Welcome to Wes's Burger Shack
Wes's Burger Shack stands as a beloved mom-and-pop burger joint in Temple, Texas. Known for its homely ambiance and mouthwatering comfort food, it offers an inviting atmosphere where families, tourists, and students gather. The place boasts quick service, with food served hot and fresh, making it a perfect spot for lunch or a quick bite. Patrons rave about the savory cheeseburgers, crispy onion rings, and delightful chicken-fried steak. Plus, the friendly staff and owner Wes ensure every visit feels like coming home.
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About
Nestled on South 1st Street, Wes's Burger Shack has become a cornerstone in the Temple dining scene. Situated in a casual, cozy location, this restaurant caters to everyone from families to university students seeking a comforting meal after class. The building has a rustic charm, reminiscent of the classic burger shacks of yesteryear, creating a unique vibe that sets it apart from chain restaurants. Known for its friendly service, this local gem embraces community spirit, with regulars often greeted by name. Those looking for a hearty meal can enjoy a variety of options, from burgers to chicken-fried steak, all made with care. The real star of the show, however, is the welcoming atmosphere, accentuated by the frequent visits from Wes himself, who enjoys connecting with patrons. Free parking makes it accessible for all, while the cute, kitschy decor adds an element of fun to the dining experience. Whether you're grabbing a meal on the go or planning to sit down with friends, Wes's Burger Shack welcomes everyone to join the family.
Working Hours
- SundayOpen
- MondayOpen
- TuesdayOpen
- WednesdayOpen
- ThursdayOpen
- FridayOpen
- SaturdayOpen
What People Say
Most Liked
The cheeseburgers at Wes's Burger Shack win most hearts, often hailed as some of the best in Texas. Diners keep coming back for the crispy onion rings, which many declare as unbeatable. The atmosphere is lively yet cozy, perfectly suited for casual gatherings. With quick service and an owner who genuinely cares, the entire experience feels personal and engaging. Families appreciate the kid-friendly menu options, and the accessibility amenities make everyone feel welcome.
Most Disliked
Some diners find the building's exterior unassuming, comparing it to a used car lot, which may deter first-time visitors. A few reviewers note that the food could use a touch more seasoning, but salt and pepper are always available at the table. The limited operating hours might be inconvenient for late-night food seekers, as the restaurant closes early during weekdays and weekends. Additionally, the busy rush during lunch hours sometimes leads to minimal wait times for tables.
Reviews
Kimberley I.
A Must Go To Restaurant !!! Check Wes's Burger Shack Out !!! Best Homemade Hamburgers In The Whole State Of Texas !!! In Fact Everything We Had Was Excellent !!! From The Hush Puppies To The Deep Fried Garlic Cheese Curds !!! Wes & His Staff Had Our Food Out To Us Within 5 Minutes Of Our Order !!! Wes The Owner Greeted Us With Love & Laughter !!! His Staff Were Absolutely Awesome & We Were Definitely Impressed !!! Hands Down Was One Of The Best Experiences My Husband & I Both Had While Visiting Your Beautiful State Of Texas !!!
Brian B.
When I worked at THS and my lunch lined up with my CTE friends, we often made a lunchtime trek to Wes’s old location, but that was years ago! This was my first time at this location and the burger and onion rings were just as good as I remember them. My wife and I visited today for lunch and even though they were busy, we found a good spot and a server quickly took our order. Our food came out faster than I expected and as I said, it was excellent. Prices are reasonable, service and food are excellent. I highly recommend Wes’s Burger Shack!!
Yvonne M.
We love Wes's! Best onion rings I've ever eaten. Our son begs to go there whenever we go to Temple. Hamburgers are delicious also.
Running D.
We stopped at Wes’s Burger Shack in Temple on a Thursday for lunch at 12 noon. The Burger Shack is only open from 10 to 3 during the weekdays and is closed on the weekend. It was busy when we got there, but we were able to get a table right away (it’s a seat yourself type of place). From the outside, it looks more like a metal building used car dealership and the inside is nothing fancy, but don’t let that deter you! This is a GREAT place to go and grab some lunch! This is the kind of local family-run small business that I dream about finding! Everyone that worked there was very friendly and attentive to every table. The servers knew the names of some of the customers, so there is clearly a strong repeat clientele. The owner, Wes, and his wife were cooking in the back open kitchen. Despite being busy, Wes made time to come around to every table and greet people (some by name) and ask how the food was. We told him that it was our first time, and he said, “Welcome to the family.” There is nothing chain-restaurant-fake about this place. It feels very genuine with a friendly family atmosphere. Of course, all of that is great, but we did come to eat lunch and not just enjoy family fellowship. We got the Appetizer Combo for 2 with Cheese Curds and Fried Mushrooms. Both were good, but we liked the mushrooms a little more and will just get them the next time. Ranch dressing is served as a dipping sauce for the appetizer, and I’m not sure if they make it or buy it, but it was very good. I got the Double Meat Cheeseburger for my meal, and it was great. This is a large burger that is juicy and packed with flavor. The Burger Shack knows how to make a great burger! FYI, the burgers don’t come with a side. My wife got the Chicken Fried Steak (large dinner plate). It comes with two sides, and she got French Fries and Onion Rings to share with me and because we wanted to try both. The fries were good, but I would recommend that you give the onion rings a try because they were great. The chicken fried steak was also very good. It is clearly made in house and has a light and crispy coating. It seems like every place has CFS on the menu, but this one is near the top of the ones we have tried. The only minor criticism would be that the food needed a little more salt for our taste. This is not a big deal because there is salt and pepper on each table, and we would much rather have to add a little salt than to get our food overly salty! The food is good, and the service and atmosphere are great! What else can you ask for? I highly recommend that you stop and try this family-owned and operated local restaurant.
B O.
I work around the state and one of the joy’s of the job is picking where to eat lunch in whatever town we are in. After finishing a project and on the way out of town today we were stopped at the light and noticed the sign at Wes’s and a busy parking lot, after the normal rush time. “That’s a good sign” we said and pulled in. We were greeted by the waitress as we opened the door and told to pick a seat. Though very busy the few open tables were perfectly cleaned and ready. The atmosphere of a well run local gem was evident, by the time we were seated we were asked for drinks and given menus, and my native Wisconsinite heart immediately warmed by the sight of a fried cheese curd appetizer. Now twenty years in Texas , I’ve been offered “cheese curds” here just enough times before to not get too excited. But when they brought out a bottle of ranch and then garlic butter(!) with the generously portioned basket I knew Wes’s had risen above. Best fried cheese curds I’ve had outside of Wisconsin and better than many of what you can find back in the cheese state. Then out came the cheeseburgers, I’d ordered a double with bacon and all the fixins, and my partner a single, and each was massive and delicious. My work partner is an old hat who loves to be a burger snob and after a few bites proclaimed he may make the hour drive north from Austin just to eat there again, and I agreed. He compared it to our favorites back in Austin and declared that for the price, Wes just may have beaten them. We’re hungry men and neither of us could complete our meal without taking portions home, which the waitress was happy to oblige and also transfer our drinks to take away cups and refilled. Before we stood from our table we were visited and thanked by Mr. Wes who went on to work the room and all his regulars like the Don of burgers he clearly is. My only regrets are not eating there every day we were working in Temple, and spending too much time ranting and raving at the table about how great everything was that we didn’t notice all the Special staff he had bussing tables and backing up the great waitress u til we had signed the check and were heading to the door. If ever there is a place to tip 100% this is it and I will the many “next times” after experiencing what I did today.
Angel R.
I highly recommend Wes's Burger Shack for its exceptional dining experience. The quality of the food is outstanding—fresh ingredients and delicious flavors—and the waitstaff provides consistently excellent service, contributing to a very positive overall atmosphere. I've had a wonderful experience there and believe it's a great option for friends and family
Paul W.
This is a wonderful restaurant for us all. Look at the daily specials. The alternative is their great variety of burgers. Also their fries, onion rings. Excellent desserts too. Update: 9 October, 2024. Always enjoy coming here. The fellowship alone is fantastic. The food is excellent 👍. Best Burgers around town. Try it, you'll will definitely enjoy 5 ⭐'s rating always. Update: 10 January, 2025. Late lunch today and wow!! Chicken and dumplings special along with Catfish Special. This place was crowded for their delicious Specials. Fantastic service and delicious food. 👍👍. Update: 14 Apr, '25. So very nice to go here for lunch. The people who patronizes this restaurant are from all walks of life. Each and everyone of the staff are excellent, greeting you as soon as you enter. By the way, if you don't know, a variety of shirts for sale too. Noe they also have some nice hats for sale too.