Eater Burger Week 2015 is beginning to wind down, but we couldn't possibly conclude things without a look at some of DFW's burger icons. Some are newer, most are old, but all are leaving a lasting impression on local burger lovers.
These aren't necessarily the best-tasting burgers or the hottest burgers of the moment, but collectively they paint a compelling picture of the DFW burger landscape. (As usual, picks are not ranked but rather in alphabetical order.)
Did we leave out an essential burger pick? State your case in the comments.
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The revitalization of Deep Ellum has been amazing thus far, but we'd be lying if we said there wasn't at least some tiny part of us that gets a little paranoid about too much gentrification. Places like Adair's, the dingy little country bar covered from head to toe in Sharpie graffiti, are what makes Deep Ellum, well, Deep Ellum. Their backyard-style burger also happens to be pretty damn great, along with those weird fries that are cooked on the flattop right alongside it.
Burger House was originally founded back in 1951, meaning it's probably older than you. Stroll in on a Saturday afternoon and there's a good chance you'll spot three generations dining together on thin-pattied burgers, those famous seasoned fries, and chocolate malts. The prices have certainly gone up since the 50's and the kitchen equipment has been updated, but other than that the Snider Plaza original is still largely the same as it was 64 years ago.
It doesn't get much more classic than the Dairy-ette. Open since 1956, this time-capsule of a drive-in still utilizes its original cash register, soda fountain, and carhop trays, and they still make their fries fresh and their rootbeer from scratch. The burgers come on a squishy white bun and are thin enough to easily put away a double, even when paired with a side of the excellent onion rings.
Remember when this In-N-Out — the very first one in the Metroplex — opened up and a lady cried on the news? Yeah. Whether you're a Cali transplant or just someone who appreciates a great burger on the cheap, the arrival of burger icon In-N-Out was a pretty pivotal moment in Dallas history. So what if the fries aren't that great? A Double-Double Animal-style beats the hell out of just about anything else you can get from a drive-thru window.
[Photo: Jennifer C./Foursquare]
Since 1965, Keller's has been serving old-fashioned burgers and beer to hungry folks in their cars. Prices have certainly gone up since then, but a single cheeseburger perched on a poppyseed bun will still only run you a paltry $2.35. Tack on an order of tots and a super-thick milkshake and you'll still have enough to give your waitress a good tip — and you should, because the women that work here are seasoned professionals who never miss a beat.
Fort Worth institution Kincaid's began its life as a grocery back in 1946 and began serving burgers in the 60's. The fresh-ground, half-pound burgers may no longer win a cavalcade of "Best Burger" trophies like they used to, but a trip to nostalgia-inducing Kincaid's is still a Fort Worth rite of passage.
Everything restaurateur Nick Badovinus touches turns to gold, particularly this laid-back, unassuming lunch spot in the Design District. OSK became practically an instant classic when it opened in 2012, serving up inarguably some of the best damn burgers around in a fantastic no-frills atmosphere. Where else can you get a burger that good — and that cheap — with a giant cup of Kool-Aid and a refrigerator-cold Twix? (Now if the new one at Trinity Groves would just hurry up and open.)
Texas Monthly ruffled some serious feathers when they chose the The Grape's burger as the very best in all of Texas back in 2009. Burgers in Texas were supposed to be thin-pattied affairs eaten from roadside stands or time-honored dives, not refined creations from a classic French-style bistro. And yet, it's still tough to argue with their choice, given the thick, juicy patty topped with housemade bacon, white cheddar, and Dijonnaise at Brian and Courtney Luscher's Lower Greenville favorite.
Most every Texan has some sort of Whataburger memory, whether it's hanging out there with your friends in high school or languishing in the epic late-night drive-thru line after an evening at the bars. And with hundreds of locations across Texas, the signature orange-and-white A-frames have more or less become a part of the landscape.
[Photo: frankieleon/Flickr]
Going to Wingfield's feels like you're being let in on some sort of top-secret burger club. This place represents exactly how far serious burger devotees are willing to go for a great one — it's tiny and cramped, there's literally nowhere to sit, and sometimes the wait is long. But when you walk out the door clutching that greasy paper bag and begin to inhale a beastly bacon burger while sitting in your car, you instantly know it was worth the trip. Just don't attempt to go back to work after eating one of these babies. (Pro tip: Calling in your order will cut down your wait time dramatically.)
The revitalization of Deep Ellum has been amazing thus far, but we'd be lying if we said there wasn't at least some tiny part of us that gets a little paranoid about too much gentrification. Places like Adair's, the dingy little country bar covered from head to toe in Sharpie graffiti, are what makes Deep Ellum, well, Deep Ellum. Their backyard-style burger also happens to be pretty damn great, along with those weird fries that are cooked on the flattop right alongside it.
Burger House was originally founded back in 1951, meaning it's probably older than you. Stroll in on a Saturday afternoon and there's a good chance you'll spot three generations dining together on thin-pattied burgers, those famous seasoned fries, and chocolate malts. The prices have certainly gone up since the 50's and the kitchen equipment has been updated, but other than that the Snider Plaza original is still largely the same as it was 64 years ago.
It doesn't get much more classic than the Dairy-ette. Open since 1956, this time-capsule of a drive-in still utilizes its original cash register, soda fountain, and carhop trays, and they still make their fries fresh and their rootbeer from scratch. The burgers come on a squishy white bun and are thin enough to easily put away a double, even when paired with a side of the excellent onion rings.
Remember when this In-N-Out — the very first one in the Metroplex — opened up and a lady cried on the news? Yeah. Whether you're a Cali transplant or just someone who appreciates a great burger on the cheap, the arrival of burger icon In-N-Out was a pretty pivotal moment in Dallas history. So what if the fries aren't that great? A Double-Double Animal-style beats the hell out of just about anything else you can get from a drive-thru window.
[Photo: Jennifer C./Foursquare]
Since 1965, Keller's has been serving old-fashioned burgers and beer to hungry folks in their cars. Prices have certainly gone up since then, but a single cheeseburger perched on a poppyseed bun will still only run you a paltry $2.35. Tack on an order of tots and a super-thick milkshake and you'll still have enough to give your waitress a good tip — and you should, because the women that work here are seasoned professionals who never miss a beat.
Fort Worth institution Kincaid's began its life as a grocery back in 1946 and began serving burgers in the 60's. The fresh-ground, half-pound burgers may no longer win a cavalcade of "Best Burger" trophies like they used to, but a trip to nostalgia-inducing Kincaid's is still a Fort Worth rite of passage.
Everything restaurateur Nick Badovinus touches turns to gold, particularly this laid-back, unassuming lunch spot in the Design District. OSK became practically an instant classic when it opened in 2012, serving up inarguably some of the best damn burgers around in a fantastic no-frills atmosphere. Where else can you get a burger that good — and that cheap — with a giant cup of Kool-Aid and a refrigerator-cold Twix? (Now if the new one at Trinity Groves would just hurry up and open.)
Texas Monthly ruffled some serious feathers when they chose the The Grape's burger as the very best in all of Texas back in 2009. Burgers in Texas were supposed to be thin-pattied affairs eaten from roadside stands or time-honored dives, not refined creations from a classic French-style bistro. And yet, it's still tough to argue with their choice, given the thick, juicy patty topped with housemade bacon, white cheddar, and Dijonnaise at Brian and Courtney Luscher's Lower Greenville favorite.
Most every Texan has some sort of Whataburger memory, whether it's hanging out there with your friends in high school or languishing in the epic late-night drive-thru line after an evening at the bars. And with hundreds of locations across Texas, the signature orange-and-white A-frames have more or less become a part of the landscape.
[Photo: frankieleon/Flickr]
Going to Wingfield's feels like you're being let in on some sort of top-secret burger club. This place represents exactly how far serious burger devotees are willing to go for a great one — it's tiny and cramped, there's literally nowhere to sit, and sometimes the wait is long. But when you walk out the door clutching that greasy paper bag and begin to inhale a beastly bacon burger while sitting in your car, you instantly know it was worth the trip. Just don't attempt to go back to work after eating one of these babies. (Pro tip: Calling in your order will cut down your wait time dramatically.)
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