Good burgers and fries never go out of style, and now there are even more good burgers than ever cooked up in Houston.  In recent years some of Houston’s top restaurants have begun serving burgers, at least during lunch.  Excellent versions are found at Café Annie, Mockingbird Bistro, Max’s Wine Dive and Gravitas, for example, though these aren't cheap.

In these current economic times, this classic American combination is even more appealing, and I thought it might be useful to provide a list of the best local burger and fries served in Houston for under $10.  I'm referring to traditional beef hamburgers, not any more modern variations.  It has been since 2005 since I came up with a somewhat similar list for My Table.  Among past favorites, the Lockwood Malt Shop has long since closed, Adrian’s is gone, Tookie’s has shuttered due to Ike, and Guy’s Meat Market does not serve fries.  Here is the current list, alphabetically:

• Baba Yega - 2607 Grant (just east of Montrose), (713) 522-0042, www.babayega.com - Each of the half-pound burgers (Mushroom, Bacon and Avocado) come with American cheese and mayonnaise on a sesame seed bun ($9.25).
• Bellaire Broiler Burger - 5216 Bellaire (at Bissonnet), (713) 668-8171, no website - You can watch the flames jump from the grill when your patty is cooking at this old fashioned hamburger joint where the several variations from basic up to the Half-Pounder costs between $5.50 and $9.35 when ordered with fries.
• Cahill’s on Durham - 903 N. Durham (just south of Washington), (713) 864-9400, no website - Served with fries, there are versions from the standby, grilled Hammerburger ($6.95) that can be topped with a choice of one of several cheeses, one with fresh mushrooms and Swiss ($7.75), the Ranch Burger with smoked bacon, cheddar and Ranch dressing ($7.75), and the Jalapeño Burger with slices of fresh jalapeños sautéed in garlic and cheese ($7.75).
• Christian’s Tailgate - 2000 Bagby (at Pierce), (713) 527-0261 & 7340 Washington (just north of I-10), (713) 864-9744, www.christianstailgate.com - A Combo with their straightforward burger that has a juicy half-pound patty includes a large soft drink along with the fries ($8.29); the Swiss Mushroom Burger Combo is just 30 cents more.  Burgers also come in one-third and one-pound versions.
• Lankford Grocery - 88 Dennis (north of Brazos), (713) 522-9555, no website - The choices at this well-loved, funky place include a basic hamburger, cheeseburger, bacon cheeseburger, and double and triple meat versions of the bacon cheeseburger.  Ordering fries separately with a burger will run you between $6 and $9.50.
• Kenneally’s Irish Pub - 2111 S Shepherd (between Fairview and W. Gray), (713) 630-0486, www.irishpubkenneallys.com - Known for excellent thin crust pizzas,the burger is also another reason to visit.  Their Cheeseburger Platter consists of a cheeseburger with a well-cooked and moist 6-ounce ground chuck patty and thin made-to-order fries ($5.80).
• Market Square Bar & Grill - 311 Travis (across from Market Square Park), (713) 224-6133, www.marketsquaregrill.com - Each of the half-dozen versions, including basic Market Square ($7.25), Bacon Cheddar ($8.75) and Blue ($8.75) feature a nicely seared 7-ounce patty, noticeably fresh tomato, red onions and lettuce, a paprika-flecked horseradish and mayonnaise sauce and crisp fries.
• Pappas Burgers - 5815 Westheimer (west of Chimney Rock), (713) 975-6082, www.pappasburgers.com - That the Pappas Bros. Steakhouse is nearly adjacent is likely part of the reason that the regular Pappas Burger ($8.95) and the Pappas Cheeseburger ($9.85) are some of the best around; the freshly cut fries only help.
• Ruggles Café Bakery - 2365 Rice (between Greenbriar and Morningside), (713) 520-6662, www.rugglescafebakery.com - All of the burgers use a half-pound of Angus beef; with fries or other choices, are the Prime Angus Burger ($7.95), Prime Angus Cheeseburger ($8.50), and the Bleu Cheese Bacon Burger ($8.95).
• Taste of Texas - 10505 Katy Freeway (just east of the Beltway), (713) 932-6902, www.tasteoftexas.com - Featuring a top quality patty, the Gold Burger is topped with plenty of cheddar cheese plus sautéed onions and sliced jalapeños upon request, fitted between a very good whole wheat bun, and served with crisp, thick fries ($7.95).  This burger platter is excellent and a fantastic value.  It’s a better reason to visit than the steaks, for which there are at least a score better steakhouses in town.

The prices are based information I have available, and should be fairly up-to-date.  Tax not included, of course.  Enjoy.