The Tastiest Cheeseburger In Texas Comes From The State's Best BBQ Spot
The Lone Star State is famous for its smoked brisket, beef ribs, and too many BBQ joints to count. But the state's beef-loving culture has another claim to fame: exceptional burgers — Tasting Table's pick for the best cheeseburger in the state of Texas is LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue. The restaurant has actually earned a Michelin star for its innovative approach to Texas BBQ, but the L&L Burger may be one of the most compelling reasons to visit.
It should come as no surprise that this ain't no dainty, diner-style sandwich. This ½-pound jumbo patty is made with seared, peppery brisket trimmings, giving the burger a distinctly smoky taste while keeping all the juiciness of a burger. It's topped with American cheese, grilled onions, dill pickles, and a side of the restaurant's special sauce, all held together by a potato bun. Altogether, the combination is rich, smoky, sweet, and tangy.
LeRoy and Lewis was named the absolute best BBQ in the state, so you know it takes its meat seriously. Rather than treating brisket and burgers as two separate spheres of influence, LeRoy and Lewis bring them together for a deeper, more complex flavor. The L&L Burger currently goes for $16, but if you dine on a Monday, it's an incredible steal at just $10. You can even skip the longer BBQ line and order it from the restaurant's bar.
LeRoy and Lewis began as a food truck in Austin
Pitmaster Evan LeRoy and co-owner Sawyer Lewis actually began the business as a food truck in 2017. Their approach — what they call "new-school barbecue" — goes beyond the traditional brisket-centered menu to include house-made sausages, creative vegetarian dishes, and whole-hog cooking — a labor-intensive barbecue tradition that even Alton Brown worries is fading away. Not only is this place keeping it alive, but it was one of the first BBQ joints to get a Michelin star. It shouldn't be a surprise that Texas is also an excellent destination for people who take burgers seriously.
If you've got the time, you should drive about four hours north (hey, it's a big state) to Jacksboro, home of Herd's Hamburgers, which we honored as the best burger in Texas. Opened in 1916, this institution is still owned and operated by the same extended family. They've also been serving smash burgers since before it was cool, and happen to toast their buns in beef tallow, not butter. The restaurant keeps it simple with its old-fashioned burger, slapping just pickles, onion, and mustard on it. Don't bother calling or Googling — it has no phone, no official website, and takes only cash as of 2024.
If you're a true burger connoisseur, it's worth making the trip down south. Texas may be barbecue country, but its burgers deserve a tip of the ol' cowboy hat. For LeRoy and Lewis, one of the most acclaimed BBQ joints around, the cheeseburger is just as well respected.