Texas’s Trump Burger Is Not Worth the Drive (or Your Dignity) | Eater Houston

"A politically charged fast-casual burger chain founded by Lebanese immigrant Roland Beainy that openly signals allegiance to a former president; Beainy says he opened it in support of that leader, praises their economic record, and has spoken of wanting to collaborate. The menu injects politics into the food: five burger styles plus a Philly cheesesteak, including the namesake 8-ounce chargrilled Angus patty with two slices of yellow American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, mayo, and house barbecue sauce on a bun stamped with the restaurant’s name and an American-flag toothpick; a Tower-style double cheeseburger (two 8-ounce patties, four slices of cheese); the Bellville Zinger with grilled onions, peppers, jalapeños, and Sriracha; and a gag-priced Biden burger (listed as the Harris burger in one location) — a 1-ounce patty topped with “old tomato” and “the oldest buns,” priced at $50.99 and treated by staff as a joke. Prices are roughly $14–$17 for burger combos with fries, $11 salads, $6–$7 starters, and kids’ meals around $10, with drinks in the $2–$3 range. Décor leans into nationalist and personality-cult aesthetics—Made-in-USA logos, heavy branding and merchandise, oversized portraiture (one location displays a graphic image tied to a 2024 incident)—with some sites offering stages and cocktails while others are more subdued. Despite the visual noise, the atmosphere can feel tense and uneasy, particularly in Democratic neighborhoods where the Houston outpost drew hostile reactions even before opening; diners often avoid eye contact and the energy is stiff rather than festive. Food-wise the patties are thick but bland, the cheese waxy, and the fries crisp and serviceable; given many superior burger options in the city, the meals are affordable but not especially memorable. More than a culinary destination, the operation functions as a way to broadcast political allegiance through consumerism—patronage becomes a political statement, which will appeal to supporters and repel many others." - Brittany Britto Garley