5 of the Best Burger Joints in Wichita Falls, TX
Ronnie’s Burgers
Since 1989, Ronnie’s Burgers has been serving up burgers formed by hand and cooked fresh to order. Any sized appetite can be satisfied by the small 1/4-pound burger up to the large triple 2-1/4-pound burger. Has anyone actually eaten that large 3-patty burger?! If so, their picture should be on the wall. Though probably best known for the Frisco Burger smothered in chili and cheese and for the crispy onion rings, Ronnie’s Burgers also has chicken-fried steak sandwiches on garlic toast, tacos, nachos, fried pickles, and more. Looking for a little heat? The Beanie Burger is loaded with refried beans, cheese, Fritos, and jalapeños. Another specialty is the hand-dipped milkshakes which come in 8 flavors, including mint chip, Oreo, Snickers, and Butterfinger. This place can be busy, and your order may not be ready quickly. If you want quick, go to a fast-food chain. If you want delicious, go to Ronnie’s Burgers.
Scott’s Drive-In
Texas is the birthplace of the drive-in. During its peak of popularity, there were over 4,000 drive-ins in the U.S., but now there are only about 400. Luckily, Wichita Falls is home to one of the survivors. Founded in 1960, Scott’s Drive-In provides its customers with a little bit of nostalgia and a lot of good food. You can still order your Big Scottie, crunchy crinkle-cut fries, and freshly squeezed cherry limeade at one of the two-way speaker menus and have it delivered to your car by a carhop. Or you can order at the counter inside and dine at one of the booths. There are many types and sizes of burgers. Whether you want a simple hamburger or a double Cowboy Burger laden with bacon, onion rings, jalapeños, and BBQ sauce, you won’t leave hungry. Not in a burger mood? Scott’s Drive-In also has chicken-fried steak finger baskets, grilled chicken sandwiches, BBQ sandwiches, and Frito chili pie, as well as freshly squeezed lemonade, root beer floats, and handmade malts and shakes. No matter what you choose, Scott’s Drive-In will take great pride in serving you.
Willie’s Place
Want to spice things up? Willie’s Place is the place to go. The menu lists a wide variety of burgers, and some of them are SPICY. If you want a challenge, order the Psycho Burger. Many have ordered it. Few have finished it. If the grilled jalapeños don’t get you, maybe the grilled habaneros will. Or the grilled ghost peppers. Or the ghost pepper hot sauce. Or the ghost pepper nacho cheese sauce! It’s so intense that the grill has to be cleared of other foods before this burger is made and then deep cleaned afterward so as not to affect whatever food is cooked on it next. For those who want a sane burger, Willie’s Place has various hamburgers, cheeseburgers, bacon burgers, chili burgers, burgers with a fried egg on top, a burger with two grilled cheese sandwiches as the bun, and even a burger with no bun. For those who don’t want a burger, there are sandwiches, brisket, and ribs, as well as skinny fries, fat fries, curly fries, fried okra, and dessert. But before you visit, check out the Willie’s Place Facebook page for specials and the daily dessert.
Gene’s Tasty Burger
A favorite of locals since it opened in 1969, Gene’s Tasty Burger was declared by Texas Monthly to have one of the “50 Greatest Hamburgers in Texas.” Though the cheeseburger is the most popular item on the menu, it was the Frisco Chili Cheese Burger that won the accolade. The Frisco is unique because there’s chili on the inside AND on the outside. Yes, they pour chili right over the whole burger. Remember to ask the waitstaff for extra napkins and a free drink refill. Besides the classic fare of burgers on toasted buns, hand-cut french fries, and chocolate milkshakes, Gene’s Tasty Burger serves sandwiches, plate dinners, and (wait, how did this get on the menu?) salads. If you want a true old-fashioned burger-joint experience, Gene’s Tasty Burger is the place to go. And don’t forget to take a selfie in front of the old neon sign when you leave.
Pat’s Drive Inn
Family owned and operated since it opened over 50 years ago, Pat’s Drive Inn has earned a loyal following with its good food and friendly service. It’s so popular that it has repeatedly made the Times Record News’s Texoma’s Best of the Best list. With hamburgers on grilled buttered buns, fresh-cut french fries, and handmade onion rings, it’s easy to understand why. Other favorites include the cheeseburger (regular), the Frisco (chili cheeseburger), the Beefeater (2-patty cheeseburger), and the Porky (cheeseburger with ham). If you want to pretend to be healthy, you can have a cheeseburger salad! The non-cheeseburger options include sandwiches (by themselves or with french fries, gravy, Texas toast, and a garden salad), hot dogs, taco baskets, nachos, salads, shakes, and ice cream. Though Pat’s Drive Inn has changed locations over the years and has suffered its share of adversity, the dedication of its owners and customers has kept the doors open so you can go in and get a great burger at a great burger joint.Find a Convenient Place to Live Near Burger Places and More!
The next time you crave a hamburger, fries, and milkshake, resist the urge to get some fast-food-chain drive-thru. Take the time to visit a local burger joint. Looking for an apartment in Wichita Falls, TX? Check out Camelot Apartments and schedule a tour. You’ll never be far from something good to eat or something fun to do.