14 May 29 - June 4, 2025 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents Goodfriend Beer Garden & Burger House 1154 Peavy Road Goodfriend is an East Dallas favorite. It’s well-worn, like those favored old Adidas or jeans, but still has energy and pep. The meat here is a proprietary blend (that means it’s secret and they’re not sharing) of all-Texas beef. Goodfriend boldly has a burger named for the ever-wandering chef, Anthony Bour- dain. Fortunately, it’s worthy. Chef David Pena builds this burger with two 6-ounce smashed patties and double American cheese, simply dressed with Kewpie mayo, pickles, lettuce and tomato. And it’s perfect. Herby’s 2109 S. Edgefield Ave. Herby’s is a kitschy throwback, simple burger spot in the South Dallas neighborhood of Edgefield. The menu and jukebox are all retro, as are many of the booths and the checkered tile floor. They’ve got smashburg- ers, hot dogs and tater tots, which you should get slathered in their house sauce and cheese. The OG Smash comes with American cheese, thinly sliced sautéed onions and a beef patty smashed into an odd shape, all topped with Herby’s secret sauce. You can add jalapenos or bacon if you’d like. Afterward, head next door to OLMO Market for locally crafted chocolate from Coco Andre. HIDE Bar 1928 Greenville Ave. HIDE originally opened in Deep Ellum and closed during the pandemic, but it reopened on Greenville Avenue in 2023. Luckily, they double bubble-wrapped the OG Double Cheeseburger for the move. This stellar burger is made from a blend of brisket and chuck and is slathered with caramelized beer onions, pickles and garlic aioli on a bri- oche bun, giving it a touch of sweetness. Check out their happy hour prices (all day Monday and 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday) to save a few bucks. Hudson House Multiple Locations Do you surf and turf? Then Hudson House is the perfect spot for you. This bougie desti- nation with several outlets in Dallas and one in Beverly Hills is known for its killer sea- food options and coastal vibe, but don’t miss the Hudson House Cheeseburger with two 80/20 thin patties, each topped with a slice of American cheese, thick-cut pickles, on- ions and Hudson Sauce, a house-made spicy version of Thousand Island dressing. During happy hour (weekdays, 3–6 p.m., bar only) the burger is only $10. Consider a side of macaroni and cheese. Kenny’s Burger Joint 5809 Preston Road, Plano, and 1377 Legacy Drive, Frisco This joint is an offshoot of the upscale restau- rant Kenny’s Woodfired Grill, where the burg- ers were magic. After more than a few customer suggestions, founder Kenny Bowers opened Kenny’s Burger Joint, using the same hickory wood-burning grill for half-pound patties. The Black and Blue with Cajun spices and blue cheese dressing that combines spice with a pungent and tangy twist. And if you’re looking for a good kick in the pants, try the sea- sonal Hatch Green Chile Burger. Knox Bistro 3230 Knox St. Knox Bistro, previously Up on Knox, is a clas- sic French brasserie — sneakers or heels will do. You could go high with the Cote de Boeuf Bearnaise (wood-fired bone-in cowboy prime rib) but go low with the Le Burger au Poivre a burger blessed in a classic rich French pepper- corn cream sauce that is ladled over the patty, forming a pool of love on the plate. This is a knife-and-fork situation. Use the final pieces of the toasted bun to soak up every spec of sauce, or just lick the plate clean. Maple & Motor 4810 Maple Ave. Jack Perkins opened his humble burger abode in 2009, thinking it was going to be a side hustle to his teaching gig. Needless to say, Maple & Motor is a full-time hustle. The burgers are a mix of brisket and chuck seared on a hot griddle, turned once; Perkins does not have time to fuss with things. The meat-to-fat ratio here has no shame. On a social media job post in 2023, the restaurant boasted about having its highest sales ever in 15 years of business. In a city that loves to chase a social media trend, that is a testa- ment to getting the simple things right. This is just a damn good burger. The Peak Inn 132 N. Peak St. The Peak Inn is like that cool older cousin who let you smoke their ciggies back in the day. It offers quite the elixir: a no-frills hang- out we can afford. The burgers here are taken seriously (all the food is, for that matter) but not like $27-serious. The Lil’ Kahuna Burger is a house favorite and is $11.25. Two one- third-pound patties (ground in-house) come with from-scratch Thousand Island dressing along with a slice of American cheese. Local bakery Signature Baking provides the bun, which is buttered and toasted. The kitchen stays open until 1:30 a.m. every night. Pesca 3011 Gulden Lane Pesca is one of the new tenants at Trinity Groves in West Dallas and is the work of longtime Dallas restaurateur and classically trained chef Jesus Carmona, who also runs Milagro Taco Cantina nearby. Here, he wanted to create an “everyday restaurant” and kept everything on the menu under $30. The coastal classics we’ve tried are all spot on, but Carmona’s attention to every detail on the plates comes through in spades on the burger too. Two Angus patties, bacon jam and aged cheddar are barely held to- gether with a brioche bun. Rodeo Goat Multiple Locations Rodeo Goat offers some fantastic burgers as part of its regular menu, but be sure to try the Evan Grant Burger, named after the local sports scribe. This seasonal burger is stuffed with bacon and topped with gouda, brisket from Zavala’s and housemade aioli. Or track down The Cortez, which is topped with al pastor, chopped onions, cilantro and spicy lime mayo, all squeezed in a bun coated in Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. Sky Rocket Burger Multiple Locations Sky Rocket Burger is the type of joint that brings you right back to your childhood: as soon as you walk in, scents from the well- seasoned grill hit you. They use quarter- pound Angus beef patties, all ground on-site. It’s not fancy like the burgers you see on Ins- tagram, but it doesn’t need to be. Nothing is bungled by being overdesigned. If you’re looking to play a little, pay attention to the add-ons like spicy mayo, a secret sauce, grilled jalapeños or onions. Or get all of them — yes, do that. Get all of them. Stock and Barrel 316 W. Davis St. In late 2024, Stock and Barrel in the Bishop Arts District sauntered into the Michelin guide as a recommended restaurant, noted for its open and convivial bar counter, which we can testify to. We love the whipped feta and braised ribeye cigars (together), but the burger here is on another level. They use wagyu brisket and short rib to form the patty that is smothered with aged yellow cheddar, remoulade, smoked bacon and caramelized onions. Served with hand-cut Russet fries, it’ll set you back $21 and that’ll be the best money you spend all week. Wingfield’s Breakfast & Burger 2615 S. Beckley Ave. Burgers here start at $10, and a double with bacon combo will run you a full $20 — not for bougie reasons, but because it’s so much food. Wingfield’s has challenge-level serv- ings. We ordered a double with bacon just to show the kids, “See there? That’s how they do it at Wingfield’s,” and they’ll always remember that day and place. Wingfield’s has been smashing huge meat patties on the grill since the mid-’80s and has ac- quired a large following who patiently hover for parking spaces and then hop into the tiny spot to pick up orders. You can (and should) order ahead online. Despite the name, Wingfield’s doesn’t serve break- fast and is closed on Sundays. ▼ CLOSINGS NOT SO MEAN GREEN RIPROCKS NEAR THE UNT CAMPUS IS CLOSING, CITING THE RISING COSTS OF EVERYTHING. BY LAUREN DREWES DANIELS R iprocks. Sigh. How many of our best bad decisions were made at the bar at the edge of the University of North Texas? It was like a siren call for students. Gaz- ing out the window, lost in a boring class, a cold beer and Turkey Delight were always waiting for you at Riprocks. During the O.J. Simpson trial, I asked my college algebra professor if he was letting us out for the ver- dict. He said no. I politely excused myself to watch it at Riprocks; many other students made the same call. Last week, the local restaurant and bar announced on Instagram that after 34 years, it will close on May 28, 2025. “It was a great run, but between the rising cost of insurance, food, alcohol and other ex- penses, Riprocks is no longer sustainable.” The post says that “your favorite bartend- ers” will be across the street at Cool Beans Bar and Grill. The comment sections are filled with “Ain’t no ways” and memories of the bar’s role in those formative college years. Riprocks remained a bar for the ages while so much around it changed. The pop- ular Fry Street area was, at one time, a thriv- ing counterculture hub of funky cafes, restaurants and bars. The Tomato, a pizza spot in a 1920s-era building, was evicted to make way for a developer to build a CVS. (It’s now a mixed-use development, and the CVS is actually down the street.) While many of the mainstays that reflected the cul- ture of the ’80s and ’90s, particularly goth scenes, gave way to more ubiquitous places. But Riprocks and Cool Beans stood strong. You’ll have until the end of May to get one more round and relive those old days. If you really want to wax nostalgic. Mr. Chopsticks has moved to another part of town, and The Tomato Pizza has a food truck at 208 N. Aus- tin Street. Lauren Drewes Daniels Herby’s Burgers is one of our favorite local burger spots. City of Ate from p13
