscent of a New York City-style bodega, complete with mock advertisements cluttering up the windows and a graffiti-inspired mural commissioned from local artists, Donkeeboy and Noke 713, along with students from Young Art Pros. Beyond fries and beverages, there are only two items on the menu: a smash burger; and chopped cheese, a sandwich of ground beef and cheese built on a hero roll that hails from the Big Apple.
The standard smash burger ($10) combines double smashed beef patties with American cheese, grilled onions, housemade pickles, and bodega sauce on a potato bun. A single is a couple of dollars less, and a triple is a couple of dollars more. It’s the long list of add-ons where diners can get really adventurous. From spicy mayo and Harlem aioli to habaneros and thin cut fries, a smash burger from Burger Bodega can easily break free from tradition… if you so choose. 4520 Washington Ave., Houston, burgerbodega.com
Trill Burgers
Long before opening its sole location in Montrose and becoming a household name in Houston, Trill Burgers started as a pop-up burger shop, co-founded by rapper Bun B, in 2021 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Trill OG burger, a smash burger built with two smashed beef patties, caramelized onions, pickles and “Trill” sauce on a potato bun, was often the only item sold at the pop-ups and it swiftly gained a cult following.
Earning top honors in countless food competitions in the months that followed, including Good Morning America’s search for the “Best Burger in America”, helped solidify the young burger concept as a major player among Houston’s culinary scene. Today, fans of Trill Burgers no longer have to wait for a pop-up to get their hands on the Trill OG burger, as its Montrose restaurant services customers for dine-in, carry-out, and by way of a drive-thru window. 3607 S. Shepherd Dr., Houston, trill-burgers.com
Jethro’s
Quietly situated on the east side of Montrose near Midtown, Jethro’s is a new addition to the neighborhood. While it’s more a bar than it is a restaurant, Jethro’s has been garnering widespread attention for its smash burger ($11)–one of only three things on the menu, alongside chicken tenders and fries. The patty is an angus blend of brisket, short rib, and chuck, and it’s layered with American cheese, pickles, and a zesty house spread on a toasted brioche bun. It serves as an excellent snack between cocktails, and can be amped up with double patties or the addition of sauteed onions and a side of ranch. 95 Tuam St. Ste. 102, Houston, jethroshouston.com
B.B. Lemon
As the sister restaurant of popular Houston steakhouse, B&B Butchers and Restaurant, it’s no surprise B.B. Lemon serves a fantastic smash burger. At its original location on Washington Ave., the signature smash burger ($19) is built with double 100% American wagyu beef patties, cheddar cheese, and caramelized onions, and presented with fries. The burger is also offered at B.B. Lemon’s new location in the Enterprise Plaza tunnels. The Downtown outpost caters heavily to a lunch crowd, so the prices differ a bit, and diners have more options, with a single patty smash burger ($10) and triple patty option ($14) offered alongside the signature ($12). 1809 Washington Ave., Houston, bblemon.com
Graffiti Raw
A festive alternative to grabbing a smash burger to-go, Graffiti Raw offers guests a vibrant and light-filled dining space in which to dine, with a bar, picturesque wraparound patio, and full table service. The all-day menu features a multicultural mix of dishes, inspired by the travels of its trio of partners, Grant and Jacy Cooper, and Josep Prats, including ceviches, tartare, pastas, and a killer smash burger.
The cheeseburger ($21) boasts double smashed patties, made with a combination of Angus beef and chopped onions, and is layered with American cheese, dill pickles, and a house-made spicy aioli, coined “Daddy’s sauce”. At more than $20, it’s got a hefty price tag, but visit during Graffiti Raw’s happy hour and enjoy a scaled down version called Daddy’s burger, with a single patty for just $12. 1001 California St. Ste. 101, Houston, graffitiraw.com
Bun Slut
With four fast-casual locations around Houston, Bun Slut is among the most convenient places to score a smash burger, and it’s easy on the wallet. The single smash burger ($8) packs a smashed beef patty with melted cheese, pickles, grilled onions, and “slut” sauce on double buns, while a double is less than $2 more. Guests can also go for the Slutty Melt, which swaps out hamburger buns for thick slices of Texas toast. Multiple locations, eatbunslut.com
