J-Dub’s Burger Barn

This was one of my favorite burger joint dives. It is one of those places that you cant put your finger on what makes the burger good but just sit back and enjoy it, I heard they moved to Southland’s ice house which is not a place I would take my child but I was in the mood for a good burger. Unfortunately they were not serving. if someone knows where they pop up next please post it. I miss their old location.

Well, unfortunately, I sure wish these folks had stayed in their previous location in an «older house in Katy.» The icehouse/​bar wasn’t a good fit. Of course I don’t know the actual reason (and it might have had nothing to do with the move) but now they’re closed. Supposedly permanently.
Too bad. Those burgers in the original location were the best in town.

food still good but I just hate the location. it was so much better when they had their own place :/

Loved the food so much and was a regular but not going anymore due to the new location. It’s in a shady bar and further then before.

Pretty good burgers. We used to go to the old location. Do not feel like going to the new location since it is further and inside a shady bar.

This is not a kid friendly place. They used to be their own «burger barn» based on older reviews here, but now it’s Southlands Bar (but they serve burgers) — so reviews before ⁰⁷⁄₂₀₁₅ are for the old location.
It looks like a great place to have a beer and watch sports (the owner was really friendly and they have plenty of tvs). But if you’re looking for a burger place, or somewhere to take your kids — this isn’t it.
We didn’t realize this was a bar until we got there. There’s no way we could take our kid inside with all the smoke, so we sat out on the front porch. If you don’t have kids, and you don’t care that it’s a bar now, read on! But I have to give it ³⁄₅ as a burger joint because the bar and smoke are not what most people expect (and I’m hoping they read the review).
Prices were decent (around $ 12/​person after a burger, fries, and a drink). Service wasn’t super fast, but that’s fine. We tried a burger and wings — both were excellent. The buns were fresh and seemed home-​made. The burger was very good quality, they know what they’re doing. They’re not stingy with the ranch dressing wing sides, and they were very friendly. The waitress (and owner) checked on us a few times. They have real southern iced tea (or beer!). Life is good.
I want them to succeed, because they seem genuinely nice and friendly. But it’s not kid/​family friendly, it’s an icehouse. If you’re fine with that, you’ll love this place. They need to update their Unilocal page and change «Kid Friendly» to «no» — I’d give them 4 stars if they advertised as a bar. Give it a try if you want a new place to drink. Don’t bring your kids (despite the leftover playground on their lawn).
In short: If you want a bar with great food, you need to try this place.
If you’re looking for a burger but don’t like smoke or dive bars, give it a pass.

You can’t get much simpler than this. An icehouse with a kitchen. Quite dicey from the outside but the bartender was pleasant and apparently we weren’t the only family considering coming here. Good burgers and fried appetizers. Don’t expect more. Much better than you will expect.

Heard about the burgers so we though we would try it. It’s a bar and not a restaurant. Sat on patio with wife and three kids. No server came out. Went into bar and asked for couple of beers and if there was a waitress outside. The bartender said no but I can try and serve you. We left.
Seems like a good place for a beer but not a burger restaurant for a family.

Like other recent reviews, I too love the burgers. Some of the best around. The unique old house took a little getting used to, but easy to overlook once you taste the burgers. I was excited to see they were moving, hoping they would move to a nicer place.
Wow, was I disappointed when I went to their new location! They’re now sharing space with a smoke-​filled ice house! Burgers are still good, but you have to endure sitting amongst the smoke and heavy beer drinking! I never felt comfortable! Definitely NOT a place you want to take your kids! They offer patio tables, and playground equipment outside, but who really wants to sit in 100 degree temperatures.
J-​Dub, it hurts me to say this, but I won’t be back until you move to a better location!

Sad to say that this you to be one of our favorite burger joints. Unfortunately because of the new location we will not be going back. The place smells like concentrated stale cigarette smoke. The place is very dark even at lunch time. While we were there we watched 2 families walk in and turn around back to the pouring rain. Something we almost did.
J-​Dub please find another location we would like to return as customers.

I don’t quite know how to pitch this review as I wish to be fair.
Firstly, the burgers are without doubt the best around… great flavor, not greasy and the buns are superb… just try a classic burger with all the trimmings and no cheese and you will see what I mean. The fries are equally good!
Okay, so now the negative. I liked the old house, it may not have been perfect but it beats the smokey ice house hands down. In my opinion it is no longer kid friendly unless you want to stay outside (big yard with toys). It just feels like an icehouse with beer and cigarettes that serves great burgers.
Sorry, I will no longer be a frequent visitor and it pains me to say that.

I used to love the old J-​dubs and I am happy that they found a new location but it leaves little to be desired. First your hit with the overwhelming smell of cigarette smoke. The service is terrible and the food took forever. When the server finally brought a bill it was for $ 20, when she brought the credit card slip it was for $ 31, not sure what changed but it was corrected. I wonder how often that happens and people don’t notice!

Best burgers in the Houston area. We liked the old place but the new place is better. You can get an adult beverage with the amazing food and the staff is amazing.

This place is now in a bar with limited seating and lots of cigarette smoke! I’m s not a family friendly place anymore! The original location was great, I am not a fan anymore.
The old building is closed they moved to a hole in the way dive!

Great food and great people running it. Everyone happily choked down. Can’t wait to see the new location!
Only down side was it was a little warm and the coke zero was out. Burgers more than made up for it!

Best burger in Katy!
Hamburger patties are made from brisket. Hand-​cut fries are good, but they were a bit greasy and I thought the battered sweet potato fries were better.
The jalapeño burger was delicious! The bun was fresh and the meat patty was juicy. Just the right amount of mustard, pickles, tomato and lettuce.
We had to wait about 30 minutes for our food, but a 3^rd grade boy brought us some complementary «tutor tot spudz». Those things were addicting and tasted like a fully loaded baked potato. We will definitely order some next time.
Looks like a family runs the place. The lady at the register thanked us as we left. We felt very welcome at this restaurant.
This place gets very busy and we had to park at a nearby business, but J-​Dubs is moving soon to the ice house near I-​10 and the old driving range.
I have been looking for the best homemade burger in Katy and finally found it. I would put Fuddruckers and Red Robin somewhere in the running, but there is a reason that J-​Dubs is featured on the June 2015 cover of Katy magazine. Great food.

My twin boys and I think this place has the best cheese burgers outside of Houston. The only issue we have with this place is they are closed on Mondays! That’s our night out with Boy Scouts and our night out for dinner.
Seriously, these burgers are serious and amazing. The fries are also damn good.
I’d give 4 and ½ because being closed on my night out… But this place is amazing.

Nice place to go with the family!!! Family owned. Burgers best of katy fries are just ok.
All family happy with the service.

After having plans cancelled at Panera, I was freed up to venture out and try some of Katy ’ s finest offerings. The parking lot only has about 10 spaces, but I was able to get a spot when a soccer mom was pulling out. This place is apparently frequented by many families as there were kids at nearly every table. It’s family/​veteran — owned too and even the kids are put to work here.
After quickly looking at the menu, I opted for the bacon cheeseburger, and I added a 2^nd patty (1.49), and jalapeños (0.35). With fries and a drink, it comes out to $ 13.08. A little on the high side. The standard cheese is apparently american, so I had to go back and tell them to make it with cheddar. They didn’t ask how I wanted my patty cooked either, and so I told them medium rare. The very young cashier told me they normally cook everyone’s patties medium well.
Another unusual thing about their menu is that they say each patty is 6oz, but their 3 patty burger at the top of the menu is listed as 1 lb.
My burger comes out and the first thing I notice is that it’s not hand formed, but is it fresh beef. Likely machine formed into circular patties. First bite and I realize it is pretty peppery to give it taste. The jalapeños they added were pickled ones. As far as toppings, the only thing that was different was the arugula, otherwise it’s standard onion and tomato. The bacon was good, but they give you pieces of it and not strips. I didn’t taste it until the 4^th bite, if that gives you an idea.
French fries were handcut shoestring, which you don’t see very often. Most times they are frozen in that style. They were greasy as hell, but not bad. I prefer larger fries though.
Another thing to note is that if you stay long enough, a side bbq business also operates within the restaurant and offers samples of take out bbq. Sir Billy Bob’s Royal Barbecue. I had a sample of the baby back ribs, and I wasn’t really impressed.
Overall, this place was not bad, certainly worth a visit if you’re in the area. Everything is a la carte, so it will add up before you know it, if you’re concerned about not breaking the bank on a simple burger.

Another great meal served up by J-Dub’s The burgers are always fresh, but the thing that keeps me coming back is the fries. We get both the regular fries and the sweet potato fries. They are so good.
Not sure how they get the sweet potato fries so crispy (not limp/​soggy), but they are delicious.
Try the jalapeño burger!