Texans love their beef, and few foodie moments are better than biting into a juicy beef burger with all the fixings. While smashburgers are definitely on trend—with DiningOut devoting an entirely separate list to the melty handhelds—this guide is reserved for good ol’ fashioned backyard-style burgers. Some are made the old-fashioned way with cheese and LTO, while others stack toppings of the most creative kinds.
Consider this list of some of the best places to grab a solid burger in Houston for when you want to go big, go bougie, or go casual.
The Burger Joint
The name says it all at the multi-location burger concept from Matthew Pak and Shawn Bermudez. The Montrose location opened in 2015, and the duo have been on a slow roll ever since. The Classic Burger is a best seller, allowing patrons to customize their burgers with a variety of add-ons like bacon, fried egg, grilled ham, and kimchi. There are also chef-created options like the Opa!, a Greek-style burger, and the Smoke Stack. For vegetarians, there are burgers like the black bean veggie and the Impossible. Shakes get just as much buzz, with flavors like salted caramel and peanut butter, plus a boozy version using 8th Wonder Rocket Fuel. Multiple locations, burgerjointhtx.comings. Guests can pair with a milkshake, beer, or wine. 5353 W. Alabama, Houston, burgerchanhtx.com
Lankford Grocery & Market
Founded in 1937 by Aubrey and Nona Lankford, this market and hamburger joint was operated by their daughter Eydie for years before she retired in 2021. Lankford’s is now in the hands of the third generation, Paul and Jessica Prior, who recently added a more modern ice house location in Bellaire. Both locations feature the same burger menu and offer beer, wine, and cocktails. The Houston burger adds slow-smoked brisket and bbq sauce, while the Grim Burger gets a heap of macaroni and cheese, jalapenos, bacon, cheese, and a sunny side up egg. Multiple locations, Houston, lankfordsburgers.com
Stanton’s City Bites
Originally a grocery store in the 1960s, this Houston landmark eventually became known for its juicy, made-to-order half-pound burgers. Located in the First Ward, its old school diner interior is part of the appeal. The Original Bacon Cheeseburger is among the most popular, but the Luke Skyburger takes it up several notches by using deep-fried bacon, provolone, fresh garlic, sauteed spinach and grilled mushrooms. The Turkey Burger is not an afterthought here. Served on a whole wheat bun, the thick turkey patty is topped with fresh spinach, smoked gouda, bacon, and caramelized onions. 1420 Edwards St., Houston, stantoncitybites.com
Bubba’s Texas Burger Shack
Founded in 1985, this family-owned and operated burger joint survived the building of the Westpark Tollway, with the structure still standing in the shadow of the concrete behemoth. It has classic beef burgers, and even a black bean vegetarian burg, but regulars know to go for the famous bison burgers. The Houston burger is a hometown favorite with cheddar, bacon, grilled onions, jalapenos, and bbq sauce, while the Frito pie burger is a great choice for chili lovers. Most of the seating is outdoors, with the sounds of the cars zooming by overhead. Settle in with a buffalo burger, a cold beer, and the sounds of the city will fade away. 5230 Westpark Dr., Houston, bubbastexasburgershack.com
Miller’s Cafe
Founded in 1980 by Bob and RajeanMiller, this casual diner has three locations, including inside Methodist Hospital in Houston’s Medical Center. Home of the “Almost Famous Burger”, the restaurant’s legacy is carried on by the Miller daughters and granddaughters, of which there are many. The poppyseed buns are toasted, creating a nice warm home for the one-third pound beef patty and LTOP. The burgers get both mayo and mustard, and diners can add cheese for a little extra. The selection of Miller’s Killers includes a double bacon cheeseburger and a triple cheeseburger. Both the Garden Oaks and Clear Lake locations are in strip centers, but the interiors feel like a Texas ice house, with cold beers and wine available. Multiple locations, millerscafeinhouston.com
Little Matt’s
Any Houstonian searching online for family-friendly restaurants will find this casual American restaurant in West U at the top of the list. It’s located across from a playground, parking is easy, and the menu appeals to adults and kids alike. The signature burger can be ordered with or without cheese and it’s served with LTOP on a toasted bun, and served with fries. There are more complex burgers on offer, like the Texas Comfort with jack cheese, guacamole, jalapeno,and LTOP on a toasted egg bun. The kids menu is extensive, and there are arcade games for keeping them entertained. Good luck getting them past the candy display. 6203 Edloe St., Houston, littlemattscafe.com
Winnie’s
Down the street from the Continental Club, this lively bar and restaurant is known for its fancy sandwiches and frozen cocktails. Among the handhelds is the Winn-A-Burger, an Oklahoma-style, onion-filled beef patty with American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and pickled onions. It’s served on a sesame seed bun, which gets a swipe of serrano mustard and mayo au poivre. Dine inside the retro funky space, or take to the patio, which offers picnic tables for watching the Main Street world go by. 3622 Main St., Houston, winnieshouston.com
Myti Burger
Since 1967, this old school burger restaurant has been serving honest, no-frills burgers to the Garden Oaks and Oak Forest neighborhoods. The building hasn’t changed much and the interior still has a few retro, curved plywood booths. The Mytiburger gets the classic salad mix of tomatoes, shrettuce, pickle chips, and diced onion, with guests given the option to add cheese, avocado, chili, and more. The hand-formed patties are reminiscent of a diner burger, so a malted milkshake makes an ideal accompaniment, along with homemade onion rings or crispy tater tots. 2211 W. 43rd St., Houston, mytiburger1967.com
Southern Yankee Crafthouse
This gastropub has created a massive hamburger that seems to be filled with everything near and dear to a Southerner’s heart. Starting with a locally-made Slow Dough challah bun and a seven-ounce chuck patty, the burger gets slathered with pimento cream cheese and jalapeno bacon jam. Lettuce, tomato, house-made pickles and crispy onion straws complete the gourmet sandwich, which is served with beer-battered fries. A wide selection of beer and cider, plus signature cocktails and a dog-friendly patio make Southern Yankee Crafthouse a favorite of the neighborhood. 1312 W. Alabama St., Houston, crafthousehtx.com
Killen’s
This Heights-area restaurant from pitmaster Ronnie Killen has two great burgers that will satisfy those looking for a classic hamburger or a meat-heavy splurge. The cafeteria burger is a thick beef patty with LTOP, perfect for scratching that nostalgic burger itch. The Texas brisket burger features the same patty topped with Killen’s famous sliced brisket and a fried onion ring, and it is not for the faint of heart. If there’s ever a time to split a burger with a pal, the brisket burger at Killen’s is that time. Killen’s also has its own dedicated burger restaurant called Killen’s Burgers in Pearland, where you can really experience some variety. 101 Heights Blvd., Houston, killens.com
Rodeo Goat
This Fort Worth-born ice house now has 11 locations, including one in Houston’s EaDo neighborhood. The hamburgers are made with 44 Farms beef, unless you’re opting for patties made with chicken or turkey, and there are options for vegans and vegetarians including the vegan patty made with black beans, lentils, brown rice, and barley. Many of the burgers are loaded with non-traditional toppings, while the River Oaks C.C. leans classic. Locals can pay homage to one of Houston’s most colorful characters by ordering the Marvin Zindler, loaded with bacon, jalapeno-pickle chutney, fried onion, and barbecue sauce. The family-friendly restaurant is spacious, inside and out, and is welcoming of pups on the patio. 2105 Dallas St., Houston, rodeogoat.com/houston/
Burger-chan
Originally located in a bustling food court, this acclaimed burger concept rebranded and moved to the Galleria area in 2022. Owners Diane and Willet Feng were featured on Good Morning America’s “United States of Burger” competition that same year, going head to head with local favorite Trill Burgers. Though the Fengs ultimately ceded the championship to Trill, there is definitely a camp that is pro burger-chan in Houston. Its signature burger-chan burger is two two-ounce patties, cheddar, sauteed onions, lettuce, tomato, and Thousand Island dressing on a brioche bun. For diners who like to customize their burger creations, the options here are many—from various bun options to toppings like kimchi relish and onion strings. Guests can pair with a milkshake, beer, or wine. 5353 W. Alabama St., Houston, burgerchanhtx.com
Relish
For an elevated take on a cheeseburger, this neighborhood gem with locations in Town & Country and River Oaks, has a perfectly composed hamburger in which all the elements harmonize with each other. The house-ground beef patty is cooked to a perfectly-pink medium, then topped with cheddar cheese, coriander onions, house-made pickles, and served on a toasted bun smeared with aioli. Know before you go: the cheeseburger is served only at lunch and weekend brunch. Multiple locations, relishhouston.com
Christian’s Tailgate
With four locations around town, this family-friendly sports bar is known for its award-winning burgers. The basic burger starts with a one-third-pound beef patty, topped with LTOP, mustard, and mayonnaise, and served on a toasted bun. It’s simple, but sublime. For something more adventurous, opt for the open-faced chili burger, which is worth the mess. Add a frosty draft beer and it’s heaven, but at a sports bar. The burgers come with fries, but there’s an option of doing half fries and half onion rings for an extra buck or two. Multiple locations, christianstailgate.com
On the Kirb
The words ‘organic’ and ‘sports bar’ aren’t often seen together, which is why this restaurant and bar is so unique. Its first location opened on Kirby, hence its name, but now there are three more locations around Houston. The signature ‘The Kirb’ burger starts with 8 ounces of USDA certified organic, grass-fed beef, and has lettuce, tomato, onions, and pickles. It’s served on a soft and chewy challah bun, and guests can add cheese for an additional cost. There is a small, curated wine list for pairing with the beefy burger, plus craft cocktails, and tons of other snacks and entrees. Multiple locations, onthekirb.com
Southwell’s Hamburger Grill
This locally-owned grill has been around since 1986 and now has four locations that serve Houston. The old-fashioned hamburger is its core menu item and looks, and tastes, just like a burger you’d get at an old-school cafeteria, with the bun a little smooshed, a flat beefy patty, and all the typical salad toppings, plus mustard and mayonnaise. Black and white family photos line the walls, and the overall ambiance is warm and homey. Multiple locations, southwells.com
Hippo Burgers
This local burger chain has locations in Humble, Atascocita, Aldine, and Houston, plus a newer one in Pasadena. The half-pound Angus beef patties are well-seasoned and served on a sesame seed bun with LTOP and mustard, and arrive upside down. Consider toppings like cheese, bacon, avocado, and more, and add on fries, tater tots, onion rings, or fried pickles or a milkshake. Multiple locations, hippoburgers.com
