Burger Schmurger Finds a New Permanent Home

Burger Schmurger founder and chef Dave Culwell has finally found a home for his wandering (but never lost) burger operation.

The Los Angeles native, who spent time playing jazz in Portland before settling in Dallas, started his culinary career in his backyard. He'd cook for family and friends, who always requested that he make more burgers, to which he'd quip: "burgers schmurgers." The LA-style smash burgers were so popular that his gatherings got larger and larger, and soon he was doing private parties and pop-ups. He eventually landed a permanent spot at several restaurants and breweries around Dallas: Oak Highland Brewery, Craft and Growler and, more recently, High Fives.

Today, Culwell announced on his Instagram page that he's finally landed his first brick-and-mortar location. He hasn't set an opening date yet, but the new spot is at the old BarNone space on Buckner Boulevard at Northcliff Drive, in White Rock Center.

Burger Schmurger is a regular on our best burgers lists. Culwell uses an 80/20 mix for his ground beef. He forms the ground beef into tennis-ball shapes that are placed on the grill along with thinly sliced onions then smashed to about a quarter-inch-thick disks. A slice of American cheese is laid over the top, creating one magnificently gooey concoction.

We're partial to the Maverick, which is two patties and smoked bacon jam on a toasted bun.

With a bar and patio, the space will certainly make for a wonderful new spot for Culwell's backyard burgers.

The Dallas Morning News reports that Culwell is partnering with Brandon Hays and Phil Schanbaum, who own High Fives, for this new standalone venture. Until this new space opens, you can continue to find Burger Schmurger at High Fives, at 1804 McMillan Ave., in the Knox-Henderson area of restaurants and bars.