Houston is a city very well known for its diverse and multicultural food scene. With smash burgers dominating the burger scene in recent years, I set out to explore and review some of Houston’s most acclaimed smash burger spots to determine which one stands out as the best. I took on Burger Chan, Burger Bodega, and Trill Burgers, three of the city’s most talked about and highly regarded burger joints.
First up, I hit Burger Chan. This place is all about customization, providing the customer with a wide range of options. From different patty styles to different bun options, and limitless toppings, Burger Chan has it all. I went with two, two-ounce patties, to go for that smash burger style. This burger was phenomenal. The bun was soft and buttery and the flavor of the patties colliding with the sauce and cheese made this burger just melt in your mouth. The thing I really enjoyed about Burger Chan is that you can have a completely different-tasting burger every time you go.
Next, I ventured over to Trill Burgers, Houston rap legend Bun B’s smash burger empire. The menu is simple but solid, consisting of only one menu item—crispy-edged, juicy patties, melty cheese, tasty pickles, caramelized onions, and soft buns that hold everything together perfectly, paired with crispy, deliciously seasoned fries.
I ordered the O.G. Trill Combo, which consisted of a double smashed patty burger, french fries, and a drink of my choice. The fries were excellently seasoned, and the burger was to die for. What I loved most about the Trill Burger was the sauce; it was similar to a Thousand Island sauce but had more of a pickle flavor, which really helped this burger stand out amongst the others.
Then came Burger Bodega, the burger joint inspired by NYC-style bodegas, this spot serves up thin, smashed patties with a side of serious aesthetic. The decoration is bodega-themed, with a heavy New York influence. The walls are filled with a combination of cereal boxes, condiments, and posters with Houston-inspired graphic flips filling the walls, creating tons of great photo ops. Their Chopped (and Screwed) fries, a homage to late Houston Rap legend, DJ Screw, are worth a mention too—crunchy, cheesy, and impossible to put down.
The decoration is bodega-themed, with a heavy New York influence. The walls are filled with a combination of cereal boxes, condiments, and posters with Houston-inspired graphic flips filling the walls, creating tons of great photo ops. Their Chopped (and Screwed) fries, a homage to late Houston Rap legend, DJ Screw, are worth a mention too—crunchy, cheesy, and impossible to put down.
I honestly can’t decide a true “winner” for the best burger in Houston. The real winners are the Houstonians, who get to enjoy the plethora of options of burger joints whenever they’re craving a burger!
