30 Absolute Best Burgers In Houston

According to the Houston Chronicle, H-Town is known as one of the best food cities in the U.S., so it's no surprise there are hundreds of places to grab a delicious burger. And while you could just as easily fire up the grill and make your own at home, there's something special about eating one from a restaurant. The quality of the beef you get combined with the establishment's house-made sauce, seasoning mix, or pickles just really makes it so much better, despite the cost and the time you take to drive there.

That said, every eatery has its unique selection of offerings, making it especially hard to decide where to go and which burger to order once you get there. To help, we've made a definitive list of some of the best burgers you can find in Houston, according to locals. Note that these options are not restricted to burger-specific restaurants; you'd be surprised to see quite a few great picks from establishments that don't even consider burgers the main offering.

Craft Burger's Bacon BBQ cheeseburger is made with locally sourced black Angus beef, the usual fixings (lettuce, tomato), and crispy onion straws. However, what makes this particular menu item special is the restaurant's scratch-made specialty "craft" sauce. It's a type of BBQ dressing made with a mustard base reminiscent of South Carolina BBQ, and, somehow, it just works.

The burger is perfectly balanced, with a juicy, melt-in-your-mouth beef patty and crunch you can't live without. It pairs perfectly with a side of the establishment's hand-cut french fries with the in-house Craft Brothers seasoning. And don't even think about leaving without trying one of the signature shakes.

If you're looking for something with a slight kick, pick up the Lone Star from JLB Eatery. It's a traditional BBQ bacon burger but has the addition of grilled onions, jalapeños, mayo, and tomatoes.

You can also customize it, so feel free to add or remove toppings as you see fit. However, there's no denying that, as it stands, the menu item is practically perfect. It's also a pretty decent-sized portion, enough to satisfy you before you even touch the side (we recommend the tater tots).

Now, this burger may seem a little intimidating, but trust us when we say that it's totally worth a try. The La Cucha from Roko Grill is stacked with two Angus beef patties, fried cheese, parmesan, plantains, and potato sticks and topped with cabbage and the restaurant's signature sauce.

This sweet and savory combination is the chef's kiss and keeps us returning to this Venezuelan eatery for more. The burger is more than enough to satisfy you, but if you're hankering for a side, we recommend the tater tots, mac and cheese, or cheese tequeños.

For something with a little more spice, try The Snakebite from Backyard Grill. The burger is loaded with fresh jalapeños, pepper jack cheese, "snakebite" mayo, guacamole, lettuce, and tomato. All these ingredients are served on a savory jalapeño bun with a side of fries or chips.

While it sounds like this particular menu item has a big kick, it's actually pretty mild for what it is, so even those with a lower spice tolerance can enjoy it. It's also a pretty decent size, so know you'll leave the restaurant feeling satisfied.

The Amboy Burger at Flip 'n Patties is unique in that it features Akaushi beef (a variety of Wagyu), which has a rich, melt-in-your-mouth flavor and texture. When topped with the standard sandwich fixings, plus the restaurant's scratch-made mayo and buns, you get a delicious treat that you can't help but want to come back for more.

All the burger options offered at this popular Filipino-American eatery are made with the delicious buttery Akaushi beef, so you really can't go wrong with any of them if you feel like trying something new the next time you visit.

The Llano Poblano offers a slightly stronger kick than the aforementioned Snakebite burger, thanks to Hopdoddy's addition of a fresh, seared poblano pepper and chipotle aioli. But beyond that, visitors will appreciate the delicious taste of the grass-fed beef, steakhouse bacon, and house-made bun either gluten-free or not.

Complete your meal with the restaurant's popular parmesan truffle fries, served with truffle aioli (the side comes in a large bowl, so definitely bring a friend). And if you need to tamper down the spice from the burger, you'll have to try the Oreo cookies n' cream custard-based shake.

Champ Burger is well-known among Houstonians for its no-frills yet extremely mouthwatering menu items. To this day, we still don't know whether the secret to its delicious food is in the beef — or the beans, in the case of the veggie black bean burger, which is an honorable mention — or the simplicity of it all.

You can't go wrong with any burger from this establishment because they mostly all feature a ⅓ pound fresh, prime ground chuck patty, but we'll recommend our favorite combination: the double meat and double cheese. Add your favorite toppings like bacon, lettuce, and tomato from there, and enjoy.

Hippo Burgers may be a local chain, but its main staples taste like they should be a well-kept secret, which is why some visitors refer to it as Humble's hole-in-the-wall. You can't go wrong with a classic bacon cheeseburger from the establishment.

It comes with all the toppings you'd expect, which is sometimes best if you're looking for some familiarity. If you want to add a bit more to your meal, locals recommend the Cajun fries.

Burger-Chan offers a completely personalized experience. While there are a few chef-inspired menu items worth trying, we recommend building your own burger — right down to its size and sauces. But even with this level of customizability, locals seem to believe you can't have one of the restaurant's sandwiches without the brioche buns and scallion aioli dressing.

If you want a vegetarian alternative to the beef patty, visitors suggest the falafel — these burgers are tastier than you might think. And, of course, you can't leave without picking up a side of cheese curds — you won't regret it.

This Kimchi burger has that fusion flavor you've been missing. In addition to the standard toppings and its namesake ingredient, it has a freshly ground Korean BBQ Angus beef patty, fried egg, cheddar, and house-made garlic mayo.

It's honestly hard to stop at just one bite — the meat has that perfect umami taste when combined with the other sweet, spicy, and salty flavors. If you want to offset the slight kick from the kimchi, we recommend getting a side of sweet potato fries.

The Original Ninfa's may specialize in Tex-Mex cuisine, but one of its hidden gems is actually the Fajita Burger. The sandwich is loaded with ground and chopped fajita meat, with toppings including grilled onions, poblano peppers, avocado, chipotle aioli, and cheese.

The price for the burger is more on the pricier end than others on this list, but it does come with a side of potato wedges. And with just one taste, you'll see why, despite the cost, Houstonians are completely enamored with it.

The Chaca Oaxaca comprises a blended beef and chorizo patty, avocado, pico de gallo, fried egg, queso fresco, and tabasco mayo — all served on a warm, toasted bun. If you're searching for a delicious and unique burger that gives you a taste of Southwest Mexico, this is it. The menu item doesn't come with any sides, but visitors recommend the shareable cheese fries if you need more substance with your meal.

The Cowboy Brunch at Stanton's City Bites is by far one of the more popular items on its menu, and it's easy to see why. Served on Texas toast, the burger comes with a halal patty and is topped with fried pickles and egg, grilled onions, bacon, and Swiss and American cheese, in addition to your traditional fixings.

Complete the meal with a side of crispy tater tots or onion rings. The fried pickles are another great option, but since they already come included in the Cowboy Brunch, it's safe to pass them up — unless they really win you over.

The Philly Cheesesteak at Hubcap Grill has the traditional beef patty but also includes thin-sliced rib-eye steak, grilled onion, and bell peppers and is topped with Swiss and the restaurant's house-made mayo. It's everything we love about the classic sandwich in burger format. Patrons say the burger goes great with a side of Hubcap Grill's jalapeño hushpuppies, but you also can't go wrong with the fried cheese curds and fries.

Burger Bodega's menu may be smaller than other spots mentioned on this list, but it's because it's learned to perfect the few offerings it has. The Chopped Cheese, in particular, is a fan-favorite for its gooey, savory flavors and features two chopped beef patties, American cheese, onions, bell pepper, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, and the restaurant's house dressing. The combination is served on a soft, warm hero roll. Although you can add additional ingredients or make the burger spicy, it's honestly perfect the way it is and will definitely leave you feeling content.

This option at this Houston restaurant isn't just a menu item — it's a lifestyle. Regulars note that no matter what kind of burger you order and the toppings you add, it's best to always get it spicy. The difference isn't just in the heat level — the flavor drastically changes. You can tell from the spices: According to the establishment, garlic, onion, jalapeño, and a variety of other seasonings are grounded in the meat, so you get a savory mouthful with every single bite.

The classic cheeseburger from Southwell's Hamburger Grill is a popular pick among visitors and Houstonians and for good reason. The traditional burger toppings on it taste as you'd expect, but the flavorful beef patty makes this — and similar other offerings — stand out from many of the other establishments. We recommend adding bacon if you want to include another savory layer, and definitely order a side of onion rings, too.

All the burgers from Sparkle's Hamburger Spot are incredibly well-seasoned (which is why it's featured on our list), so you really can't go wrong with any of its staple menu items. But if it's your first time here, we recommend getting the bacon cheeseburger, which comes with lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion, and mustard. It's simple, yes, but its flavor is out of this world.

Note that if you don't call in your order ahead of time, the wait can be a little on the longer side, and parking might be hard to find. The burgers here are definitely worth the extra effort.

If it's dinner time, but you're still craving brunch, try the cheeseburger offered at Nancy's Hustle. Rather than traditional buns, the establishment serves the perfectly seasoned beef patty on a crunchy brioche English muffin. It's then topped with melted American cheese, pickles, and red onion. Although it comes in a smaller portion than other burgers on this list, patrons say its taste makes a trip to this favored Houston restaurant worthwhile.

Ask any patron of Monkey's Tail what one of their favorite menu items is from the bar, and they'll likely say the Chango Burger. It's another of the simpler options on our list, but we love it for its consistency. With this offering, you always know what to expect: a smashed single or double beef patty (your choice) with cheese, chopped onions, relish, and a Valentina mayo dressing to give it some spice — all served on a sesame bun.

Like The Original Ninfa's, Cantina Barba specializes in Tex-Mex, but patrons just can't pass up the Cantina Cheeseburger, filled with flavor deeply embedded in its ¼-pound beef patty and special sauce. The American cheese and house-made pickles are only the icing on the cake. You have the option to upgrade the meal with an extra patty and bacon if you'd like, but many Houstonians will tell you the burger is practically perfect the way it comes.

Bison is a little leaner and contains a few more health benefits than traditional beef, so it's no surprise that a burger offering this type of meat has made it onto our list. Bubba's Texas Burger Shack specializes in buffalo burgers, but patrons highly recommend the bison option for its clean, non-greasy, and fresh flavor, regardless of the type of toppings and condiments you want on it.

If you need an introduction to this beef alternative, try the bison cheeseburger first. You can select your preference for a single or double patty and whether you want American, Monterey Jack, or cheddar cheese.

Burger Tex is a small mom-and-pop that may not look like much from the outside, but trust us when we say its sandwiches pack quite the punch. There's not a single menu item that isn't good, because it's all customized to you.

The patties are well-seasoned and cooked perfectly, so whether you want a standard ¼ pounder with bacon and cheese or a hefty 8-ounce with all the fixings, know that you won't be disappointed. Toppings and add-on options include mushrooms, hatch chiles, avocado, egg, jalapeños, and more.

Few places do bar food as well as Star Sailor — and, no surprise, a popular menu item is its smashburger. It's complete with cheese, chopped onion, pickles, the house Stellar Sauce, and it is served on a toasted sesame bun. Patrons have the option to add an extra beef patty if the original 3-ounce isn't enough, as well as bacon, and it comes with a serving of crunchy, wavy chips.

It's not often you get to enjoy a burger featuring goat cheese, and BuffBurger just so happens to have a delectable option that does just that. This particular sandwich includes a generous helping of creamed goat cheese, oven-roasted tomatoes, and arugula, and is finished with savory truffle aioli. The beef patty is juicy and, combined with the schmear, just melts in your mouth. We recommend having the full meal with a side of truffle fries or tots.

If you're really hungry, we double dare you to try Killen's Double Cheese Burger. It's stacked with twice the meat, cheese, pickles, onions, and special house sauce that you would get with a standard cheeseburger. Although it looks intimidating, customers say its delicious taste is undeniable, so we recommend bringing a friend to share if needed. However, after one bite, you may not want to anymore.

Hotline Burger does its smash burgers very well; the patty melt simply takes this concept and puts it on Texas toast made by a local bakery. The completed sandwich consists of two smashed beef patties, grilled onions, Swiss, pickles, and the house Smack Sauce.

Customers can customize the burger in various ways, including adding more toppings, an extra patty, or swapping out their preferred cheese. Get it with an order of fries and dip them in the house dressing – you won't regret it.

Simple is sometimes the best way to go, which is the case for the Old Fashioned Hamburger at Lankford's. Although it just has your basic toppings of lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion, mayo, and mustard, there's something about the classic taste of the combination that keeps bringing locals back.

Visitors recommend adding bacon to elevate it even more. And if you feel like you're missing the cheese, Lankford's lets you customize your burger that way, too, but you can always opt for the bacon cheeseburger as an alternative. Either way, we recommend starting with the basic old-fashioned to see where the full flavor originates.

The Almighty Moon Tower Inn — colloquially called "Moon Tower" — may seem a little rough around the edges with its "no-nonsense" style, but the burgers keep patrons consistently returning for more. Classified as one of the bar's "hefty" offerings, the Chong Burger offers up two 4-ounce Angus beef patties with bacon, cheddar, pickled jalapeños, egg, and in-house mustard, all on a buttered brioche bun. Customers love the menu item's savory flavor and believe that the dressing really makes it sing.

The Juicy Lucy features a ½-pound well-seasoned beef patty stuffed with Colby Jack and blue cheese. And, honestly, it's this combination that really makes the burger so tasty. Outside of this, you can customize your preferred toppings, like adding mushrooms or a fried egg, though both are pretty popular add-ons among visitors. If you prefer a less-cheesy variety, we recommend the Blue Oinker, which is somewhat similar to the Juicy Lucy but takes out the Colby Jack and keeps the blue cheese crumbles on top of the patty rather than inside.