Burger Fresh was ranked #13 in the state of Texas by Texas Monthly magazine, and we'd been meaning to check them out and see how they live up to the hype. So on a recent voyage to Conroe, we stopped in.
Burger Fresh is easy to find. It's located in a strip center a couple of blocks off I-45, right in the heart of town. Immediately you can tell that this isn't part of a big chain; the front of the store has a funky style all its own.
Upon entering the store, we were immediately met by the rich aroma of fried beef - not an unwelcome scent in a hamburger joint. Looking around the medium-sized dining room, we saw a space filled with folks of all ages and from all walks of life devouring burgers. Our kind of place.
Looking at the counter, we were overwhelmed by the huge variety of menu options. Burgers of all kinds, from a half pound all the way up to an insane triple of half-pound patties. Yes, if you're so inclined, you can order a burger with a pound and a half of beef. We weren't so inclined.
They also offer a wide range of exotic meats, including alligator and ostrich. Thanks, Crocodile Hunter, but we're hear for a cheeseburger, and that requires beef.
We decided on a #5 burger: A half pound of certified Angus beef with a single half-pound patty, double American cheese, and bacon. It was offered in a basket with sides, and the friendly counterman recommended the onion rings.
We grabbed a table, and waited for our order to come out. After about five minutes, a very soft-spoken waitress brought us our burger.
What appeared was a nicely griddled half-pound patty, which was unfortunately machine formed. The American cheese was moderately melty, and the bacon atop was good quality, but very mild in flavor. The egg bun wasn't griddled in any way. It was a prime example of a pretty good traditional burger.
We enjoyed the burger, but weren't blown away. The hamburger patty was dry and overcooked; all of the ooze present came from the cheese. And the bacon, while considerably higher quality than you'd find at any of the large fast food chains, wasn't as flavorful as we would have liked.
We'd rate the burger in the "Better Burger" category - better than the best offerings at conventional fast food chains, similar to what you'd get at the Five Guys chain. But it doesn't approach the rich flavor found at the best chains, like Beck's Prime or SmashBurger.
What did impress us were the handmade onion rings. Large, sweet onion slices, hand breaded and deep fried in a crispy, flaky batter. Not greasy at all, and very tasty. Some of the best onion rings we can remember trying.
All in all, we can easily recommend Burger Fresh. A good burger (with an amazing variety of options) and outstanding onion rings make for an enjoyable lunch in Conroe. We'll be back.
Burger Fresh
804 Gladstell Suite 110
Conroe, Texas 77304
936-756-4414
www.ConroeBurgerFresh.com
Here is our list of Houston's Best Burgers (December 2009 edition)
10. Barnaby's (Montrose)
9. Mel's Cafe (Tomball)
8. 2-M's (Rosenberg)
7. Smashburger (multiple locations)
6. Jasper's (Woodlands)
5. Beck's Prime (multiple locations)
4. Farrago (Midtown)
3. Christian's Totem (I-10 W, ITL)
1. (tie) Beaver's Icehouse (Washington Ave)
1. (tie) Tesar's Burger Bar (Woodlands)
2009 saw an interesting new addition to the dining scene in the Woodlands - the opening of Tesar's Modern Steak House. John Tesar, the proprietor, was born in New York, learned his skill in Paris, and has been owner and/or chef at a variety of great restaurants across the nation, including 44, X Hell's Kitchen, rm seafood, and Dallas's famed Mansion on Turtle Creek. He relocated to the Woodlands, and his Modern Steak House is the embodiment of his philosophy and what he has learned in these fine restaurants.
Tesar's is without a doubt a fine dining establishment, but we came for another reason - the burgers. We'd heard a rumor of some great things going on, and when a friend suggested a trip to investigate, we jumped right in.
The restaurant is situated right in the middle of the Woodland's bustling downtown area, across the street from the Mitchell Pavilion and Market Street. There are two rooms; the main dining room and a slightly less formal bar, which was the venue for today's meal.
Our helpful and chipper waiter presented the menus, and we were faced with a dilemma: Tesar's has some very diverse burgers, and they all sounded interesting. To make matters more perplexing, your choice of grain-fed and grass-fed beef can be selected. But decisions had to be made.
We began with the purist's choice: The Magic. A half-pound of thickly hand-formed freshly ground sirloin, topped with a thick slice of cheddar cheese, applewood-smoked bacon, some nice sweet lettuce, and a slice of tomato. The bun was unusual; an artisanal English muffin.
The burger is well named -- the result is magic. The beef came out perfectly cooked, with a beautiful pink interior and a nicely charred surface. The moderately sharp chedder made its presence known but didn't overpower; this burger is all about the high-quality beef. The bacon added a soulful, smokey overtone, and a satisfying bit of chewiness. The English muffin, which seemed like a curious choice, turned out to be an ideal foundation for this creation, and the veggies provided just enough crispness to complete the package.
What was interesting was what was left out: Pickles, onions, and any sort of sauce. John Tesar is a modern culinary Picasso -- he expertly eliminated what was not necessary, and what remained is a masterpiece.
There were many thoughtful touches that surrounded this creation: A very tasty caesar salad that begun the meal, beautiful cherry tomatoes on the side, and some decadent desserts. But for us, everything paled next to this magnificent burger, which we feel justified as declaring one of the very Best Burgers in Houston... even though it's in the Woodlands.
For a burger this good, the half-hour drive is well worth it.
Tesar's Modern Steak and Seafood | 1701 Lake Robbins Drive | The Woodlands 77380 | 281-465-0700 | www.tesars.com
UPDATE: Second visit to Beaver's
Over the next days, we kept thinking about that delicious burger, and wondered if it was really as good as it seemed. Beaver's isn't one of the usual suspects mentioned for the best burgers in Houston, and perhaps we just hit them on a great night.
So, in the interest of science, we returned over the weekend for a late lunch, and ordered the burger.
We were not disappointed. We were again blown away by the superb combination of meats in the patty; this time, armed with the knowledge of the ingredients, we were able to appreciate the individual flavors even more.
We tried to recall a burger we enjoyed more. Even the legendary Christian's Totem paled in comparison.
Folks, we have a new champion for Best Burger in Houston: Beaver's. Congratulations to Jonathan Jones and his staff for raising the bar even higher in America's best burger town.
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We enjoy great BBQ. And we love a great burger. We've been hearing good buzz about Beaver's for months, especially since Chef Jonathan Jones took over the helm there, so we ventured out on one of the first cool nights of fall, perfect for BBQ.
Tucked away off Washington Avenue, Beavers was very easy to find. We parked and ventured in to a very cozy setting: Funky, modern, warm and comfortable. Immediately we were grabbed by the laid-back vibe; the feel was vintage Austin before it became too self-conscious.
We settled in at the bar (seemed appropriate here) and perused the menu. Both my dining companion and I decided to sample the Beaver Burger - he was taken by the description, and I'd been wanting a good burger for days.
It was a great decision.
The Beaver Burger is a hand-formed patty of ground sirloin, ground brisket, and bacon. It is cooked to order (the chef had no problem with medium rare, a situation which is, um, rare these days) and was perhaps the juiciest burger we've sampled in Houston. Topped with a very nice white cheddar (maintaining a superb beef/cheese ratio) the patty is perched on an excellent eggy Kraftsmen bun, and topped with very interesting veggies, including house-pickled carrots, cauliflower, and cucumbers. (We ate these veggies on the side.) At $9 it's a steal.
The result was nothing short of spectacular. The bun held up well to the supremely juicy patty, and its slightly sweet flavor was an excellent counterpoint to the savory meat, smooth, creamy cheese, and tangy purple onions. Clearly this was a burger designed by a chef who understand how to meld a variety of flavors into a whole that is greater than the sum of its excellent ingredients.
Beavers may very well have great BBQ, but I fear we'll never try it, because we already want to go back for another one of these superb burgers.
Beaver's - 2310 Decatur Street 77007 - 713-854-BEAV - beavershouston.com
The best burgers in Houston are found in quirky, out-of-the-way joints that do their thing in their own unique way. But Houston is huge, and when you're in the mood for a burger, you often can't drive across miles of traffic to that perfect out-of-the-way spot.
The solution: A burger from a chain. Here in Houston we're fortunate enough to have some very good burgers from stores with multiple locations. But how do you decide which chains are craveworthy and which are only for emergency use?
We're here to help, with our Houston Burger Chain Hierarchy.
The Big Kahunas - Comparable to the best burgers in town
Beck's Prime
SmashBurger
Worth the Wait - We always enjoy these burgers
Cheddar's
Culver's
Five Guys Burgers and Fries
Jax Grill
MooYah Burgers
Just Fine if It's On the Way - Nothing exceptional, but not disappointing either
Burger Tex
Cafe Express
Cliff's
59 Diner
Fuddrucker's
Houston's
Otto's
Skeeter's Mesquite Grill
TGI Friday's
What-a-Burger
I'm In a Hurry - Just Feed Me - Go in with low expectations, or prepare for disappointment
Avalon Diner
Burger King
Chili's
Jack in the Box
Johnny Rockets
McDonald's
Prince's Hamburgers
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers
Sonic
Sweet Mesquite
Wendy's
Just Say No - If you like burgers, keep on driving
Applebee's
James Coney Island
Who have we forgotten? We'll update this list if we've left someone off.
McDonald's sells more burgers than any other company on the planet, and few outside of that organization would attribute this achievement to the quality of the food. It's a restaurant that foodies love to hate, representing everything bad about the prefab nature of fast food.
(From the press release)
Austin, Texas-July 17, 2009 - Texas Monthly, the expert on all things Texan, has published in the August issue their definitive story celebrating the iconic Texas food: the hamburger. A team of 31 eaters scoured the state, covering 12,343 miles, visiting 253 restaurants, and gaining a cumulative 45 pounds in their quest for the best 50 hamburgers in the state. In the introduction to the story, executive editor Patricia Sharpe and editor Jake Silverstein said: "In seeking burgers that stopped us in our tracks, we left some hallowed names in the dust. Undoubtedly, burger-loving readers will be outraged at a few of our picks and misses, but so be it."In a story accompanying the hamburger list, senior editor Gary Cartwright, through his extensive research, set out to prove that the world's first hamburger was served in Athens, Texas, despite the fact that three other towns take credit for inventing the hamburger: New Haven, Connecticut; the Village of Hamburg, New York; and Seymour, Wisconsin. "The documentary evidence supporting this claim is strong," Cartwright says.Founded in 1973, Texas Monthly has a circulation of 300,000 and is read by more than 2.5 million people each month-one out of every eight Texas adults. Texas Monthly is published by Emmis Publishing, L.P. Emmis owns and operates radio stations and other regional magazines.Texas Monthly's 50 BEST HAMBURGERS IN TEXAS:The Grape, Dallas, Classic CheeseburgerCounter Café, Austin, Counter BurgerAlamo Springs Café, Fredericksburg, Cheeseburger (With Green Chiles on a Jalapeno-Cheese Bun)Toro Burger Bar, El Paso, Toro BurgerThe Cove, San Antonio, Texas BurgerThe Porch, Dallas, The StodgPerini Ranch Steakhouse, Buffalo Gap, Hamburger Steak on a BunDutch's, Fort Worth, Bacon and Bleu Cheese BurgerBeck's Prime, Houston, Bacon CheeseburgerOrlando's, Lubbock, Cheeseburger in ParadiseWhite Buffalo Bar, Gage Hotel, Marathon, Buffalo BurgerCover 3, Austin, Chop-House Burger (With Cheese and Bacon)Burger Fresh, Conroe, 1/2 Pound HamburgerBurger Tex II, Austin, Bulgogi BurgerTwisted Root Burger Co., Dallas, HamburgerMax's Wine Dive, Austin, Houston, Kobe Beef BurgerLove Shack, Fort Worth, Dirty Love BurgerFatty's Burgers & More, San Antonio, Ref BurgerMoMak's Backyard Malts & Burgers, San Antonio, MoMak Classic BurgerKelly's Eastside, Plano, Southwestern BurgerBig'z Burger Joint, San Antonio, Big'z Famous No. 1Chicken Oil Co., Bryan, Snuffy BurgerCafé Michael Burger, Galveston, Tiki BurgerBurgers, Fries and Cherry Pies, Midland, The French Connection BurgerMockingbird Bistro, Houston, American Kobe Beef BurgerParkside, Austin, CheeseburgerBlack Sheep Lodge, Austin, Black Buffalo BurgerMiss Hattie's Café and Saloon, San Angelo, Miss Hattie BurgerMel's Country Café, Tomball, Double HamburgerRoaring Fork, Austin, Half Ass BurgerGene's Tasty Burger, Wichita Falls, Frisco BurgerCliff Café, Dallas, Brie and Granny Smith BurgerBracken Store Café, San Antonio, Bean and Frito BurgerSam's Deli Diner, Houston, HamburgerDry Creek Café, Houston, The Regular (With Asadero Cheese)Hamburger Store, Jefferson, Build-Your-Own BurgerMighty Fine, Austin, HamburgerRoadhouse, Bastrop, Jalapeno Cream Cheese BurgerLankford Grocery and Market, Houston, Old-Fashioned HamburgerClassics Burgers and "Moore," Kerrville, CheeseburgerKoffee Kup Family Restaurant, Hico, Jalapeno Cream Cheese BurgerHruska's Store and Bakery, Ellinger, CheeseburgerRosco's Burger Inn, El Paso, Rosco BurgerPort Aransas Brewing Company, Port Aransas, Stopher BurgerGoode Company Hamburgers and Taqueria, Houston, Mesquite BurgerSnuffer's Restaurant and Bar, Dallas, Green Chile SwissburgerFred's Texas Café, Fort Worth, Diablo BurgerSpeedy's Burger, Houston, Hamburguesa MexicanaGourmet Burger Grill, San Antonio, HamburgerJakes, Dallas, #1 Jakes Special
The Houston area is blessed with a variety of great burger joints. From Christian's Totem to Beck's Prime, from Smashburger to Mel's, we're fortunate in the variety of excellent burgers available to enjoy.
But one thing we've been watching is the gradual creep of burger prices. Now we aren't surprised to spend $8-10 on a great burger and we've often paid even more than that. The once-humble burger is now a bona fide gourmet sandwich.
But what if you're on a budget? What if you're dining with the kids? Are there any great burgers to be had for less than $5, or do we have to go with the old Texas reliable, Whataburger?
We're happy to report that we've discovered a new place to get an excellent but still affordable burger. Five Guys Burgers and Fries makes fresh, hand-formed burgers, and they are surprisingly affordable.
We visited Five Guys Waterpoint location, on the south shore of Lake Conroe. The bright, clean interior welcomes guests, and their unique location includes a back deck with a view of the water... but the deck is hidden behind the drink service area and the restrooms.
The Five Guys burger is a classic traditional hamburger, with your choice of either one or two hand-formed quarter-pound patties. They griddle the beef well done, but it stays juicy; we suspect that higher-than-average griddle temperature is the secret. The only toppings you pay extra for are bacon and cheese, everything else is included in the price, including grilled onions, grilled mushrooms and a variety of peppers.
The only side offered are hand-cut french fries, served either regular or Cajun-style. We like seasoned fries, but we have to warn you that Five Guys uses a very spicy Cajun seasoning.
We've save the best for last: The price. The single-patty hamburger costs $3.39; the double cheeseburger is $4.99. Considering the quality of the burger, this represents a tremendous value. Five Guys has three locations in the Houston area, and has aggressive plans for expansion. We're looking forward to visiting again.
A recent weekend found us in San Antonio for a convention, and over the years we've learned that as lovely as the Riverwalk may be, it's not the place for serious food. So we ventured out to Chris Madrid's, the legendary nacho and burger joint.
We arrived around 7 on a Saturday night, and parking was nowhere to be found. We circled the restaurant a couple of times, and swooped in when a space appeared.
Entering the building, we were impressed by the cross-section of humanity enjoying the cool March evening. We headed to the counter and waited in a short line while perusing the menu.
Following the advice of some regulars, we ordered a Cheddar Cheezy, macho. For those who've not been to CM's, macho is the keyword for a half-pound burger.
Chris Madrid's builds a very unique burger. The half-pound patty is not thick, but it is very wide; the size of a medium-sized pancake. It drapes across the bun on all sides, and is covered with a thick, oozy layer of cheddar cheese.
We like an oozing burger as much as anyone, but this, my friends, is too much. There's no way to really grip the burger without fondling all the cheesy, meaty goodness. We think the quarter-pound, non-macho version is the way to go, even if you're very hungry.
This is also the first burger we've found that has way too much cheese. There was over a quarter pound of cheddar, and we ended up discarding about half of it in order to get the cheese/meat ratio where it needed to be, and then folding the patty to make it (mostly) fit on the bun. This was way too much work; we'd rather have the kitchen deliver a more finished product.
Once we reengineered the burger for good handling, we ended up with an above-average cheeseburger that we really enjoyed. The thin patty was griddled well throughout, and gently seasoned with salt and pepper. Ooze remained, and it combined with the cheddar cheese to form a mass of molten goodness. The bun was beautifully griddled to a buttery crispness, and the veggies were plentiful, crisp, and fresh.
So how does this burger rate compared to the best in Houston? Pretty well, but it wouldn't crack the Top Five.
For our money, Houston is still the best burger town in Texas, and thus in the world.
After a painful one-year hiatus which left Texas burger lovers directionless and confused, The Texas Burger Guy is back, with a new review of Koppe Bridge in College Station. Welcome back!