May is Burger Month, and with Cinco de Mayo out of the way, it’s time to put America’s favorite dish back on center stage. We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 burgers in Houston’s Bay Area for you to try if you haven’t yet.
From kid-friendly patios to adult-only establishments, we have a burger dining experience for you.
The Bakkhus Burger at Bakkhus Taverna in Kemah
A spot known for its tender gyros and cheesy pastitsio, Bakkhus Taverna just happens to serve up a few incredible burgers too. The Bakkhus burger is a beef patty marinated in red wine and topped with sautéed onion and mushroom, feta cheese, Greek spices, lettuce and tomato. Sink your teeth into the warm bun and velvety mound of salty feta as the burger’s juices drip down your chin. Grab a Greek coffee and a slice of baklava cheesecake to round out this satisfying experience.
The Ross at Preamble Lounge and Craft House in Webster
Appropriately named after Betsy Ross to keep with the lounge’s theme, this gourmet burger is made with a handmade char-crusted Texas Kobe-style Akaushi beef patty and topped with caramelized apples, crisp candied bacon and creamy smoked Gouda and served on a warm brioche bun. The apple and smoked Gouda, combined with the perfectly seasoned patty, give your taste buds a rich, sweet surprise. Pair it with an apple-inspired cocktail for the ultimate experience at this 21-plus speakeasy-inspired lounge, which offers signature cocktails designed to satisfy and entertain till the last sip. The impressive menu also includes items such as salt- and pepper-crusted ribs with blueberry barbecue sauce and filet mignon skewers with housemade chimichurri.
The Mexi Burger at TJ Reeds in Dickinson
After a day with the kids at the ball field, head over to TJ Reeds in Dickinson for fresh-made burgers, homemade custards and Maine Root sugar cane sodas. Let the kids play on the iPad wall while Mom and Dad sip on adult milkshakes or margaritas. The Mexi Burger — stuffed with a half pound of certified Angus beef patty topped with fresh avocado, chile con queso, blistered jalapeños, craft beer-braised onions, shredded lettuce, tomato, chipotle mayo and pickles — is Tex-Mex meets backyard grilling. This piled-high burger smells of jalapeño spice and wood-fired smoke. The stacks of creamy avocado and warm sliced onions make this a three-napkin adventure. Don’t forget to add an order of the hand-cut buttermilk onion rings or the queso fries.
The Brisket Burger at Skallywag Suds N’ Grub in Kemah
Skallywag Suds N’ Grub is a pub serving scratch-made Southern pub food, craft beers and cocktails. Grab a group of friends, play some music on the jukebox and hang out at the bar. When hunger strikes, order a good ol’ burger. The Brisket Burger is barbecue-basted and topped with garlic compound butter, cumin-pickled onions and fresh blue cheese crumbles, and served on a warm pretzel bun. This delightfully messy burger oozes with tangy barbecue sauce and a warm avalanche of creamy blue cheese. Be sure to use two hands and squish down the hot toasted pretzel bun to fit these flavors into each bite. For extra gooeyness, add a fried egg.
The Napa Burger at Main Street Bistro in League City
This visually impressive burger is loaded with rosemary mustard, merlot aioli, fresh spring mix, thinly sliced tomato, grilled red onion, creamy Boursin cheese and crispy peppered bacon. It’s served with fries, onion rings or a mixture of the two, and you can enjoy this meal for $14. The Napa Burger at Main Street Bistro is offered on the dinner menu, so if it’s lunchtime, you may have to ask for it.
The South Shore Beer Garden Super Burger at Joe Lee’s Seafood in Clear Lake Shores
Joe Lee’s Seafood Kitchen has been around since 1979. This counter-service casual favorite is known for its fried seafood platters and stuffed po-boys. Less spoken of is The South Shore Beer Garden Super Burger. The S.S.B.G. Super Burger is two quarter-pound beef patties, American and Swiss cheese, bacon, grilled onions, grilled jalapeños, grilled mushrooms, mayo, lettuce and tomato. From the well-seasoned stacks of veggies to the cheesy peppered patties, Joe Lee’s delivers more than just great seafood.
The Dynamite Burger at Stomp’s Burger Joint in Bacliff
Drive down Highway 146 and pull in when you see the little country-style house with front-porch rocking chairs and the word STOMP’S on the roof. This spot has everything, from boneless fried chicken breast to Angus beef nachos. The burger menu features a mix of burgers from the Jezzabelle to the Frito-Bean-Dito. The Dynamite Burger is a new addition and the one to try. Just like it sounds, this burger is loaded with heat and sparks a fire with every bite. Made with ancho ranch, pepper jack cheese, grilled jalapeños, crispy lettuce and tomato, this one is sure to make your eyes water. For extra richness, add a fried egg.
The Spicy Chipotle Burger at Tuscany Bistro in League City
Stop in and unwind with a glass of wine and a fresh-made burger from Tuscany Bistro in League City. The spicy chipotle burger is topped with roasted poblano pepper, creamy avocado slices, melted Havarti cheese, lettuce, tomato and a spicy chipotle sauce. Buns are soft and warm and made fresh every day. Finish with an Italian Nespresso and a warm chunk of scratch-made bread pudding or any of Tuscany Bistro’s homemade desserts.
The Philly Cheese Steak Burger at Hubcap Grill in Kemah
After a long day in the sun at the Kemah Boardwalk, come over and relax on the shaded patio and grab a fresh made-to-order burger and an ice-cold beer. Hubcap Grill quietly sits less than a mile south of all the boardwalk action. The $9 Philly cheesesteak burger with a 1/3-pound beef patty, thinly sliced ribeye steak, grilled onions, green bell peppers, Swiss cheese and special mayo sauce is a cross between a seasoned Texas burger and a creamy Philly cheesesteak sandwich. A mound of cheesy ribeye steak is piled on top of a chuck beef patty inside a homemade toasted bun. The best of both worlds meets in this rich combination. Don’t forget to add an order of the Buffalo fries, Texas fries, or any of Hubcap Grill’s specialty fries.
The Squealer at Tookie’s Burgers in Seabrook
Tookie’s has been around for decades and after being destroyed by Hurricane Ike in 2008, was rebuilt in 2011 with new ownership. This casual full-service restaurant is a great place to bring the kids to watch the toy train toot its horn and circle the dining area overhead. Order milkshakes and fried pickles while deciding what else to order. The Squealer is our top Tookie’s pick. If you like the smell of bacon on a Sunday morning, this burger is for you. The Squealer is a handmade beef patty blended with bacon and dressed with creamy mayo, cheddar cheese, pickle, onion, lettuce and tomato. Don’t forget to add a side of Tookie’s famous homemade onion rings.
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This article appears in May 4-10, 2017.
