Ahh yesss.. the quest for the perfect burger. It's a science in my mind... there has to be the perfect ratio of bread and meat where neither element interferes with each other. The condiments have to be the perfect compliment as well. In Cali, In 'n Out is hands down the best burger. Note that I said in Cali.. cuz I'm not really down with the whole thousand island dressing thing. I like mine Texas style with mad onions and mustard. I don't know why the Bellaire Broiler is so highly touted. The place has surly service and their burgers are these nasty little grease nuggets. IMO the best burger is right next door to the Bellaire Broiler... the blue building called the Roadster grill. They have a wide selection of burgers and each is cooked to finger lickin perfection. I love chowin down their buffalo burgers and savoring the meaty after taste. lol For the budget, Whataburger has the best burger bang for your buck. Toasted buns and all. mmMMmm. I moved to NYC last year and I miss Whataburger and the Roadster grill so muuuuch. I went to the Corner Bistro since I HEARD it was the best burger joint in NY and I was really disappointed. It was just a bread and meat with not a lot of extras. The QUALITY of the meat was really good, but it was hard to eat. I also hit up the place called Jackson Hole. Their burger were completely disgusting. Absolutely TOO much meat. It was like eating a softball with bread wrapped around it. I'll have to check out the other places recommended in NYC. Thanks for the tips.
Absolute blasphemy. Roadster's grill does have good burgers, but Bellaire BB kicks the crap out of it, IMO, as well as most other people. To each, their own, obviously. Bellaire Broiler Burger Rocks!
i posted it earlier in this thread but you new yorkers really need to check out the shake shack in madison square park while the weather is still good. burgers are ground beef mixed with brisket.
Both Roadster and BBB make great burgers, but the last couple of times I went to Roadster, I had their Greek food, and it is outstanding.
The best Mexican food I've found (so far) is a place in midtown called Mama Mexico. Pretty good food (but expensive). I've also heard good things about La Cocina.
Hut's in Austin has a great burger. Katz's, across the street, has a fine one as well. EZ's on Lamar, across from Central Market, makes an excellent one. Dan's has a great cheap burger. Hyde Park Bar and Grill has great burgers and dip-fries (see Ranger Drive-In below), In Houston, Prince's used to be terrific. We used to go to the drive-in there in my cousin's '56 Chevy and try to chat up the chicks who would come out in their little uniforms and take your order. Malts and cokes served in glass drink thingy's, fantastic onion rings, as noted. Don't know what it's like now, the one or two left.... haven't been in ages. Anyone who grew up in Southeast Houston, in the Gulfgate-Telephone Road area, should remember the Ranger Drive-In. They had great burgers, even better chicken-fried steak sandwiches, and fantastic dip-fries (fresh-cut fries dipped in light batter and dropped in the fryer- outstanding!). I still daydream about eating there, sometimes. They put Loop 610 right through where it used to be.
I used to hang out there when I was a freshman at UT in 1979. They also had live music there back then (don't know if they still do). One band I used to love to see play there was a rockabilly band called Little Charlie and the Eager Beaver Boys. Little Charlie=Charlie Sexton, at age 14
They have tables where the stage used to be, but they may move them for music sometimes on weekends. We used to listen to music there. I don't honestly know. We don't get out nearly as much as we should or used to. Charlie grew up, didn't he. What's he up to now?
He played guitar in Bob Dylan's touring band for three years (quit in 2002) and produced a couple of Lucinda Williams' CDs.
LMAO - there are 54 Whataburgers alone in Houston compared to a big fat 0 in Tennessee. For those who live in CA or did, is there an In 'n Out in Pasadena?
Yes. Have you ever had dip-fries, Fatty? They are fabulous! Of course, if they aren't done right, they are a greasy, soggy mess, but what the hell. Find a good place with them and chow down.
Man! It just hit me like a ton of bricks! But I think I have eaten at Whataburger. When I came to Houston in 2003 for the Smeg World Tour, I stayed with Jeff (which he and his wife were the best host/hostess ever ), and after the game was over, he took me to Whataburger - at least I think he did. Obviously, I must have not thought too much of it since I just remembered it now.
