The best burgers in Texas are spread across Austin, Dallas and Houston, and each city has its own style. In Austin, try Dirty Martin's Place, Top Notch and Patty Palace. In Dallas, go to Maple & Motor, Adair's Saloon and Herby's. In Houston, start with Lankford Grocery, Champ Burger and Trill Burgers.
Below are our picks, city by city. Each one appeared in a recent local roundup when we wrote this. Texas restaurants open and close fast, though, so check hours before you drive across town.
What makes a Texas burger
There's no single Texas burger, but a few things show up across the state:
- Mustard, not mayo: many old-school Texas burgers come with mustard, pickles, onion, lettuce and tomato.
- Barbecue influence: brisket in the patty blend, smoked burgers and burgers topped with chopped brisket.
- Drive-ins and icehouses: plenty of the best burgers come from decades-old counters and bars, not burger chains.
- A strong smash burger scene: especially in Houston and Austin.
Austin
- Dirty Martin's Place: a long-running burger landmark next to the University of Texas, serving straightforward burgers.
- Top Notch Hamburgers: a retro Burnet Road drive-in with charbroiled burgers.
- Sandy's Hamburgers: a classic stand on Barton Springs Road known for flat, buttery American-style burgers.
- Patty Palace: huge smashed patties on a potato bun with a fresh relish sauce, served from the yard at St. Elmo Brewing.
- JewBoy Burgers: flat-top burgers like the Oy Vay Guey, with peppers and green chile.
- Casino El Camino: a Sixth Street bar with house-ground, charbroiled burgers.
- Delray Cafe: the "looseburger," chopped beef with Detroit-style chili, onions and mustard on a hot dog bun, served on the back patio at Nickel City.
- Dai Due: the splurge, a tall, rich wagyu burger on Manor Road.
See all our picks in the Austin burger guide, or eat well for less with our cheap burgers in Austin list.
Dallas
- Maple & Motor, Medical District: a fatty, griddled cheeseburger that's a Dallas standard.
- Adair's Saloon, Deep Ellum: a honky-tonk serving a half-pound cheeseburger.
- Dairy-Ette, Casa View: an old-school drive-in. Get the patty melt.
- Herby's Burgers, Oak Cliff: an OG smash burger with a loyal following.
- Keller's Drive-In: a classic drive-in cheeseburger served with onion.
- Stock & Barrel, Bishop Arts: a wagyu brisket and short rib blend.
- Goodwins, Lower Greenville: a thick patty with mustard and a cheese sauce.
- The Peak Inn, East Dallas: a neighborhood bar burger with a bacon-and-brisket-patty option.
- Lee Harvey's, the Cedars: a griddled half-pound burger at a laid-back neighborhood bar.
- Roy G's, Oak Lawn: the Roy-al, a smashed burger with house special sauce.
- AllGood Cafe, Deep Ellum: a cheeseburger served with tortilla chips and salsa.
More in the Dallas burger guide and our classic Dallas burger joints.
Houston
- Lankford Grocery, Montrose area: a family-run classic in a former grocery store. The Grim Burger and the Frito Pie Burger are the famous orders.
- Champ Burger: a walk-up East End classic on Sampson Street.
- Trill Burgers: the smash burger concept from Houston rapper Bun B and Andy Nguyen.
- Nancy's Hustle, EaDo: a celebrated bistro cheeseburger on a brioche English muffin.
- Burger-Chan, Galleria area: thin, umami-packed patties with charred jalapeños.
- Burger Bodega, Washington Avenue: smashed burgers in a former fire station, including a chopped cheese burger.
- Stanton's City Bites, downtown: half-pound burgers, including a chili cheeseburger.
- The Burger Joint, Montrose, the Heights and Baybrook: Angus burgers in styles from classic to kimchi.
- Bubba's Texas Burger Shack: a family-run shack known for bison burgers.
See every pick in the Houston burger guide and our cheap burgers in Houston list.
The Texas chain everyone argues about
Whataburger was founded in Corpus Christi in 1950 and is still a point of Texas pride. Order one for the nostalgia, but don't leave without trying the independents above.
How to plan a Texas burger road trip
- Pick one city per day. Austin, Dallas and Houston are each a few hours apart by car, and traffic can be heavy.
- Mix old and new. Pair a decades-old drive-in like Top Notch or Dairy-Ette with a newer smash burger spot.
- Go early on weekends. Popular counters and food truck yards can get busy at peak times.
- Bring an appetite for sides. Onion rings, fries and Frito pie are part of the experience.
Make a Texas brisket burger at home
Use our burger blend calculator to work out a brisket-and-chuck blend, then grill it hot. Our how long to grill burgers guide covers timing. Cook ground beef to 160°F for USDA-recommended doneness.
Know a Texas burger we're missing, maybe in San Antonio or Fort Worth? Suggest a spot.
FAQ
Which Texas city has the best burgers?
It depends on your taste. Dallas is strong on old-school drive-ins and bars, Houston on creative smash burgers, and Austin on a mix of classic stands and chef-driven burgers.
What toppings come on a classic Texas burger?
Usually mustard, pickles, onion, lettuce and tomato, often with American cheese. Some places add jalapeños or chili.
Is Whataburger the best burger in Texas?
It's the most famous Texas chain, but most burger fans would point you to independents like Maple & Motor, Lankford Grocery or Dirty Martin's for a better burger.
Where is a good smash burger in Houston?
Trill Burgers, Burger-Chan and Burger Bodega are all strong choices.
What is a looseburger?
It's Delray Cafe's take on a loose-meat sandwich: chopped beef with Detroit-style chili, onions and mustard on a hot dog bun. It's messy, so grab extra napkins.
Hungry for more?
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