Austin’s Most Beloved Burger Restaurant Is Set For Its Big Houston Debut

While River Oaks District is lauded for its myriad luxury tenants, one of the retail mecca’s most anticipated additions is going against the grain, bringing a collection of casual fare that includes burgers, fresh-cut fries, shakes, beer and cocktails. The burger-centric spread is courtesy of Austin-based eatery Hopdoddy Burger Bar.

Hopdoddy makes its official debut on Monday, May 30, in an outpost that features a full-bar as well as an in-house bakery and butchery. Expect everything from the chain’s array of burgers, made from Angus beef sourced from humanely raised cows, to truffle and chile con queso fries and salads and indulgent shakes.

“Houstonians can count on Hopdoddy to bring to the table a handcrafted, bad ass burger with a unique dining experience,” said Guy Villavaso, one of the restaurant’s co-founders. 

Hopdoddy joins newly opened  Toulouse Cafe and Bar at ROD, and the development awaits the openings of Taverna, The Porch, Steak 48, Le Colonial, and Sumo Maya Mexican-Asian Kitchen (read more about River Oaks District’s new restaurants here).

Cult-favorite burger joint Shake Shack, which has announced two Houston locations — in The Galleria and in Rice Village — will follow Hopdoddy’s lead, adding to the burgeoning Houston burger landscape.

Hopdoddy was founded by Villavaso and partners Larry Foles, Larry Perdido and Chuck Smith (Villavaso and Foles previously owned Eddie V’s and Wildfish Seafood Grille, while Smith and Perdido co-founded Austin’s Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill). The brand operates 14 locations in Texas, Arizona, Colorado and California.

River Oaks District is currently home to: Baanou, BONOBOS, Brunello Cucinelli, Canali, Cartier, Chopard, COS, Davidoff of Geneva, Dior, Diptyque, Dolce & Gabbana, Equinox, Etro, Flow juice bar, Giuseppe Zanotti, Hermès, INTERMIX, iPic Theaters, John Lobb, Kiton, L’Occitane, Les Copains, Moncler, Patek Philippe at deBoulle, Planet Blue, Roberto Cavalli, Saint Bernard, St. Nicola, Stella McCartney, The Tuck Room, Tom Ford, Toulouse Café and Bar, Van Cleef & Arpels, Vilebrequin and Vince.