This Voted-Best Burger Joint Is 1940s Cowtown in a Time Capsule

Would you believe a few hamburgers on a small griddle have turned into a hamburger joint with multiple locations?

There’s hope, yet, for our kids-owned-and-operated lemonade stands.

And it started at Kincaid’s in Fort Worth, the spark of that hope. It’s “Where Friends Meet to Eat.”

Kincaid’s is more than a hangout for friend groups of all interest levels and ages.

Nowadays, it’s a family-friendly burger place to take the kids out for a night on the town. Drink up milkshakes, and watch your kids zip through grocery store aisles, rockets at full blast, hair in a tousle.

In another day, another time, a grocer slicks back his hair. A day’s work awaits him. But in the back of his mind, a scribble, just a napkin, really, inks its fingers into his thoughts: A hamburger restaurant?

Mister? Who’s Kincaid anyhow?

We’re right-glad you asked. That’s Mr. Kincaid, now.

“Where? I don’t see him.”

“Well, look into the past. See that man with his shirt tucked into his belt, one hand on the counter there?”

“Yes!”

That’s him.

Charles Kincaid, his full name, rather. He opened his grocery store back in 1946 in Fort Worth. What was it called? Well, it was simply named after him: Charles Kincaid’s Grocery and Market.

Of course, in the olden days, the name on the sign was shortened to a brief Chas. Kincaid Gro. Market.

But to those who knew about it and shopper there on the regular, it was a fine place to get what they needed, meet a few friends and clasp hands, and go on their merry way.

The outside wasn’t much, by today’s standards. Above the doors, a tall sign announced the name in big, blocky letters, with the lines behind the letters showing where it was attached. Almost like a marquee for an old timey movie at a theater like they used to do.

It wasn’t until 1964 that the Kincaid’s butcher and market manager sold the first few hamburgers. It was only to a handful of customers and, you guessed it, on a small griddle.

Using the grocery store market’s fresh beef and produce, he mainly cooked up made-to-order burgers, on the side.

The 70s saw a boom in the burgers’ popularity and demand. Kincaid’s won an award for “Best Burger in Fort Worth.” Only a few years later, Kincaid’s was voted “Best Burger in America” out of more than 400 hamburger restaurants.

What?! How did it go from a grocery store in Fort Worth? To a nationally rated burger? A little burger from Texas?!

That’s right, folks.

In 1992, Kincaid’s officially converted their grocery store into a full-on hamburger restaurant. The butcher’s family, the Gentrys, built picnic tables, by hand, to provide seating for customers.

Any Six Flags fans? Me, too! Well, Kincaid’s had a pop-up at Six Flags in the early 2000s.

In all these years, generation after generation has run the store, manned the back, chatted in the front, and kept the place alive.

That’s actually one of the most central tenets that stands out to me about Kincaid’s.

They’re all about family. It’s about their family, to yours. Celebrating moments, even lifetimes. No matter the mix of personalities in your family, we’re all one big burger, right? The bottom bread of our ancestors, the top bread of those whippersnappers running around here somewhere.

Big burgers in cowtown

What began as one guy who thought a grocery store market’s food could make for a good burger has transformed into burgers wrapped up and sold to happy customers and families right there in cowtown.

If you’re breezing into Fort Worth for the day, make sure to plan ahead for parking here. There are a few outdoor tables and chairs to sit with your family, but it’s first-come, first-served.

Parking’s right up close to the front doors, so go at an off-peak time to get a good spot.

It’s on a corner, with parking wrapped around. But even still, parking is quite limited. Carpool if you can! Sync up with your kids’ friends and other parents or grandparents.

Kincaid’s is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, they close in the afternoon, at 3 p.m., after opening at 11 a.m.

Their busiest days are Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Allow for extra time to park, order, and wrangle up the kids!

Alright, well, tell us about these burgers, then! Yes, yes, hold your horses!

Kincaid’s hamburgers come in two sizes, a half pound known as a “regular” and a quarter pound that’s a “junior.”

Burgers are split into two categories: Original, and Signature.

Under Original, you have your Hamburger, Cheeseburger, Chili Cheeseburger, and Bacon Cheeseburger.

Be aware that Original hamburgers come “All the Way” with mustard, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and onions. Mayo and ketchup are available if you ask ‘em for it.

Signature’s where it’s at. These are your Texas-themed names, through and through.

First up is The Cattleman. This one has onion rings, cheddar cheese, pickles, and barbeque sauce.

You’ve also got a Cowtown Deluxe, stacked with bacon, pimento cheese, grilled onions, jalapenos, and mayo. Be ready for a little bit of spiciness!

Bring on the spicy? You asked for it. Order up the Texas Firecracker. If the name’s not enough to scare you, or excite you beyond your right mind, this burger comes with bacon, jalapeno cream cheese, and habanero honey.

Worth a shot!

Kincaid’s has an option on the menu to let you customize your burger order, too. If you’d like an extra patty, or American cheese, you can certainly add those into your order when you’re up at the counter.

How’re the sides? Well, let’s see. What goes best with nationally acclaimed burgers?

Choose your pick! You’ll have crinkle-cut fries, fried okra, onion rings, chips, deviled eggs, stuffed jalapenos, or plain jalapenos.

That’s all great stuff … but I’m more of a sandwich person or into getting a bowl of all the things I like. You can do that here, too!

Sandwiches at Kincaid’s include Grilled Chicken, with mayo and veggies you get to pick, or a BLT, with bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayo on Texas toast.

Go with a classic Grilled Cheese, if you’re feeling nostalgic. Choose from American, cheddar, or pimento cheese.

Are there bowls I can order? Don’t mind if I do! There’s a Burger Bowl, with any Original or Signature burger, lettuce, chopped tomatoes, pickles, and chopped onions.

A Chicken Bowl lets you mix in grilled chicken or fried chicken strips with lettuce, chopped tomatoes, pickles, and chopped onions.

Feeling more like chili? They’ve got you covered. There’s a Texas Chili, which is a big bowl of chili with cheese, onions, and crackers.

Whoa! Did someone say “frito pie”? You heard correctly! Kincaid’s has a Texas-sized Fritos (that’s worth checking out, simply for a Texas-sized anything), with chili, cheese, and onions.

They also have Chili Cheese Fries, with crinkle-cut fries, chili, cheese, and onions. If it’s calling your name, go for it. You won’t regret it.

What burger place would be complete without hot dogs? While they do have Hot Dogs and Chili Cheese Dogs, I’d put my money on Corn Dogs.”. Who can go wrong?

Kids’ meal options include a Junior Cheeseburger, Chicken Strips, a Hot Dog, a Corn Dog, or a Grilled Cheese.

For adults, there are bottled beers, unsweet and sweet tea, sodas, and bottled water. And for the kiddos? Milkshakes, of course! This is a burger joint in Texas, after all.

Shakes come in chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, dreamsicle, or a seasonal flavor. Strawberry’s my go-to!

Add in banana slices, or make it a malt. Soda floats are also available, with hand-dipped Blue Bell ice cream (a Texas brand and a favorite) with any soda you’d like.

If you’d like a more traditional dessert, they’ve got banana pudding, or a cup of strawberry, vanilla, orange sherbet, or a seasonal flavor. Slather it in chocolate syrup, or dole out those banana slices. Perfection, Kincaid’s way.

One of the thoughtful touches I like most about Kincaid’s is that they include an Allergen chart on their website and for in-store customers. It makes it so much easier to find what to eat or avoid when you’re trying out a new place, or even coming back to a restaurant after a while.

Well, I’m sold! Where are they at? Plug Kincaid’s Camp Bowie into your Maps to get there in a jiffy.

Where: Kincaid’s Hamburgers, 4901 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107

Those thoughtful touches are what make Kincaid’s Hamburgers a special place year after year after year for families of little cowpokes.

One man flipping a burger as he chats over a grocery store display counter, mouth turned up slightly at the corner, one hand in the air as he’s talking, started the burger craze.

It wasn’t a flash in the pan. It wasn’t a big, bold, boisterous sign before construction’s even done.

Kincaid’s began simply. With good choices in the market section of a little grocery store. With little tips on healthy living as customers walk out the door, one arm raised to say, “I’ll see y’all later now!”

Today’s customers don’t leave with the same arm in the air, grocery bags lined up on the other forearm. They’re heading out that door with milkshake moustaches, cheesy fingers, and the occasional spur glinting in the Fort Worth sunshine.

Find them online at kincaidshamburgers.com, follow along on Facebook and Instagram, and pull up directions on Google Maps before you head out — because a burger this legendary deserves a proper plan to get there.