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Bellaire Broiler Burger
Rating Details »
Neighborhood: Bellaire
5216 Bellaire Blvd
Bellaire, TX 77401
(713) 668-8171
5216 Bellaire Blvd
Bellaire, TX 77401
(713) 668-8171
- Hours:
Mon-Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good for:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
20 reviews for Bellaire Broiler Burger
Best kept secret in Houston, and almost the best burger in town, as well. This was my late father's favorite burger joint, and he fashioned himself a bit of a connoisseur.
Don't tell anyone.
I am reminded as to why I should spend more time in Bellaire. Despite the fact that we are spoiled by awesome choices for food around Houston, this place is great to enjoy a burger the way it is meant to be.
The ambiance definitely adds to the whole experience. Burger patties are charbroiled and taste great. Swiss Classic is my favorite but their special double patty burger is also great.
If you are a burger fan, take a chance on this place.
600th Review.
I don't hold my reviews that often but when you find a place that deserves special recognition you give credit where credit is due.
There are good yelpers, and there are great yelpers and there are those who I follow every word.
I must say thanks to Edgar, for his very thorough review.
There are lists I am always looking to add to and one that is very hard to top is the Burger list. I can honestly say this is by far one of the best simple burgers I have ever had in Houston.
I read about the patties being too thin so I went ahead and purchased the half pound burger. It came with lettuce and mayo, I added cheese. Everything was perfect from the bun, to the flavorful patty, and finally to the cheese that seemed like shredded cheese that had melted and was not dropping out of the sides.
The inside made me feel like I had went back into time, to a more simple time, when you could enjoy a great burger without all of the flare. These burgers come wrapped in simple paper, no wasted advertisements. The seats and tables seem they are still the original from they day they opened. This shows don't change something that works. The grill is open so all of the delicious smells fill the entire dining area and you walk out smelling like a burger...in a good way.
This is my new favorite spot to grab a juicy, greasy, mouth watering burger.
My sister really likes this place. I think it's good, very homey feeling. I just can't eat my burger well when this place makes me feel clausterphobic since it's small and the smoke is in the air. Eh, me and my issues.
Why don't I come here every day? Who cares if I double in size and perpetually smell like broiled goodness. I'd make new friends.
Bellaire Broiler Burger is my favorite burger in Houston - possibly the world. My wonderful hubby introduced me to this joint back in 2006, when I first moved to Houston. His family has been coming here for years, and while my first impression of the place was 'what a dump!' I quickly changed my mind.
The yummy smells smack you in the face the minute you walk in, and as other reviewers have stated, this place is stuck in a time warp. My husband hit the nail on the head when he said Bellaire Broiler Burger is the anti-Smashburger. There's nothing trendy about BBB, and the whole place could use a good scrub down, but it's got character - something I feel these shiny new burger chains are lacking.
Counter service can be sketchy. A nice young lady took our order on Friday, but there's another older woman who has a chronic case of Stink Eye. Don't come here for the service... just focus on the food.
The food... OH! the food. I'm going to try the chili one of these days, but on my last visit I had my standard. A cheeseburger with mayo only. I'm a simple girl. I don't need vegetables to mess up my meat, cheese, and bread. The meat is perfect - juicy and peppery with the most fantastic broiler flavor. I also like the patty size. It's probably only a half inch think, but that's ideal to me. They top it with shredded cheese which melts to perfection, and they butter and toast the bun for a minute on the broiler - giving it a nice crunch on the edges. What else could you ask for? Onion rings and fries! Both are amazing, and I'm not sure I could pick a favorite. The crinkle fries are crisp on the outside and soft in the middle, and the onion rings are thick cut with a crumbly yet crunchy batter - exquisite!
BBB has strange hours, and there have been times when I thought they'd be open, but they were closed. Their website lists that they are open Mon thru Sat 11A-8P and they are closed on Sundays. Parking can also be a beast, but work with your schedule, park wherever you find a spot, and get in there and make it happen. It is SO worth it!
The burger is fairly small compared to other places, but you get the char-grill flavor. The big thing here is that this is an old familry-run establishment that has been consistent in producing the burgers, fries and onion rings. It's nice to open the door, smell the grill smoke, see them cooking/assembling, and deal with friendly counter folk.
It's a comfort place. I always get the hickory sauce burger.
Yum. I would not mind having their 1/4 lb burger as the last meal of my life. They are just the most delicious in Houston (thus far)!! This tiny shack offers the atmosphere of a burger joint from the 1970's with its dimmed lights, plastic booths, and foggy mirrors on the wall. You an get together with your friends to have a filling meal and watch the Astros play on a tiny tv in the corner. Classic.
The burgers are huge and not very greasy. The onion rings' grease drips and melts the paper though. They are delicious! The fries are so so. Here, it's all about the burgers.
This place seems like it's frozen in time. The (faux?) wood paneling, vinyl benches, photos of little league teams, and beige tile all contribute to that feeling. The burger is solid - not the best in Houston, but definitely worth it if you're in the neighborhood. You can tell they've been doing the burgers exactly the same way for a long, long time. The chili cheese fries are a bit overwhelming - I basically ended up with a bowl of fries the size of my head smothered in melted cheese and chili. The shake was handmade, and the lady making it emptied what seemed like a half a bottle of chocolate syrup into my shake. Yum.
Overall, not the best burger I've had in Houston, but the sum of the parts make it worth the trip.
Dear Bellaire Broiler Burger:
I love you so, so why the lowstar review? Because your people skills SUCK.
Wait, let me mention that not one person should spoil the bunch, but for me and my unsuspecting coworkers, it did.
I have been dying to try this place for months. Got my girl C and boy JW to head up there for some burger takeout today.
As soon as I walked in, I knew I would love the place. The smell emanating from the kitchen was amazing, I waited patiently and (hungrily) to get up to the counter to order my food. The girl behind the register was pleasant and smiley. So far so good. Then it happened. As I was picking up my to-go drinks, I noticed the stink eye coming from another employee who worked there. Her hateful gaze followed me and said coworkers like we were vagrants or criminals in her establishment.
She finally called my number and I went up to the counter to pick up my food. "Napkins?" she growled at me... "Yes, please!" I said with the biggest, most charming smile I could muster... She literally threw the napkins in my bag like she was intentionally trying to knock my food out of my hands... i stayed cheery and told her to have a great day. Then when our other to go numbers were called I went back up to her and reminded her to have a good day.. Let's just say, this employee put the capital C in "country".... I asked one of the other employees why she hated us and they begged us not to let her make us not come back.
I don't know, Bellaire BBurger, there are alot of other places in town where I'll get a damn decent burger with out the sneering looks. It's too bad though, because I really did enjoy the food......
Special shout-outs to Sam V, Agustin S, Albert N, Steve C, and Sergio S for their reviews of the place, which covered it all. Strange as it may sound, I've met most of the guys but we don't have history together before Yelp. (Steve C has escaped my clutches for now.)
Old school is the name of the game here. From the decor to the food to the service, you aren't getting anything inspired by HGTV or "Top Chef". Popped in this evening with Six Choir Guy. When I commented that the layout was retro, he quipped: "It can only be retro if it wasn't originally from that time period." Zing. I had to smile at that.
Like Steve, the counter gal was ready to take our order old school style: "What'll you have?" was it. Pencil at the ready, pad in hand. No "Welcome to BBB! I'm Maggie and I'll be helping you tonight." But, I was thoroughly fine with this - I like my Southern ladies slightly crusty and having no nonsense.
SCG had the double with mustard ($3.55 plus 35 cents for mustard). I had the Deluxe burger with cheese, chili, and onions (sans onions for $4.20). We split an order of fries for $2.00 - an order of onion rings is also $2.00.
Number given, we cased the joint on where to sit. Vinyl booths lining the walls plus a few in the middle outnumber the number of tables. Agustin is right on-the-money about the state of the booths - but it made for comfortable seating.
The fries were fresh and hot - delightful to split over our burgers. We each wolfed down our burger. Mine was oozing with chili and cheese making a mess of the paper wrapper. I threatened to turn it inside out and use it as a makeshift hand puppet so I could lick all of the remaining chili and cheese. Then, I snapped back to reality and remembered that there were other people in the restaurant who didn't need to see this spectacle.
As we were leaving, the counter gal asked us how we liked the fries. When informed that we enjoyed them, she actually cracked a smile. So, the old gal actually had some customer service in her heart. It just took some coaxing.
For some old school flavor, head over here and enjoy the trip back in time.
This place is old school, right down to the lime green tray that the burgers are placed on when your number is called. Bellaire Broiler Burger is beautiful in its, untouched by time, demeanor. It's always nice to look around a place and see the faces of hard core, regulars. If they aren't regulars, they should consider going to Hollywood and working as regulars in restaurant scenes--Oscar winning performances here.
The burgers are nice, thin pattied, goodness. Mad points for grilling the bun. This technique is always a winner in my opinion. Overall, it's exciting to see the kitchen at work as you walk toward Broiler Burger and the fun continues with the right vantage point in their dining room. There's nothing like seeing tall fire come up from the burger making process as you await your number being called.
To add to Broiler Burger's already overwhelming charm, there is a framed poster in the dining area that reads, "America, the Burgerful." Burgerful indeed! Their shakes aren't too shabby either.
Bellaire Broiler Burger bites bursts buds. There goes my feeble attempt at alliteration. My friend arrived at BBB before me and asked me "are you sure?" This place does not look to "friendly" from the outside. I reassured her that my faithful friends at yelp would not lie to me.
You, my friends, pulled through once again. The menu can be overwhelming. There are so many ways to customize your burger. I got a bbq burger with everything + double meat + cheese. Good thing I got the double meat because the patties are pretty small. However, it was a mighty fine burger. Not the "best burger in Houston" that I would scour the city to get to (HIMYM reference), but pretty frakking good. We also ordered a bowl of fries smothered in chili and cheese that was hohum.
The workers were polite and friendly. Although BBB was not the best burger I've had it was enough to leave me satisfied and 4 stars.
I don't know, maybe it was part nostalgia, part hunger. It reminded me a bit of the burger joint of my childhood -- Charlie's Hamburgers. Except it didn't look anything like it. It just felt like it. Walking into this place felt like walking into a time portal. There's a larger than you expect dining area and you can also order to-go. I went at 11:30am and the smoke wasn't too thick yet so I decided to stay and eat.
The patty was disappointingly thin, but the bun was AMAZING. Extra toasty at the edges and soft and fresh elsewhere. My cheese was completely melted like a grilled cheese sandwich. Fresh, coarsely chopped onions burst in my mouth as I took my first bite -- good for belly, bad for breath. I thought it had pretty good "broiler" flavor. Not overwhelming though.
I really liked this burger. Enough to drag the husband back sometime for him to try it.
Oh, really friendly service too!
But its burger patty definitely is too thin and leaves something to be desired. Christian's is still king...
They should issue smog alerts inside this place, the air is so thick. People at another table moved closer to us, near the back, to try and get away from the smoke. I don't think it worked.
I wouldn't mind the smoke if it meant a great burger, but unfortunately this one was pretty ho-hum. I got the larger 1/4 pound burger, which although served on a wide bun, was pretty thin. And sadly, it didn't have much of that char-grilled flavor - where was all that smoke going? The patty was just bland. The bun was good, and the toppings were fine. Grated cheddar cheese, a big plus. The fries were excellent though if you're alone, you'll have to shell out $2 for an order that two people can easily share.
Not a real cheap place, two quarter pounders, one order of fries, and two sodas were over $15. If the burger had been great, no problem, but it was just ok. Reminded me a lot of Whatabuger - which I like, but I was hoping for better.
The help was efficient if a bit surly. The woman taking orders asked me what I wanted while I had only one foot in the door, I think. I'd probably be snippy too if I breathed that air all day. The decor probably hasn't changed much in 30 years, though it may be a bit smoke damaged. All those things would be fine, if only the burger was a little better.
Want to see what a hamburger joint was like in the 60's? Then you've found the place. Broiler Burger is a Bellaire institution; nothing has changed in decades, and that's exactly what the regulars want.
The burger is a thin-pattied, handmade model, with plenty of cheese and toppings. It's two notches above anything from a fast food place, but it's not a modern high-end burger. But for those looking for a little retro with their cholesterol, this is the real deal.
I am a huge fan of Bellaire Broiler, this type of burger reminds me of the ones I had in my childhood living in Austin at Frans, Dans, or even A&W which was located on the corner of Ben White and Menchaca Rd. This will not be anything like the high end gourmet burgers you might find nowadays, but it reminds of the reason why I fell in love with burgers.
When you walk into Bellaire Broiler you are instantly warped back into the 1970's. I don't think much has changed from when this Bellaire Burger institution opened up in 1972. As you walk in, you place your order at the register, they give you your drink, number, there you get a glance at the operation. The kitchen is about the size of my pantry at home and the grill has to be half the size of my range top, but they manage to get burgers out pretty quick. The dinning room is old school, exposed brick, wood paneling you would find in your grandparents house. The booths look like they haven't ever been replaced, hell I think I felt one the springs come up through the vinyl. I was worried sitting in the booths and rubbing up against the brick wall, no telling how many layers of smoke and soot are holding it up.
I ordered the Bellaire Special, two 1/4 lb beef patty's, cheese, bacon, mustard, mayonnaise, chopped onions, pickles, lettuce, and finally tomatoes. Wow I think when it's finally all said and done the burger probably weighs about 2lbs. It was served in a plain buttered and toasted white bun, something about the simplicity of that I enjoyed. It didn't upstage anything inside of the bun. There was no whole grain, Kaiser, honey wheat nothing that would confuse things. When you finally get the burger and fries they are wrapped up in a bag, once again keep it simple. Rip the bag in half and you have yourself something to eat on. I'm going to have borrow a burger criteria from Albert's quest, the ooze factor. If you have to grab a new napkin after every bite from your burger, you have an ooze factor. Sure the napkins sucked it just makes it more dramatic. The burger with its layers of ingredients just stairing up at you, you just can't help but fall in love with this masterpiece.
I think it's time for a nap now folks, screw the 3 miles I was supposed to run today
Coworker: "Psst, hey you."
Me: "Me?"
C: "Yeah you. I have an idea for lunch. It's the porn of greasy spoon burger joints. Wanna try?"
M: "Greasy spoons have porn? Um, okay I guess, but only if it's legal?"
C: "Don't worry! C'mon, you can trust me! Have I ever steered you wrong?"
M: "Well there was that time with the goat-"
C: "Never mind that! This is beef! Charbroiled! And chili cheese dogs on a hamburger bun! Flames and meat - good stuff! I promise you'll love it."
15 minutes later, we walk into a hole in the wall joint. The air is smoky from the grill. Dark and left in the 70's. A small bar in the corner - obviously for the regulars. Like being in "Pulp Fiction". A beautiful sight. The gal at the register takes our order with an emotionless expression on her face. She laughs politely at my crack about a menu item, but does so without smiling. Soon, our number is barked at us from the behind counter for pickup. The burgers are pretty good and really worth the price, which is low. We sat and ate silently on a gold glitter booth bench as we eyed the incoming customers, avoiding any eye contact and potential ensuing conversation. The food was good. Very good. I regret not ordering the heart-attack-inducing chili cheese dogs, but I knew I'd spend the rest of my next Sunday in a confessional if I did.
Next time. After I spend a week on a colon cleanse.
I love juicy burgers. I love grease. I love bacon. I love cheese. I love this place! When I walk into this restaurant, I get doused with the flame broil smoke, and the furniture and walls are laden with grease. Now that's true testament to an authentic burger joint.
This family-owned joint has yet to change their menu, and that's how the locals love it. I can always look forward to the same ol' flame broiled double decker burger. Meals from BBB always hit the *spot*.
At the urging of one of my coworkers over the past year and a half I finally tried this burger joint this past weekend. The interior was just as he described and a lot bigger than I thought it would be. The service was quick and the aroma definitely got me eggcited for what was to come. Starting with the fries and onion rings, both were delicious and fried to the perfect crisp that I like. As far as the burger, maybe it was a combinatin of the built up expectation from Mr. Austin at work and the extensive time it finally took me to try this place, but I wasn't too impressed by it. Don't get me wrong, it was really tasty, but just not AS good as I thought it would be. I can't quite put my finger on it. The cheese melted perfectly, the bun was good but I think the patties were disappointing to me. I think I expected more flavor burst, but to no avail. The prices were cheap though, and you definitely feel like you've found a hole in the wall. So I'd probably go back.
So this place hasn't ever changed...I grew up going here and it looks and tastes exactly the same as when I was 7. Everyone always talks about the burgers. But I must mention the hot dog sandwich....They make the best hot dog sandwich you will ever eat!! Ask them to split the weennies, and hold the onions...You'll end up with a beautifully toasted bun, grilled hot dogs, melted cheddar cheese and chilli all gooey together....It is so good. The only thing sad for me is the long holiday break they take between Christmas and New Years, that means less hotdogs for me when I go home for the break :(
