Houston 101: Where Can I Get a Good Burger

One last throwback post to when I was the Houston Barbecue Examiner. Who wants a burger?

Sure there is a fast food restaurant on every corner, and yes they happen to serve burgers, but why get something to eat there when this great city has so much to offer? Taking a minute to veer off the beaten path, will to help to locate some of the city’s hidden treasures.

Goode Company Taqueria and Hamburgers

Goode Company has been around for over thirty years, always serving up great food, whether it be barbecue, seafood, or fajitas. At Goode Company Hamburgers and Taqueria, they have some of the best hamburgers I have ever found. The menu is extensive and sure to please the entire family, especially the burgers. They are all beef patties, either 1/3 or 2/3 pounds in size. They even offer a chicken burger. And the topping combinations are endless. Try a burger with mozzarella, Canadian bacon, and guacamole or maybe one with jalapeños, mushrooms, and bacon. As always, with any Goode Company restaurant, be sure to try the latest seasonal offering from the St. Arnold Brewing Company.

Christian's Tailgate

Christian’s Tailgate is one of those places that is just simply inviting. It is not rustic, but simple. The restaurant relies on the food, not as much as on the décor, which is something I find more inviting. The restaurant invites people to come in as they are. The burgers are huge, and well priced. A word of caution though, the double is something to consider splitting with a friend. These burgers are well cooked, well seasoned, and drip grease back into the basket of fries, adding to the experience, and to the food.

**Edit: The location shown, which was the original incarnation of Christian's Tailgate, has sadly closed.

Barnaby's Cafe

Barnaby’s Café is one of those places the customers feel invited to bring a book and hang out on the patio. The menu is extremely extensive, ranging from salads, to sandwiches, to steak, ribs, chicken, and seafood, to burgers. The burgers are absolutely amazing, ranging from simple plain burgers, to Boca burgers. The highlight of the burger menu is the Green Chile Cheese Burger, which boasts a whole chile and pepper jack cheese. These flavors come together with the beef on a honey sweet wheat bun, and knock it out of the park. Along with the homemade lemonade and the daily pie and cake offerings, Barnaby’s Café is a must try.

Happy Eating.

For more information:

            Goode Company Hamburgers andTaqueria

            4902 Kirby Drive

            Houston, TX, 77098

            713-520-9153

            Christian’s Tailgate

            2820 White Oak Dr

            Houston, TX, 77007

            713-863-1207

            See website for other locations

           

            Barnaby’s Café

            1701 South Shepherd

            Houston, TX, 77019

            713-520-5131

            See their website for other locations.

Avocado Chile Burger with Crispy Onion Straws

Hatch Green Chile Burger

This recipe goes back to my days as the Houston Barbecue Examiner. In honor of Hatch Green Chile Month we used hatch green chiles instead of the serranos and jalapenos. I'll post both recipes below.


The Original Recipe:

• 2 pounds ground beef 
• 3 serrano peppers, seeded and minced 
• 3 jalapeño peppers, seeded and minced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced 
• 1 teaspoon ancho chile powder (optional)
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 avocado, pitted and sliced
• 1 onion, halved and sliced
• ½ cup flour
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• salt and pepper
• 1 egg
• ½ cup milk 
• peanut oil

Combine ground beef with peppers, garlic, salt and pepper and divide into four equal patties. For a more southwestern flavor, add 1 teaspoon of ancho chile powder. The secret to a good, juicy burger is to get a good sear, so make sure the grill is hot. To reach desired doneness without burning, it may be necessary to move the patties away from the heat after both sides have been seared.

Crispy Onion Straws

In one bowl, combine flour, salt, and pepper. In a second bowl combine breadcrumbs, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. In a third bowl, combine the egg and milk. Dust the onions in the flour and wash in the egg mixture, and then cover with breadcrumbs. Transfer the onions to a pot with about an inch of hot peanut oil. Remove the onions to a paper towel once they have become golden brown.

Assemble the burgers in Kaiser rolls, topping the grilled patties with sliced avocado and crispy onion straws.

The New Recipe:

• 2 pounds ground beef 
• 2 hatch green chilies, seeded and minced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced 
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 avocado, pitted and sliced
• 1 onion, halved and sliced
• ½ cup flour
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• salt and pepper
• 1 egg
• ½ cup milk 
• peanut oil
• Ranch dressing

Hatch Green Chile Burgers on the Grill

Combine ground beef with chilies, garlic, salt and pepper and divide into four equal patties. Put the patties on the grill to cook. Make sure the grill is hot to seal in the flavor. I'll end up moving the patties around to make sure they all get cooked evenly. 

In one bowl, combine flour, salt, and pepper. In a second bowl combine breadcrumbs, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. In a third bowl, combine the egg and milk. Dust the onions in the flour and wash in the egg mixture, and then cover with breadcrumbs. Transfer the onions to a pot with about an inch of hot peanut oil. Remove the onions to a paper towel once they have become golden brown.

Assemble the burgers in Kaiser rolls, topping the grilled patties with sliced avocado and crispy onion straws. Finish with some ranch dressing. 

Scientific way to make hamburger patties - Business Insider

Seems like a lot of extra work, but may be worth a try!



Scientific way to make hamburger patties - Business Insider:



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