Rutledge Hamburgers

I used to eat at Rutledge Hamburgers about 10 years ago, and on my recent visit back to the Valley, I had to stop by again. I’m happy to say the burgers still taste just as amazing as I remember! Juicy, flavorful, and perfectly satisfying. Pairing it with a Mexican Coke makes the experience even better. It’s great to see a classic spot stay true to its delicious roots. 🍔🍔🍔

Rutledge Burgers in Brownsville, Texas is a true hometown classic. Operating since the 1920s, this little burger shop has kept its charm by keeping things simple—and delicious. The menu is straightforward, the kind you appreciate when all you really want is a good homestyle burger without the fuss. The flavors are exactly what you hope for from a place with this much history: fresh, comforting, and cooked the way a classic burger should be. The prices are impressively affordable, especially considering how much you get. Their combos are a standout deal, coming with chips, a drink, and even a dessert, which adds a nostalgic touch you don’t see often anymore. If you’re in Brownsville and craving an honest, no-nonsense burger that hits the spot, Rutledge is the place. It’s simple, tasty, and feels like stepping back into a piece of local history.

What a unique stop! You can reach your arms from wall-to-wall and the tables attached to the walls keep your ordering in check but the friendliness and deliciousness makes for a great experience!

This is a small place (15) seats available. The burgers were delicious and it came with chips, soft drink and even a hostess cupcake or a gansito. We had two burgers and it was less than $16. The burgers are small so i recommend a double meat. Great service!

Talk about a quick stop. Burger might seem small Don't let it fool u... So good I eat 3 😁 double meat cheese. Absolutely THE BEST.!!!

Small spot, small burgers, big flavor. You will definitely want to order two burgers, but you won’t be mad about it. The restaurant itself is literally a hallway with tables on each side. Seats probably 20 people at the most. The service is fast, but friendly. Worth a stop if you’re in Brownsville.

Best burgers of Brownsville I've had so far. Feels and is very familiar. As an outsider, I felt welcome and like at home (hard to describe). Very tasty and accessible. Go for the combos, they are really good!!Truly the best!!! I will go again!!

I love this place. It does make me look fat though. Lol. The burgers are super juicy and flavorful. Get the triple, it's 2 Patty's, 2 cheeses and 2 pieces of ham. Damn good. I will definitely eat here again

The place is great the best place in the loan Star state it the best food and the history and my grandparents went there and now me and my mom went there good food and the best staff they are nice and the burgers are good 5 stars

Classic burger spot with Brownsville history. Service is quick and the burgers are always delicious!

A hole in the wall burger stand that is literally a hole in the wall! The burgers came out hot and fresh, and my friend particularly loved the ham portion in their burger. The portion is a little small but it's what I expected from this simple and no frills establishment, the price was cheap but way better quality than most fast food burgers. We had enough space for ourselves as narrow as it looks lol. Staff were really friendly and were quick with bringing the food out. It's a great spot to get a burger fix while in Downtown Brownsville! FYI they take only cash and Cashapp.

The burgers are small but GOOD n greasy. It's like a smash burger. Get the double meat because they're small. If you're a big guy get quantity of 2. The tables only fit 2 people so recommend "to-go". The restaurant is the size of a hallway. NO JOKE. But cheap n good!

This place is Delicious!! Small burgers, inexpensive (cash, Zelle or Cash app only) and a historic staple you need to try if you're in the mood for a burger. It's very small, but it's everything you want in a regular cheeseburger. EAT HERE!

Fast and friendly service! Food hit the spot! Ordered 2 doubles with cheese and jalapeños. Definitely coming back!

Excellent food always. They take cash app now ! Hhhhhhhhhkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkj

Great food, great price and amazing service. Pretty clean. Until this day they have been the greatest burgers I have ever tried.

This little burger has big flavor! Two double cheese, double meat burgers, 2 bags of chips and sodas were $15. Take it to go! You won't regret it!

The ambiance was clean and honey. I loved that it seemed a little like a hidden hole-in-the-wall. The burger was great and I got it fast. The service was good too, but they do only take cash or cashapp for payment, so keep that in mind.

The food needs to be more session back in the days the burger were better and they need to fix some tables and at least put a AC it's to hot in there And they need a restroom for the coustermer they always say the restroom are not working

My wife heard about this place through the Texas Bucket List and they said it was a "Must Try" place so we got a couple of our neighbors together and decided to make the drive over. You definitely have to know what you are looking for as it is inbetween buildings (ie truly in an alley way that has been covered over the years) with a small sign hanging out above it. So if you were just driving by to find a place to eat...this would easily be missed. though if you know it is there and/or you've been there before...you'll take the time to seek it out and give it a try. So you can literally stand and touch both walls of this establishment...it is part of what gives it the character. It started as a stand in 1922 and then went into the alley way back in 1924 and over the years, they have added a floor and a roof to cover it in. Burgers are super tasty...if you are looking for the options to customize it...not your place. They give you the option of choosing # of patties, cheese and ham and that's it. You can get a double meat/double cheeseburger for less than $3 and it's just like you remember from the good ole days at your local burger joint. Guys will probably eat 2 or 3 of these as they are small in size. As others have pointed out....you can opt for a can of pop and a bag of chips if you want to make it into a full meal. They don't take cards or checks so make sure you have cash on you. It's a cool little piece of history and we'd definitely go back when in the mood for a burger.

This is an awesome little hole in the wall (or alley) that serves the perfect little greasy cheeseburger like you remember from the diner your grandparents used to take you to when you were a kid. Their menu is simple but their burgers are pretty fantastic. They are small so ordering a couple of double cheeseburgers is a pretty standard order...men probably order 2 or 3. I heard about this through the Texas Bucket List as one of the oldest hamburger places in Texas. Original owners started out with a food cart and then they moved into the alley and then the alley had a floor and roof placed to turn it into it's own official space. It's like a little trip back in time and it's a fun conversation piece. They only serve burgers...you can choose how many patties as well as if you want cheese or ham on it. You can then choose a bag of chips or a can of soda if you want to complete your meal. If you are in the area (Brownsville)...it's worth the stop.

Amazing little place. Some of the best burgers you'll get and so cheap. Meat is fresh and made immediately made to order. Beats other burger places out of the water with simplicity and taste.

Yes it's so goood people are amazing it's a tiny little place been there for 100 years GBbest burger best price +GP

super yummers here, small burgers but i feel as though they're really filling with the drink and chips.

The Honest Review: Let me clear up the confusion for our traveling guests, the burgers are small, with a thin patty to boot, with a splash of mustard and a pinch of lettuce. There are no frys. all that is cooked are burgers. Grab a bag of chips and a drink to complete your meal. The burgers are simple with zero wow factor. But that's not to say its not good. Its a good small burger with a price you cant beat that starts as low as $1.15!!! Rutledge Burgers is a small family business that has been around for 94 years and has virtually never changed. It's become a part of Brownsville history locals can relate to. It still remains as small as it has always been. Its literally an unremarkable hallway, 5 feet wide. It's certainly something different worth taking pictures of... you can literally hold both walls at the same time! It still serves up the same small, thin patty burgers they have always been known for. I'll still go back for the sake of the nostalgia. Like many locals, we have a nostalgic tie to this burger joint. The meal... I would recommend to get at least 2 burgers because they are the size of small WhiteCastle Burgers. I'd recommend the "Cheeseburger with Ham" It's a thin burger patty with a slice of grilled deli ham and cheese all for a buck 75! Get two of these, a bag of chips and a cold drink.

Excellent diet-braking burgers. Don't complain, period. Looking for healthy keep walking. Still a small place that has not change maybe the prices but still worth every penny.

Cheapest burger, $1.50! Taste great and one of the last super holes in the wall left in the Valley. 2 burgers, chips and drinks...$7.25. Wow!!!

I love visiting this place. The burgers are delicious, it doesn't matter which one you get. The place is historic and requires a visit if your in downtown Brownsville. When I have gone, staff was not friendly. That's just based on my visits and that is why I am only rating it four stars. I still will continue to go when I'm in the area. Like I said, the burgers are delicious.

Okay, I am serious .... it's a hallway!!! No seriously it is LOL, I got into town and one of my friends said "Theres this place that sells awesome burgers, but its like a whole in the wall it's literally a hallway" ... In my mind I thought it could be a bit of an exaggeration NOT AT ALL. I was with a friend and she said she was hungry and asked if I knew a place, I told her about this place and added "I heard it's tiny" she said lets do it and we went. You shouldn't expect an overcomplicated menu its single and double meats, with ham and you can buy a jalapeno for 40 cents! The price for a burger range from 1.15 to 2.50, don't expect this huge hunger buster they are small and perfect, nothing fancy just a great tasting burger!!! Simplicity at its best!!!!

This are good hamburger. If you want a burger that tastes like you made it at your house then this is the place for you. The place is small and hot. So be prepared to sweat will you eat an OUTSTANDING HAMBURGER lol

I can't believe it! I just searched for hamburgers and Rutledge's hamburgers came up. I was born and raised in Brownsville, Tx and my Dad would take me to Rutledge's every so often. I remember a very, very small place, but the burgers were great and it was very fast service. That was 42 years ago!!!! I might just take an afternoon off work and drive down there this week with my 17 year old son and 14 year old daughter. On. second thought I'll go by myself first my wife won't let me take them out of school to go get hamburgers. Way to go Yelp!!!

I absolutely love the food here! Be warned though, these burgers are small, it's a hole in the wall kinda place and you get a little sweaty in the summer cause there's no ac. The restaurant (if that's what you wanna call it) is the hallway between two buildings that was sealed. Don't look for a restroom, they don't have one. Don't bring a big party of ten cause you'll have to eat outside but if you wanna enjoy an amazing burger (or six) come on over cause this is the place to get em!

This place is a real hoot. About wide enough for two people to stand. Maybe 100 yards from the Mexican border, which is clear if you don't speak Spanish as it makes ordering fun. The burgers are little bitty, but tasty. Very simple and straightforward. Two double cheesburger a were slightly filling. Worth the trip for an authentic Brownsville stop.

This tiny place is awesome! Best burgers and prices I've had in a long time. Reminds us of the old drug store counter burgers. Very very small so you might want to get them to go but we loved the atmosphere. Our ten year old grandson loved it!

There burgers are great. There's small so if your a fan of big portions this is not the place for you.

I love this place. I have very fond memories of my my mommy taking us there as a child, and I'm already 63! Wow I still remember "the little old lady" the owner back then. Now I'm a little old lady, and the place is still there exactly the same! Now my kids (grown man now) have been there as well. Beautiful memories.

Was perfect in taste, place & price! I'd say go get one (I ate two hehe)...

The place is literally a hallway so don't expect to bring a crowd. No air conditioning, just two strong fans. There are a few tables attached to either side of the wall, and a small path in the middle. Take cash, I don't think they take cards. Now the burgers are palm sized, so if you're a big eater order two. We ordered 8 double meat double cheese for the four of us, but 4 would have been enough. No fries here, only chips and bottled soda. They are served all the way- lettuce, tomato, pickle, mustard, mayo, ketchup. Let me say this is the best burger I've had in a long time. The griddle has that 100 year old seasoning that is so wonderful. I definitely recommend this little hole in the wall!

Checked out this little place after reading good reviews. Burgers were small but the price was fine for size. You have to get your own chips. And waitstaff brings burger and soda in a can. My friends burger was finished in the back and the cook rang the bell. Waitress just sat on phone for the next four minutes before getting off her behind to go grab it. Really not sure why they have waitstaff or if I should really tip at all since there isnt much to it. We threw away our own trash after she never came to clean up. I will only go back if I've had too much to drink and need to sober up. They lost one star for waitress. There are plenty of people who would love a job! Smile!

There are certain things that make me happy when I think of Brownsville. One of those things is Rutledges, they have the best little burgers in south Texas. I'm pretty sure it's changed ownership throughout the years ( I'm 26 and well it been around a lot longer than me! ). But theres something beautiful about this little historic gem in Brownsville. If you walk too fast you might miss it, but it's definitely worth a trip, I hope business booms for them so that they can stick around for many years to come.

The burgers are so soft it's like once you bite into it they melt in your mouth they are so tasty if your a man like me I bet you can't eat just one love this place

This is definitely one of Brownsville's hidden treasures! Great burgers at a cheap price! The location is very small, but that's what makes it so special!

One of the few restaurants downtown is this tiny place tucked into a hallway. The menu is simpler than Five Guys. Just burgers. No fries, no shakes. Just burgers. And the burgers are like those little White Castle things, but better - a thin, tasty patty topped with mustard-and-onion relish, a slice of cheese, and a slice of deli ham. I noticed that most folk order two of the burgers and a bag of chips. Of course, it's very difficult to eat at a table in a hallway, so I thought about taking a bag of the burgers to a bench on the sidewalk, Market Square, or over to the grassy college campus. Or, better yet, maybe I could dine with the dead at the City Cemetery.

I am going back home to Brownsville in a couple of weeks. And I am determined to go back here. The last time I was in this place was when I was a kid at Immaculate Conception. My sister and I would go there with my Aunt and Grandmother for lunch or on Saturdays when we were hanging in downtown Brownsville waiting for my Aunt to get out of work at S. H. Kress. That was back in the 60's and Mrs Rutledge was tossing those burgers. :)

Love these it's located literally in between two buildings my mom used to eat these burgers with her mom when she was a little girl.

Literally the space between two buildings. Best little burger ever and cheap too. You aren't really from Brownsville unless you've eaten there.

Rutledge burgers taste like delicious, homemade burgers! I had a double meat cheese burger, chips and a soda...fast service, a courteous staff, and a good burger. Whoever said they'd rather go to McDonald's is sooo off the mark. I used to eat here w/ my grandma about 30 yrs ago enroute to the Amigoland Mall. We'd grab a bite to eat while we waited for the connecting bus to arrive at the station. These hamburgers were so good, and affordable (we had no money). Now that I can afford all the Mickey-D's I can eat...I'd still much rather eat here.

Tiny piece of Brownsville's great edible history ;) ... This tiny restaurant serves tiny burgers but the taste is SO GREAT! Home cooked flavor that truly hits the stop. Be opened minded and do some window shopping before stopping for some burgers but maybe plan to take them to go as their sitting is very limited.

Hamburger perfection. I wish it was closer so my kids could experience it and love it like I did when I was young.

Excellent hamburgers for an excellent price. Burgers are cheap and delicious, definitely worth more than what you pay for. Great stop if you are shopping downtown and feeling hungry. A fun experience if you are visiting Brownsville!! Full of history and delicious burgers!

Same good quality hamburger they've been making since a loooong time ago, order 2 if you are hungry!

this place is amazing! the food is so good, you cant just order one burger because you'll want more. look closely when you're trying to find it though because its literally a alley recreated into a restaurant.

Taste like homemade burgers, its a very small place. I get its trying to be unique and historic, but the food really was not that special. I'd rather go to Carl's Jr or even McDonalds but its a family business so I support them from time to time.

Good burgers, however not the best I have tasted. It is certainly a better alternative to any other burger restaurant and it is not costly at all. Wouldn't recommend claustrophobic people to eat in this place, but it is very unique.

Absolutely one of the best burger experiences in Texas. I travel quite a bit for work and unfortunately I eat way to many hamburgers :); Rutledge is one of my all time favorite spots. The burgers are amazing but it is the "experience" that will stay with you a lifetime. I can close my eyes and recall Saturday afternoons with my uncle Frank or weekends with my dad and family. Wonderful place with incredible food!

These are not the burgers I remember as a child! I believe McDonalds has bigger burgers but Rutledge does have a better taste. Its too tight to eat in the hallway, but its classic. Too expensive for those little burgers.

Easily the best hamburger stand in Brownsville, and a big contender for best in Texas (which is saying something), Rutledge's only flaw is that being in the heart of downtown Brownsville and therefore short on parking, it is a bit of a hassle to get to. Still, it's worth a short walk to eat in the charming hallway closet that is their hamburger stand.