Portfolio - Reporting - Feature

pbjohncrowley
Dec 9, 2025
4 min read

HEADLINE:

The Three Burgers That Dominate Dallas

BYLINE:

By Johnny Crowley

News Peg In Texas, a state filled with united fronts – from football to food – few topics polarize the community more than the deeply rooted debate over which burger deserves to sit on the first-place pedestal?”

In a city where great burgers are a custom, standing out is not easy for restaurants. It seems every shopping center and corner has its own burger place with a signature patty, and filling each restaurant is a deeply opinionated Texan. Beginning with Hopdoddy and its elite Wagyu smash burger, to the Burger House classic — a Highland Park staple — and lastly the quality of the Wagyu cheeseburger at Bistro 31, all three have made names for themselves in the Dallas food scene, yet they stand out. These places do not only focus on the quality of their burgers but also the customer’s entire experience. Although there may not be a definitive “best burger” in Dallas, these three businesses are flipping the top patties around SMU. Hopdoddy Burger Bar

Hopdoddy Burger Bar

6030 Luther Ln #100, Dallas, TX 75225 - hopdoddy.com

Hopdoddy’s success in the burger industry begins with its near obsession with freshness. Multiple shipments arrive throughout the week, making sure that only the best ingredients are used to build these burgers. Ben Collins, Hopdoddy’s assistant chef, says,

“A truck comes and unloads them every single day. And we make them quality and love.”

Hopdoddy is known for its unique technique used to build each burger. The chefs press and sear each patty with the intention of nailing the thickness for a perfect ratio of ingredients when the burger is assembled. The consistent production of tender yet juicy burgers is not just a goal — it is mandatory in the Hopdoddy kitchen. Collins spoke about the teamwork it takes to be successful in this industry and referred to consistency as the secret ingredient.

“The cook making the burger to perfection with a little bit of pink is what sets them apart.”

Hopdoddy originated in Austin, Texas and has opened 32 different locations now expanding to across five different states. This burger joint has done so well that Texan foodies will always want to claim this chain as a hometown staple.

The result is not just a solid or good burger — it’s a burger that puts Hopdoddy on the map of the best burgers in Dallas.

Not many burgers carry the reputation that Burger House has. For more than 80 years, Burger House continues to be a key part of the Highland Park community as it was founded in 1951.

Tim, the store manager, says the team relies on fresh deliveries, and similarly to the other two restaurants, they believe this is what pushes them to the top of the Dallas burger debate. This standard is what keeps generations of customers returning. “We have fresh meat every day,” Tim says. “We don’t frost meat. And the main thing here is the seasoning that we have… people come back for years.”

Burger House’s notability is not simply because of their food but also its strong community. The decades of family customers have built a loyal following that makes this burger more than just a stop for “burger connoisseurs” but a family-like experience. “Like you said, it makes people happy and I love to serve burgers,” he says. “It makes me feel so good to stay here and serve people that we know for years.”

Dallas may be packed with unique and flashy burger ideas, but this place continues to dominate by staying true to what made them locally famous: fresh ingredients, signature seasoning, and a commitment to the families that never stop coming.

Bistro 31 -

87 Highland Park Village Suite 200 / 1st Floor, Dallas, TX 75205 - bistro31dallas.com

In Dallas, every restaurant claims to have a “quality” signature burger. As every “hangry” Texan knows, competing in the burger conversation requires more than just a creative recipe. Bistro 31, located in Highland Park Village, believes their burger is “the best” in Dallas.

The restaurant uses 100% grass-fed American Wagyu and is sourced from Texas ranchers. Philippe Poppuccini, the executive chef, says the team relies on quality rather than rushing the burger-making process. He stands by the idea that his quality ingredients are what keep the Bistro burger in the competition. “Our meat is a Wagyu, grass-fed, from Texas,” Poppuccini says. “Being that the Wagyu is a little more fatty than usual… we find out that it's the best meat to work with our flat-top.”

Poppuccini says being competitive in this market is not about “designing” an entirely different burger but doing the little things right and sticking to the basics, making sure that each ingredient in his food is researched, organic, and sourced locally. “I think the hamburger is nothing to invent. The ingredients are those,” he says. “Just using the best ingredients you can get your hands on — the best bun, the best meat, the best onion.”

Poppuccini does not view his job as work. Even on the busiest days, there is no burden for him. His motivation strives from pure passion. “It’s exciting, always different, and it makes me happy,” he says.

Bistro 31succeeds because of the premium ingredients in their dishes and the quality of the individuals that work there. This commitment ultimately drives their success in Dallas’s highly saturated burger restaurant industry. Bistro 31 proves that doing the basics at a high level will earn whatever you’re doing a level of respect.

Recap -

Dallas is dense with great burger options, but the city’s standout restaurants all revolve around their customers. At Hopdoddy, Bistro 31, and Burger House, quality obviously comes from the ingredients but also the chefs who take pride in the satisfaction of their customers. What brings all the burger restaurants to unity is mutual motivation and drive. All the people I spoke with agreed that they don't view this as “work” or a “burden” but instead as something they “love” and is their passion. Overall, it’s safe to say these burger joints have made a name for themselves and are only getting more and more popular.