Burgers

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Dog and Pony Grill

Searching for the best burgers in Texas is an enjoyable part of my adventuring in the Lone Star State. I have discovered that there are no shortages of places to find delicious burgers. I have visited some burger joints at the recommendation of friends, others because I read about them in some publication, and occasionally I just ask Siri to find me burger joints close to me as I wander down highways and byways.
Dog and Pony ExteriorWhile recently traveling from Katy to Big Bend Ranch State Park, I asked Siri to find me burger joints near San Antonio. Siri produced her usual list of fast food burger places as well as other options. That’s how I learned about the Dog and Pony Grill in Boerne. To be honest, my buddy and I decided to try this place just because we found the name so interesting. Google maps did the rest of the work and guided us to the parking lot.
Dog and Pony InteriorWe arrived a bit early for lunch but with enough of an appetite to eat a healthy-sized burger. At the recommendation of the young lady at the counter, I ordered the Bodacious Boerne Cheddar Burger, listed as “Our Favorite Burger” on the menu. This burger comes with a healthy one-third pound of pure beef and is topped with lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, mustard and mayo. A side order of onion rings and a cold cup of sweet tea completed my order.

When I started writing about burgers on my blog I decided that if I did not have anything good to say about a burger I just would not write about it. So, I am writing about the Bodacious Boerne Cheddar Burger because it definitely outclassed a lot of burgers I have eaten and because it was pretty doggone tasty. Wow! I mean it was a really good burger.
Dog and Pony BurgerEverything about his burger worked well, from the amazing bun to the delicious cooked-to-perfection patty. And the onion rings were pretty good, too. After taking my last bite, I took a deep satisfying breath and determined that this is a place I want to visit again. And it’s a place I highly recommend to anyone passing through the area. In fact, it’s worth taking a detour to go to the Dog and Pony Grill if you are anywhere near this part of the state.
Dog and Pony Grill VanThe Dog and Pony Grill offers a lot more than their tasty burgers on their menu. The joint has a cool and comfortable vibe — the kind of place where you can have a good time with family and friends. The next time you find yourself near Boerne, set your map app to get you to the Dog and Pony in time for lunch. You won’t be disappointed!

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Novrozsky’s Hamburgers Etc

I discovered Novrozsky’s Hamburgers Etc on a recent road trip to Orange to visit the fascinating old Farmers Mercantile, a general store that has served the people of the area for almost 90 years. Hungry for a good burger, I asked Siri to find places to eat near me. Novrozsky’s topped the list. The name alone made me curious so I entered the address into Google maps and headed in their direction.

The original Novrozsky’s restaurant was founded in 1982 in Beaumont. Today, they have locations through Southeast Texas, including Orange. According to their website, they pride themselves “on serving the most delicious and satisfying burgers in Texas.” Another reason I had to check this place out for myself.
Novrozsky's FrontThe Novrozsky’s restaurant in Orange is housed in a modest and nondescript building with only the name Novrozsky’s on the front. No problem! As someone who enjoys sleuthing out a good burger, I was far more interested in what I would find inside the building.

I arrived well past the lunch crowd and walked right up to the counter and ordered their Bacon Cheddar Burger with all of the trimmings on a jalapeño bun along with a side order of hand-battered onion rings. Novrozsky’s hamburgers are made with Nolan Ryan beef — 100% all natural, hormone-free beef raised right here in the Lone Star State.
Novrozsky's CupI filled my styrofoam cup with raspberry iced tea and waited for my burger. Looking around, I noticed that I was not the only person interested in having a burger for lunch. My burger arrived with a heaping order of onion rings. If the aroma was any indication, I knew this was destined to be a mighty good meal.
Novrozsky's BurgerOf course, the first bite always tells the story and my first bite was not disappointing. Oh my soul! This was truth in advertising — a truly delicious and satisfying burger. If it had been possible I would have eaten two of these fabulous burgers. As for the onion rings — unbelievably delicious! The onion rings were a meal in themselves.
Novrozsky's Burger PlateThe only thing that disappointed me was the last, moist, delicious bite. Not because it did not taste as good as the first bite but because I did not want for this meal to end. It was that good. I give Novrozsky’s absolutely high marks in every burger regard. You can bet that I will stop at Novrozsky’s again the next time I find myself anywhere near one of their many locations in Southeast Texas.

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Royers Round Top Café

Round Top, a popular tourist destination, is one of the smallest incorporated communities in the Lone Star State. This tiny town has a rich history influenced by English and German settlers. The family of Stephen Townsend was the first to settle in the area in 1826. This family bears the distinction of having sent more men to the Battle of San Jacinto than any other family.

Joel Robinson, a resident of Round Top, also fought in the Battle of San Jacinto. After the Texan army defeated the Mexican forces on the plains of San Jacinto on March 21, 1836, the Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna was nowhere to be found. Robinson was assigned to the small detachment of men who searched for and captured the defeated general on the day after the decisive battle.

In the 1840s, a German man named Alwin H. Soergel, settled in the Round Top area. This talented author, musician, and historian built a white house with an octagonal tower — giving rise to the name Round Top. Soergel’s home served as the United States Post Office for the tiny community as early as 1847.
Round Top City Limit SignToday, Round Top has a population of fewer than one-hundred residents. Even so, this tiny community draws visitors from around the world. Round Top is an internationally recognized cultural center for the arts with a 1,200-seat concert hall at Festival Hill, the permanent home of the Texas Festival Orchestra.

Round Top’s vintage downtown is also a tourist draw. Henkel Square features a variety of shops and galleries housed in restored structures originally built by English and German pioneers to the area. Of course, the heavy tourist traffic explains why there are so many historic bed-and-breakfasts in Round Top.
Royers CafeOn my continuing search for delicious hamburgers in the Lone Star State, I visited Royers Round Top Café — “a Texas country bistro serving gourmet comfort food.” This café is famous for their delicious handmade pies, which have made their way to the White House. How cool is that! But, I visited Royers to sample their burger and then to chase it all down with a tall glass of iced tea and a slice of pecan pie.
Royers Burger CutI ordered the Café’s Burger — a handmade burger boasting a half-pound of local beef served with all the trimmings between a toasted sourdough bun with a side of hand-cut fries. All it took was the first bite to convince me this was one delicious burger. As for the pecan pie, I think it was made in heaven. No wonder folks come from all over the place to eat at Royer’s. Not only was the food great, the wait staff was very attentive and helpful.
Royers PorchIf you have not yet visited Round Top, add it to your list. You’ll enjoy strolling through the various interesting shops with their eclectic wares. And, be sure to time things so that you can stop by Royers for lunch. It’s a popular place so you might have to wait for a few minutes on the front porch. But, don’t be impatient and drive off. This place is definitely well worth the wait.

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J.P. Bombers Burgers

J.P. Bombers Burgers opened its doors three years ago on a you-gotta-be-going-there stretch of McArdle Road in Corpus Christi. Set back a good distance from the road, this little burger joint is housed on the north end of a modest little strip center. If you are not careful, you can drive right past the place like I did.
JP Bombers RestaurantSince opening its doors, J.P. Bombers has managed to earn a reputation as one of the best places in the Sparkling City by the Sea to find a great burger. After reading some online reviews I knew I had to go there. And I made sure to go with a big appetite. I arrived hungry and with all of the anticipation of a kid waiting to unwrap a birthday gift.

The moment my wife, my daughter, and I walked through the door, we were greeted with a “Welcome to Bombers. Sit anyplace you like.” We sat next to a table of city utility workers and near a table of older ladies enjoying a game of cards. We instantly loved the laid back feel of the place.
JP Bombers MenuThe menu listed some pretty cool combinations of burgers, in fact, lots of interesting choices. A young lady named Jessica waited on us and recommended the Atomic Burger since this was my first time. This burger features a large patty slathered in melted American cheese and garnished with a healthy helping of grilled onions, jalapeños, and bacon — all of this on a delicious toasted bun.
JP Bombers PicklesMy wife and daughter opted to share the sliders with a side order of tater tots. For an appetizer, we ordered hand-breaded fried pickle chips. The fried pickles arrived with some Ranch dipping sauce. Delicious.
JP Bombers SlidersI asked Jessica about the name of the place. She told us that J.P. stands for Jalapeño Poppers, one of their specialties. She also told us that the business is entirely family owned and operated. Her in-laws, in fact, are the owners. Her family, she told us, cares deeply about serving the best and offering good service.
JP Bombers AtomicAs for my burger — Wow! Everything about the Atomic Burger was delicious. The meat was perfectly cooked. The bun was amazing. The grilled onions, jalapeños, and bacon were diced and evenly spread on top of the cheese and meat, making the flavor in every bite consistently good. Thoroughly enjoyed this burger and would definitely order it again.

For the more adventurous eaters, Bombers has their version of a big burger challenge — a burger with a whopping 48 ounces of meat served with four trimmings, a side of fries, 3 stuffed Jalapeño Bombers, and a 32 ounce drink. If you can eat this behemoth burger in 40 minutes or less you earn bragging rights and get your pic added to the wall. The burger is free if you meet the challenge, otherwise be ready to fork over some dough!

Bottom line — Bombers is fantastic. I not only recommend it, I can hardly wait to go back. If you are headed to Corpus Christi anytime soon, swing by 6109 McArdle Road and try one of their amazing burgers.