Burgers: about the most American a food can get. Something so easy to make and yet when prepared correctly can become the best thing you have ever eaten. I was on a mission to find the best burger in the Bryan/College Station area, and I am glad to report that I have found a winner.
The places I picked as my top five burger places in town are Koppe Bridge, Harvey Washbangers, The Feed Barn, Burger House and Chicken Oil Co. All burgers were judged on the following criteria: quality of bun, juiciness, taste, french fries, value and atmosphere of the restaurant. The perfect burger for me is one that is juicy but not dripping with grease, I prefer a thinner patty, and buns lightly grilled with crispy lettuce, onion and, of course, cheese. As for french fries, I like them to have a crispy outside with a soft and delicious middle with a side of ketchup to dip them in.
The burger that came in last would be from Harvey Washbangers. While it might be the place for weird and exotic burgers, like a Frito Pie Burger and a Chorizo Burger, I found their original cheeseburger to be too plain. It may have been because their original burger isn’t their best, but for me the place did not live up to its hype. The patty itself was dry, and the bun seemed to come from the HEB right next door.
Koppe Bridge came in second to last. I liked nearly everything about the burger, but two things bothered me. First, the burger was just too greasy and I was left with a soggy bun and wet hands. Second, while some people may like their fries extra crispy, I think Koppe Bridge might have left them in the fryer overnight which resulted in greasy, burnt fries. However, I did appreciate the size of the burger and the amount of fries I was given. Koppe Bridge also has many other great appetizers and entrees, like the Texas Toothpicks, which are fried jalapenos and onions.
Coming in third was Chicken Oil Co.’s burger. The place has been around since 1977 and has had time to perfect its recipe while adding on to the interesting sign collection that decorates the restaurant interior. My one complaint was the size of the burger; it seemed on the small side and I left a little hungry.
The Feed Barn and Burger House nearly tied. The Feed Barn will take second because the burger was excellent and I had nothing to complain about, but the deciding factor came down to a few differences that put Burger House on top. At the Feed Barn there are old signs and collectables all over the wall, which is cool – if you could see them because the only available light comes from a few neon signs. Also, when ordering, everything is individually priced, so if you want fries with your burger you have to order that and then purchase a drink, which seemed to make things more expensive.
With Burger House being crowned the Best Burger in town by yours truly, I have a few reasons to justify this title. When you walk into the restaurant, you don’t expect much – in fact the first time I went about five years ago, I wondered if the place was even open. Upon opening the door you are greeted by one of the nicest workers in town. Their menu is great because they have a little bit of everything to satisfy your hunger, and since the place is owned by orientals there are a few unique options, like the Korean burger which comes with a special sauce. If you are like me and just opt for the original, before 2p.m you can get a burger with cheese, french fries and a drink for just $6.50. One awesome aspect to Burger House is that you can put your own toppings on your burger, so you can add as much mustard or mayo as you want and put just about any vegetable that belongs on a burger onto yours. Also one of the highlights to this joint is their buns, because they are lightly toasted on the grill and the first bite just makes your mouth water for more. Accompanying this burger from heaven is a side of french fries which are fried to perfection and then seasoned with something special that takes them above and beyond.
Burger House is definitely not a well known restaurant in town and most people will probably wonder why I picked it as the best. But trust me, if you go there, it will become your favorite burger place in town. That is unless you don’t have taste buds.
