16 Texas Burger Spots Often Chosen Over Other Options
Texas does not play around when it comes to burgers, and locals will argue their favorite like it is sacred family business. From smoky charcoal classics to crispy-edged smash patties with secret sauces, these picks deliver when cravings hit hard.
You will find dive bars, seafood spots with stealthy masterpieces, and barbecue joints sneaking in ringer burgers. Ready to map your next beef-fueled road trip across Austin, Houston, and Dallas?
1. Top Notch
Top Notch is a time capsule where charcoal does the talking and the burgers wear that smoke like cologne. You get thick patties, toasted buns, and a salty crust that snaps with every bite.
Grab a shake, post up under the neon, and listen to the sizzle coming off that open grill.
If you crave the old-school drive-in ritual, this place embraces it without trying too hard. Order onions, pickles, and mustard, then let the beef lead.
The fries are classic, the vibe is relaxed, and the charcoal kiss makes every topping feel dialed-in.
Come hungry, leave happy, and probably start planning your next round before you hit the parking lot.
2. Dirty Martin’s Place
Dirty Martin’s Place keeps things honest and loud with patties smashed thin and edges that go proper crispy. The bun soaks up juices without falling apart, and the mustard-first setup lands with perfect tang.
You taste nostalgia, not gimmicks, and it hits especially well with a cold drink.
There is no pretense here, just straightforward burgers executed with muscle memory. The griddle is seasoned like a cast-iron heirloom, layering flavor on flavor.
Add grilled onions for sweetness that plays off the crust.
Sit at the counter, watch the spatulas fly, and do not overthink it. This is an Austin institution where repetition breeds perfection and the burger always lands.
3. The Silver Medal
The Silver Medal is where late-night appetite meets smash-burger obsession. Patties get pressed hard, cheese melts aggressively, and the stack drips just enough to demand napkins.
It is the kind of burger that tastes best after your second round, when the chili dogs start calling too.
The bun is soft, the edges are lacy, and everything comes together fast. You are here for speed and flavor, not ceremony.
Order double, add pickles and grilled onions, then settle into the neon glow.
Expect a little chaos, plenty of chatter, and burgers that refuse to be precious. This is dive-bar comfort done right, built to shut up hunger in a hurry.
4. Clark’s Oyster Bar
Clark’s Oyster Bar is a seafood stunner that sneaks in one of Austin’s best burgers. The patty is thick, deeply crusted, and cooked with steakhouse precision.
Gruyere melts luxuriously while gribiche adds tangy richness that feels both classic and clever.
You might come for oysters, but that burger pulls focus the second it lands. The bun is buttered and barely sweet, balancing the savory punch.
Each bite layers salt, fat, acid, and crunch in equal measure.
Pair it with crisp shoestring fries and a martini if you are feeling bold. It is refined without being fussy, a power move in a seafood house that quietly flexes beef.
5. Pool Burger
Pool Burger brings beach-town spirit to the Austin burger scene. Expect soft buns, juicy patties, and playful builds that lean sunny and bright.
The Blue Hawaiian throws grilled pineapple into the mix, hitting sweet, smoky, and salty in one joyful bite.
Crinkle fries ride shotgun, golden and crisp with nostalgic crunch. Order a tiki drink, snag a picnic table, and let the breeze set the tempo.
This is a place where burgers feel like vacation, even on a Tuesday.
Go double if you want maximum sear and sauce-to-bite coverage. It is casual, colorful, and irresistibly fun, proving whimsy and technique can absolutely share a basket.
6. Trill Burgers
Trill Burgers delivers that double-stacked smash hit with swagger. The patties are thin, salty, and crackling at the edges, glued together by molten American cheese.
Onions and signature sauce bring sweet-savory heat, locking in the bite that keeps folks lined up.
It feels like a moment every time the wrapper opens. The bun is shiny and soft, hugging the build so nothing slips.
You get balance, drip, and crunch in exactly the right order.
Add fries and an extra sauce cup if you know what you are doing. This is Houston energy in burger form, confident and fast, built for immediate satisfaction and zero leftovers.
7. Burger Bodega
Burger Bodega nails that classic smash with a New York wink. Thin patties sizzle hard, grilled onions go sweet and jammy, and their sauce ties everything together.
The bun holds tight, keeping bites clean even when you layer doubles.
People love the chopped cheese here too, but the burger is the main move. Add pickles for tang and let the cheese drape down the sides.
It is nostalgic but tuned for modern cravings.
Grab a seat, sip something cold, and watch the griddle show. You will leave plotting your next combo, maybe burger now and chopped cheese tomorrow.
Options stay strong, flavor stays stronger.
8. Lankford’s
Lankford’s is the definition of go-big-or-nap-later. The menu stacks toppings with joyful chaos: jalapeno heat, bacon crunch, fried egg richness, even mac and cheese if you want the full send.
It is messy, confident, and absolutely satisfying.
The patty holds its ground under all that weight, still juicy and beefy. Buns are sturdy enough to keep form while the drips start rolling.
You will need extra napkins, and maybe a game plan.
Pair it with onion rings and lean into the indulgence. This is Houston comfort food that does not apologize, made for folks who like their burgers loud, proud, and unapologetically loaded.
9. Stanton’s City Bites
Stanton’s City Bites leans into big, old-school patties that taste like backyard cookouts gone deluxe. The half-pounders carry a deep sear and plenty of juice.
Sesame buns and classic toppings let you build your own lane or go wild with their signatures.
The Cowboy Brunch burger is a star: egg, bacon, maybe barbecue flair, and full-on weekend energy. It eats like a meal and a half.
You will need a firm grip and a big appetite.
Order fries or tots, then take your time. Stanton’s is about generous portions, straightforward flavor, and the kind of burger that leaves you blissfully full for hours.
10. Feges BBQ
Feges BBQ proves the theory that barbecue joints secretly make elite burgers. Two smashed patties get that smoky, griddle-kissed crust.
American cheese goes melty, caramelized onions bring sweetness, and pickles cut through perfectly.
The Riot sauce ties the whole stack with tang and peppery depth. It feels like a pitmaster’s cheat code in burger form.
You can taste the smoke in the air while you eat, which somehow makes it better.
Grab a tray, maybe add brisket for the table, and share bites around. This burger punches above its weight, stealing the spotlight from ribs for a minute and earning every repeat visit.
11. Flip n Patties
Flip n Patties brings Filipino flair to the burger game with confidence and heart. Think pillowy buns, juicy patties, and toppings that actually tell a story.
Longganisa adds garlicky sweetness, while banana-ketchup aioli folds in tang and nostalgia.
Every bite rides a line between comfort and surprise. The balance is smart, never novelty for novelty’s sake.
You taste intention, not just fusion.
Grab fries or their loaded sides and let the sauces do the talking. It is bright, fun, and built for folks who like flavor turned up without losing structure.
If you want a burger that travels, culturally and deliciously, this is your stop.
12. Lakewood Landing
Lakewood Landing serves the archetypal dive-bar burger that does not beg for attention. It is beef, cheese, classic toppings, toasted bun, and a cold beer nearby.
The griddle crust is just right, giving each bite a gentle snap.
No truffle oil, no ceremony, just comfort delivered hot and steady. The bar crowd hums, the basket lands, and life feels simpler for a minute.
Add mustard, maybe onions, and call it perfect.
It is the burger you measure others against when trends get loud. Straightforward, reliable, and quietly excellent, this Dallas standby understands the assignment and nails it nightly.
13. The Charlotte
The Charlotte brings a double smash that walks with swagger. Cheddar melts into every crevice, caramelized onions go sweet, and pickles pop.
Jerk aioli sneaks in gentle heat and a little island sunshine without overwhelming the beef.
The bun is soft but resilient, catching drips like a pro. Each bite stacks crunch, cream, and spice in clean layers.
It is the kind of burger you finish faster than planned.
Pair with something crisp and bubbly to keep the richness lively. Dallas has plenty of fancy builds, but this one threads the needle between classic comfort and modern flavor with style.
14. Knife
Knife treats burgers with steakhouse seriousness. You can go classic, lean into beef cheek decadence, or chase pimento cheese richness on an English muffin.
The grind is dialed, the sear is assertive, and the seasoning is confident without shouting.
Every version feels purposeful, built for texture and balance. The fries match the precision, and the sauces know their lane.
It is indulgent, but never sloppy.
If you want a chef-driven burger that still respects the form, this is your move. Dallas gets plenty of hype, and here it is earned, bite after expertly cooked bite with options that meet every mood.
15. Burger House
Burger House is a Dallas-Fort Worth throwback that never forgot the blueprint. Griddled patties meet sesame seed buns and a mustard-first attitude that wakes things up.
The bite is clean, the salt is right, and the rhythm feels timeless.
It is simple, but not basic, with decades of practice backing every move. Onions and pickles bring crunch while the bun holds steady.
You taste tradition in the best way.
Grab a shake, chase it with fries, and appreciate how straightforward can still thrill. When the craving is classic, this is where the compass points, no questions asked.
16. Goodfriend Beer Garden and Burger House
Goodfriend pairs a serious tap list with burgers that can stand up to hops. The Bourdain is the legend: double patties, American cheese, Kewpie mayo, and fully loaded fixings.
It eats like a greatest-hits album where everything lands.
The patties carry deep browning, and the bun keeps structure through the final bite. Kewpie adds umami-rich creaminess that makes the cheese feel even cheesier.
You get nostalgic, modern, and hearty all at once.
Bring friends, order rounds, and share bites across the table. This spot understands balance, from beer to beef, making every visit feel celebratory and dialed.
