Dallas-Fort Worth is teeming with hamburger joints. We offer happy homes to drive-thrus like Whataburger and In-N-Out, and we’re equally hospitable to homegrown companies like Goff’s Hamburgers, Keller’s Drive-In and Twisted Root Burger Co.
Longtime favorite Off-Site Kitchen closed in West Dallas in 2020. It served one of the best burgers in Dallas, but don’t fret: Here’s a list of essential burger joints in Dallas-Fort Worth.
If you don’t see your favorite burger joint on our list, tweet us at @dmnfood with your top pick.
Or, make one at home! Here’s how three experts make the perfect cheeseburger.
Your cheeseburger checklist: Dallas and Fort Worth favorites
It was nearly impossibly to cull the list of essential burger joints into five or 10 spots, so 15 it is.
Bubba’s 33: The sign might also tout pizza and beer, but burgers are one of the biggest stars. The national chain from Kent Taylor, who founded Texas Roadhouse, has a heavy Texas presence, so you’re sure to pass by one as you travel the state. Make it a Monday so you can indulge in “Monday Madness” by ordering a so-good-that-condiments-are-an-afterthought single-patty burger with your choice of three toppings for less than $9. Bubba’s 33 restaurants are at 19089 Interstate 635, Mesquite; 4025 State Highway 121, The Colony.
Burger House: This favorite has been serving the Park Cities for more than 70 years. Burger House is a family-friendly place known for thin burger patties and crispy seasoned fries. Get a double double: two patties, two slices of cheese. Original is at 6913 Hillcrest Ave., Dallas; others are at 6248 E. Mockingbird Lane, Dallas and 14248 Marsh Lane, Addison.
Fred’s Texas Cafe: It’s a Fort Worth institution. The FredBurgers and the fries are the things to get here. But we also have to love a restaurant that offers loaded queso and chips as an appetizer. If you’re dining with anyone who doesn’t want a burger, first, why?, and second, point them to Fred’s famous chicken-fried steaks. Fred’s Texas Cafes are at 7101 Camp Bowie West and 2730 Western Center, both in Fort Worth.
Goff’s Hamburgers: Another Park Cities hamburger institution, Goff’s boasts nearly 70 years of Dallas history. Its new restaurant is near Mockingbird Lane and Central Expressway. It reopened after a fire destroyed the burger joint on Hillcrest Avenue in 2016. Goff’s is at 3032 Mockingbird Lane, Dallas.
Goodfriend Beer Garden and Burger House: This East Dallas restaurant is a hippie-cool spot to eat a great burger and drink local beer. Kids are welcome, too. Branch out from the typical meat-and-cheese burger and you’ll be rewarded with a dressed-up version of a classic, like this one: smoked brie, egg and pepper bacon on the East Side burger. Goodfriend is at 1154 Peavy Road, Dallas.
Hat Creek Burger Company: It’s quickly making its way into Dallas-Fort Worth. North Texas’ first Hat Creek opened in McKinney in November 2017. Since then, restaurants have opened in Allen, Coppell, Dallas, Keller, Little Elm/Frisco, Mansfield, Rowlett, Richardson, Roanoke and Sachse. Interestingly, and unlike most of the other burger joints in North Texas, this restaurant serves breakfast. Find a Hat Creek here.
Keller’s Drive-In: Go back in time at Keller’s Drive-In, easily one of Dallas’ best longtime restaurants. The late Jack Keller helmed it for years. Pull into the drive-in, hop in the bed of your pickup and order a cheeseburger and a beer, “dressed” (which means covered in salt, with a slice of lime). It’s probably not possible to replicate these burgers at home, but here’s the recipe if you want to try. They take credit cards now. The original Keller’s is at 6537 E. Northwest Highway, Dallas. Find others at 10226 Garland Road and 10554 Harry Hines Blvd., both in Dallas.
Kincaid’s Hamburgers: This Fort Worth original started as a small grocery on Camp Bowie Boulevard. Kincaid’s stores in Fort Worth, plus ones in Southlake and Arlington, all keep the small-town grocery theme, but it’s more for show. The loaded burgers are legendary, especially those loaded “the Cowtown way” with grilled onions and jalapeños. The shakes and fries are top notch, too. But it’s the atmosphere that always wins. Original is at 4901 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth.
Liberty Burger: Pick a city in D-FW and you might find a Liberty Burger there. This burger joint has popped up in Dallas, Addison, Allen and Richardson. Burgers range from The Napa — gorgonzola, arugula, tomatoes, red onions, green olives, basil-garlic aioli — to the South of the Burger — avocado, shredded lettuce, cheddar, tortilla strips, refried beans and pico de gallo. And seriously, you must order a milkshake. Several D-FW locations; original is at 5211 Forest Lane, Dallas.
Maple and Motor: Maple and Motor’s website says it celebrates “low-class cool.” And really, this place doesn’t need a website; its allure is that it serves a simple, small menu in a no-nonsense setting that most people probably heard about by word of mouth. Pretty much everything here is good. Maple and Motor is at 4810 Maple Ave., Dallas.
Rodeo Goat: While it might be easy to pick a favorite burger at Rodeo Goat, the best idea here is to try one of the specials, which are off-the-menu options that sometimes make it onto the menu permanently when they get enough customer attention. Rodeo Goat is a Fort Worth original, and its Dallas offshoot offers a decidedly relaxed vibe. New restaurants open in July 2022 in Frisco and East Dallas. Find one of Rodeo Goat’s six locations.
Shake Shack: This New York City burger joint’s move into Dallas was one of the beefiest food stories in Dallas in 2016. This is the kind of place where people wait in long lines to order a burger and crinkle-cut fries. Some consider it overhyped, but if they’re bringing their A-game, Shake Shack serves up simple, delicious cheeseburgers. Instagram or it didn’t happen. Find a Shake Shack in D-FW.
Snuffer’s Restaurant and Bar: Snuffer’s is as famous for its cheddar fries as it is for its cheeseburgers. Both are great. Look out for deals, like $5 Classic Cheeseburger Tuesdays or $2 domestic draft beers and $3 margaritas during happy hour (weekdays from 3-7 p.m.). Lots of locations in North Texas; original is at 3526 Greenville Ave., Dallas.
Twisted Root Burger Co.: Though Twisted Root has grown to nearly two-dozen restaurants in the South, each one feels a little bit different. In addition to serving varieties of beef burgers, Twisted Root also offers buffalo meat and at least one other exotic offering like ostrich. Find a Twisted Root in North Texas.
Wingfield’s Breakfast & Burger: South Oak Cliff restaurant Wingfield’s starts with pancakes in the mornings, then switches over to bacon cheeseburgers at lunchtime. Those with a serious appetite should go for Wingfield’s triple meat burgers. Triple meat! 2615 S. Beckley Ave., Dallas.
The big burger chains
Let's say you're looking for a quicker bite: A drive-through where you can order a reliable burger you might be able to find at hundreds of fast-food joints across the country. Here's your essential list:
- Whataburger: Duh. This Texas tradition is the best option on your list of big burger chains.
- Five Guys: Their motto is "burgers and fries done right," and many agree they are. This chain makes some of the most delicious french fries — but they're also some of the unhealthiest.
- In-N-Out: One of this California company's buzziest traits is its secret menu (which isn't really that much of a secret). When In-N-Out opened its first Texas store, one woman cried happy tears.
Other mega chains include Burger King, McDonald's and Wendy's, of course. But we prefer the list above.
Dallas celebrities pick favorite burger spots
Elvis Andrus, former Texas Rangers shortstop: While San Francisco is his favorite city to get a cheeseburger, he does like a fast-food joint that you can find in North Texas. “[I] love In-N-Out,” he says. “When I want a cheeseburger, I just go there.”
Jenna Owens, former co-host of the Kidd Kraddick Morning Show: “Angry Dog, no question,” she says. “Cheeseburger with jalapeños. It’s not trying too hard — and they have the best buns.”
LeeAnne Locken, former cast member on Bravo TV show Real Housewives of Dallas: “In my opinion, Snuffers serves the perfect burger. It’s the perfect size, cooked to your liking and the service is always speedy! Not to mention, their ooey-gooey cheese fries make for a perfect pairing,” she says.
Dawn M. Burkes, Dave Lieber and Tiney Ricciardi contributed to this story. Story originally published May 24, 2018 and updated in May 2019, May 2020 and June 2022.
