When I learned I’d be taking a AAA-sponsored research trip to Texas this year, I was excited for two main reasons: (1) I’d finally find out who shot J.R. and (2) I love red meat.

I’m kidding of course about the first item (it was Kristin!), but if you’ve read my Brooklyn Diner blog you know I’m sincere about the latter. And, unless you’ve been living under a rock, you certainly know many Texans share my enthusiasm for beef. More than 135,000 cattle farmers and ranchers do business in the Lone Star State, with 97 percent of these operations family run for generations.

Since I had a lot of ground to cover on my Texas adventure, I knew upfront there wouldn’t be time for any Four or Five Diamond-rated steak dinners. But, the words of journalist Charles Kuralt comforted me: “You can find your way across this country using burger joints the way a navigator uses stars.” As I traveled from Dallas to Fort Worth to Austin, I did just that (though the Hertz NeverLost® GPS system came in handy, too). 

Stop No. 1
Burger Street.  Among the seven somewhat randomly chosen hamburger haunts I tested out during my trip, this Texas chain founded in the Dallas ‘burbs tops my list. Yeah, it’s a fast-food restaurant, but the tasty ingredients—ground beef, cooked to juicy perfection while you wait, and fresh toppings like crisp romaine lettuce, red onions, pickles and tomatoes—are a far cry from the stuff hawked by those other guys. It’s a simple formula, and the long line of patient patrons perpetually clogging the drive-through tells me Burger Street gets it right every time. Burger Street’s friendly employees are waiting to take your order in Tulsa and throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area.

Stop No. 2
Twisted Root Burger Co. Their boast: “3 Culinary Degrees + 1 Wine Degree + 23 Years of Culinary Experience = 1 Helluva Good Burger!” Undeniably inventive, the menu showcases everything from buffalo to ostrich to venison meat, garnishes like guacamole and goat cheese, and such sides as sweet potato chips and fried green beans. While the burger I sampled didn’t exactly live up to Twisted Root’s lofty assertion, I definitely liked the place. The casual crew and comfy industrial-chic décor (not to mention the “adults-only” milk shakes) make you want to kick back and mingle with the countless Dallas-area natives who support this homegrown business. The newest Twisted Root Burger Co. location is in Dallas, just east of the Southern Methodist University campus at 5609 Smu Blvd.

Stop No. 3
Love Shack. Maybe I would have liked my cheeseburger better if Love Shack owner Tim Love, a celebrity chef who operates the critically acclaimed Lonesome Dove Western Bistro, had prepared it. Unfortunately, he didn’t. Still, it’s easy to understand why the Fort Worth Stockyards location in the heart of “Cowtown” is popular with tourists and natives alike. Music fills the air at this open-air eatery some evenings and weekend afternoons; plus, the upstairs deck offers great views of historic Exchange Avenue, where cattle and cowboys still roam. But, in my book, great atmosphere just can’t make up for lackluster grub. The Love Shack I visited is at 110 E. Exchange Ave. in Fort Worth; a second location is at 817 Matisse.

Stop No. 4
Kincaid’s.  Long a Fort Worth tradition, this 1940s grocery store-turned-grill is a frequent contender—and occasional winner—of the “best burger” title. Locals flock to the unpretentious eatery for a slice of the good old days and Kincaid’s 8-ounce, hand-formed hormone-, antibiotic- and preservative-free beef patties. Timeworn photos cover aqua-colored concrete walls, and bric-a-brac is scattered throughout the former market, which, aside from the plastic napkin dispensers and squeezable ketchup bottles, doesn’t seem to have changed much in the last few decades. The original Kincaid’s is at 4901 Camp Bowie Blvd. in Forth Worth.

Stop No. 5
Hut’s Hamburgers.  Simply stepping foot inside this Austin landmark—a former drive-in that featured carhop service—will no doubt bring a smile to your face. With every inch of wall space covered by autographed celebrity photos, license plates, college pennants and metal street signs, you’ll feel like you’re walking onto a Quentin Tarantino movie set. (Adjacent Frank & Angie’s Pizzeria, owned by Hut’s proprietors, is rumored to be the director’s fave local restaurant.) But, as I said earlier, atmosphere isn’t everything. Thankfully, Hut’s delivers on what you crave—meaty goodness. Plus, there are 20 different types of burgers to choose from, including The Wolfman Jack (sour cream, diced green chiles, Monterey Jack and bacon) and The Alley-Oop (swiss cheese, grilled onions and Thousand Island dressing). Hut’s Hamburgers is at 807 W. 6th St. in Austin.

.Use TripTik Travel Planner to locate AAA Approved restaurants in Dallas, Fort Worth and Austin.