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You’ve read Alison Cook’s take on the Houston restaurant scene. The queen of Burger Friday put three burger spots in her top 100: Hubcap Grill, the Burger Guys and Bernie’s Burger Bus. Now we want to hear from you. Who do you thinks builds Houston’s best burger?
Vote for your favorite now. Voting closes at 2 p.m. Tuesday, and we’ll announce the winner online Wednesday and in the print edition of 29-95 on June 21. You can also vote via Twitter @2995. Twitter submissions will be counted at the poll close, so check back for final results.
Don't see your favorite burger spot? Leave your vote in the comments.
You can also enter to win a $100 dollar gift card by writing a ‘review’ of you favorite burger place in the comments below. We will choose the best comment review. For complete contest rules click here.
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No Lankford Grocery? Seriously?
Yeah, Lankford's is pretty widely acknowledged as the best burger in Houston. For the Chronicle to leave them off the list intentionally tells you it was done maliciously.
Where's Lankfords in this list of top burgers? They RULE!!!!
alison cook is a joke.
so true
Did Alison Cook bully you gradeshool or something? What did she DO to you?! It must have been something pretty traumatic, because you troll every article of hers. You just can't let go.
She slept with your boyfriend, didn't she?
I'm going to figure this out.
LEAVE ALISON ALONE!!!
I think you're supposed to have a blanket over your head before you can say that.
Alison, I'm sticking up for you. I've been reading your stuff since the Houston Press. Yes, I can actually remember that! Keep up the good work.
Thanks, Chuck. Those were the days. Or something!
Alison, believe it or not, one of the best burgers was found at, of all places, Luby's on Post Oak. It was the only Luby's that served burgers. Unlike regular cafeteria food, it was built on order and delivered to my table.
They make my 2 favorite burger's, the first is the bacon,bacon,bacon burger start with a chedder bacon bun by slow dough bakery the fresh ground patty has bacon ground into it, its topped with bacon chedder cheese and has baconaise on it, the other is the bloinker, start with a blue cheese and bacon bun from slow dough, a patty topped with fresh blu cheese and bacon, both served with the best fresh cut fries i have ever had, thank you! see you at THE LITTLE BITTY BURGER BARN.
Alison nailed my top 3: Hubcap, Burger Guys, Bernie's. Burger Guys wins for fries, Bernie's for the burgers and Hubcap for the whole package.
I've got to vote for The Petrol Station
Best Burgers.... Try the Peanut Butter Burger... Yummy.
Lankfords
Pretty please, you must try the newest eating establishment in Sugar Land Town Square-Guru Burgers and Crepes. This restaurant is another creation of Robert White's of Japaneiro's. Guru's offers a delicious choice of very fresh items and also has boutique wines and tap beers.I have tried the Ukele burger and sweet potato fries with homemade ketchup. The crepes are delightfully delicious also. They just opened and are doing well.
Must try Sugar Land Town Square's newest restaurant-GURU Burgers and Crepes. Another creation by Robert White of JAPANEIRO'S. Fresh condiments, delicious sauces, and variety of options. I tried the Ukele burger with sweet potato fries and my husband had delectable crepes with side salad and beet fries. They also offer boutique wines and beers on tab. Great family place and very cool vibe with distinct art work.
If you've never eaten the fresh-ground burgers at Triple A next to Canino's Farmer's Market, then I pity you. It's awesome!
PS: Don't eat the "regular" burger for the lower price on the menu. It's made of frozen patties. Get the "fresh ground" and enjoy!
O.M.G. This is no joke,the "FRESH GROUND" burgers are awesome!!! But you have to specify,you want the fresh ground burger,and try the onion rings. Which are homemade not frozen and huge. Yum,yum,yum. Triple AAA on Airline kicks ass.
The original Christians can't be beat.
What? No Jax Grill? What's wrong with you, Allie baby? Their burgers are DA BOMB!
Plus have you ever seen their parking lot? All those cop cars can't be wrong - HPD loves this place and I've never seen a cop eat a bad burger.
Ever see a cop eat a burger they have to pay for
Exactly, drag that sack!
Lankford Grocery no doubt but Pappas Burger isn't too far behind.
Pappas Burger crowds their grill, the patties are steamed instead of grilled.
Pappy's! They have great, home made burgers & fries. Pretty much everything is good there. Now I'm hungry!
In all reality, most of those listed are found on all trendy burger lists with the exception of a few of the Houston standards. Why Beck's is on the list is beyond me. The last few times I had a burger from Beck's it was less than stellar. I think good burgers can be found in Houston at lots of spots that don't necessarily have the "foodie" factor, i.e., the Hideaway on Dunvale. They make a great, straight forward burger. Mike's Ice House is another. And for a gourmet take, Haven has come up with a good one as well. Burgers, like many other food items, are subjective. We each have our fave and its hard to convence the rest of the world ours is better than theres!
Dear 29-95 and its readers,
Oh where oh where do I start!?
There is only one restaurant in Houston that makes me think twice about ordering something similar elsewhere for the sake that I will not get the same warm and fuzzy feeling as my meal digests... that place is Hubcap Grill. How did I end up at Hubcap Grill? It was a tweet from a friend (hey Jay!) after my rant about how good a particular burger chain was. He said Hubcap Gril was definitely the standard.
After a long day of running my mouth in a conference room at a downtown corporation, I headed over to Hubcap Grill to find out for myself if their burgers were better than some GUYS who are like FIVE. I ordered my usual Bacon Cheeseburger with swiss, grilled onions, mustard, lettuce, pickles, and tomatoes. I noticed they had FRESH CUT sweet potato fries. Sweet 6 pound 8 ounce baby Jesus!! how I love sweet potato fries, especially if they are FRESH CUT. I get my burger and the first thing I notice is the BUN... it is the perfect vessel for the juicy and flavorful contents that lay between. The bun maintains its freshness standing up to the melt of the cheese mixed in with the smear of mustard, juice of the meat, crisp fresh veggie fixins and grilled onions. No one likes that last soggy bite of a burger when the bun is all mushy from the contents. The beef patty is cooked to order and to my liking, well seasoned and juicy unlike some places who think a hamburger patty should taste and look like a HOCKEY PUCK! Bacon is crispy in all of its bacony glory! Let's talk about those sweet potato fries that had me singing to the twitter heavens. Not many places can get the crispy exterior while maintaining the hot soft interior of a sweet potato fry but Hubcap Grill does it! I wolfed my meal down and the owner Ricky comes from behind the counter and asks if me how was my burger, my response was AWESOME and I gave him major kudos for the sweet potato fries.
From that day on, I made it a goal to try every burger on the menu and share the burger greatness with everyone I know! My personal favorites are the Philly Cheese Burger, Sticky Burger and Frito Pie burger by the way. Infact, the day after Christmas, my friends and I were hungry and wanted to get together for a holiday break from relatives. They all wanted to go to Hubcap Grill because I would talk about it every time a food discussion came up. Luckily, Hubcap Grill was open on a typically dead day for a business. I showed up with about 8 of my friends and they agreed that this is the best place for a burger. When friends or family are in town, the first thing they say.. "Are you going to take me to Hubcap Grill?" Hell, when they plan on coming to Houston, the first thing they ask is about Hubcap Grill.
One thing I can say about Hubcap Grill that it prides itself on fresh ingredients and making sure your burger standards are met. The staff is friendly (hey Ricky's Mom & Dad!!) and welcoming. I respect the owner Ricky for his passion and hardwork. You can see him at any given time talking to customers and tidying up the place. Ricky gets a lot of criticism for how he responds to negative feedback from trolls. That's because he puts his heart and soul into Hubcap Grill. Wouldn't you get a little upset if someone slandered what you worked hard to acheive? He never gets the same credit or coverage for what he does for customers DAILY! He goes above and beyond to correct any issues, even if the customer is wrong! If you follow him on twitter, customers make suggestions including burger ideas... i.e. Waffle Burger and Brisket Burger (with Gatlin's BBQ) and he made it happen (both were delicious)! Suggestions for better hours so those who can't make it downtown to enjoy his burgers.. guess what? 19TH STREET location HAPPENED... and added an awesome craft beer selection. Not to mention the customer appreciation day back in April, I was sunburnt from enjoying the unlimited free CRAFT BEER on a lovely Sunday afternoon jamming out to an 80's cover band. These are the things that make Hubcap Grill the best burger joint and one of the best restaurants in Houston period. Thanks to Hubcap Grill, I am totally a burger snob and I refuse to order a burger anywhere else because I know it will not live up what Ricky and his staff does daily.
Can you please bring back the green chile cheese burger?!?!?
Electronically signed with burger love,
Val, the Hubcap Grill Mayor
P.S. I am hungry now after I proofread my review!!!!!!
Val, this was cute. I enjoyed reading :)
Thanks!!!!
Val the Hubcap Grill Mayor, I just loved your post. I remember one lunch that a group of us went over there and had really good burgers and, yes, sweet potato fries. The sweet potato fries were great. I have wanted to check out the 19th Street location. I also must agree on what you said about the staying power of buns so many times I ask for the burger without the bun because it just gets too sloppy as the bun disintegrates. I really like Alison's reviews and it is especially nice to see such a nice and charming post by a fellow reader of this column as too many times there are too many trolls out there that post. Have a great week and keep on enjoying the Hubcap Grill. Peace Out!
the only thing fresh about his sweet pot fries is the box they come out of!
I think Petrol Station has the best burger in town. The meat is quality and always cooked to just the right temperature, and the buns are amazing. Add an awesome patio with an impressive range of delicious craft brews and now we're talking!
Guy's Market! I've been driving from NW Houston to Guy's Market for over 30 years, to enjoy their smoked burgers. The line is usually out the door. Friendly service and they make them the way you want it.
Prince's Hamburgers - best variety/quality in H-Town!
Miller's Café - Burger!!
Hubcap Grill. Hands down. Burgers so good it makes me want to sew my ass shut.
EWW!!! Where's the mind bleach???!!!
The best burgers in Houston are at The Little Bitty Burger Barn. You cant beat their enormous selection and the quality of the food and service there. Go and check them out. They are open till 9:00pm
Will not vote. Stomp Burger in Bacliff, TX not on here. That would get my vote.
Well, it is the best burger in HOUSTON list, so maybe next time she can do a best burger in BACLIFF list......
Yeah, well there's one from Cypress and one from Seabrook on there tough-guy. :)
Yeah, well there's one from Cypress and one from Seabrook on there tough-guy. :)
Could it be they are not on the list because the place is dirty, have terrible service and can't get an order right? Oh yeah, the food was NEVER as good as who they tried to copy, TOOKIES.
Could it be you work for Tookie’s is why you’re saying negative comments? Tookie’s had to solicit for votes to even make it. If you grew up in Seabrook like I did (Clear Lake Forest), you would know what the real Tookie’s tasted and looked like before Ike. Alicen Cook who is a food editor has tasted many great burgers in Houston and surrounding areas, there for, would know a great burger. If you read her article and comments you would have read that Stomp’s won the burger war. Her comment about Tookie’s was "Meatloaf Burger". Stomp’s is not competing along with many other great burger places (Langford and others). Tookie’s has to prove themselves. Why? Too much time on their hands? Time will tell.
Mocking Bird Bistro......the best burger I have eaten in my life and I have been to 40 of the top 50 buger places in Texas Monthly
Burger Guys ! Hands down the el barrio burger w/ lengua was the best!
Bring back Burgerville! The list is also missing two of the other best: Jerry Built and Raven Grill.
My wife and I were coming back from Tomball last Saturday afternoon and wanted to try something different. We went to Hubcap Grill in the heights for the first time ever. We live in Deer Park so we frequent Tookies, Stomps, and Moo-Yah burger most of the time we crave a burger. We were blown away at Hubcap! I had a Jalapeno Cheese Burger, my wife had a Black and Blue Burger, and we split an order of the "stinky fries" (Fresh cut potatoes splashed with malt vinegar and garlic salt). Burgers were AWESOME! They were cooked to perfection, the buns are incredible, and the service was fantastic! The stinky fries rocked! The inside seating is small, we chose to sit outside under an umbrella since the sun was going down and it was a nice evening. We both had a beer with our burgers and fries, and we got of of there for $20.48! We will be going back soon! They are now on our "burger list" rotation! Thanks for a wonderful meal!
OK, it's not in Houston, but try Sonny's on Ave L & 19th in Galveston.
As much time as I've spent in Galveston, I haven't tried Sonny's. I'll try to get by there next time I'm on the island.
http://www.29-95.com/restaurants/story/my-own-private-oyster-fest-sonnys...
The burgers at Guy's Meat Market are the best in Houston. They are smoked, not broiled, which gives them a very unique flavor you won't find anywhere else.
Check out the USA Today list of the US 10 Great Burgers...
http://travel.usatoday.com/destinations/10great/story/2011-09-01/10-grea...
Lankford's Grocery at 88 Dennis Street, Houston, TX
Love those burgers!.. I vote for them.
MY Best Burger is Texas Chili, caramelized onions, Cheddar, jalapeno, Angus Burger MR @ Sam's Burgers, Fries, and Pies.
Oh...the handcut double cooked Kennibec Fries with spicy Ketchup is too good. Can't touch this do, do, dah, do, ... Homemade Mile high Apple pie with Bluebell homemade Vanilla makes you proud to be an American. Only at Sams, Burgers, Fries, and Pies.
When we travel to Houston, we always stay in the energy corridor area and for the last 20 years we look forward to relaxing and enjoying great food on the tree shaded deck. We discovered Becks on I10/ Dairy Ashford. The atmosphere is, for us, perfect for unwinding after several hours in the car. The chili cheese burger and fries with a cold Bud has never dissapointed. The restaurant has always been extremely clean and maintained. And by the way, the milk shakes are the very best anywhere.
The votes say it all. Tookies @ Seabrook. Absolutely delicious.
Amen Brother!!!
Prince's Hamburgers is the BEST, try the Smitty and you'll be hooked.
Downhouse - best burger in Houston - no question!
Best burger is at Burger Guys, they do it right. Large patties, no small quarter pounders, duck fat fries, and dipping sauces. The Satan's Anus burger, no longer available, was awesome. Also love me some Shepherd Park Draught House burgers and the Petrol Station. Hubcap Grill as well.
The Best Burger "hands down" is MIA'S - the new Johnny Carrabba's restaurant....treat yourself to the most unique burger EVER...hamburger is served on a hot dog "like" bun.....comes with fries ! It's family oriented , don't let that scare you, during the week for lunch, you won't be bother by kids...
PS-an added delite...soft serve vanilla ice cream cone,yum yum....Now I ask you, how could it get any better ?
I really like the Old Fashion Burger at Prince's. I order it at least three times a week.
Cliff's -Murphy burger
Big Ds Burgers and Wings, by far the best burger period, they have a special recipe that I haven't tasted anywhere else
Big D's is pretty dam good!
This should be limited to non-chain restaurants.
M&M Grill ( medical center) Double loaded cheese burger and mango habanero burger!!!
It's my opinion that The Burger Guys make the best burger in town, and I will use every cent of the $100 prize to buy burgers for a group of fans and haters so we can discuss.
I know it won't be a favorite bc it's not local - but FIVE GUYS is still the best to me!
I tried Prince's Burger for the first time today.
Not bad, for a burger and onion rings!
Bernie's represents the holy grail of Houston burgers. Teetering between almost excessive and decadent, the burgers satisfies one's deepest desires without being adulterated by cheap, processed products such as plastic-wrapped sliced cheese and bottled ketchup. The fries alone scream for royal treatment and indulgence. Getting all this from a yellow school bus continues the daily demarcation differentiated high-brow, wanna-be Dallas, with the best city in Texas, Houston!
By far the best is the super cheese burger at otto's bbq
Remember "Hamburgers by Gourmet"?
As a child, I loved their specialty burgers. But I believe they went out of business.
As an adult, I prefer Goode Company's sliced brisket sandwiches. I prefer their taste and I believe they're healthier.
Annies Hamburgers on S Post Oak
I second the vote for Annies on South Post Oak!!
Perry & Sons Market & Grill on Scarsdale or The Mason Jar.
So, I'm not going to make a comparison of my "Burger List." It was created from my burger gastronomical experiences over the years and yes, your post have added bunches of "to tries". I was in a major burger funk for a few years when "Tookies" went under literally. My family knows that for special occasions they take me out to eat at one of the places on my "Burger List" and I get this silly happy smile on my face. So for "Father’s Day" we cruised into Tookies expecting it to be a wait, but nooooo… we got in quickly even though the restaurant was quite full. The staff was really busy, I mean those girls were hustling and bustling around and the place was putting out some burgers... Needless to say they took care of us the Old Fashioned did not disappoint, all the way, just the right amount of Mayo and Mustard, lettuce in proportions, tomato and onion sized for the meat... the meat larger than the bun, hanging over the side of the bun, thickness big enough to make your eyes take notice not over cooked, but not to pink for my taste. You either have to squish it down flatter to fit in your mouth or cut it into half’s so that you can use your hand to smash and wedge it in your mouth. I use the half and smash method myself…
Darn those onion rings, they just keep getting better and better, tried the tater tots this time, nice crispy and didn’t have excessive oil all over the plate, so I like them OK, but don’t compare to the onion rings. Had all the burgers on the list, #99 is not bad, but the standard for me is the Old Fashion Cheeseburger with Cheddar cheese…. All the way M & M.. Only way for me. Plate had the right amount of juices in it as did my hand and napkin, always the good signs; yeah I use juices as a judge to. $27.00 for 3 people not bad (split the Rings…).
I have tried lots of burgers in all corners of Houston to, as well as California, Florida, Colorado, Louisiana, Missouri, Tennessee, Ohio, Nevada, Arizona, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Tennessee, Arkansas, heck even Belgium.… got lots of T-Shirts to prove it… fell in love with Lobster Rolls for a while, but nothing compares to a really good burger, done right with fries and / or onion rings. I fell in love with burgers when I was a kid when the family would eat out on Friday nights and the local HB joint would have the special 5 burgers for a $1.00, so you can gather that I’ve being doing burgers for a while. Anyway, I digress… Tookies is great, and I have done most of the ones on this list, and a heck of a lot that are not. Most are good, some great, but I guess the “Old Fashion” at Tookies just describes it for me.
And Father’s Day was really special because not only did we have Tookies, but caught the Good Dogs, Hot Dog short bus at Buchannan’s for lunch and had a Zapata Dog, not talking about good Hot Dog…. Wish they could open up that Brick and Mortar place so I could catch one on a whim and not have to chase them down… Keep those Burger Friday’s coming… Hissssss for fast food burgers, name only, mostly or sometimes??? Just meat in a bun…
The Burger Palace on the corner of Sage and W. Alabama is definately my favourite Burger place in Houston. I've had several in Houston and I keep coming back with friends and family to this place. We almost always seem to be have Veronica as our server. She's so attentive and so sweet; she treats me and my guests like we're valuable guests. Awesome customer service, food and a quaint atmosphere. Just to have something different, I had a veggie burger, but I must admit I added bacon and avocado..I just had to..it's sooo good there! Thanks, I'll be back soon!
Lankford is amazing, as well as Bernie's, but what takes the cake for e personally is Plonk!'s Guanciale Burger. Honestly the best burger I have devoured. It is a must try.
Little Bitty stacked this vote, again.
Thousands of votes but not one of the top 3 vote getting restaurants had a real review. Sounds fishy to me.
Big D's on 1960 is the best (between Stuebner Airline and Champion Forest). You gotta try it. Fairly new place.
My brother is a hard man to please so when he came to me yesterday and said that Little Bitty Burger had some of the best burgers I didn't hesitate at all and went in for dinner, he was not wrong at all. I missed the "real" burger taste...we lived in the Southside for 14 years and I just love Burger Park off MLK and 610 but hands down Little Bitty Burger changed that. I loved it so much today I went in again :) left me wanting more and craving it more than anything. If you have not tried them out I recommend you do. I took my brother's advice and I did not regret it :) happy burgering..!!
Lived here all my life and Rockwell's on Telge has best burger bar none. Fresh meat and home made buns. Try the Laguna burger. Went today and had one.
Guys market has the best burgers!
Guys market has the best burgers!