Famed Emmy Burger Coming to Houston For One Night Only

MIDTOWN, HOUSTON, TX — Houstonians (among others) love to line up for burgers. Last year, scores of people young and old queued outside Austin import Hopdoddy Burger in the blazing sun to order beef and bread. Whataburger is considered a state treasure, and you'd best not state otherwise, or else.

Texas pride notwithstanding, many Houstonians have no problem welcoming "Outsider Burgers" to town, and if the past is any indication, it will be a standing-room-only evening on January 12 at Cane Rosso when the Emmy Burger makes its local (one-night-only) stand. (I was notified of the burger's arrival by a friend in Brooklyn, who sent me a mouthwatering photo of the creation via Instagram and told me to get ready.) Full disclosure: I experienced the Emmy in October of 2016, and it is a fine burger.

What's the big deal? Here's what Grub Street said about it:

One approach to funky dry-aged beef: Juxtapose it with equally bold, bordering on baroque accoutrements like Grafton Cheddar, cornichons, charred onions, and the Korean-inspired “Emmy” sauce. (Not to mention the pretzel bun.)

The Emmy Burger hails from Brooklyn, and it's the creation of Matthew and Emily Hyland, who own Emily (the burger comes from there) and Emmy Squared, both located in the borough. The Hylands are coming to Houston at the invitation of Jay Jerrier, the owner of Cane Rosso, who fell in love with what the couple were cooking when he visited their restaurants in 2016.

Matthew Hyland told me via email that he's looking forward to another visit to Houston. "This will be only my second time in Houston and my first time I was there was over a decade ago for one night, but I remember I ate at a great Thai restaurant in Rice Village! I've heard nothing but good things about the food scene and I am excited to get one meal in."

The Emmy Burger will cost $20, and will be available at Cane Rosso beginning at 5 p.m. on the 12th. If you want one, be prepared to arrive early, because there will be lines, I guarantee you.

— Image courtesy Flickr/Adam Kuban