Burganic Hub brings the heat

Friday, November8, 2024 — Burganic Hub’s been on my to-do list for a minute—with a 4.5 on Yelp and a 4.4 on Google (one of the few instances I’ve come across where Yelpers like a place more than Googlers), it currently sits as the 11th-highest-rated burger joint in Houston on my list—but I think I subconsciously deprioritized it given its vegan-first leanings. Not that I have anything against vegans or vegan food! But me being the devout and dedicated carnivore that I am, I can’t say a burger place that markets itself first and foremost as plant-based screams “Larry, drop everything and go there ASAP!”

Situated literally just outside the Galleria Food Truck Park on Chimney Rock and Val Verde that I recently noted might be the most competitive location to sling patties in all of Houston (Crypto Burger, Bun Slut and newcomer Juicy Joint are all within roughly 50 feet of each other, plus burger-chan, Clutch City Grill, and Bubba’s are essentially around the corner), Burganic Hub plies its organic, grass-fed, antibiotic-free, hormone-free, halal wagyu beef and fake beef trade in a tiny space in a nondescript strip center.

I ordered their Fiery Jalapeño Burger, which comes topped with cheddar, grilled jalapeños, hot relish, and caramelized onions. And of course, I had to add a second patty, because double hamburgers are life.

Overall the burger was fine, though I came away feeling a little lacking. The beef was lightly seasoned, though too well-done for my liking. It wasn’t a hockey puck or anything, but minimally juicy for sure. The star of the show was the heat; even though the description doesn’t note any specific treatment for the jalapeños, I thought I detected perhaps a pickling of some kind. And the hot relish provided the extra heat I crave, while the sturdy-yet-soft bun helped tie everything together. Without those components, I’m sad to say I don’t know that this would have been all that notable an experience.

The bar in Houston is a high one these days. Earlier this year some of my buddies were teasing me that it seemed as though every burger I reviewed received rave remarks across the board. And to a large extent, that was true — the first half of this year saw me visit Katy’s Big Burger World, Burger Bodega, Clutch City, Star Sailor, Humble’s Mean Burger (which might be the best in the Greater Houston Area), legendary Houston institution Champ Burger, KP’s Kitchen, and Katy Asian Town’s Kowbell Burger all for the first time; and the lowest score of those eight exceptional destinations was a 4.5 out of 5. But the last few weeks’ worth new spots — Juicy Joint, Bunslut, and now Burganic Hub — haven’t quite met the elevated standard set by the best of the best.

Of course, things change, and I could be sitting here a year from now telling you that Burganic Hub has the best burger in Houston! As it currently stands, my rating is 3.75 out of 5 patties.