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    Ranking It

    Most ridiculous best burgers list ever touts an absurd pick for Houston's top burger, snubs the real standouts

    Eric Sandler
    Jun 6, 2014 | 1:56 pm

    People love lists. After all, they're a quick way to get a lot of information, and they give everyone something to argue about, particularly when they relate to food or restaurants.

    When properly executed, a good list balances conventional wisdom with a few off the radar choices and helps guide readers to new, enjoyable experiences.

    The Daily Meal can't help but completely whiff anytime it tries to include a couple of Houston restaurants in its absurd ramblings.

    Then there are the bad lists — where a seemingly random collection of choices is thrown together in a nonsensical order that only seems designed to elicit angry responses. Those kind of lists are what national food website The Daily Meal excels at, and the site's just outdone itself with this week's 101 Best Burgers in America list.

    Just as the scorpion can't help but sting the frog, The Daily Meal can't help but completely whiff anytime it tries to include a couple of Houston restaurants in its absurd ramblings.

    How did they compile the list?

    Well, the site says it started by "building upon last year’s suggestions from authorities including John T. Edge and Josh Ozersky" — that's positive. Ozersky wrote a book about hamburgers, and no national writer has been a more passionate advocate for Houston's food scene than Edge.

    Unfortunately, it quickly goes off the rails from there.

    "We combed existing best-of lists both print and online (and) dug through online reviews . . . We then divided these burgers up by region, and compiled a survey which was then taken by a panel of 50 noted writers, journalists, bloggers, and culinary authorities from across the country, asking them to vote for their favorites, limited to the ones that they’ve tried," The Daily Meal writes.

    Here, essentially, is where Houston got screwed. Who are these 50 people? Have they ever eaten a burger in Houston?

    That's how such well known burger loving destinations as Boston, Nashville and Philadelphia wind up with more representatives than Houston. It also explains why the site chose Becks Prime all the way up at 16, a burger joint that didn't even crack CultureMap's list of Houston's Top 10 burgers, as the city's highest ranked representative. Proving that even a stopped clock is right twice a day, the site included Hubcap Grill (62), but, of course, featured the wrong burger as its highlight — the Hubcap Double instead of the peerless Philly Cheesesteak or Texas BBQ burgers.

    Since it's probably too much to expect The Daily Meal to bring in someone who actually knows Houston burgers (*ahem*), let's just note the list could be less of a tragedy by including, say, the Underbelly Cease and Desist burger that sparked a fight with culty chain In-N-Out or anything from Bernie's Burger Bus.

    Even the chicken fried bacon burger from Stanton's City Bites deserves more attention than Becks freaking Prime.

    The lesson, as always: Don't let silly national lists dictate your eating. Trust the locals.

    Next year, the site should consider selecting the Cease and Desist burger from Underbelly.

    Underbelly UB Double Double hamburger with french fries
    Underbelly Facebook
    Next year, the site should consider selecting the Cease and Desist burger from Underbelly.
    unspecified
    news/restaurants-bars

    where to eat on Thanksgiving

    Thanksgiving procrastinators: Reservations remain at these Houston restaurants

    Eric Sandler
    Nov 24, 2025 | 4:44 pm
    Leo's River Oaks Thanksgiving spread
    Courtesy of Culinary Khancepts
    Dine on a three-course meal at Leo's River Oaks.

    Houstonians who still don’t have plans for where they’re eating on Thanksgiving, which will be observed this Thursday, November 27, need not worry. With more and more Houston restaurants open for the holiday, procrastinators still have plenty of choices available.

    This roundup includes some fine dining options with prix fixe menus, a couple of decadent buffets, and a few lower priced, a la carte options, including one that can be picked up from a drive-thru. All of the establishments listed below had reservations available as of Monday, November 24, but that will change as Thanksgiving approaches.

    Leo's River Oaks Thanksgiving spread

    Courtesy of Culinary Khancepts

    Dine on a three-course meal at Leo's River Oaks.

    Note that this guide focuses on restaurants serving a version of traditional Thanksgiving fare. Dozens of restaurants in Chinatown and other Asian-focused districts will also be open — and busy — on Thursday.

    Amrina
    Put a masala-spiced spin on Thanksgiving with this restaurant’s five-course, $95 menu. Choices include pumpkin-spiced pani puri, Mulligatawny velouté with turkey kofta, and turkey kebab. Entree choices — including roasted turkey breast, filet mignon, and tiger prawns — are matched with family-style sides such as mashed potatoes, cranberry chutney, and spinach and corn casserole. Pumpkin mascarpone cheese mousse leads the three dessert options.

    Bar Bludorn
    The Memorial tavern is serving a three-course, $75 menu that begins with starter choices such as oysters, steak tartare, endive salad, and squash soup. Entree selections include roast turkey, steak frites, and branzino, all of which can be paired with sides such as pommes puree, cranberries, and stuffing. Finish with one of three dessert selections.

    Chardon
    Visit this French restaurant in the Thompson Hotel for a three-course, family-style Thanksgiving meal. Priced at $75 per adult and $25 for kids five and above, it includes shareable portions of cornbread, deviled eggs, chestnut and celeriac soup, fennel and apple salad, and smoked duck and cranberry terrine. For the entree course, diners will share herb-roasted turkey, turkey leg cassoulet, and beef cheek bourguignon paired with traditional sides. For dessert, the restaurant will serve apple tart, maple profiteroles, and chocolate and hazelnut cake.

    Cleburne Cafeteria
    For those looking for a more affordable option, this Houston favorite will be open for both dine-in and to-go from from 11 am-8 pm with a full range of starters, sides, entrees, and desserts. Keep in mind that lines may be long.

    Fielding’s River Oaks
    The European-inspired restaurant will supplement its usual menu with Thanksgiving add-ons such as grilled turkey breast with garlic confit and sage gravy, orange cranberry chutney, brown butter sweet potato mash, and green bean casserole ($49), as well as Peking duck breast ($46), pumpkin spice parker house rolls ($18), and apple cinnamon crisp ($17).

    Himalaya
    On Thanksgiving, chef-owner Kaiser Lashkari adds masala-spiced turkey and dressing to his extensive menu of Indo-Pak fare. Remember, the restaurant is BYOB, so plan accordingly.

    Juliet Steakhouse & Fine Dining
    The Galleria-area restaurant will serve a Thanksgiving buffet from 12-9 pm. Priced at $59.95 for adults and $29.95 for kids, it includes a carving station with turkey, salmon, and filet mignon as well as sides such as mashed potatoes, green casserole, mac & cheese, and more. Additional items include lobster bisque, Caesar salad, and desserts.

    King Ranch Texas Kitchen
    The Galleria-area restaurant’s Thanksgiving Day buffet ($59 per adult, $25 per child), includes a carving station with turkey, ham, prime rib, and brisket, as well as spinach dip, Caesar salad, deviled eggs, King Ranch chicken empanadas, shrimp cocktail, and an extensive selection of sides and desserts.

    King Steak
    The recently-opened Galleria-area restaurant will serve a four-course, $70 Thanksgiving menu. The family-style meal includes shared appetizers including vegetable “charcuterie,” deviled eggs, and cornbread. Entree options include turkey, ham, and tenderloin ($10 supplement) paired with sides that include mashed potatoes, dressing, green bean casserole, candied yams, roasted carrots, Brussels sprouts, and cranberry sauce. Finish with pumpkin pie and pecan pie.

    Kitchen Rumors
    The eclectic, Indian-inspired eatery is serving a four-course, $65 menu. Begin with dishes such as lobster dumplings, crispy kale and wasabi peas, and blue cheese chicken kebab. Entree choices include turkey breast, filet mignon, shrimp and pumpkin stir fry, and two vegetarian options, all of which are paired with family-style sides such as mashed potatoes, cranberry chutney, garbanzo beans, and garlic naan. The meal concludes with either pumpkin halwa pie or chocolate cremeux.

    Leo’s River Oaks
    Winner of the Best New Restaurant in the 2025 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards, the restaurant will serve a three-course menu that begins with lobster bisque or kale salad. Choose turkey ($75) or chateaubriand ($85) for an entree, both of which are paired with family-style sides that include pomme puree, brown butter green beans, butternut squash stuffing, cranberry sauce, and a parker house roll. Dessert is pumpkin pie.

    Navy Blue
    The Rice Village seafood restaurant is offering a three-course, $85 menu (children 10 and under, two courses for $55). Starter choices include shrimp cocktail, Caesar salad, seafood gumbo, or crab cake. For an entree, select turkey roulade with sweet potato and stuffing, hanger steak with bone marrow herb butter, branzino, seared scallops, or tagliatelle with mushrooms, plus optional sides. The meal ends with one of four desserts.

    Pappas Bar-B-Q
    Get a Thanksgiving plate with turkey, ham, and sides for $21.95. Served from 9 am-6 pm, it’s the only meal on this list that can be picked up at a drive-thru. The restaurant will also be serving its full menu, which means people can pick up brisket, ribs, or pecan pie to supplement their Thanksgiving table.

    Perseid
    This French-inspired restaurant at the Hotel Saint Augustine will serve a three-course, $85 menu. Starter choices includes chicory salad, sunchoke soup, duck terrine, and hiramasa crudo. Go traditional with turkey roulade or mix things up with mushroom risotto, hanger steak, or salmon. Dessert choices include pumpkin pie and maple cake.

    Saltgrass Steak House
    The family-friendly restaurant will serve a Thanksgiving plate that includes roast turkey breast, dressing, gravy, garlic mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and choice of salad or soup for $23.99.

    Willie G’s
    This seafood restaurant next to the Post Oak Hotel will serve an expansive Thanksgiving buffet that’s priced at $69 for adults and $29 for children. Expect a full spread of traditional Thanksgiving fare such as turkey, honey-roasted ham, stuffing, candied yams, and green bean casserole. In addition, diners will have access to a raw bar with oysters, smoked salmon, peel & eat shrimp, deviled egg, and spicy tuna rolls. Breads, pastries, and a couple of kid-specific dishes round out the offerings.

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