Del's Charcoal Burgers — Restaurant in Richardson

Del’s Charcoal Burgers – A Richardson Icon

Nestled in Richardson since 1957, Del’s Charcoal Burgers is a time capsule of mid‑century Americana—complete with charcoal‑grilled patties, frosty mugs of house‑made root beer, and red‑and‑white checkered tablecloths. Here’s a polished snapshot of the experience:

🍔 Atmosphere & Vibe • A cozy, no‑frills diner: yellowed menu boards, mismatched wooden chairs, nostalgic décor like old signs, exposed ducts, and life‑sized cut‑outs of Marilyn and James Dean. • The intimate interior means lunchtime crowds can lead to lines and bumping elbows—classic hole‑in‑the‑wall charm.

The Food • Charcoal‑grilled burgers still shine—flame‑licked patties, perfect sear, with options like the classic #3 or the loaded Texas Cheeseburger (bacon, jalapeños, cheese, hickory sauce) . • Sides: onion rings are crisp and beer‑battered; curly and sweet‑potato fries are solid. • House‑made root beer is a highlight—served ice‑cold from a dedicated tap in frosty mugs, pouring approximately 150 servings daily . • Oddball treats: don’t skip desserts like fried Twinkies or hot fried pies .

Service & Ownership • Family‑owned throughout its storied history, with Taher “Hoss” Hossein carrying forward the legacy since 2003 . • Staff are friendly and efficient—even during peak hours, they manage with quiet professionalism.

Community & Resilience • A grease fire closed the restaurant from late April to early June 2025—but when Del’s reopened, it saw record crowds, selling 400–500 burgers per day during the first weekend back . • The restoration kept the soul intact while updating kitchen equipment—a new grill, fryer, fresh paint—and even added a poignant “Fire Fighter Lane” sign in tribute to those who saved it.

What Locals Say:

A variety of reviews reflect Del’s polarizing charm:

“Local treasure. Love the hole in the wall feel. Solid burgers and fries… Charcoal burgers aren’t quite my favorite, hence the 4 stars… but still very good!”  

“Del’s is legit, reminds me of the way Goffs was back in the day… one of the last breed of burger joints that makes its own damn root beer from scratch.” 

Del’s is a must food stop for foodies and lovers of burgers. Its flame‑grilled burgers and icy root beer pour a taste of the past with every bite. If you’re looking for flavor with character and are willing to embrace a bit of nostalgia (and elbow room), Del’s is a...

I'm a burger snob and have tried Burger joints all over the country and several in other countries. I rate burgers joints pretty in comparison to the hundreds I've been to. The best two burger joints imo are Alamo springs cafe in Fredericksburg Texas and Grillem All burgers in Alhambre California. Those are the ONLY two I've ever rated 10/10 across the board. So while I'm Dallas today, Del:s was recommended by a friend because they still grill their burgers over a open grill. Upon arrival, i was very happy to see the "hole in the wall" or retro to the place. It brought back memories from when i was a kid to the places dad used to take us. Everything from the old sign listing the burgers and prices to the open grill right behind the register and the seating screamed retro. I asked the guy at the register how long they'd been there and he said 1957. He was one of the few complaints i had about this place. His attitude was one of, "hurry up, you're wasting my time". The look of distain on his face when my son was a little indecisive was very obvious. Zero personality at all. The order took approximately 5 minutes to come out. I ordered the bacon cheese burger with grilled jalapenos and my daughter and son got the plain cheese burgers. First this you notice is that the burgers have the "grilled over charcoal" flavor and i verified that the patties did have the grill marks. The parties were thin but not smash burger thin. The veggies seemed fresh on the burgers. I rated my burger an 8/10, very good but not my favorite. If you like the charcoal grilled taste, you'd probably taste it higher. Son and daughter rated their burgers 5/10 and 7/10 respectively. I think they're just smash burger style fans. My curly fries were exactly like Jack in the box, good but not great. My son's wedge fries were the frozen type. So the fries are nothing special. Prices were actually pretty good for what you get. Overall, I'd definitely go back but my kids, no so much. We gave it the combined score of 7.5/10; five guys is just a bit better and Whataburger about the same. I wouldn't go out of my way to go here but if i was in the area, i wouldn't mind going back. Home cut fries and toasted buns would do wonders...

This establishment is the real deal. Other foodies were not kidding when they said Del’s has the best burgers in the Dallas Metroplex. When you first arrive you are greeted by the vision of a little mom and pop burger stand that has obviously been around for decades. When you walk in, the restaurant is small and cozy, decorated with random knick knacks that give off good vibes. One such piece of decor sitting on the counter by the register is a statue of Bob’s Big Boy. If you know, you know! Let’s get into the grub itself. I ordered the #12 combo which is the Texas Cheeseburger with mayo,lettuce, tomato, bacon, onion, jalapeños, and bbq sauce. I threw myself a curveball and added homemade chili to the burger as well. The combo came with perfectly salted french fries and a drink. I went with a coke, but came to discover that they serve homemade root beer in frosted mugs. I will definitely try that the next time I visit. The burger was very flavorful and perfectly cooked. The meat had some smokey flavor from the charcoal grill. The outer edges had a nice crust that compliments the overall taste very nicely. The addition of the bacon, jalapeños, bbq sauce and the chili takes this burger to the next level. You would think the bbq sauce would work against the flavors of the chili, but surprisingly creates a mildly sweet balance that calms down the heat of the chili and jalapeño peppers. The staff were super friendly and engaging with the customers. Like myself, there were quite a few other first timers and the staff went out of their way to make great recommendations based on what the customers said they liked. Very rarely will I give an establishment a perfect score, but I couldn’t find anything wrong with the service I received today. Great food, cozy atmosphere, and great staff. I give Del’s a perfect 5 stars out of 5 stars. This is a must try for anyone that loves a good burger and loves supporting small businesses. I will...