8 Overpriced Burger Chains In Texas & 8 Locals Say Are Worth Every Penny
In Texas, burgers are a serious business, but not every patty piled high with toppings is worth the price tag.
Some chains test your wallet without delivering on flavor, while others earn every dollar with juicy bites that keep locals coming back.
Whether you’re craving a splurge-worthy feast or hoping to dodge a costly letdown, it pays to know which burger joints bring the heat and which ones just bring the bill.
1. Shake Shack: NYC Prices in Texan Territory
Standing in line for 20 minutes at Shake Shack’s Austin location, I couldn’t help but wonder if the Instagram-worthy burgers justified their Manhattan pricing.
The signature ShackBurger will set you back nearly $8 – without fries or a drink!
Sure, the potato buns are pillowy and the custom beef blend is tasty, but when you’re dropping $15+ for a basic meal, the Texas value alarm starts blaring. Those crinkle-cut fries better be life-changing.
2. Umami Burger: Fancy Flavors, Wallet Pain
Flavor scientists apparently work overtime at Umami Burger, crafting combinations that sound like they belong on a Michelin-starred menu. Their truffle-infused offerings and fancy aiolis certainly taste delicious.
The problem? You’ll shell out nearly $16 for a basic burger before adding those tempting parmesan truffle fries.
Texas locals often scratch their heads at paying premium prices for burgers that, while tasty, don’t quite deliver the promised flavor revelation.
3. Smashburger: Smashing Your Budget
“Smashed” apparently means “expensive” in burger language. While the technique creates those coveted crispy edges, Smashburger’s pricing feels like highway robbery compared to similar fast-casual spots.
A basic Smash with cheese hovers around $8, but adding a side and drink rockets you into $15 territory.
The rosemary-garlic-olive oil fries are tasty, sure, but the portion sizes rarely match the price tag. Many Texans find themselves hunting for coupons before visiting.
4. BurgerFi: Eco-Friendly Pricing That Hurts
Green practices are great until they turn your face red at the register. BurgerFi proudly touts its all-natural Angus beef and eco-conscious approach – noble causes that somehow translate to $12+ burger meals.
Those fancy branded buns with the logo stamp? You’re paying for that. The hand-cut fries taste fresh because they are, but at nearly $5 a serving, they should come with a golden ticket.
Texas burger enthusiasts appreciate the quality but question if sustainable should cost quite so much.
5. Red Robin: Bottomless Fries, Bottomless Bills
Free refills on fries sounds like a dream until you realize you’re paying upfront for that privilege.
Red Robin’s gourmet burger lineup averages $14-17 each, making those endless fries feel less like a deal and more like compensation.
The massive menu offers everything from whiskey-infused patties to teriyaki pineapple options.
Unfortunately, the quality rarely matches the creative descriptions or the hefty price tags. Texas families often leave wondering if quantity really does trump quality.
6. The Counter: Custom Burgers, Premium Costs
Clipboard in hand, I checked off toppings like I was taking a standardized test. The Counter’s build-your-own concept is fun until the bill arrives – each premium topping adds up faster than Texas summer heat.
Base burgers start around $10, but add fancy cheese, bacon, and avocado? You’re staring down an $18 burger before sides or drinks.
The million possible combinations are impressive, but most Texans agree: no burger should cost more than a decent steak dinner.
7. Fatburger: Skinny Value, Fat Price
Hollywood’s favorite burger joint landed in Texas with California pricing intact. Fatburger’s name promises hefty portions, but the only fat thing here is the bill – expect to drop $15+ for a combo that won’t leave you that full.
Their XXXL challenge burger might satisfy hungry cowboys, but at nearly $20 for just the sandwich, it’s a pricey rodeo.
The onion rings deserve applause, though they’re a luxury add-on that makes locals wonder if they’re paying for the name more than the meal.
8. Wahlburgers: Celebrity Pricing Without Star Power
Mark Wahlberg’s face might sell movies, but can it justify $16 burgers? Wahlburgers brings Hollywood glitz to Texas with prices to match.
Their signature “Our Burger” with government cheese (fancy American) somehow costs more than burgers with actual fancy cheese elsewhere.
The restaurant feels like you’re paying a celebrity meet-and-greet fee without the celebrities.
Sure, the burgers are decent and the sweet potato tots are tasty, but most Texans agree: the fame markup doesn’t translate to better flavor.
9. Whataburger: Orange-Striped Texas Treasure
Nothing says “Welcome to Texas” quite like those orange-and-white striped roofs dotting the highway. Whataburger isn’t just fast food; it’s practically written into the state constitution as a cultural landmark.
The double meat Whataburger with cheese barely breaks $7, and it’s big enough to fuel a cattle drive. Open 24 hours, these joints have witnessed countless late-night adventures and early morning salvation.
Texans will fight anyone who dares question Whataburger’s superiority – that spicy ketchup alone is worth defending.
10. In-N-Out Burger: California Import Texans Actually Accept
Californians moving to Texas usually face playful ridicule, but In-N-Out gets a pass. The chain’s expansion into the Lone Star State created lines stretching longer than Texas tall tales when they first opened.
A Double-Double, animal-style fries, and a shake will barely dent a $10 bill. The not-so-secret menu creates an insider feel that Texans appreciate almost as much as the fresh-never-frozen patties.
Even hardcore Whataburger fans quietly admit there’s room in their hearts for both burger legends.
11. Five Guys: Foil-Wrapped Perfection
Brown paper bags darkening with grease marks are Five Guys’ version of a Michelin star.
Yes, $8.99 for a “little” hamburger sounds steep until you realize it’s actually two patties and the regular is a towering meat skyscraper.
The free peanuts while you wait and those brown paper bags filled with enough fries to feed half the Dallas Cowboys make the price tag feel like highway robbery – in your favor.
Texas locations somehow seem even more generous with those cajun-seasoned potato delights that spill over into the bag.
12. Fuddruckers: Build-Your-Own Texas Legend
Fuddruckers might be the most Texan concept ever: give folks quality ingredients and trust them to know what they’re doing.
Their fresh-baked buns emerge warm from on-site bakeries, while the fixings bar lets you pile on as much as your burger engineering skills allow.
The 1/3 pound original runs about $8.50, but that includes access to the legendary cheese sauce pump – a luxury that should probably require a license.
Born in San Antonio, this chain understands Texas appetites better than most, offering patties up to a full pound for serious eaters.
13. Mooyah Burgers: Customization Without Bankruptcy
Founded in Plano, Mooyah feels like Texas’ answer to the fancy burger trend – without the fancy prices.
Their hand-cut fries undergo a 24-hour preparation process involving actual potatoes, not frozen sticks from a bag.
A double-patty creation with all the fixings hovers around $9, while their hand-cut fries and real ice cream shakes make the meal feel like an indulgence rather than a fast-food compromise.
The turkey and veggie options actually taste good too, a miracle that keeps health-conscious Texans coming back.
14. Habit Burger Grill: California Quality, Texas Value
Chargrilled over an open flame isn’t just a cooking method at Habit Burger – it’s practically a religion.
Their signature Charburger delivers smoky complexity that fast food joints can only dream about, yet somehow costs less than $5.
The tempura green beans convert even the most vegetable-averse Texans, while the consistently fresh ingredients make the reasonable prices feel like some kind of accounting error.
Houston and Dallas locations often see lunchtime crowds that rival sporting events – clear evidence that Texans recognize a good burger deal.
15. Hopdoddy Gourmet Burgers: Austin-Born Burger Artistry
Born on South Congress in Austin, Hopdoddy turned burger-making into an art form before most chains knew what “artisanal” meant.
Yes, $12 seems steep for a burger until you realize they grind their meats in-house daily and bake those perfect buns from scratch.
The Llano Poblano with roasted chiles and local goat cheese justifies every penny of its price tag.
Paired with parmesan truffle fries and a craft beer from their impressive selection, even frugal Texans admit this splurge delivers value that chain restaurants can’t touch.
16. Culver’s: Midwest Hospitality Meets Texas-Sized Value
Wisconsin butter burgers sound like a heart attack waiting to happen – until you taste one and realize you’d happily risk it.
Culver’s fresh-never-frozen beef gets seared on the grill and topped with a lightly buttered bun that creates flavor magic.
A double ButterBurger with cheese runs about $5, while their legendary frozen custard makes even hardcore Blue Bell fans consider switching allegiances.
The cheese curds – little breaded nuggets of dairy heaven – convince Texans that maybe Wisconsin knows a thing or two about food after all.