There was a place on the western side of Houston near I-10 and Highway 6. Almost 50 years ago I started going there, when I was working nearby. It was an old house, that was converted into an antique store that served up burgers. You would actually sit at antique tables and chairs with other antiques surrounding you.

My oh my, those were the best burgers I ever ate. I would seldom go to Houston, without going there. I often planned my trips to Houston around a stop by Charlie’s Hamburgers.

I would often think, why don’t they franchise this place. Lo and behold one day in the mid 80s I looked up and saw a sign on a street corner at Barton Springs Rd and Riverside Dr where they were renovating an old building to put in a Charlie’s Hamburgers. It was like a dream come true.

I was there for the grand opening. I returned many times during its brief life in Austin. It tasted the same to me. But the folks in Austin never found it I suppose. Sadly it was gone as fast as it had appeared.

It eventually disappeared from its original location in Addicks. I understand they reopened closer in to Houston inside Beltway 8 and added other locations around Houston. I have never eaten at one since that time.

Perhaps it wouldn’t taste as good without the smell of old musty antique upholstered furnishings.

This building at Riverside & Barton Springs is the building where Charlie’s was for that short time. It has been several things over the years?