turn it inside out
Retro burger chain gets 'Cheeeesy' and inside-out with first Houston-area restaurant
Another national chain seeks to satisfy Houstonians seemingly infinite craving for burgers — but this time, with an inside-out twist.
Wayback Burgers, a Connecticut based burger chain, plans to beef up the Richmond restaurant scene this fall with its first Houston-area location.
True to its name, Wayback Burgers serves made-to-order burgers and milkshakes in an environment that “hearkens back to a simpler place and time,” according to press materials.
One way the restaurant sets itself apart is with the way it serves its burgers. The puffy part of the bun faces inward, while the flat toasty edge faces out.
They apply this inverted approach to both their Chicken BLT and their signature “Cheeeesy” burger — spelled with one “e” for every slice of American cheese. Writing for the Dallas Observer, food writer Brian Reinhart described the unusual choice as “insanely messy” but delicious, as the buttered crispy side of the bun hits a person’s tastebuds — and coats their fingers — first.
“I had to walk back to the counter halfway through my sandwich to ask for more napkins,” he wrote.
Aside from inside-out sandwiches, the menu also includes right-side-up burgers, veggie burgers, cheesesteaks, hot dogs, fries, salads, milkshakes, and more.
The inside out bun isn’t the only thing Wayback Burgers does differently. A percentage of every burger sold benefits the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and the chain has donated over $850,000 since starting the partnership in 2018.
Franchisees Mohammed Sorathia and Sadia Kasim said they considered a number of potential businesses before deciding to bring Wayback to the Houston area.
“When deciding on a franchise family to join, Wayback Burgers stood out to Sadia and I after speaking with other franchisees and learning about the company’s ongoing commitment and support for each of its franchisees,” Sorathia said in a statement. “We look forward to sharing delicious menu items, especially our personal favorites, the grilled chicken sandwich and the classic burger, along with the full Wayback Burgers dining experience with the Richmond community soon.”
Located at 18321 West Airport Blvd., the chain’s 16th Texas location will occupy approximately 1,700-square-feet. It joins outposts in both the Austin and Dallas areas.
Design details include windows that look into the kitchen and a variety of seating options such as upholstered banquettes, booths, and community tables.
“We are pleased to continue the expansion of Wayback Burgers in Texas with the lease signing of our Richmond restaurant,” Wayback Burgers president Patrick Conlin added. “With operations in 35 states and new restaurants extending our footprint nationwide, it is an exciting time to be a part of the Wayback Burgers family. We look forward to working with husband and wife duo, Mohammed Sorathia and Sadia Kasim, to introduce Wayback Burgers to the Richmond community.”
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Eric Sandler contributed to this article.