Cream Burger

"On the corner of Elgin and Adair Street, Cream Burger follows one of our favorite golden rules: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. This small red and white building has been serving up tasty burgers, chili cheese hotdogs, fries, and incredible pineapple milkshakes since 1961. Cream Burger is cash-only, with an old-school white menu board that you’d only see here and maybe at a local high school football game. While there are only a couple round tables underneath the metal awning where you can eat, the juicy bacon cheeseburger and overflowing fries served in a brown paper bag will taste just as delicious in your car. This is the kind of place that’ll make you start keeping extra cash on hand just in case you’re ever nearby." - gianni greene, chelsea thomas

"Cream Burger is down the street from the TDECU stadium, which makes it the go-to spot before kickoff or for post-game fuel after cheering for the Coogs from the student section. The Third Ward stand has been around since the ‘60s, and little has changed since then—it’s still a cash-only joint serving burgers, chili-covered hot dogs, and milkshakes for single-digit prices. Outside of a couple of tables under their awning, there’s not much space to camp out here, so plan to have your beef-fueled meal from the backseat of whoever’s Toyota Corolla you carpooled in. " - gianni greene, chelsea thomas

"For more than 60 years, Cream Burger has been a staple of the Houston community. Sitting at the corner of Elgin and Scott Street, sisters Beverly and Sandra Greenwood are two of seven siblings who have helped run the family-owned burger joint. Opened by their parents Verna and Willie Greenwood in 1961, students from nearby University of Houston and Texas Southern University, and longtime residents of the storied community have shown up week after week for simple, albeit deeply satisfying hamburgers, chili cheese fries, and ice cream cones." - Kayla Stewart

"With over 60 years in business, Cream Burger is as iconic as it gets. The Greenwood family has been serving no-frills burgers, chili cheese hotdogs, hand-cut fries, and their signature milkshakes, in the Third Ward, since 1961. Bring cash and get in line on game days to experience a piece of Houston history." - Minh Truong, Brittany Britto Garley

"On the corner of Elgin and Adair Street in the Third Ward, Cream Burger follows one of our favorite golden rules: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. This small red and white building has been serving up tasty burgers, chili cheese hotdogs, hand-cut fries, and incredible pineapple milkshakes since 1961. Cream Burger isn’t in the virtual age—they’re cash-only, take and serve orders on brown paper bags, and list items on old-school white menu boards that you’d only see here and maybe at a local high school football game. While there are only a couple round tables underneath the metal awning where you can eat, the bacon cheeseburger and overflowing fries will taste just as delicious in your car. This is the kind of place that’ll make you start keeping extra cash on hand just in case you’re ever nearby. Since the TDECU stadium is right down the street, Cream Burger can get overrun when U of H has football games, but the line usually moves quickly. photo credit: Vivian Leba Food Rundown photo credit: Vivian Leba Cheeseburger Some of the most dependable cheeseburgers in the Third Ward, the slender patties here are chargrilled and full of flavor. You should order yours all the way (lettuce, tomato, mayo, mustard, and onions) with a side of golden french fries. photo credit: Vivian Leba Frito Pie Crunchy frito chips get topped with warm chili and crisp raw onions to make Cream Burger’s frito pie. The chili has a subtle kick and every available frito should be used to ensure that no bean gets left behind. photo credit: Vivian Leba Chili Cheese Hot Dog The same chili and onions from the frito pie also make an appearance alongside melted american cheese on top of the chili cheese hot dogs, for a hearty (and somewhat messy) frank. photo credit: Vivian Leba Pineapple Milkshake Not only is Cream Burger’s pineapple milkshake light and refreshing, it’s also the perfect consistency for easily sipping through a straw. The milkshake has little chunks of pineapple, but we suspect a little sunshine is mixed in, too." - Gianni Greene