Hello, burger lovers!
Wow. I’m in disbelief that 2019 has already come and gone? Where did it go? It seems like it was just yesterday we completed and introduced our BEST Burgers in North Texas for 2018.
2019 was a BIG burger year in North Texas. We had some old restaurants close and a bunch of new ones open. Almost all of them sell some sort of burger.
The burger business is crazy in the U.S.A.
A national research company states that we sell 6.48 million burgers a day around 75 burgers a second! What? Yes, 75 burgers a second! The burger date roughly breaks down as 4,500 burgers every minute, 270,000 every hour, 6.48 million a day, and 2.36 billion burgers a year. Another research study states we sell 50 billion a year worldwide.
I truly don’t care what the accurate numbers are. I just know that almost everyone loves to bite into a succulent, savory and delicious burger.
Even though another year has come and gone, we spent twelve months locating and chowing down on some of the most amazingly creative burger combinations in North Texas.
In 2018, we visited a hundred and twenty restaurants to locate the best burgers. I’m thrilled to say we topped ourselves again for 2019. We didn’t plan it that way… It just happened!
We were running the roads and adding mileage to our vehicles. We visited over 135 locations and chowed down on 200 different burger combinations.
Every time I ate a burger I would say, “On to the next”!
At some locations, we would even order two or three different types of burgers. If I saw one that looked good, or intriguing, we would just order it and start chowing down.
I believe food is an exploration of the palete. You have to smell the wonderful aromas, taste it, and let those savory flavors roll across your pallet. You can’t just internet a burger and hope it’s delicious. You have to get in the trenches with that greasy, cheesy, gooey, burger deliciousness.
When I started the BEST burger contest six years ago, I was passionate about locating the best burgers that were created by some of the most talented burger makers and chefs in Texas.
I truthfully had no idea how successful it would become and how much Texans loved burgers.
Our 2018 list blew away all of our expectations. Numbers were skyrocketing into the stratosphere with our burger figures. We reached over 1.4 MILLION burger lovers and engaged with 597,261 of them through social media platforms and our website. It hasn’t stopped all year. I’ve loved every minute of it.
It has become one of the most successful burger lists in North Texas and I am truly humbled but happy that our results are so cherished and admired.
As you know we featured some of our best burgers on the Fox Network Fox GOOD DAY and the ABC Network in 2019 for all to enjoy. We love promoting our tasty burger discoveries for all to enjoy.
“Now that I have your attention, let’s talk burgers.”
The world definition of a hamburger is: ham·burg·er noun a round patty of ground beef, fried or grilled and typically served on a bun or roll and garnished with various condiments. This may be true but it has surely changed in the last decade.
I get asked almost daily about what the calcifications are for adding a burger to our BEST BURGER LIST and what experience I have in judging the best burger. Questions come in all the time on what my qualifications are for a burger to make my BEST BURGER list!
Well, it’s pretty simple! Growing up in the restaurant business and offering burgers at all our family restaurants I’ve become a real burger freak over the years. For over 100 years, every restaurant we owned offered burgers of some sort. When I was a boy we owned Quality Meat and Provision Company in Fort Worth, Texas. My granddad opened Quality Meats in the 1940s and it was still open when we sold it in the early 1980s. I worked there every summer with my grandma and my uncle John. I performed all kinds of duties at the meat company. My favorite thing to do was unload the fresh sides of beef (they were very heavy). I would put them on the hook and slide them down the rail. I would push the swinging sides of beef into the meat cooler where they would be checked for quality then butchered by the experienced and professional meat cutters. On occasion, I would help load the meat in our fresh hamburger patty machines and make fresh hamburger patties. After the meat was ground up and pressed into patties, we would stack them in the boxes and seal them. We would then deliver them to our family restaurants and customers’ restaurants to be cooked and consumed. I had a little flat grill in a back room where I would sneak some of the fresh patties, cook them only using salt and pepper, and add some cheese. Of course, this was just a Trey-test to make sure they were delicious and ready to be served with the Chapman family name. I worked in our family restaurant operations and was involved in research, development, and new menu creations of all kinds for decades. When I was in high school my dad requested we work at all kinds of different hamburger joints to gain experience in the restaurant field. My burger history and education is quite extensive. I might as well have a Master’s Degree in hamburgers.
Let’s discuss my qualifications for what constitutes an award-winning burger.
The bun has to be soft, fresh, and flavorful, not dry. If it has vegetables they need to be fresh, colorful and taste great. They can’t be soggy and limp. The pickles need to have a slight crunch, they just have to crunch when you bite into them! I prefer the meat to be fresh and hand pressed. If not hand-pressed, above all else, loaded with flavor. I have a few more but I’m not telling, no sir! It sounds easy to just create or make a burger, but it ain’t. It’s all in the preparation, handing, seasoning, and how you construct the burger.
Last year in 2018 I made some changes for the future of our Trey’s Chow Down Best Burger Contest. I created TWO NEW burger categories and a BEST ALL AROUND WINNER.
The categories will be as follows:
– BEST ALL-AROUND Winner
– BEST CRAFT Burger
– BEST OLD FASHION Burger
– BEST BRUNCH Burger ( new for 2020)
The beef industry has changed so much in the last five decades. I felt I needed to create the NEW categories for fair judging and a TRUE BEST BURGER LIST.
To me, a CRAFT burger is completely different in the creation and flavor profile. They can be prepared with delicious creative toppings, a variety of expensive fresh meats, premium aged cheese, with a fancy bakery fresh bun. A craft burger can get expensive depending on how it is created. When it comes to craft burgers, my flavor profile has a wide range. I will try anything to see what kind of burger deliciousness a chef has created to achieve the number one tasting burger in the burger wars. There are lots of crazy flavor profiles for craft burgers. Plenty of the craft burger creations can send your taste buds to the flavor rodeo and have you screaming “Giddy up!” with each bite.
An OLD FASHION burger has tender beef, farm-fresh vegetables, and a soft toasted buttery bun. It is a simple burger. The flavor profiles on a CRAFT burger can get complex, bold, and extremely delicious, but a plain old fashion burger flavor profile is simplistic. If prepared correctly, with fresh beef and ingredients it can be packed with juicy deliciousness. When I want a good old fashion burger I prefer a fresh bun toasted with butter, a little garlic, a pinch of sea salt, and freshly ground pepper on a juicy ground beef patty with a slice of cheese melted on top. Then, I let the hamburger juices and melted gooey cheese run down both sides of my mouth while I’m chowing down on my burger of choice.
The type of beef that restaurants and chefs are using today is truly unbelievable to me. Being in the ranching and beef business all my life I would have never thought we would have so many fresh meat choices to choose from. We have chefs using a wide range of different types of fresh meats and cuts then combining them to achieve the desired flavor profile. The number of meats/proteins are endless. There seem to be no boundaries when it comes to creating the perfect burger.
Some of the popular proteins, beef and cuts being used are, Angus, Hereford, Brangus, Kobe, American Style Wagyu Kobe, American Kobe, Japanese Wagyu, Chuck, Short Ribs, Round Steak, Tenderloin, Filet Mignon, New York Strip, Ribeye, Brisket, Bison, Lamb, heck even fresh Tuna for Tuna Burgers, and many other combinations including bacon/pork. We could go on for days about combinations of various proteins, meats, and meat cuts being used. Everyone is looking for that special real deal burger flavor profile to make his or her burger number one in the burger wars.
I can tell you that the burger business has changed so much in the last two decades and excelled in the last decade. What has really changed the burger world is the amazing fresh beef options and the talented chefs that are creating the burger options. I bet you that 2020 is going to be a big year in North Texas for the burger business. We can’t wait to see what we discover in 2020 for our burger wars.
Well, it’s that time food lovers. We have all of my award-winning burgers below. Just click on the link you like.
WINNER: Best All-Around Burger for 2019
Plano/Dallas, Texas
The Double Ozersky Times Two Burger:
This burger won the BEST ALL-AROUND last year in 2018, and I just couldn’t find a better all-around burger for 2019. I hosted John last year on our live TV and Radio podcast where we discussed his passion for the culinary arts and his restaurant concepts. Knife has been featured on almost every TV food show and has won so many awards the don’t have enough room to display them. The Ozersky was created by Chef John Tesar at his award-winning Knife Dallas, named after the late food critic and writer Josh Ozersky from Dallas. The Double Ozersky is truly a masterful burger! It’s simplistic but riddled with flavor. When you bite into this burger and the flavors hit your pallet… You can say nothing but, “Give me another bite”. It will put a smile on your face and fill a void in your burger-loving heart. It’s prepared with two 44 Farms beef patties, two slices of cheese, farm-fresh red onion, and a bakery fresh bun. This burger has two important elements: First, they use 44 Farms delicious beef patties. Second, the patties are cooked on an old school flat grill. As the beef patties cook on the grill they soak in their own juices, which in my opinion generates the perfect flavor profile. Then they add the cheese on the patties while they are cooking on the flat grill melting the cheese into gooey deliciousness on the patties. When you receive this burger it’s warm, fresh off the grill, and smells like heaven. I can say without hesitation, this is truly one of the best burgers I’ve eaten in my five decades of life. Chef John just killed it with the Double Ozersky Burger.
WINNER: Best Craft Burger of 2019
Mckinney, Texas
The Hamilton Burger:
I met cowboy Matt Hamilton for the first time this year when his restaurant and butcher shop were featured on our weekly LIVE radio and T.V. show. I remember like it was yesterday! We were discussing burgers and Matt said, “Trey, you have to try our Hamilton Burger! You’re going to love it”. As always I wrote myself a note to head over to Local Yocal and try Matt’s burger with his namesake attached. Well, burger lovers, Matt wasn’t lying or telling a tall Texas tale. When I saw the server bringing my burger I couldn’t take my eyes off of it. The presentation was picture perfect! The meat was stacked so high I was going to need a little ladder to climb on this bad boy and start chowing down. The burger was loaded with meaty, savory deliciousness. It has OVER one full pound of meat. Yes, I said OVER ONE POUND OF MEAT! I grabbed it with both hands and dug in! When I was on my fourth bite when it won my heart for the best CRAFT BURGER I ate all year. I went back a second time and it was even better. It’s prepared with 1/3 lb. House-ground wagyu beef, house-smoked prime brisket, smoked jalapeño cheddar sausage, three slices of bacon, loads of cheddar cheese, farm-fresh grilled onions and jalapeños, with some creamy mayo. You wouldn’t think all those different proteins would work to combine the perfectly flavored burger, but IT DOES. It was created just four short years ago by Pete Gonzales and the Local Yocal Team. They wanted a burger that was too BIG to eat. Pete is a butcher and BBQ Pitmaster passionate about his craft. When you get a chance you need to head over and try this award-winning burger. You better take a TEXAS size appetite when you head over to chow down. Tell Chef Adam Trey said, “Giddy UP!”
WINNER: Best Old Fashion Burger for 2019
Bonham, Texas
Old School with Bacon Burger:
Muddbones is the brainchild of friends Kyle and Jarrett. They’ve owned Muddbones since April 2011. They began in a food trailer and grew their business to be one of the BEST little burger joints in Texas. They’ve been featured on the hit T.V. show the Texas Bucket List, won various awards and been featured in North Texas for their tasty flavor loaded old school burgers. They’ll tell you, “We set out (and succeeded!) to create a place where people could eat a burger that surpassed all others!”. I saw their building about ten times as I was driving by in 2018 and didn’t stop to eat their burgers. One night in late 2018 I saw them on TV they where hand pressing each patty with a little meat press machine. I told myself, Trey, their hand pressing each and every patty! The rest they say is history. I made the trip when I pulled on the door and walked into Muddbones I had my hat pulled down. I ordered the Old School and sat down. When I received my burger and unwrapped it I couldn’t believe the meaty deliciousness I was breathing. The burger aroma was tickling my nose hairs with delight. When I picked it up and took my first bite I knew I had a winner. The burger was a succulent delicious old school surprise to eat loaded with flavor. It’s prepared with a fresh tasty 5” bun, quarter-pound patty, house-made seasoning, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles, and your choice of condiments I added bacon. I added extra cheese to my second go-round because I love cheese. The bun is toasted on the flat grill for flavor where the meat is cooked. “Burger Perfection!”
WINNER: Best BRUNCH Burger for 2019
Jonathon’s Oak Cliff & Jonathon’s Dallas
Dallas, Texas
The NOONER Brunch Burger:
About four years ago I was driving down Beckley Ave in Dallas after I had been in the Bishops Art District. I saw this little house looking diner out of the corner of my eye with folks lined up to get inside. I hit my brakes, made a u-turn and went to investigate. It was Jonathon’s Oak Cliff, a cozy little diner owned by Chef Jonathon and Christen. A husband and wife team that are consumed with passion for the culinary arts and slinging deliciousness that everyone loves to eat. Their dishes are always loaded with flavor, colorful and prepared fresh to order. The portions are always Texas-sized and enough to satisfy the biggest appetite for something delicious. I met them last year and featured them on my live TV and radio podcast. The NOONER was created by Chef Jonathon for all the BRUNCH LOVERS in Texas that wanted a fresh, tasty, meaty, succulent, flavor riddled breakfast burger. It just tastes like MORE because MORE is all you want after each bite! It’s prepared with fresh 1⁄2 LB beef patty topped with flavor loaded bacon, a slice of ham, a slice of swiss cheese, American cheese, a fresh sliced flavorful tomato, farm fresh fried egg, and mayo on a soft toasted buttered bun. BAM! BRUNCH GREATNESS GET YOU SOME!
Best Craft Burger Winners 2019
Benbrook, Texas
The House Fuego Burger:
Created by Carlos and Christie Rodriguez, the House Fuego Burger looks like a piece of art and smells like heaven. If an artist like “Picasso” was going to create a burger that looked like artwork and tasted delicious it would definitely emulate this burger. It has a colorful bun with a BIG phat beautiful fresh melted cheese skirt surrounding the entire burger hanging off the bun about 2 inches in circumference. First, we ate with our eyes and this burger impressed me so much when they delivered it to me my mouth was literally watering before my first bite. In the words of Carlos and Christie “If loving cheese is wrong, then I don’t want to be right”! The burger is prepared with 1/2 pound delicious beef patty cooked in a flat grill soaking in its own juices, roasted jalapeño pepper mayo, fired roasted green chilies, and a generous helping of melted cheddar-jack cheese to create cheesy goodness that surrounds the burger. With each bite you take the juicy burger patty combined with all that gooey cheese will melt in your mouth and send your pallet to the flavor rodeo. What an awesome burger!!!
Fort Worth, Texas
Flynt Burger:
Wishbone and Flynt is the brainchild of Top Chef winner chef Stefon Rishel and is located just south of downtown Fort Worth. The Flynt burger is prepared with a special chef’s custom blend of fresh meat, that’s never frozen. It has fresh white cheddar cheese, house-made pickles. farm fresh lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and the burger meat is seared in duck fat. Yes, I said duck fat! The presentation of this burger is beautiful but the culinary jingle that pops on your taste buds will linger forever. The Flynt burger simply stated is culinary perfection!
Crowley, Texas
Bacon Jammer Burger:
Just south of Fort Worth in Crowley, Texas, you will find Nicky D’s. It’s a very unassuming place that offers fantastic creative burgers and other delicious eats. The burger I fell in love with was the Bacon Jam Burger. Yes, I said Bacon Jammer! This burger is savory, cheesy, and delicious that everyone needs to try. It’s prepared with a fresh tasty bun, bacon, a heap of cheddar cheese, fresh jalapeños, and a sweet bacon jam sauce. This burger is riddle with sweet-savory deliciousness.
Fort Worth, Texas (3 locations)
The Serrano Burger:
Fred’s and chef Terry are slinging creative burger deliciousness all day every day. Chef Terry has created many award-winning burgers and the Serrano Burger is just one of many great burgers you will fall in love with at Fred’s. This burger is a flavor explosion in your mouth you one not soon is forgotten. It’s prepared with a fresh, soft tasty bun. Fresh, never frozen, ground chuck that is hand-mixed with farm-fresh Serrano peppers, topped with grilled onions & Oaxaca cheese. Served with pickles, lettuce, tomato and house prepared lime mayo. A real flavor explosion in your mouth! Grad a cold beer too!
Dallas, Texas
The Rapscallion Burger:
Prepared with a special 80/20 blend of certified Hereford Beef, three-cheese pimento cheese, house pepper bacon, farm-fresh lettuce, tomato, onion, dill pickle, house prepared creole mustard, and served with Rapscallion spiced sweet potato chip. All served on a fresh bakery brioche bun with black sesame seeds. You can also add a farm-fresh egg if you desire. I think the egg really adds to the flavor profile of this amazing burger! The egg really makes it pop on your taste buds POW! This delicious burger is the creation of Chef Nathan Tate. He’s cook’in’ and sling’in’ deliciousness all over Dallas. I visit Rapscallion often just to make sure I’m not missing any of his savory and delicious creations. “Everything is slap yo mama delish!”
Plano, Texas
The OMG Burger:
Prepared with goodness. REALLY. This has beer-battered onion rings, roasted criminis, muenster, grain mustard, red chili mayo, lettuce, tomato, all on a challah bun. The OMG Burger has loads of fresh ingredients and combined creates a BIG bold flavor that just rocks your taste buds. Also, the homemade chips on the side are delicious too.
Fort Worth, Texas
The King George Burger:
Prepared with two juicy meat patties, two slices of cheese, with bacon & BBQ caramelized onions. All the trimmings are stacked between a farm-fresh bun. You get a generous portion of M&O’s hand-cut French fries too. This burger looks incredible with all the gooey cheese melted and running down the sides for this burger. It’s beautiful, artistic, big, and packed with flavors. I really enjoyed this bad boy burger!
Dallas, Texas
The Rattlesnake Burger:
Chef Dean Fearing is famous for his amazing culinary creations. A true celebrity chef that has no bounds to his culinary creations. The Rattlesnake burger is one more of those tasty creations. It’s prepared with Mesquite Grilled fresh beef, Dean’s Secret Sauce, Smoked Bacon, fresh Caramelized Onions, Pepper Jack Cheese and fresh House Cut Rosemary French Fries. Yes, my mouth is watering just thinking about this H.F. & D. creation. Hot, Fresh, and Delicious baby!
DFW Metroplex
The El Diablo Burger:
I’m pretty sure that everyone has heard of HOPDODDY in Texas by now. If you haven’t, let me introduce you to this award-winning chef-driven burger concept. They offer delicious one of a kind creative burgers that have fresh hand prepared baked buns and hand-pressed meat patties. Yes, two of my favorite things are fresh buns and fresh hand press meat patties. Do I have your attention now?! The burger I fell in love with is the El Diablo. It’s prepared with a fresh-baked bun, hand-pressed Angus beef patty, pepper jack cheese, farm-fresh habanero and serrano peppers, caramelized onions, Salsa Roja, chipotle aioli, and farm-fresh lettuce. All I can say is, “The culinary jingle this burger creates on you pallet will never be forgotten, it’s burger flavor perfection!”
Paris/East, Texas
The Trey Burger Double:
Prepared with two or three fresh ground beef patties-your choice, two or three pieces of American cheese-your choice, farm fresh tomato, fried onion strings and fried jalapeños and lettuce stacked between two toasty buttered buns. The burger patties are cooked in their own juices on an old school flat grill. If you really want to blow this burger flavor profile through the roof add some of Chef Zane’s cooked bacon to the burger. This burger was created by Chef Zane and named after me, Trey Chapman for my love of burgers. This burger is TEXAS SIZED very delicious and stacked high with goodies. If you want a BIG PHAT TEXAS BURGER, you go to Paris, Texas head over to the Barn Cafe and chow down on some Texas deliciousness. Yee Haw!
Lewisville, Texas
The Bacon Bleu Burger:
J2 is a fantastic chef-driven steakhouse in old town Lewisville, Texas. They have a big variety of fresh meats of all types. I love the bacon bleu burger which is prepared with a tasty fresh bun, fresh ground beef, bacon, house prepared blue cheese mousse, and flavorful balsamic Jam. BAM,! Blue cheese burger perfection right there! See y’all at J2 for some delicious eats.
Dallas, Texas
Bacon Jam Burger:
I love the Smoky Rose but I’m in LOVE with their Bacon Jam Burger. They have one of the BEST patios in the DFW area too. The burger is prepared with two fresh juicy burger patties, Tillamook cheddar cheese, fresh house prepared BACON JAM, dijonnaise, and a fresh soft potato bun. When I tasted this burger for the first time I was like, WOW! It has a unique flavor profile and is worth the drive from anywhere in Texas. Chef Spoon created this burger and it’s still an award-winning burger two years later.
14. Dutch’s Legendary Hamburgers
TCU area/Fort Worth, Texas
The Bacon Blue Cheese Burger:
Located by TCU in Fort Worth Dutch’s has created many award-winning burger combinations. The Bacon Blue Cheese is prepared with a juicy beef patty, fresh bacon, a generous portion of blue cheese, farm fresh tomato, onion, house prepared chipotle mayo, and it’s all on a bakery fresh bun. Dutch’s uses a fantastic house prepared bun to me because it has the flavor profile of a Hawaiian sweet bun. It really creates a unique flavor for this burger. I love the flavor of the blue cheese on this particular burger. Get to Dutch’s and chow down on this burger!
Fort Worth, Texas
The Clay Pigeon Burger:
Chef Marcus’s Clay Pigeon Restaurant is one of the finest chef-driven restaurants in Texas. His burger is prepared with fresh hand-ground beef from prime ribeye and New York strips. A fresh bakery buttered bun, farm-fresh lettuce, tomato, onions, house prepared Clay Pigeon garlic aioli and served with hand-cut French fries. Chef Marcus Pasley created the Clay Pigeon Burger. He is the owner of the famous Clay Pigeon and is an award-winning chef who creates amazing cuisine representing many cultures. Chef Marcus literally has no boundaries on what he can create and sling out of his kitchen. Marcus is one of my favorite chefs! It’s truly his life’s passion to cook delicious creations for all to enjoy.
Dallas & Fort Worth, Texas
The Bacon Lucy Burger:
Stirr in Dallas and Fort Worth has an awesome atmosphere and great rooftop patio areas, But I want to discuss their Bacon Lucy Burger. It’s loaded with flavors and will have you screaming, “Oh Lucy”! It’s prepared with fresh ground Kobe beef, then stuffed with American cheese, topped with bacon, fresh dijon, house-made pickles, farm fresh onions, and Kennebec fries. Oh, yea Lucy baby sweet succulent lucy!
River Oaks, Texas
The Junkyard Burger:
J-Casa is located in a very small cozy building located in River Oaks with some fantastic burgers and homemade sweets. I love the big phat Junkyard Burger! It’s prepared with a fresh soft tasty bun, American cheese, hotlink, farm-fresh jalapeños, lettuce, tomato, and yellow mustard. This burger is succulent, flavorful and delicious!
Fort Worth & Dallas(soon), Texas
The Heimburger:
I prefer the beautiful river location to enjoy some Heim deliciousness. Travis and Emma have won so many awards with their fresh smoked beef creations. The Heimburger is just one more award-winning dish from pitmaster Travis. The Heimburger isn’t smoked but you might think it was. It’s prepared with finely chopped Heim smoked brisket combined with 44 Farms fresh ground beef to create meaty deliciousness. The star of the show is the bacon jam, yea baby! Bacon jam prepared from Heim Bacon Burnt Ends, onions and of course butter. The burger has a very unique flavor profile that translates to succulent burger savory deliciousness. If you love burgers you need to head over and chow down on this creative tasty burger.
Dallas & Fort Worth, Texas
The Cowboy Murrin Burger:
This burger was created at Rodeo Goat and named after Fort Worth cowboy, Steve Murrin. It’s packed with flavor and screams Fort Worth! Check out and chow on this delicious burger! Prepared with applewood smoked bacon, farm-fresh beef steak, tomato, shredded lettuce, fried onion, cheddar cheese, pickle chutney, house prepared BBQ sauce, and all stacked on a soft fresh bun. All I can say is, “This burger is a flavor rodeo in your mouth yee haw!”
Fort Worth, Texas
The Farm To Market Burger with Cheese:
Chef Hans creates magic and deliciousness at his world-famous Swiss Pastry Shop. He cooks up a lot of different hamburgers with insane toppings and crazy flavor profiles. They always look Texas-worthy incredible and have big bold flavors. We love Chef Hans and his crazy super delicious burger creations at his world-famous Swiss Pasty Shop. Prepared with a fresh eight oz. juicy Texas Akaushi beef patty, farm-fresh pickles, lettuce, tomato, and onion all stacked between a Swiss Pastry Shop fresh baked bun.
McKinney, Texas
The Garbage Burger:
I found EJ’s by accident. I was actually trying a different burger across town and I saw a photo of their Garbage burger scrolling on social media. I said, Oh Trey you got to try that burger at EJ’s! So I did and I loved the flavor. It’s prepared with house-ground burger with jack cheese, sliced turkey, red leaf lettuce, sliced tomato, red cabbage slaw, jalapeño bacon, mac & cheese, topped with fried onion & jalapeño mix, served with loaded tater tots this burger is stack high, phat, and is very delicious! Get to EJ’s and try this burger perfection creation!”
Lamar in Dallas, Texas
The Texas Burger:
This burger has a fantastic fresh flavor profile. It’s a delicious down Texas burger that you will want to have again and again. If you add the fresh French fries and throw some of their house prepared bacon on the burger it will WOW you! The chefs love creating deliciousness from farm-fresh products and ingredients to create delicious flavor profiles at Texas Spice that you won’t and can’t FORGET! Prepared with a juicy Texas beef patty, redneck cheddar cheese, smoked jalapeño relish, farm-fresh red onion, lettuce, tomato, and all stacked between a bakery fresh wheat brioche bun.
Downtown Dallas, Texas
The Cowboy Burger:
Located in downtown Dallas in a nice corner location Press Box is slinging burger deliciousness all day every day. I met these folks from another foodie Brandon Baker and I fell in love with their tasty burger creations. I featured them on my Best Burger in North Texas special for ABC. I love the Cowboy Burger, go figure! It’s prepared with a fresh soft bun, your choice of patty topped with bacon and blue cheese crumbles, plus lettuce, tomato, red onions and pickles on the side. Can you see a pattern here I LOVE the flavor profile of Blue Cheese? This burger is loaded with flavor is H.F. & D Hot, Fresh and Delicious. Head over to Press Box throw that door open and yell, “Cowboy Trey sent me to Chow Down on you Cowboy Burger bring it on baby!
Arlington, Texas
The Angry Burger:
Located in downtown Arlington in a cozy bar pub-type atmosphere Grease Monkey is a burger and wing hot spot. I love the flavor profile of the Angry Burger. It’s prepared with a fresh soft and tasty bun, a beef patty, roasted green chili peppers, garlic, fried jalapeños, chipotle mayo, pepper jack cheese – and a little bit of burger deliciousness. Head over to the Monkey for some burger greatness.
Weatherford, Texas
The Big Tex Double Meat Burger:
Located about 3 miles south of Weatherford in a very small cozy setting the Full Circle Ranch Grill has a chef-driven menu created by Chef Clint where they only use farm-fresh products and ingredients. The menu changes daily but the burgers sat the same. Big Tex is loaded with flavor and looks like two burgers in one. It’s prepared with a fresh soft bun, two fresh hand-pressed patties. double monetary jack cheese, grilled onions, on a butter toasted bun. Danggum I want one right now my mouth is watering. See y’all at Full Circle!
Best old Fashion Burgers 2019
Jacksboro, Texas
Herd Cheeseburger/Bacon:
Located in Jacksboro, Texas their one of the oldest burger joints in the state. It originated in 1916 and has been continually owned and operated by the same family ever since. They’ve been featured on the Texas Bucket List T.V. Show and various other TV shows and news publications. I love the small cozy old school atmosphere, friendly service, and tasty old school burgers. The burgers are simple but loaded with flavor. I ordered the Herd Cheeseburger and added double meat and bacon. I love double burgers. I feel it creates more meaty deliciousness. The burger is prepared with a soft bun that is toasted on the flat grill to soak up the burger juices. They use fresh hand-pressed patties, American Cheese, farm-fresh lettuce, and onions that are chopped. If you’re looking for a Texas original that is burger deliciousness then head over to Herd’s
Dallas, Texas
Hillside Cheeseburger:
Chef Nathon Tate strives for perfection with all his culinary creations. His new old school cheeseburger is no exception. The burger bun was soft and fresh, the patties had a nice crust around the edges, and they were juicy. I added double meat and bacon because I love it. The burger is prepared with a fresh hand-pressed beef patties, American and provolone cheese, a house prepared creole mustard and mayo sauce, shredded chilled farm-fresh iceberg lettuce, diced onions, fresh sliced tomato, and dill pickles. The burger is loaded with flavor. It will send your taste buds to the flavor rodeo!
Fort Worth & Denton, Texas
The Classic Burger:
Fat Shack is new to the DFW area as of last year. When they opened in Fort Worth last year we couldn’t wait to try one of their delicious burgers. I’ve tried three of their burger options and like each burger. They have a creative menu with everything from burgers to sandwiches, and even have fried desserts. Of course, I ordered extra cheese because I’m a fat guy that loves cheesy goodness. The Classic Burger is prepared on a soft fresh bun, 100% Angus beef, served with American cheese, farm-fresh lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and Fat Shack’s house prepared burger sauce. This burger is juicy and delicious. I had burger juice dripping down my chin.
7th Street and Stockyards in Fort Worth, Texas
Regular Double Meat:
Hookers is old school all the way. From the super-friendly customer service to the simple, but delicious, flat grill prepared burgers. It doesn’t matter which location you visit for your burger because both locations are slinging deliciousness! The Regular Double Burger is served on a soft tasty bun, with 100% Hereford beef, farm-fresh chilled and chopped lettuce, fresh tomatoes, onions, and of course I added some bacon and cheese. You can also request grilled onions and or fried onions. You will love the flavor profile and you are encouraged to support your local hookers!
Fort Worth, Texas
Rogers Round House Burger:
They are new to Fort Worth but the burgers scream old school deliciousness. They have a fantastic new location with big open spaces and a fantastic patio with an outdoor area the size of Texas. The burger is prepared with two thin patties, melted cheddar cheese, farm-fresh shredded iceberg lettuce, Rogers Round House prepared sauce, and pico if you desire. I didn’t add the pico! The burger fixings are piled high on this burger and it has a savory and delicious flavor profile. Get you some!
Dallas, Texas
The Maple & Motor Cheeseburger:
Maple & Motor Burgers are cooked on an old school flat grill in their own juices. The cheese on this burger is melted to perfection. They have a cozy atmosphere in a little old gas station building. When you get a chance head over to Maple & Motor for some delicious food! They have been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, and Steve Harvey’s Show has the BEST BURGER in America. Prepared with a half-pound hand-formed burger patty from a proprietary blend of chuck and brisket with a 70:30 fat content, farm-fresh lettuce, dill pickle, red onion, and a fresh buttered
8 Charley’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers
Est. 1992 in Fort Worth, Texas
Charley’s Big’Un Burger:
Oh yes, Charley’s is always on point and juicy. You better have a napkin, wait… Three or four napkins actually! YOU KNOW I love bacon and cheese so this one is perfect! The burger is prepared with two juicy beef patties, two slices of American cheese, one slice of Swiss cheese, two strips of bacon, one slice of Canadian bacon, and served on a toasted buttered bun. If you haven’t been to Charley’s you better head on over!
Paris & Sulphur Springs, Texas
The Double-Double:
Let’s talk about old school right here! Burgerland has been slinging succulent delicious burgers and hand-cut fries for years now. I love sitting at the old school drug store type bar and watching them cook those burgers on the flat grill. All those burger patties sizzling and soaking up the tasty burger grease creating burger perfection. My mouth is watering just thinking about them right now. The burger is prepared with double meat patties, American cheese, bacon, and fresh grilled jalapeños. I also added the TEXAS SIZE French fries with seasoned salt really popped in my mouth. DELISH! The burger Gods were shining down on Burgerland. It was a very worthy trip.
Fort Worth, Texas
Big Al’s Classic Burger:
The Dive Burger Bar is located in an old KFC building so it’s truly like an old dive bar. The service is friendly and the burgers are delicious. The burger is prepared with 1/2 lb. of a chuck, brisket, and short rib blend, on a soft fresh potato bun. It has fresh lettuce, tomato, pickle, and red onion. You can also get your choice of fries, sweet potato fries, or black & tan onion rings. Head over and take a dive into Big Al’s burger at the DIVE burger bar.
Deep Ellum Dallas, Texas
The Classic Burger:
The Root as I like to call them! “They have some crazy insane burger flavors”. I’ve tried three burgers: the “Spicy Goat”, “The Western Burger”, and what we are going to talk about… “The Classic Burger”. It’s plain and simple but loaded with meaty cheesy flavors. I added extra cheese if you can believe that, lol! My burger was prepared with a soft tasty bun, a savory phat meat patty, cheddar cheese and I threw in some onions. Take a ride over to the ROOT and get a Classic.
Est. 1963 in Dallas Deep Ellum, Texas
Adair’s Burger:
All I can tell you about Adair’s Saloon is that I really enjoy eating their burgers. It’s a cozy, narrow building with writings all over the walls. They serve old fashion at its finest. The burger is prepared with a juicy beef patty, lettuce, tomato, onion or red onion, pickle, and a soft toasted bun. You can add cheese for the perfect touch. Oh, add bacon too!
Fort Worth, Texas
B-52 Old School Burger:
A Fort Worth tradition with multiple locations. Tommy’s has been slinging award-winning delicious eats for thirty-five years in Tarrant county. I’ve eaten at two of the three locations and the burgers are always fantastic. Recently I tried the Junkyard burger at the Camp Bowie location, but I still prefer the B-52 Old School Double Burger. It’s a full one pound of meat! I seem to have a thing for those one pound big phat meaty burgers. I get this burger with Tommy’s fresh soft tasty bun, the two meat patties, lettuce, two slices of cheese and onions. You can’t go wrong with Tommy’s burger no matter what time of day it is.
Est. 1963 in Haltom City, Texas
Clown Double Burger:
Located in an old building behind a very large old faded clown sign they have been around forever. I’m not sure if I love the Elvis decor more, or the greasy old fashion burgers more? Wait… Of course, I love the cheese gooey greasy burgers more. I’m a chow down hound! The burger is prepared with two juicy beef patties, two slices of American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and mustard all on a buttered toasted bun. Check out Clown Burger for a trip back in tim
15. J. G.’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers
Est. 1985 in Dallas, Texas
J. G.’s Ol’ Fashioned:
For the perfect old fashion, I recommend this one. I’ve always loved J.G’s and have for 10 years now. I don’t get there enough, but when I do… it’s chow down time. The burger is prepared with an Angus beef patty, lettuce, onions, pickles, mayonnaise, mustard, and served on a soft toasted bun. Add some cheese!
Est. 1981 in Dallas, Texas
Chip’s 1/2 lb. Burger:
Dallas Burger lovers claim they have the best burger in Dallas Park Cities, Lakewood, and Plano. Family owned and operated since 1981. I’ve been chowing down at Chip’s for two decades. I used to meet my mom there for lunch. Chip’s is simply just old fashion awesomeness! The burger is prepared with a juicy 1/2 lb. patty, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, mayo, and mustard on a soft toasted bun. You can add cheese or choose wheat poppy seed bun if you desire a change. Head over to Chip’s and tell’em trey sent you.
Est. 1950 Mineral Wells, Texas
Woody’s Double Burger:
There’s something about a dark, cozy, old fashion post-war hut that makes the burgers taste even better. I absolutely the atmosphere! The burger is prepared with two juicy meat beef patties, two slices of American cheese, on a toasted bun from the flat top grill. Add jalapeños for the perfect touch! I actually found Woody’s just two short years ago and have enjoyed the burgers along with their friendly service ever since.
Fort Worth, Texas
The Billy Burger:
You can add bacon and all the fixings if you want. This burger is about as old fashioned and flavorful as it gets. It’s really really REALLY delish. I love going to Billy’s because the atmosphere is always upbeat and I can eat some ribs too lol! The burger is prepared with two delicious fresh beef patties, two slices of American cheese, and is served on a delicious bakery fresh bun. Head over to Billy’s and get you a dose of Billy’s goodness!
Garland, Texas
The Double Trouble:
A delicious old school burger find. Located in Garland, Don Burger is a friendly restaurant with a colorful atmosphere and old school burgers. The service is super friendly and they have plenty of options on their menu. The burger is prepared with two fresh beef patties, two slices of American cheese, tomatoes, pickles, onions, mustard, and mayo. I ordered mine with mustard and left the mayo off. I also added bacon if you can believe that! Go see the team at Don’s.
Waxahachie, Texas
The Low & Slow Burger:
Pop’s is an old school burger stand complete with dinosaurs and old school decorations. They even play old school music which was a nice change. They have a cozy little dining room and a fantastic little outdoor patio. The burger is prepared with a soft flavorful bun, 100% Angus beef patty, juicy crispy bacon, grilled onions, and topped with low and slow BBQ sauce. It was loaded with flavor! Head over to Pop’s and grab you a burger and take snap a photo with the old dinosaur out front.
Weatherford, Texas
The Fat Burger:
Oh yes, The famous succulent Fat Burger from old school burger headquarters in Weatherford. They are creating burger magic at Skinny’s and I love what they’re slinging out of the kitchen. The burger is prepared with two beef patties, two slices of American cheese, and it’s a full one pound of meat. I loaded mine up with extra lettuce and onions. It was a two-handed burger for sure. If you’re looking to add another tasty burger spot then head over to Skinny’s and chow down.
Est. 2000 Granbury / Burleson / Stephenville, Texas
Grump’s Hamburger:
I found Grumps just six short years ago and have really enjoyed stopping in and chowing down. The burger is prepared with fresh Texas beef patty, cooked medium-well, lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion, and mustard on a soft toasted bun. You can add a slice of cheese for the perfect flavor. Grump’s is becoming a popular burger stop for many!
23. Roy Pope Grocery Store Deli
Est. 1943 in Fort Worth, Texas
Roy Pope Burger:
Their ingredients come from their fresh produce department. I’ve been chowing down on these burgers for four whole decades. They are always deli-fresh, made to order, and the service is first class no matter what! The burger is prepared with A big fat fresh ground beef patty, farm-fresh lettuce, tomato, onion, and served on a bakery fresh bun. I grew up walking to Roy Popes after school for snacks pretty hard to beat the old school coziness.
Deep Ellum, Dallas
Green Room Burger:
I found the Green Room last year just strolling around the DEEP. We went inside and everyone was really friendly. After looking at the tasty menu items I chose the Green Room Burger. It was the right decision for sure. The burger is prepared on a soft fresh bun, an 8oz fresh meat patty, cheddar cheese, house bacon, and it comes with farm-fresh lettuce, tomato, onions, and pickles on the side. I really enjoyed the flavor profile of this burger. The house bacon added a unique twist to the burger. Head over to the DEEP and visit the GREEN ROOM. Tell’em Trey sent you!
Fort Worth, Texas
The T-Rex 1/2 Pounder
Yes, I said Ol South! Rex and his team have been slinging savory delicious old school burgers for decades. The T-Rex Burger is loaded with old school flavor. It’s prepared with 1/2 lb. juicy hamburger served on a toasted bun with lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickle. How can you go wrong and their open 24 hours a day! Giddy Up to Ol’ South!
***BONUS*** For 2019
Three Best Chili Dogs I Ate In 2019
#1 Little Red Wasp
Sundance Square Fort Worth, Texas
The Red Wasp Dog:
The Wasp as I like to call it is a chef-driven concept by Chef Blaine Stanford. He makes a chili dog that is one of the best I’ve eaten. I’ve had dreams about this dog ever since I took my first bite of this delicious dog. It’s prepared with a fresh and soft hot dog bun, a big phat wiener, mustard spread, house prepared chili and house-prepared relish. It’s then garnished with farm-fresh finely chopped red onions. The flavor is so perfect that I call it, “Stupid delicious”!
#2 Nicky D’s
Crowley, Texas
The Big Dog:
Not only are they on our BEST BURGER list they also have a very tasty big ph§sat dog too that just screams deliciousness. I’m in love with Nicky D’s. They are slinging old school delicious eats that you can never get tired of. The dog is prepared with a big 1/2 pound dog, then I add mustard, onions, and pile on the cheese, lots of cheese. oh yea, nothing like a big phat chili cheese dog!
#3 The Dog Haus
DFW Area, Texas
The Cowboy Dog:
Oh man, I found this place two years ago and I’ve been making return visits ever since. They offer eight different dogs but I love “The Cowboy”. The dog is loaded with savory cheesy deliciousness. It’s prepared with a very tasty thick hot dog bun, phat bacon-wrapped wiener, yeah I said bacon-wrapped! They top it with BBQ sauce, cheddar cheese sauce, then garnished with crispy hand prepared onion strings. This dog will have you screaming, “MAY I HAVE ANOTHER PLEASE?!”, with each bite you take.
Please enjoy all of our choices! We encourage you to visit each location and post your photos and thoughts on our Trey’s Chow Down/Facebook page!
Trey (Chow Down) Chapman
Trey’s Chow Down Brands Compilation Reel for 2019!
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