I have to confess to being an "SBG", or Standard Burger Girl. By that I mean to infer that I always try to consume and review bacon cheeseburgers, or a variant thereof. My recent trip to The Burger Guys sort of put me off of my formula. Change is not only inevetable, it's a "good thing" (I say this in my very best Martha voice). I set off at lunch determined to find and sample The Burger Guys. Particularly, as I have heard so many wonderful things about them in the foodie community. I will warn you, when I went I had a time finding them. Their sign was a temporary one, but emblazoned with their purple logo. I've lived in Houston too long, I have grown accustomed to the strip center signage and large free-standing parking lot signs. Plus, I might need me some new glasses. They are located in the strip mall next to a free-standing "Raising Cane's", which serves chicken tenders, at 12225 Westheimer Road.
I ordered the Lancaster, medium rare with "Brussels", which are Belgian fries, er, frites, and come with your choice of two sauces, to go. Nothing tests the mettle of a burger and fries like a quick road trip from the restaurant to elsewhere. I selected house made ketchup and a cilantro bleu cheese aoli for my fries. I found all of the staff to be extremely helpful and friendly. After a short wait, amid friendly assurances my order would be right out and offers of something to drink while I wait, I had the goods in hand. I drove the 5 minutes it takes to get back under my flourescent lights. No easy task with the smells emanating from the bag, I assure you.
The breakdown goes like this. I ordered medium rare and I got it. Extra points for seeing slightly red juices running from my burger. The patty was about 3/4 inch thick, so, it's a hand and mouthful. All ingredients are as local and as fresh as you can find. More extra points. The fries were crispy and still very warm. I love "formal french fries", or, fries made from potatoes still in their jackets. The house ketchup was sweeter than I am used to, but, had lovely flavor. The other sauce, the cilantro bleu cheese? Well, it just rocked. I won't cop to licking the plastic cup clean. I couldn't, my coworkers had not all gone out to lunch. I don't wanna be "that girl", and it wasn't a jello shot, anyway. I didn't get an egg on my burger, a fresh, local, Hatterman Poultry Farm egg of the chicken or duck variety.
Other things to note: The mustard is made in house with Saint Arnold Brewing Company's Fancy Lawnmower Ale. They use Houston Dairymaid's cheeses. Given that you could sling a dead cat, as the saying goes (not that I, myself, personally would), and hit Phoenicia Specialty Foods, what a great Saturday that could be. A delectable burger, followed by a trip to explore an awesome store. Hookahs, groceries, cheeses, an olive bar and fresh warm pita that descends from the second story plus, much, much more. That could be a perfect day, well for me, definitely. If Feast made a burger, it would be such as this. Yes, I know, I'm rather falling all over myself - I was impressed. Just a little bit.
For one of the better to best burgers in town for the value (I recall my total order being around $11 including tax, title, license and a wee tip) you cannot go wrong with The Burger Guys. I have serious issues paying that much at a chain, regardless of how "good" it is, this goes for you too, Beck's Prime. I would gleefully drop the cococuts on this burger again, and again. Next time, the Houston Burger - as the bacon marmalade just fascinates me. I am even mustering up letting go of the same amount of money for a...hot dog (I know, it's not your ordinary dog - it's double-fisted).
The Burger Guys
12225 Westheimer Rd. #G
281.497.GUYS(4897)
11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Mon - Thurs
11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Fri - Sat
Closed Sunday
The Menu
Urban Harvest says the hens laying Hatterman's eggs are "free-roaring", I'm not sure what to make of that. A hat? A brooch? A pterodactyl? Sorry, I had to, and yes, I do know what they mean...free range, un-caged, like us country folk were raised on, eggs. Otherwise known as the freshest, best available eggs in H-Town and it's surrounding area.
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