Maybe you’re craving a juicy patty with all the fixings, but don’t want to fuss with reservations. Or your casual burger run just turned into a full-on feast. Use this guide. It has 10 spots where you can walk in, sit down with your crew, and bite into Edinburg’s best burgers. And maybe next time, suggest a picnic with your prize.
Stars Drive-In
$ | (956) 383-5388 | WEBSITE
Stars Drive-In is a deceivingly classic fast food spot with a ton of parking spots, a clean ordering window, and a shaded patio area with even more picnic tables and slushie machines. So it’s the natural choice when you’re in Edinburg, with a craving that’s half sweet, and are getting hungrier by the minute. Their banana split runs through all of the menu’s dessert hits, and comes with enough ice cream to go around. For the savory seekers at the wheel, the crispy fries are non-negotiable.
IHOP
$ | (956) 316-4466 | WEBSITE
IHOP in Edinburg doesn’t take reservations, and families wait in the lobby to get their hands on a plate of their legendary breakfast platters. Basically, coming here means waiting regardless of how many people you’re with, so might as well do it with a group of people you like. Once you’re seated at one of the big booths, it won’t be long before you’re playing table Tetris with mountains of pancakes, omelets, and crispy bacon.
Loredo’s Tortillería
$ | (956) 513-1001 | WEBSITE
Unlike its flashier Tex-Mex competitors, Loredo’s Tortillería is a spot where you can walk right in, grab some barbacoa tacos, and be out within 20 minutes. The Edinburg restaurant rarely has a line, making it an ideal candidate for your next breakfast meeting that no one remembered to plan. And apart from being a convenient place for the perpetually rushed, the food is also outstanding, especially the clean, flavorful barbacoa and breakfast tacos piled with machacado a la Mexicana.
Hamburger King
$ | (956) 383-9091 | WEBSITE
There are plenty of burger joints in Edinburg (some new, some old), but you can drive past most of them. We like Hamburger King as a starting point for a family outing in the area.
The old-fashioned restaurant is the perfect example of a casual weekend lunch: there’s enough seating with those classic barstools and tables for your whole crew to have a spontaneous meal together, and the straightforward menu of solid burgers, crispy onion rings, and tender fried chicken reads like a comforting short story. Fill up on their special chicken dish and then head out for some afternoon shopping nearby.
Burger King
$ | (210) 631-2332 | WEBSITE
Burger King is an Edinburg joint specializing in classic burgers, which is great news for anyone who craves that familiar fast-food fix. The space is also big enough to accommodate a steady lunch rush, so you can swing by with friends and dig into crispy chicken fries and normal fries alongside local workers and hungry families.
Everything on the menu is straightforward, from sides and combos to burger options (we like the standard), so even the group’s resident indecisive eater will find something. The prices run a bit high for what you get, but the food quality is decent enough to justify the occasional splurge. Service can be hit-or-miss, with some staff members occasionally mixing up orders, so double-check your receipt.
Vegetarian options exist, but note that the meatless burger shares the grill with real meat, so it’s not fully vegetarian-friendly.
Jack In The Box
$ | (956) 316-1558 | WEBSITE
When you’re craving something hot and fresh at 2 a.m. after a long day, the answer is Jack In The Box. The Edinburg fast-food spot serves up reliable burgers and fries in a clean lobby with a pleasant atmosphere, where you can grab a quick bite or take it to go. Order one of their classic combos and call it a night.
Starlite Burger
$ | (956) 383-8111 | WEBSITE
OK, it might be hard to swing by Starlite Burger and avoid the drive-thru line entirely. But this burger joint in Edinburg is one of the few spots in the South Valley that consistently delivers quick service whether you’re dining in or grabbing takeout. This is thanks to their spacious layout that includes a clean dining area and wheelchair-friendly access.
Pull up, dig into some crispy chicken while savoring those delicious fries, and pretend you didn’t just discover your new favorite local haunt.
Taco Burger Daniel
$ | (956) 457-9725 | WEBSITE
If you walk into Taco Burger Daniel with a group of about eight, you’ll be immediately seated at one of their massive circular tables. And if your group is larger, well, they’ll push a bunch together to make one long table for you and everyone who decided to join last minute. Either way, you’ll spend the entire meal busy assembling (and devouring) the excellent mollejas at this Edinburg spot, where the smoky charred flavor never stops impressing, and piles of grilled onions seem limitless.
Applebee’s Grill + Bar
$ | (956) 994-3378 | WEBSITE
This McAllen spot has loads of tables, big burgers and beer you can enjoy, and dollar margaritas you’ll want to order by the pitcher. Getting a seat is easy, but make sure to budget enough time because service can be slow, and they have no qualms about letting you wait thirty minutes for your order.
Taqueria el totopo
$ | (956) 983-2789 | WEBSITE
Finding a quick, satisfying meal at Taqueria el Totopo in Edinburg is straightforward any day of the week. There are a handful of tables on the screened porch where they fit customers in, and the food truck setup offers even more seating along the covered area. Small groups regularly crowd the order window, Mexican Coke flows, and the aroma of grilled meat fills the air.
Come with friends who are happy to chat over the sound of sizzling steak, and don’t mind waiting a bit for this made-to-order situation. You’ll be rewarded with enough tacos de bistec, loaded papas, and fresh salsa to feed your party of four.
