The 10 best spots for burgers in Houston (according to Yelp)

Offering a variety of thin smash burgers and meaty behemoths you can barely get your mouth around, these Houston burger joints are worth a visit.

At some point in your life, you’ve likely gotten a craving for a certain kind of food. A burger hankering is unlike any other, however. When that burger jonesing hits, it’s palpable. You need to get your hands on one. Luckily, there are some fantastic burgers in Houston to satisfy that need. We’re touring the city—with some input from Yelpers—to find the best around town.

One housekeeping note before we dive in: Houston has plenty of good burgers around the city at restaurants and bars that only serve one burger among many other foods. For this list, we’re looking at places that are primarily burger joints or have multiple burger options available. Now, let’s eat!

1. Hotline Burger

1585 Highway 6 Unit C, Houston, TX 77077

8880 Bellaire Blvd Suite P, Houston, TX 77036

Hotline Burger opened a second location in Chinatown, and both spots are excellent. There aren’t many frills—primarily a few sparse tables and a drive-through—but the quality of food makes up for everything. The burgers are big and consistently cooked to perfection.

Hotline Burger also scores bonus points for having several fry options, all of which are crisp and tasty. Our favorite is the Smack Fries, which combine the tangy mayo Smack Sauce with grilled onions and American cheese.

Try this burger: Patty Melt

2. burger-chan

5353 W Alabama St, Ste 110, Houston, TX 77056

Located in Houston’s Galleria area, burger-chan got its name by combining what you order at its restaurant—burgers—with the Japanese word for “cuteness” (chan). The logo reiterates this with a cuddly bear snoozing on top of a massive burger.

Though the menu offers hot dogs and breakfast, chicken, fish, and falafel sandwiches, you’re primarily coming here for the burgers. You can customize your burger to your heart’s content, making it as cute or monstrous as you’d like. Add a classic side (or something more unique, like taro root chips or fried cheese curds) and have yourself a hearty meal.

Try this burger: Spicy!!! (But really, the joy is in making your own creation)

Packed high with toppings and flavor, any of the menu options from burger-chan is a good idea. (Fajar Hassan)

3. Johnny Good Burger

401 Franklin St, Ste 1300, Houston, TX 77201

The “B.” in Chuck Berry’s rock classic “Johnny B. Goode” probably doesn’t stand for “burger,” but you might start doing the duckwalk either way when you chow down at Johnny Good Burger. This booth at POST Houston serves up burgers and sandwiches stacked high with toppings and flavors. The Loaded Fries are a meal on their own, so unless you’ve got an enormous appetite, stick with the classic fries to pair with your burger.

And like burger-chan, Johnny Good Burger continues the trend of charming mascots. Just look at this little guy!

Try this burger: Breakfast Burger

4. BBuddies

9907 S Texas 6 Sugar Land, TX 77498

BBuddies has some of the hottest burgers in town. You’ll thrive here if you love spicy items, though if your palate is more mild like mine, the Lv. 1 sauce still provides a pleasant zing.

The second food truck recently closed, though the Sugar Land truck is still serving up burgers, sandwiches, Philly steaks, and fries. Everything on the menu is 100% Halal, and though BBuddies’s signature sandwich is made with chicken thigh, the cheeseburger and melt are both terrific burger selections.

Try this burger: Buddies Cheeseburger

5. Stanton’s City Bites

1420 Edwards St, Houston, TX 77007

Stepping into Stanton’s City Bites is like traveling back in time to a vintage diner, when gathering around the table with good friends and good food was all that mattered. That nostalgic feel extends to the food. The burgers are meaty and juicy, and the fries have just the right amount of crispness.

With such a classic diner feel, perhaps it’s a bit surprising that Stanton’s started as a grocery store in 1961. That grocery store also happened to serve very popular burgers in Houston. The evolution was clear, though the family-friendly charm and vibes remain. So, enjoy the nostalgia, and while you’re at it, make a few new burger memories.  

Try this burger: Spicy Chipotle

Sink our teeth into the Spicy Chipotle from Stanton’s City Bites.(Stanton’s City Bites)

6. Little Matt’s Cafe

6203 Edloe St, Houston, TX 77005

With menu items including Chicken Enchiladas and Thai Wraps, you might argue that Little Matt’s Cafe isn’t a proper burger joint. The best rebuttal to that is to stuff a Comfort Texas Burger (or any of the other burgers) into your mouth immediately. These burgers range from classics to more unique twists. They all come with fries, and they’ll all have you licking your fingers.

Matt’s promises it’s a place “where fun meets food.” For burger aficionados, that certainly rings true.

Try this burger: Santa Barbara Sourdough Burger

7. House of Fries

5322 Antoine Dr, Houston, TX 77091

House of Fries, which celebrates 30 years in operation this year, is home to more than a dozen types of loaded fries. Thankfully, the foundation is sturdy enough to support a ton of tasty burgers. Everything on the menu comes in a five-ounce option, though some burgers also feature eight-ounce versions for hungrier eaters.

And since you are at an establishment made of fries, try some of those, too. The Philly Cheese Steak Fries are tops in our book, though the Chicken Fajita and Chicken Bacon Ranch are also sur-fry-singly good.

Try this burger: ABC Burger

8. Groovy Burger

7919 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77063

The stylish mascots are back! Groovy Burger’s logo is rocking a pair of sunglasses atop its bun. When you’re feeling groovy, the unique Halal burgers from this food truck are a boss way to go. Every single option is mouth-watering and gigantic, though the cheese-stuffed patty of the Munchies Burger is an exceptional highlight.

Groovy Burger is also open extra late—or early, depending on how your day is going. The 2 a.m. last call on Sundays is the earliest closing time of the week.   

Try this burger: Munchies Burger

9. Rodeo Goat

2105 Dallas St, Houston, TX 77003

With over a dozen burgers available, Rodeo Goat has a lil’ something for everyone. Nearly every selection is piled high with toppings, as each burger comes with at least four ingredients. Most burgers use a 44 Farms beef patty, though you can swap that out for ground chicken or turkey or a variety of plant-based options.

Should you ever tire of a burger on the menu, Rodeo Goat hosts a monthly Battle of the Burgers to add new creations to the menu. 

Try this burger: Marvin Zindler

You’ll need both hands to handle the massive burgers from Rodeo Goat. (Joey Held)

10. The Neighborhood Scoop

2106 Strawberry Rd, Pasadena, TX 77502

Though the name insinuates ice cream, The Neighborhood Scoop has a powerful burger game. When the hunger pangs come calling, you can mount up to three patties on a brioche bun with the Triple Scoop.

Though this list is all about burgers, we’d be remiss to ignore the incredibly creative treats The Neighborhood Scoop dishes out. Banana splits, beignets, and fried Oreos are all solid options. The coolest choices, however, are the Funnel Cake Fries, Churro Fries, and Waffle Sundaes. They come in identical toppings—the Strawberry Banana Nutella is a personal favorite—so it’s really a matter of your preference between funnel cakes, churros, or waffles. All of them will treat you well.

Try this burger: Rodeo Burger

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.