Hopdoddy Burger Bar — Restaurant in Jersey Village

Easily the best burger anywhere, and possibly the best Hopdoddy location.

I've been here a shameful amount of times. I actually held back reviewing this place because I didn't want it to get too popular, but with some of the low ratings popping up, I had to come to their defense...

After making the 3 hour drive to the Austin Soco location for years, and being very disappointed by the new River Oaks location in Houston, I was both excited and apprehensive to finally have a Hopdoddy near my house. But this location does not disappoint!

Yes there is a line, but this is Hopdoddy and that's part of going. And this is easily the most efficient Hopdoddy I've been to. Plenty of seating and very fast line. Even if line goes outside, line is usually 20 min or less. A few times there has been no line - a first for my Hopdoddy experience. Compare to River Oaks location that can be 2 hours plus. Here it's almost a little disappointing they are so efficient because you often don't get the time to enjoy a drink and conversation in line, which is a big part of the Hopdoddy experience.

Staff is very friendly and attentive. They are always around checking on you, even after you've paid and tipped.

Food is amazing. When they do it right, Hopdoddy has the best burger anywhere. A patty you could eat on its own like a steak, light buttery buns that don't fill you up, and toppings and sauces that compliment without overpowering or being gimmicky. But that can vary by location. Fortunately, this Hopdoddy has it down. Burgers and fries came out fast - and most importantly - cooked right. Again, compare to the River Oaks location, which can't cook anything besides well done, no matter how many times you send it back. (Side note: if you want a burger cooked rare - which I highly recommend for here - asked for "seared rare" which staff can find on the register.)

Couple small things they could work on. They don't seem to have "medium rare" down. Burgers seem to be rare or well done. Fine with me since I like rare, but they should get that down for others. Also, while they have a great craft beer selection, it doesn't change much. They could use more rotation with that. But that's nit-picking an otherwise...

UPDATE: Editing my review further to increase to 5 stars. This place has gotten better over the last couple years and that is saying a lot given most have either tread water or declined significantly since the Big C.

Yesterday had the Wagyu burger and then doubled it to 4 patties (mimicking the 4x4 off menu special from In and Out) and it was FANTASTIC! They have a very generous vet discount too, so vets, please take advantage of that.

Decreasing my review of the atmosphere to 3 stars because it is so COLD my family had to wear jackets while it is humid and 90 degrees outside. I told an employee there and he smiled and shrugged his shoulders to that wasn't impressive.

PRIOR REVIEW: Reviewed about 5 months ago and owner/management sent us a gift card to return. We returned and things were better. That was good.

Since making a couple more visits after redeeming the gift card, we evidently enjoy it.

The only continued suggestion I make is maybe consider actually cooking burgers less than well done when asked. They just don't seem to be able to do this though they tell you they can. I would rather be told, "We can't" vs "We can" then don't. Rather dishonest or incompetent.

There is a lot (AND I MEAN A LOT) of competition in the restaurant business and still when is comes to burgers. Hopdoddy specializes in these "craft" burgers with different combinations of toppings, etc.... and that is good once in a while, but I honestly am good with just Whataburger when I need a plain burger without frills.

On the major plus side, they do have a vet discount and, at least for the last few visits, their staff has been rather helpful and no surprises. We appreciate the rewards as there seems to be some reward offered, even when you don't have a lot...

On 10/11/2021, I placed an online order for the Beyond Vegan Burger and fries. On the menu, this burgers comes with the beyond patty, vegan Gouda cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion and veganaise. I select no tomato as I am allergic. Upon arrival, I parked in the “to-go” spot and followed the directions to have my order brought out to me which was promptly done. After receiving my order, I checked to make sure it was made the way it was ordered and discovered there was no cheese. I took the burger back into the restaurant and was assisted by the manager on duty, John. I explained to him what was wrong. John took the burger, that had been delivered to me outside the restaurant and which I had touched, passed it the kitchen staff and told them to add cheese to that burger. Having worked in the restaurant/bar/hospitality industry it has ALWAYS been my understanding that once food leaves the kitchen area and/or the restaurant that it SHOULD NOT go back to the kitchen, especially during this particular climate of COVID outbreaks and so forth. When I witnessed this, I spoke to the manager John about it and he did not offer an apology nor did he see anything wrong with what he and his kitchen staff had done which leads me to believe that this is the culture that is inbred in your restaurants. John did offer to have the burger re-made but at this point I no longer wanted eat anything at this restaurant. To add more insult, the kitchen staff touched the burger that I returned and continued making other orders while not changing their gloves. All of these are unsanitary practices and I will not return to this location or any other location if this is how your kitchen staff and management conducts themselves. This very alarming and needs...