4 /5 JESSE Travels: You ever go back to a place that disappointed you the first time, and suddenly its like stepping into an alternate dimension? That’s what happened with Hipshots Burgers and Tea. My first visit? Total letdown. A burger so forgettable it should’ve come with a “Best Supporting Role” Oscar nomination. The fries? Just there, like background actors in a high school play. And the menu? Let me remind you—FOUR burger options. That’s it. Like they ran out of ideas after “double.” But what they did have? A bigger sandwich selection than their burger lineup. A burger joint with more sandwiches than burgers? That’s like walking into a steakhouse and realizing they put more effort into their tofu section. Come on BURGERS is in your name! Give us some specialty burgers.
And let’s not forget the tea selection. They had so many flavors. Look, I get it, people love options, but at some point, it stops being a tea menu and starts looking like a craft brewery lineup. Peach mango? Raspberry hibiscus? Just give me some regular sweet tea like a real Texan andcno like i am from California.
But something kept nagging at me—why was there always a line? So I went back. Maybe the locals weren’t insane after all.
And you know what? Second visit? Night and day.
The burger? Legit. The meat actually had flavor this time. Not just “yeah, this is food” flavor, but a savory, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth kind of deal. The bun? Fresh, fluffy, buttery perfection. The patty was still on the thinner side, but they make up for it by not skimping on size. And yeah, I had to wait, but that’s because they make them fresh, unlike some fast-food clown operation that just slaps together sadness and regret.
And here’s the real kicker: THE HOT DOG. I wasn’t expecting much but, it was better than Sonic’s. And listen, I know Sonic has the whole “fast-food drive-in nostalgia” thing going for it, but let’s be real—most of their food is a 2 a.m. desperation move. The hot dog here? Actually worth ordering. So, corporate chain trash can take a seat.
So do I recommend Hipshots? Yeah. The first visit was a dud, but that second round made me a believer. They still need to up their burger selection and tone down the tea madness, but if you’re passing by and craving a solid burger, this place is worth the stop.
Final Verdict: 4 Stars.