Cult California Fatburger chain opens first Texas location in DFW

Culture Map Fort Worth
By Teresa Gubbins
June 02, 2020
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One of California's most beloved burger chains has made its Texas debut: Fatburger, a chain founded in Hollywood more than 70 years ago, has opened a location in the mid-cities, specifically North Richland Hills, where it's part of a co-branded concept along with Buffalo's Express, a chain that specializes in wings.

Co-owner Maisha Bankhead says that the restaurant opened on June 1, and had a line out the door all day.

"We open at 11 am but they started lining up at 10:30 am and it went that way all day, which has been a challenge with social distancing requirements, but we made it work," Bankhead says. "There are a lot of people who've had Fatburger in California who've had a built-up craving."

Fatburger has been eyeing Texas for more than a year, and there are other franchise groups who've announced plans to open. But this is, at long last, the first.

In a statement, FAT Brands CEO Andy Wiederhorn says that "many things have changed during the pandemic, but not Americans' love for delicious, freshly made burgers or spicy and flavorful chicken wings. We’re excited to open our first Texas location, a co-branded Fatburger and Buffalo’s Express, to help satisfy that hunger."

Fatburger is known for its juicy, built-to-order burgers. Founder Lovie Yancey was a trailblazer in the realm of toppings transforming a burger into a meal, beyond the usual lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles, with bacon, eggs, chili, jalapenos, and onion rings.

In addition to burgers, Fatburger's menu also includes Fat and Skinny fries, sweet potato fries, Impossible burgers, turkeyburgers, chicken sandwiches, and milkshakes.

The chain has also become a favorite destination in Hollywood for celebrities and athletes.

Buffalo's Express is a fast-casual chicken wing chain that was founded in 1985 in Roswell, Georgia. It's currently co-branded with 72 Fatburger restaurants.

The menu includes bone-in or boneless wings with sauces that include Scorchin, Carolina Fire BBQ, Asian Sesame, Coconut Jerk, Honey Garlic, and Sweet Bourbon BBQ. Wings are accompanied by celery, carrots, and blue cheese, ranch or honey mustard dressing.

The North Richland Hills Fatburger and Buffalo's Express is at 6039 Precinct Line Rd., #180 and is open daily from 11 am-10 pm.

Bankhead says that, once she and her partners get their bearings, they plan to open two more locations in the DFW area.