How much does a good cheeseburger cost in Dallas right now?
Plus, we found the best bang for your buck at every price point
By Abbie Kopf
October 12, 2023
Cheeseburgers are a lot like great clothing staples: You can dress them up or down, but they’ll always be a classic. In Dallas, our burger game runs the dining gamut, from a fancy Wagyu handheld to a greasy smash burger. But in the years since the pandemic, when prices can creep insidiously upward, even this humble dinner staple can come with a side of sticker shock. So, we ran the numbers* on some of Dallas’ most popular choices to determine how much you can expect to pay — and found some clear winners that balance quality and price. Here is the Localite roundup of cheeseburger prices in Dallas.
Group One: Fast Casual-ish
Average Price: $9 (without sides)
Among most fast-casual restaurants, you’ll find that the price range largely falls between $9 – $11, with a few caveats. Some of the more expensive burgers also include expensive upgrades, like house-made pickles, a higher-quality bun, or low-or-no price add-ons, like signature spreads. And, some places serve a double patty as the standard offering.
When it comes to quality and price, though, there are a few standouts.
Keller’s Drive-In, known for its come-as-you-are vibe, is the clear standout for cheap eats. Even though the famed Dallas institution raised the price of a standard cheeseburger to $4.35, Keller’s is still more affordable than most fast-food restaurants. From the perfectly seared patties to the poppy-seed bun, this is an oft-recommended cheeseburger for good reason.
Relative newcomer Sky Rocket Burger, which expanded from one location to three (with an additional Lewisville location on the way), offers burgers that look messy but taste meticulously well-balanced. Its patties are all ground on-site and can be churched-up with grilled onions, jalapenos and spicy mayo for around 50 cents each.
Group Two: Fast Food
Average Price: $6 (without sides)
You’ll find a narrow price difference between the mega-players in fast food. The most expensive burgers include The Shake Shack ShackBurger at $6.59 and a Burger King Whopper with Cheese at $6.79, but these options offer a distinct taste, setting them apart from affordable but unremarkable burgers from Sonic or Wendy’s (differentiated only by patty shape, unfortunately). Clearly, though, there is a winner.
Texas favorite Whataburger enters in the middle of the pack in terms of cost, but offers superior quality and taste compared to fast-food faves. Though Whataburger’s made-to-order patties often translate to longer wait times (intolerably longer after a drink or two), the Whataburger with Cheese tastes fresher than fast food competitors.
Group Three: Fancy-Schmancy Burgers
Average Price: $21
From steakhouses to French eateries, Dallas fine-dining establishments offer plenty of outstanding burgers, but they’ll come at a cost. Comparing the exact numbers can be difficult — the price of a side is sometimes included; sometimes not — but they all have one thing in common: the highest-quality ingredients. Wagyu beef, artisanal cheeses, crispy vegetables and locally sourced ingredients create an elevated burger experience.
Is the $21 price tag worth it? That’s between you and your wallet, but there are a few Dallas offerings that have earned consistent critical and patron praise. Our picks include Meridian, Knife, Neighborhood Services, Hudson House and Bistro 31, whose high-brow burgers and welcoming restaurant ambiance help satisfy your prime rib tastes on a hamburger budget.
Do you have an affordable burger joint we should try? Tag @Localite and tell us why we should increase our cholesterol for it. And sign up for the Localite newsletter, compiled for you to enjoy where you live.
*Numbers accurate as of this writing and can change.
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Your guide to Dallas’ 6 best happy hour food specials
Embrace your inner Golden Girl and eat at 5:00 p.m.
Dallas is known for its bustling culinary scene, and one of the best ways to experience it without breaking the bank is through happy hours. Whether seeking a mid-week pick-me-up or a way to unwind after a day of local adventures, Dallas has options that are sure to do the trick.
From pimento cheese dip to meatball sliders, Dallas’ happy hours are a treasure trove of delicious deals. Join us as we explore some of the city’s top spots to enjoy discounted dishes that will leave you in high spirits.
Lounge Here:
Cozy hideaway with daily deals
When: Tuesday – Sunday, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Come for the cozy ambiance and stay for the discounted food and drinks. The intimate bar in Little Forest Hills offers happy hour daily. (That’s right! Every single day! Well, except Mondays because they’re not open on Mondays.) Enjoy $2 off cocktails, appetizers and soups while enjoying a playlist curated by the fine folks at Good Records. We recommend the deviled eggs, which come topped with smoked bacon, hot sauce and chives. And be sure to dive into the pimento cheese with crispy ham and a side of house potato chips and fresh veggies. (9028 Garland Rd, Dallas, TX 75218)
Poco Fiasco:
Double the fun with two happy hours
When: Sunday – Friday, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Late-night happy hour: Friday and Saturday, 10 p.m. – midnight
What’s better than one happy hour? Two happy hours, obviously. This lively restaurant from Harwood Hospitality offers a standard late afternoon/post-work happy hour Sunday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. During this time, guests can indulge in $4 slices of pizza and $5 meatball sliders. They also have a menu devoted to $9 build-your-own martinis. (That counts as food if there’s an olive or two, right?) Those who prefer a midnight-ish snack can order a $4 slice of pizza or $8 pizza fries and mini calzones from 10 p.m. until midnight on Friday through Sunday. (2823 McKinnon St, Dallas, TX 75201)
The Rustic:
Energetic hangout with daily specials
When: Daily, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
This restaurant and live-music venue is your go-to Uptown hangout for happy hour every day from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sure, there are $5 frozen cocktails like a house margarita, frosé and mule, but the discounted bites alone are worth a stop. Indulge in tamales three ways; smoked brisket, chicken tinga and pork carnitas. Those who prefer to dip can opt for the smoked dip duo which includes smoked brisket, spinach and cheddar fondue and cold pimento dip with smoked salt potato chips. (3656 Howell St, Dallas, TX 75204)
Uchi:
Craft your own tasting menu
When: Daily, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Sure, you can order the ten-course omakase at this Uptown sushi oasis. It’s wonderful; we’ve done it. But you know what’s also wonderful? Assembling your own tasting menu during happy hour for a fraction of the cost. Happy hour is daily here, and with these deals, you can afford to try a little bit of everything, from nigiri to cool and hot tastings like oak-grilled escolar with candied citrus, ponzu and myoga to Japanese sea bass ceviche with gooseberry, leche de tigre and candied orange. Add $6 sake to the mix, and you have yourself a proper feast. (2817 Maple Ave, Dallas, TX 75201)
Truluck’s Dallas:
Iconic happy hour at an Uptown institution
When: Monday-Friday, 3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
The happy hour at this Uptown institution is iconic. Sit in the bar area (honestly, the best place to be if you ask us) and enjoy half-price on all liquor, beer and wine. That’s right, all of it. Happy hour food options include sliders, with a choice of steak, crab cake or Maine lobster. We also recommend the salmon crudo with cucumber dressing, jumbo shrimp cocktail, salt and pepper calamari and a jumbo lump crab cake. Sipping a $7.25 espresso martini while munching on some fresh seafood is an excellent way to spend a Tuesday after work. Or any day, for that matter. (2401 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75201)
Hudson House:
Happy hour on the half-shell
When: Monday – Friday, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
What’s better than oysters after a long day? $3 oysters paired with half-priced martinis, Bellinis and wines by the glass. Those who aren’t into mollusks can opt for the $10 cheeseburger; two thin beef patties, topped with melted American cheese, pickles, onion and Hudson sauce. Trust us when we tell you it’s one of the best burgers in all of Dallas. (Multiple locations)
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Get spooked with these Atlanta Halloween ghost tours
Make your own frights for less than $25.
Though haunted houses get all the love, there are truly creepy, interesting and macabre experiences throughout Atlanta. The city has a rich, complex and sometimes dreadful history adding to its air of mystery, all of which you can experience on the cheap for a truly memorable night out. Read on for fun ideas under $25 per person to experience Atlanta’s local lore and history this Halloween.
Oakland Cemetery
Starting on Oct. 1, Oakland Cemetery is hosting a month-long Halloween scavenger hunt called Haunted Hunt. You can explore the 48-acre cemetery with your partner or invite other couples to join for a group experience. The cemetery is known for its haunting stories, including the ghost of a soldier hanging from a tree, the eerie voices of soldiers calling out names during roll call, and a young woman still searching for her lost love.
For up to two hours of spooky fun in Atlanta’s oldest public park, you can purchase a downloadable Haunted Hunt packet for $25.
Ghost tour in Little 5 Points
Join the Little 5 Points Ghost Tour to hear scary stories on a 90-minute walk through historic Inman Park (Atlanta’s first suburb!) and eerie landmarks through October. Search for apparitions of lost souls, including Lady Sintana from House of Ravenwood, 7 Stages theater’s ghosts, Deacon Lunchbox, Gregory Davis, and more.
The tour costs $25 per person. For maximum frights, you can pair the ghost tour with the Little 5 Points Halloween parade in late October.
Fernbank’s Woodland Spirits
Fernbank’s yearly Halloween exhibit, Woodland Spirits, is unlike any other haunted house experience. It features eerie and supernatural sculptures created by artist Laura Lewis, inspired by the mysterious forests depicted in movies and literature. As you walk along the nature trails of WildWoods and Fernbank Forest, you’ll come across dozens of ghostly figures and animal spirits lurking in the shadows.
Members can enter for free, otherwise $25/person.
The Wren’s Nest
Located in Atlanta’s historic West End, the Wren’s Nest is Atlanta’s oldest house museum and was the home of writer Joel Chandler Harris. Visitors claim to have seen apparitions of two young boys playing on the stairs and in the yard, who are believed to be Harris’ grandchildren, as well as Harris himself and his son throughout the house.
You can visit the house for a tour on Saturdays for $12/person. Every October, the Wren’s Nest offers a ghost-hunting tour with the Southeastern Institute of Paranormal Research, only available for one night.
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park was the site of brutal Civil War battles in the summer of 1864, resulting in the loss of over 5,000 lives. It’s not surprising that the park is believed to be haunted by spirits.
Visitors can enter the park for $5/vehicle and explore the various dog-friendly hiking trails, making it an ideal location for a spooky day date. Some visitors have reported seeing ghostly apparitions, hearing the sounds of cannons and gunshots, and even smelling the faint scent of blood and gunpowder. Even locals that live near the park have reported seeing the soldiers’ ghosts in their homes.
Fox Theatre
The Fox Theatre, a cherished landmark in Atlanta, offers special ghost tours during October. These tours provide an opportunity to explore the haunted history of the theater. An experienced guide will lead you from the lobby to the basement and backstage areas, sharing the building’s history and stories of the many ghosts that still roam there. The most famous ghost of the theater is Roosevelt, who worked in the boiler room until he died in 1945. He dislikes being interrupted and may slam doors or turn off the lights.
This ticket is $45/person, but it includes access to the Fox Theatre’s rooftop bar, which is only accessible during performances. Before or after your ghost tour, grab a drink and relax by viewing the Midtown skyline.
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