Houstonist Bites: Pete's Fine Meats

Houstonist had to get our "burger on" after our first birthday party - had to. So, we phoned in some bacon cheeseburgers and rings for ourself and a co-worker from Pete's Fine Meats on Richmond Avenue. Normally, a "go burger" is kinda listless by the time you get to where you're going with it - this one was not super hot, but still warm enough and juicy. The onion rings were not homemade, however, they were quite good (we were unable to ingest the entire affair - that is one nice sized burger, with thick bacon). The burger itself was juicy and not over-grilled (ie. crunchy outside, bone dry inside) and sported a nice half inch patty - after all - you can guarantee that a meat market is not gonna grill up a frozen "hockey puck" and try to pawn it off on you as "Grade A" fresh meat. Our burger was nicely loaded - and on a whole wheat bun (we feel better about our burger run knowing that we really did hit all of the food groups at once, inluding the grains).

Pete's has a good selection at the deli counter - barbecue, sandwiches, deviled eggs, a veggie burger for the no-meaters (we know - at a meat market - it's rather ironic), and buffalo burgers for the health conscious burger addict, along with chili, soups and boudin and more. There is a decent seating area that flanks the deli if you want to order in - we normally order take out - our lunches are consumed over work and on the fly for the most part (we did not even have time to stick around in our office complex food court for The El Orbits - shame on us - we can report that Thomas Escalante does a nice job on vocals!). The price is pretty right at Pete's - the sandwiches top out at $4.99, and the 3-meat barbecue plate is $10.49 (it comes with beans, potato salad, pickles and onions). Our total food bill for two bacon cheeseburgers and two onion rings was almost $16.00 (the sides are large enough to share) - and we are pleased to report that fries and rings are priced equally.

Peruse the meat counter while you're waiting for your order - who knows you might find dinner in the meat case. We recommend the jerky too - it's made in house - get some to share with your "jerky" co-workers, if you feel all nice.

Bottom Line: Nice burger - all around, good sides, and reasonably priced (we have to pony up for the pork products to which we are addicted). Houstonist will put this on the frequented list of lunch choices (after all, The El Orbits were the highlight of our food court - we try not to get our grub on there, if we can help it). Houstonist recommends you give this joint a whirl - it's close to the Galleria-area and easily accessible - not to mention the mean burger they peddle. For the deer hunters out there - Pete's offers processing at a reasonable price, as well.

Pete's Fine Meats
5509 Richmond Ave.
713.782.3470

Have a burger joint we need to try? Send us an e-mail and we'lll add it to our "hit list". Now, we're putting our nose back on the grindstone - work beckons.