Achievement unlocked: All Houston smashburgers consumed

If you are a brick-and-mortar business that primarily specializes in smashburgers in Houston, I have most likely consumed your offering

When I originally set out to locate the very best burgers all over the Greater Houston area and chronicle my outings in my Friday Burger Adventures™️ series, I was not expecting that I’d be able to complete an entire category on my list anytime soon.

But, based on my research—and it’s entirely possible I may have missed a place; if I have, please let me know—following today’s journey, I believe I have now sampled smashburgers at every brick-and-mortar location in Houston that primarily specializes in the smashburger (these are both important distinctions, as there are seemingly a million food trucks out there, and to qualify for this category in addition to occupying a physical building the smashburger also needs to be your primary menu option).

To wit, here is the list I have of Houston-area smashburger places in non-mobile locations:

• Wagyuru
• Smash City
• Hotline Burger
• Johnny Good Burger
• Clutch City Grill
• Bamburger
• Stack Burger
• Burgerhouse
• Bad Buns
• Boo’s Burgers
• Burger Bodega
• Stuffed Belly
• OMG! Burger
• Trill Burger
• Proper – A Burger Spot
• Bun Slut

The spot I knocked off today to complete this cohort was Burgerhouse, up in Willowbrook.

Candidly I wasn’t quite sure what to expect as I’ve seen and heard virtually nothing about this place—they haven’t posted to their Insta since July 2024!—but the completionist in me knew it was finally time to check it out.

And I have to say — I was glad I did! If my photo above didn’t already get your salivary glands going, I’m happy to report that this was well worth the 30-minute ride from Uptown.

I ordered their Classic Burger with three patties—as you know, triple cheeseburgers are life—which comes standard with American cheese, pickles, grilled onions, and Burgerhouse sauce. I added jalapeños because I can’t not do that whenever they’re available; bacon; and, somewhat oddly, lettuce and tomato were also add-ons.

Just when you think you’ve seen and tasted it all, Burgerhouse manages to come through with a very strong offering—the beef in particular was enjoyably seasoned, and the main reason to return would be the expert-level char on the edges—that I would agree is worthy of its 4.5 on Yelp.