(Coffee and) Burgers and More, Oh My: I'm Feeling the 'Burger Vibe'

HOUSTON, TX -- When someone says to me, you gotta try this burger, I take it with a grain of salt. I’ve been privy to some great rounded ground beef sandwiches, in some out of the most out of the way places, when I had extra time enough to just take a right on a country road. Since the concrete jungle of Houston has few country roads, but when someone says that I have to park next to the blue containers. Ah, my eyebrows rise. I’m intrigued. I like blue containers. I'm planning on living in one someday. Now, the atmosphere. BINGO! Nice. The walls inside and out are full of color that would interest Van Gogh enough to set up his easel and paint, ‘Burger Vibe at Night Stars, Houston,’ 2025. Well, the place is filled with Cadmium yellow, which triggers my thoughts toward Vincent, but it’s the artistry of the burgers inside that are the real reason for stopping. Burger Vibe, located at 3730 Washington Ave, Suite B, in Houston, offers a cultural smorgasbord of New York Style Burgers with worldly inspiration that gives patrons reason after reason to come back and try something else.

Burger Vibe owner, Alex Moghaddam, has a venue that provides a great atmosphere, where someone who’s had a tough morning at work, or expects a tough afternoon, can come and take a break, have a burger, perhaps slap back a cup of coffee, before driving on with confidence for the remainder of the day. Burger Vibe is a place where you can let your hair down, and life slows down, at least just for a little bit. And whether you are in a group, or by yourself, the possibility of making new friends and acquaintances is much more likely when you just press on the brake. With the fast pace of life nowadays, not enough of us can just look and say, “Hi!” to the person next to you. “Why hello, my name is Ruben, what’s yours?” If they are of like mind, they’ll answer, yet if they’re feeling soppy, wish ‘em a good day and that’s it. It’s either Carpe diem, or feeling like a Carp filet on a plate.

Yes, let the traffic on Washington Avenue pass you by, while you order, taking a pitstop from the busy day, because the mastery of what’s to be placed before you, can, and most likely will change your life. It’s amazing how tasting things can spark imagination. “Why didn’t I think about that before?” Yes, that will come to mind. And Alex’s hamburger concoctions, which are extremely thought out, are worthy of their own mathematical formulas. They inspire inspiration. Mr. Moghaddam’s philosophy of just meat preparation in itself is incredible. The little steps. The smallest details. All the behind the scenes stuff that customers never see, shows his shop to be one of the highest character. It not only shows that Alex cares for his patrons, but he has a great concern about how his ingredients are sourced. The uniqueness of that is mind-boggling, and a foreign concept to other restaurant owners whose intentions may not be the best.

The “Burger Explorers Menu” at Burger Vibe is most certainly correct in offering choice in what you feel like on a certain day. If you want American Classics, Italian, Mexican, or Oriental burgers, they got it. Still more, Texan, Southern, and Veggie burgers, round out the choices, and most assuredly appeal to most taste preferences out there.

On this visit I tried the Texan Burger, a six-ounce Halal beef patty, fresh, never frozen; with bacon, pepper-jack cheese and American cheese. It’s topped with a crispy onion ring (genius), pickles, mayo, and BBQ sauce, which makes for a mouth-watering presentation. Upon first bite you will immediately notice, there’s something different here? It’s the flame-kissed juicy Halal patty. Originally a religious dictum for Muslims, it has crossed secular lines, and makes a big difference in taste. The organic grass-fed beef is one part of the formula, while ethics plays its role in the other. There is no abuse or mistreatment of the animal during processing. I can go on about guidelines, but The Texan Burger is as unique as Our State.

“The quality of the meat is a whole other level of organic,” said Mr. Moghaddam. “Therefore, the meat tastes better, the texture is better; it’s higher quality, disease and antibiotic free.”

Of course I wish no animal had to go to be slaughtered for consumption, but with Alex explaining about humane treatment in the process, it’s quite inspiring. And you can taste the end results in the meat. I for sure did, and I was thoroughly impressed. Sometimes I even impress myself. Wow! I wrote that?

I never cheat when going into a place. Whether it’s a restaurant, theatre, or concert hall. I was almost always taught, ‘write what you see.’ I’ve since had to add, ‘hear and taste,’ but it’s the same concept. I don’t want to be misguided via Yelp/Google reviews, because I feel that first-person experience really tells the tale in what you are trying to express, or impart to the readers; which is a desire for them to come and experience what a reviewer has tasted in this case. Oh, and after checking, Burger Vibes online reviews are overwhelmingly positive, which is testament to the high-standards that all held by Alex and his crew, in providing the best food and customer service to their patrons.

Some other things I loved with BV is their Burger Bowl option, for those not so hip on buns or bread products, which is the same great tasting hamburger, just laying atop a bed of lettuce. The House Seasoned Fries are great, with a great texture, being crispy outside and moist on the inside. Plus, the Onion Rings stand their ground, which is one of my expectations when biting into a cross-section of the underground bulb that has been dipped into a batter and deep fried. They have a great selection of fries if you are looking for something different. One thing I was not expecting was very small cabbages, and Burger Vibe has gone wild with Asian Infused Brussel Sprouts. They are flash fried, and tossed in spicy soy sauce, served with a side of Sweet Thai Chili sauce; and you can switch to having them instead of fries with your burger. I can attest to the great combo.

There are so many options with Burger Vibe. With their La Vita Coffee Shop, they have breakfast sandwiches, burritos, and La Vita Bites. You have your choices of an Espresso or a Coffee, Cold & Frappe, and Iced or Hot Tea. I tried a Mango Smoothie for the road, made with an all natural mango puree containing who knows how many of the delicious stoned fruit. Brain Freeze!!! I nursed it all the way back home. You can’t go wrong with the Burger Vibe. I’d even advise it for coffee after dinner and a show. Bon Appétit!!!

Burger Vibe’s website for both Burger Vibe and La Vita Coffee: washingtonpatio.com

Ruben can be reached at: ruben@montgomerycountynews.net