AlwaysTraveling: Little Big’s (Houston, TX)

The Hungry Goat — April 01, 2009

Restaurant: Little Big’s
Location: Houston, TX
AlwaysHungry Grade: A
Signature Dishes: Beef Slider
AlwaysHungry Recommends: Beef Slider, Spicy Chicken Slider, 4-Minute Fries

For the most part, it’s true what they say, everything is bigger in Texas— especially when it comes to food. But Houston’s latest burger sensation is helping diners overcome their gastro-sizism and realize that good things do come in little packages, or bites, I should say. At Little Big’s, the popular new slider joint from Reef Chef Bryan Caswell and co-owner Bill Floyd, the motto is, “little burgers, big taste”. The 3 oz. patty, made from fresh, never-frozen beef, is ground in-house daily, and certainly delivers in the flavor department. The meat is perfectly seasoned, and a cross-section of the mini burger reveals a light pink center—no easy feat considering the burger’s small stature. A topping of sweet, caramelized onions provides a little steakhouse flair, and adds to the juiciness of the already succulent burger. As my dining companion observed, “I can see why they call it a slider, they slide right out of the buns.” The buns deserve a shout-out as well. The homemade yeast rolls—which are baked fresh every few hours—are chewy, slightly tangy, and hold up nicely under the ooze of the messy burger.

While the Beef Sliders easily steal the show (especially when topped with a slice of melted aged cheddar) there are other standouts on this tiny menu. Chef Caswell has truly outdone himself in the fry department with the creation of the 4-Minute Fries. Hand-cut and deep-fried to-order for a lengthy four minutes, the large basket of golden fries are exquisitely crispy and arrive sprinkled with coarse sea salt. The Spicy Chicken Slider boasts tender chicken and a wonderfully crunchy coating that leaves a mild, lingering heat. The vegetarian option, the ‘Shroom Slider, was the only disappointment. As much as I love the idea of a fried, three cheese-stuffed Crimini mushroom cap, something about the flavor combination is slightly off, and the honey mustard sauce on top didn’t help.

What’s best about this spot is that the small sliders are matched by equally small prices—especially since a true Texan might need a half-dozen to really fill-up. A solo slider will only cost you $2.08, and a trio (three sliders of your choosing) is priced at a mere $5.78. Add a large basket of fries for less than $2, and you have a full meal for under $10. You’re even left with enough money to indulge in a “hard” shake (like a Sangria Slushie or blended White Russian) or enjoy a glass (or bottle) of wine from their impressively cheap wine list.