Texas isn’t just famous for BBQ – it’s also home to some incredible burger joints that won’t break the bank. Across the Lone Star State, you’ll find mouthwatering burgers packed with flavor at prices that keep your wallet happy. From Houston to Dallas and beyond, these eight famous burger spots offer delicious meals for under $15, proving that great taste doesn’t require a big budget.
1. Burger Fresh & More – Conroe
Housed in a charming roadside building with a nostalgic vibe, Burger Fresh & More has been flipping patties since 1973. Their hand-formed burgers come straight from the griddle sizzling hot with that perfect char.
Locals rave about the Texas Burger, topped with bacon, cheddar, and BBQ sauce for just $8.99 with fries. The meat is never frozen, and they make their special sauce in-house daily.
Family-owned and community-focused, this Conroe gem maintains the same recipes that made them famous nearly five decades ago.
2. Bubba’s Texas Burger Shack – Houston
Tucked beneath the Westpark Tollway overpass, Bubba’s quirky shack might look unassuming, but it houses buffalo burger royalty. Yellow and red painted wood welcomes hungry Houstonians seeking something different.
Their signature Buffalo Burger costs just $10.50 and comes with all the fixings. The lean, slightly sweet buffalo meat creates a healthier alternative to traditional beef without sacrificing flavor.
Weekend warriors often find themselves in the outdoor seating area, cold beer in hand, debating whether the buffalo or beef burgers reign supreme at this three-decade-old institution.
3. Herby’s Burgers – Dallas
What started as a humble food truck now stands as a Dallas burger legend. Herby’s bright blue exterior signals burger paradise to those in the know.
The Double Trouble – two seasoned patties with American cheese, grilled onions, and special sauce – costs only $12.99 with a side. Each burger features a toasted, buttery brioche bun that somehow manages to hold together despite the juicy goodness within.
Owner Herbert Washington still works the grill most days, chatting with regulars who’ve been coming since he parked his first food truck downtown in 2008.
4. Keller’s Drive-In – Dallas
Step back in time at this 1950s-style drive-in where carhops still deliver trays to your vehicle window. Neon signs illuminate the night as classic cars regularly gather in the parking lot.
The #5 Special – a double-meat patty melt with cheese on poppy seed buns – remains their bestseller at just $7.39. Add tater tots and a shake, and you’re still under $15 total.
Virtually unchanged since 1965, Keller’s represents Dallas food history in its purest form. Cash-only policies and paper-wrapped burgers remind customers that some traditions are worth preserving.
5. Jerry Built Homegrown Burgers – Houston
“Farm to bun” isn’t just a catchphrase here – it’s a commitment. Jerry Built sources Texas-raised beef and locally grown produce for their exceptional burgers.
The Classic Jerry with all-natural beef, lettuce, tomato, and house sauce runs $11.95 with hand-cut fries. Every ingredient gets scrutinized for quality, from the freshly-baked buns to the hormone-free meat.
Sustainability drives everything at this modern burger joint. Even the restaurant itself was constructed using reclaimed materials, making your affordable burger experience environmentally friendly as well as delicious.
6. Sparkle’s Hamburger Spot – Houston
“No sparkle, just good burgers” reads the hand-painted sign at this Third Ward institution. The tiny white building with blue trim has been serving no-nonsense burgers since 1953.
Their famous Sparkle Burger with cheese costs a mere $6.25 and comes wrapped in paper, dripping with juices. The flat-top grill seasons each patty with decades of flavor, creating a distinctive taste that locals crave.
Cash-only and sometimes with a line out the door, Sparkle’s represents Houston burger authenticity at its finest. The occasional celebrity sighting adds to the mystique of this humble burger joint.
7. Burgerlicious – Austin
Housed in a repurposed gas station painted vibrant turquoise, Burgerlicious embodies Austin’s weird and wonderful food scene. String lights dangle above outdoor picnic tables where musicians often play during dinner hours.
The Hangover Helper – topped with a fried egg, bacon, and green chilies – satisfies hungry patrons for $13.50 with sweet potato fries. Each burger comes with a small Texas flag toothpick proudly stuck on top.
Founded by two UT Austin graduates who couldn’t find the perfect burger, this spot now attracts students, tech workers, and tourists alike with its creative menu and laid-back atmosphere.
8. Tornado Burger – Stafford
Science meets burgerology at this unique spot where the owner, a former chemical engineer, applies scientific principles to burger-making. The unassuming strip mall location belies the culinary innovation happening inside.
Their namesake Tornado Burger features freshly ground beef seasoned with a secret spice blend for just $9.99 with fries. The patties cook in a special rotating oven that the owner designed himself, creating a perfect sear while retaining juiciness.
Korean-American influences appear throughout the menu, with kimchi-topped options and unique sauces that keep adventurous eaters coming back to this suburban Houston gem.
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