The El Diablo burger at Beyond Burger in Texas City is topped with grilled jalapeños and onions and pepper jack cheese. Photo by Jennifer Reynolds

Where signature and classic creations earn serious street cred

At Beyond Burger in Texas City, the décor is part roadhouse, part retro, with just a touch of NASA.

The exterior is a bit deceiving. It hasn’t changed a lot since the building was occupied by Uncle Chan’s Super Buffet. But inside Beyond Burger, the large dining room is divided and features smaller vignettes, each draped in model airplanes, wooden schooners and vintage metal signs. Warm lighting, rather than harsh fluorescents, is suspended overhead, bouncing off the restaurant’s spotless tabletops and floors. A few TVs hang on a far wall, making it easy for customers to keep up with the game.

An eclectic collection of memorabilia decorates the dining area at Beyond Burger. Photo by Jennifer Reynolds

The mood is casual, Texas festive.

Serving up such signature burgers as the El Diablo, Baja and Portobello Swiss has earned Beyond Burger serious street cred. Each juicy, half-pound handmade beef patty is prepped and cooked upon order and smothered with decadent specialty toppings.

Diners who prefer to build their own burger can select from the classic menu. The size of the burger depends on your appetite and offerings range from 1/3-pound patties to 1 pound. You can dress the patty with a variety of melted cheeses, grilled vegetables, chili, or even a fried egg for a small fee.

Bison, turkey and veggie burgers also are on the menu, as are chicken and fish sandwiches, hot dogs and fresh salads. A side of crispy steak or sweet potato fries turns any burger into a satisfying meal.

A long, free-standing buffet has been converted into a fully stocked condiment bar. Diners can load their burgers with the standards — lettuce, onion, tomatoes — or pile on choices such as sauerkraut, fresh pico de gallo, pickled peppers, spinach and coleslaw. Piping hot melted cheese, ketchup and barbecue sauce also are available, but so are more exotic options, including wasabi mayo, Bang Bang Spicy Sauce and curry mustard.

Beyond Burger’s name sake burger is an over-the-top creation with grilled cheese sandwiches in place of buns and topped with more cheese, a fried egg, bacon, sausage and two hamburger patties. Photo by Jennifer Reynolds

It’s hard to escape the dessert trays filled with soft-baked cookies, fudgy brownies and gooey Rice Krispy treats. The restaurant’s classic malts and creamy milkshakes are standout sweets. The banana shake is cold and thick with chunks of ripe fruit from start to finish.

While often compared to a national build-a-burger chain, locally owned Beyond Burger’s atmosphere is cozy rather than corporate. Serving up delicious burgers and infinite choices seven days a week, this restaurant goes above and beyond to win customers over, one bite at a time.

Beyond Burger

10510 Emmett F. Lowry Expressway, Texas City

409.986.7832