Top Burger Joints in San Antonio

burgers

In San Antonio, you can find a burger for every occasion, whether it be a quick bite, large family gathering, or fancy date night. The choices can be overwhelming, but never fear! We’ve taken the guesswork out of picking the perfect burger spot!

San Antonio Classics

If you ask someone from San Antonio where to get a really good burger, natives and transplants all seem to mention these three spots:

Chris Madrid’s (1900 Blanco Rd., San Antonio, TX 78212 | (210) 735-3552 | Closed Sundays)—A great place to bring out-of-towners, Chris Madrid’s is known for their Cheddar Cheezy and Tostada Burgers. Outdoor seating available.

Photo from Chris Madrid's
Photo from Chris Madrid’s

Longhorn Café (17625 Blanco Rd., Ste. 1, San Antonio, TX 78232 | (210) 492-0301)—Don’t confuse this place with Longhorn Steakhouse! Around since the 1950s, this San Antonio favorite now has six locations (in San Antonio, New Braunfels, & Boerne) and is home to the “Original Big Juicy™.” Each location is different, but most have a patio. The Boerne location has a fenced-in play area with a big train in the middle and picnic tables.

longhorncafe
Photo from Longhorn Café

Bobby J’s (13247 Hwy. 16, Helotes, TX 78023 | (210) 695-4941)—Located in Helotes, everyone knows this place is worth the drive.  Bobby J’s has plenty of outdoor seating and live music.

bobby j's
Photo from Bobby J’s

Family-Friendly/Outdoor Patio

Check out these burger joints to take advantage of our beautiful San Antonio weather!

Big’z Burger Joint (Two locations: 2303 N. Loop 1604 W., San Antonio, TX 78258 | (210) 408-2029; and 10106 State Highway 151 S., San Antonio, TX 78251 | (210) 543-2029 | Closed Mondays)—There are two Big’z locations, both of which have TONS of space indoor and out. Great for large groups or parties.

bigz
Photo from Big’z Burger Joint

The Cove (606 W. Cypress, San Antonio, TX 78212 | (210) 227-2683)—The Cove has a playscape, ping-pong tables, a dog run for pets, and live music at night. This place really has something for everyone! The Cove also has vegetarian options and is known for serving “SOL” food: sustainable, organic, local.

cove
Photo from The Cove

Momak’s Backyard Malts & Burgers (13838 Jones Maltsberger, San Antonio, TX 78247 | (210) 481-3600)—Momak’s is another great place for large groups or families, with plenty of space for your kids to run around!

momaks
Photo from Momak’s

Vegetarian

Texas isn’t all barbecue and meat! There are plenty of places to get vegetarian or vegan faire.

Green Vegetarian Cuisine (Two locations: Green Downtown at Pearl Brewery, 200 E. Grayson St., Suite 120, San Antonio, TX 78215 | (210) 320-5865; and Green at Alon, 10003 NW Military, Suite 2115, San Antonio, TX 78230 | (210) 233-1249)—Green has a 100% vegetarian and Kosher menu, as well as many gluten-free options!

Photo from Green Vegetarian Cuisine
Photo from Green Vegetarian Cuisine

Earth Burger (Park North, NW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78216 | (210) 524-1086 | Closed Saturdays)—San Antonio has an all-vegan drive-thru restaurant! Earth Burger uses no hydrogenated oils or artificial colors, so you can feel good about anything you order.

Whiskey Cake (15900 La Cantera Pkwy., Suite 21200, San Antonio, TX 78256 | (210) 236-8095)—In addition to their brisket burgers, Whiskey Cake also serves a Chickpea & Edamame Royale!

Fast Food

There are few places in America where you can get all these burgers with cult-like followings, and it was my responsibility to try them all!

Whataburger—There will always be a special place in my heart for Whataburger, jalapeño ranch, and spicy ketchup. If you don’t like Whataburger, you probably just need to keep eating it until you do.

In-N-Out—West Coasters rejoice! With two San Antonio locations, you can have it “animal style” whenever you want.

Five Guys Burgers & Fries—When eating the quintessential sloppy burger, do as the Romans do and try the fries with malt vinegar.

Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steak Burgers—Cooked to order and frozen custard for dessert. Need I say more?

Culver’s—Chances are, if you know someone from Wisconsin you’ve heard of Culver’s. It’s probably the only place in town that you can get a butter burger and cheese curds. If that didn’t convince you, check out their “Flavor Forecast” and ice cream flavors of the day.

Date Night Burgers

You’re all dressed up, but deep down, you just want a cheesy burger. Don’t worry—at these restaurants, you can have the best of both worlds.

Cured (306 Pearl Pkwy., Ste 101, San Antonio, TX 78215 | (210) 314-3929 | Closed Sunday)—Although known for hand-crafted cured foods and charcuterie plates, my family discovered that Cured makes a killer Blue Ribbon Burger.

Photo from Cured at Pearl
Photo from Cured at Pearl

Boiler House (312 Pearl Pkwy., Bldg. 3, San Antonio, TX 78215 | (210) 354-4644)—From Krispy Kreme to Kobe Burgers, you can satisfy your burger craving at brunch, lunch, or dinner.

Photo from Boiler House
Photo from Boiler House

Fleming’s (255 E. Basse Rd., San Antonio, TX 78209 | (210) 824-9463)—You may only think of Fleming’s as a fancy steakhouse, but they also have happy hour with its own exclusive bar menu to include the Prime Burger.

The Old Main Assoc. (2512 N. Main Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212 | (210) 562-3440)—Looking for something a bit different? Try the Old Main Association’s cocktails and Concha Burger. Yes, a burger served on a “concha” (aka: pan dulce).

Photo from The Old Main Assoc.
Photo from The Old Main Assoc.

Sandbar (200 E. Grayson, Ste. 117, San Antonio, TX 78215 | (210) 212-2221 | Closed Monday)—Are you and your seafood lover trying to compromise on a restaurant? Check out Sandbar. While their menu is a seafood lover’s dream, I’ve heard their burger is delicious!

Food Trucks

On the go? Check out these mobile options!

Slider Provider (Check website for calendar of truck’s location)—Unique flavor combinations and seasonal specials make this food truck a San Antonio favorite. Don’t worry—they have a kids’ menu too!

Attaboy Burgers—Typically docked at at Alamo Street Eat Bar (609 S. Alamo Street, San Antonio, TX 78205), this self-proclaimed land yacht serves classic burgers and burgers “du jour/noir” on homemade buns.

Cheesy Jane’s—(Check out their mobile schedule for current location, or call (210) 912-6258)—You can’t go wrong with a “Cheesy Jane” or “Spicy Splinters,” which they sell at their mobile truck! They also have a restaurant located at 4200 Broadway (Broadway @ Hildebrand). I, personally, have loved Cheesy Jane’s for years. My favorites: The Cheesy Jane, Spicy Splinters, and Choco-Banana Shake! Kids also love the suspended train tracks hanging from the ceiling!

Burger Challenges 

Feeling competitive? Ambitious? Masochistic? These burger challenges have just what you’re looking for!

Chunky’s (4602 Callaghan Rd., San Antonio, TX 78228 | (210) 433-9960 | Closed Mondays)—Featured on Man vs. Food, the 4 Horseman Challenge is not for the faint of heart. Those of legal age (18) can sign a waiver and subject themselves to a burger laced with jalapeño, serrano, habañero, and ghost peppers.

Biff Buzby’s (12702 Toepperwein, Live Oak, TX 78233 | (210) 590-2040 | Closed Sundays)—Take on their three-pound cheeseburger called “The Red Baron,” or if you’re really hungry, “Down the Hindenburger.”

Charlie Wants a Burger (223 Losoya St., River Walk, San Antonio, TX 78205 | (210) 227-0864)—Defeat their two-pound burger and win a t-shirt! If you’re just spectating, they have plenty of burger options, along with craft beers and boozy desserts.

Big Lou’s Burgers & BBQ (2014 S. W.W. White Rd., San Antonio, TX 78222 | (210) 359-8015 | Closed Mondays)—Everything’s bigger in Texas…and at Big Lou’s! If you’re not feeling up to the challenge of their 12-pound burger, try the four-and-a-half-pound burger. Because baby steps.

Photo from Big Lou's Burgers & BBQ
Photo from Big Lou’s Burgers & BBQ

More Local Favorites

Chester’s Hamburger Co. (Three locations: 9980 I-10 Frontage Rd., San Antonio, TX 78230 | (210) 699-1222; 1006 NE Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78209 | (210) 805-8600; and 16609 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, TX 78232 | (210) 494-3333)—This burger list would be not be complete without the Zagat-rated Chester’s; check out one of their three local restaurants!

Order Up (999 E. Basse Road, Ste. 193, San Antonio, TX 78209 | (210) 824-9600)—Not only are there eight kinds of breakfast “bagel burgers,”11 types of lunch or dinner burgers, seven kinds of fries, pizzas, AND tacos, but you’re also guaranteed to get your meal in 10 minutes!

Sam’s Burger Joint (330 E. Grayson St., San Antonio, TX 78215 | (210) 223-2830)—Sam’s is a San Antonio favorite, known for branded burgers and live bands. Plus, pets are allowed on the outside patio!

Photo from Sam's Burger Joint
Photo from Sam’s Burger Joint

Fattboy Burgers & Dogs (Two locations: 2345 Vance Jackson Rd., San Antonio, TX 78213 | (210) 377-3288; and 11224 Huebner Rd., Ste. 206, San Antonio, TX 78230 | (210) 691-3288)—With a simple burger and dog menu, Fattboy’s offers something unique: craft beer ice cream floats!

San Antonio Burger Co. (8440 Fredericksburg Rd., San Antonio, TX 78229 | (210) 949-0303)—You can either visit this location or have them DELIVER A BURGER to you! They have an extensive menu that includes appetizers, desserts, “lite and lean,” “San Antonio style,” and Kobe burgers.

Popular Chains

Red Robin

Willie’s

Fuddruckers

Smashburger

Burger Fi

Johnny Rocket’s[hr]

What’s your favorite burger spot? Did I miss one?  Let me know in the comments!

Amy
Amy was born and raised on the East Coast, but got to Texas as fast as she could! She has been serving in the U.S. Air Force for 18 years, half of which have been in San Antonio. Amy and her husband have two boys, ages 9 and 8, and they love discovering new San Antonio parks and restaurants! She’s still not sure what she wants to be when she grows up, but in her spare time, she's either working out or trying to convince herself not to eat pizza.

8 COMMENTS

  1. Daddy and I enjoyed tasting, er, um READING your delicious blog!
    Make sure you have one(or more!)of these lined up for our visit!
    Great list of reviews!
    ??????

  2. That’s what I love about doing these lists – someone always has great suggestions that may have been missed!!! Thanks, ladies!!! 🙂

  3. I want to personally add Say-She-Ate to this list under the food truck category. They have AMAZING sliders, and the duck fat fries are absolutely to die for!

  4. You missed date night at Tribecca!! Their melt in your mouth Wagyu burger and truffle fries are not to be missed 🙂

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