Burger Quest 2010: Review #10 -- Champ Burger

It’s been a few weeks since I’ve updated this blog, and I have a ton of updates to make. However, before we get to those, it’s been announced (as predicted in April) that In-N-Out is opening locations in Dallas. Given that my informant said definitively that they would open locations in Houston shortly after Dallas, Houston will probably see In-N-Out within the next couple of years. This information likely makes Burger Quest obsolete, but I’ll continue on in the meantime.

A few weeks ago, I recruited my coworker JW as a new burger quest associate. After all, every adventurer needs a strong supporting cast. I anticipate JW will participate in many future burger quests. The locale we chose was Champ Burger, which is just east of downtown. Anyone who knows anything about Houston knows the area just east of downtown is a bit sketchy. That Champ Burger has survived there for 40+ years could have been proof of a quality burger.

To say Champ Burger was the most meager building in Burger Quest 2010 so far would be an understatement (although its reign as most meager would be short lived...). Champ Burger had no inside seating. Instead, it has a counter that you order and pick up food as well as a large patio area with both stone and wooden tables. The building itself is very old and worn. Also worth mentioning is that the only parking available for Champ Burger is street parking.

A couple of things before the burger review. First, the place is so popular that people call ahead to order and the line appears to be pretty steady with both people from the area and downtown. Second, JW requested that I mention how they ripped him off. I ordered a burger, fries, and a large drink, which was $7. He ordered a burger, fries, and a small drink, which was $7. After he was puzzled over this, he looked at the menu and added the price of the items together plus tax only to discover they overcharged him 37 cents in the interest of not giving change. Third, whenever people order To Go orders, they’re given the order in cardboard boxes, which we were amused by:

For a place that’s been around for 40 years, Champ Burger was remarkably average. It was a good sized 1/3 burger with a slight hint of a peppery beefy taste. The bun tasted very generic. The meat itself was smooth and tasted fresh. The fries were above average, but nothing special. If this burger were downtown, I might go in the interest of quickness, but it’s not worth the 5-10 minute drive from my office.