[ad_1]
A half-century after its debut as a local alternative to fast-food chains, the Burger Box restaurants are still full of surprises.
The most stunning surprise is at the cash register. You get a large cheeseburger combo with crinkle fries or tots and a drink for about $10, fresh-made and cheaper than at Whataburger.
But the first surprise at the 48-year-old local hamburger chain is that it’s not like a chain at all. Each of the nine locations is different.
Some Box locations serve a full selection of 16 flavors of Blue Bell Ice Cream. Some don’t.
Some locations serve beer and a $4-$7 happy-hour menu weekday afternoons. Some don’t.
Some locations offer soft-serve cones. Some don’t.
Some locations serve a spicy burger with grilled jalapeños and Frank’s Red Hot Sauce named the “Devil’s Burger,” or a 12-topping mushroom bacon cheeseburger with special sauce named the “12 Burger.” Some don’t.
Some locations serve fried burritos. Some don’t.
Some locations serve breakfast. Some don’t.
Some locations also offer turkey, black bean or veggie burgers. Some don’t.
See what I mean?
From west Fort Worth to Euless, the Burger Box restaurants deliver an inexpensive alternative to national burger chains, with a variety of options at each location.
Burger Box has been an Arlington phenomenon since 1978, when founder Steve Box converted a former Dairy Queen on East Abram Street with the goal of starting a family restaurant chain.
Today, there are four locations across Northeast Tarrant County, plus two in south and west Fort Worth and single locations in Arlington, Kennedale and Pantego.
The Burger Box at 7700 Glenview Drive in Richland Hills has the best online reviews, and I see why.
It opens at 10 a.m. The giant grill menu offers more than 70 items, from the specialty burgers mentioned above to chili dogs, fried mushrooms, chicken sandwiches, cherry limeades and banana splits,
A simple cheeseburger ($4.89!) was carefully constructed with fresh vegetables and served on a gently toasted 5-inch bun with tater tots (choices include crinkle fries or curly fries).
It was like back when Dairy Queens were consistent. Except a Burger Box has more choices.
A Burger Box in Bedford at 1011 N. Industrial Blvd. offers Dos Equis drafts and weekday happy hour hot dog or chicken-basket specials along with burgers and ice cream.
The west Fort Worth location at 4466 Southwest Blvd. is one of several also offering turkey or black bean burgers. They’re lower in fat for the same low price with the same wide choice of toppings, and they come off the same well-seasoned grill.
In a tough gourmet burger market with Fred’s Texas Cafe, Fuego Burger, Tommy’s Burgers and JD’s all nearby, that Burger Box location holds its own by offering old-school value.
Every Burger Box is different because founder Steve Box brought in a partner and franchised other stores. The restaurants have changed hands and now seem only loosely connected, but all have the original bright orange color scheme and old=fashioned burger-and-soda-shop appeal.
The locations even have different websites. Try the Box near you, or the next one down the road.
Burger Box locations:
● 2501 S. Cooper St., Arlington.
● 1011 N. Industrial Blvd., Bedford.
● 1101 Raider Drive, Euless.
● 5609 Crowley Road, Fort Worth.
● 4466 Southwest Blvd., Fort Worth.
● 3996 Denton Highway, Haltom City.
● 201 Kennedale Parkway, Kennedale.
● 2520 W. Park Row Drive, Pantego.
● 7700 Glenview Drive, Richland Hills.
This story was originally published February 25, 2026 at 4:21 AM.
[ad_2]
Bud Kennedy
Source link
