Gastrocraft’s smashburger is in the pantheon of all-time Houston greats

Friday, March 7, 2025 —

My never-ending quest to find the tastiest burgers in Houston finally led me to Gastrocraft, a northside Houston food bus owned and operated by the legendary Dennis Feray and his wife, April.

They’ve been slinging delicious comfort food since 2019, but it wasn’t until I began chronicling my burger adventures in earnest that I caught wind of Dennis’ smashburger, which is so visually appealing it should have its own IG account. And this is one smashburger that absolutely lives up to its mouth-watering appearance and then some.

I ordered up the 1-Star Double Smash, which comes with two smashed all-beef patties, American cheese, grilled sweet onions, and burger sauce on a toasted brioche bun. I added a third patty as I was feeling extra hungry, and of course, jalapeños. 

The beef is 73/27, and without knowing I guessed that it was seasoned with cayenne and paprika (among a few other spices), and was delighted to learn from Dennis that I was correct. Their patented burger sauce is mayo-based with ketchup, mustard, sriracha, black pepper, and pickle juice.

Let me tell you—this thing is a spice-forward beef hedonist’s dream come true! I’ve been loving dusting my own homemade patties with paprika and cayenne, and haven’t come across too many in the professional world with a similar heat-friendly mindset, so I was smitten from the get-go. Nor have I frequently encountered options with such a generous proportion of fat (how often do you see it in the 20s!). The heat from the spices was the perfect complement to the exceptionally expertly produced patties, cooked to charred precision and bursting with a saporous harmony of savoriness and umami magnificence.

Dennis has truly created an all-time singular Houston great with Gastrocraft’s smashburger—an offering that is among the most unique burger-consuming experiences I have had during this journey. The combination of spice, sauce and technical execution are beyond reproach, and the vast majority of Houston restaurants should be insanely jealous that they don’t offer this exquisite ode to beef consumption on their menus. The only downside is the relative level of difficulty in acquisition. I’d have checked them out much sooner if it wasn’t considerably further flung than the circles I usually travel in—their rotation of landing spots is generally in Humble/Atascosita and the surrounding areas. Petitioning now for a Gastrocraft outpost in Katy, please.

Per my Burger Rating spreadsheet, Gastrocraft ranks as the 19th-highest-rated burger in all of Houston, and 2nd-highest-rated food truck burger (behind only Umbrella Fellas, which I have yet to indulge in). In my opinion it is easily in Houston’s Top 10 overall, regardless of category.

This is one of the easier 5s I’ve given. Very nicely done! 🍔 🍔 🍔 🍔 🍔