Why Locals Love Hat Creek Burger Company
Located in Temple, Texas, Hat Creek Burger Company is a standout gem for lovers of American comfort food, specializing in mouthwatering hamburgers and savory chicken dishes. This family-friendly restaurant offers a vibrant atmosphere that perfectly balances the quick convenience of fast food with the warmth of a welcoming neighborhood spot. Whether dining indoors or enjoying the spacious outdoor seating, guests will appreciate the inviting ambiance enhanced by a thoughtfully designed playground, making it an ideal destination for families and groups alike.
Hat Creek’s menu boasts a tempting variety of flavorful options, with standout items that truly excite the taste buds. The Ultimate Pizza Burger is a creative masterpiece combining two all-beef patties layered with pepperoni slices, melted shredded mozzarella, and aromatic Italian spices, all crowned with Michael’s of Brooklyn legendary pizza sauce and served on a delightfully buttery, garlicky pretzel bun. This burger alone exemplifies the restaurant’s flair for bold, satisfying flavors.
For those craving indulgent sides, the Queso Fries and Queso Tots are irresistible, generously topped with crispy bacon, rich queso, and a zing of green chiles. These dishes are perfect companions to any burger or chicken sandwich on the menu, delivering a gooey, crispy, and spicy contrast that livens up every bite. To refresh and cool down your palate, the Frozen Lemonade Slushy offers a bright, tangy finish—light and invigorating on a warm Texas day.
Customers consistently commend the friendly and attentive service, often highlighting staff members like Michael who go above and beyond to make each visit memorable. The restaurant’s commitment to a clean, fun, and relaxed environment is evident, with visitors praising both the professionalism of the team and the vibrant atmosphere. It’s clear that Hat Creek Burger Company is more than just a quick meal stop—it’s a community hub where good food and genuine hospitality come together.
While some menu items like the Bacon Royale have drawn mixed feedback regarding ingredient portions, the overall dining experience remains highly positive. Many guests also appreciate the healthy salad options, such as the cheeseburger and Paleo salads, catering to various dietary preferences without sacrificing flavor. And let's not forget the Peanut Butter Cup shakes—an indulgent treat that leaves a lasting impression with their creamy, rich texture.
In all, Hat Creek Burger Company offers a delicious, family-oriented destination that refreshes the typical fast food experience with hearty, thoughtfully crafted meals, a lively atmosphere, and caring service. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic burger with a gourmet twist or looking to hang out in a playful, inviting setting, this Temple favorite is sure to satisfy your cravings and lift your spirits.
See the Space & Food
What Makes This Place Friendly
- Outdoor seating
- Kerbside pickup
- No-contact delivery
- Delivery
- Drive-through
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
- Fast service
- Sport
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Happy-hour drinks
- Quick bite
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Bar on site
- Toilet
- Casual
- Trendy
- Family friendly
- Groups
- Tourists
- University students
- Accepts reservations
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
- Good for kids
- Good for kids birthday
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
- Free of charge street parking
- Free parking lot
- Parking
- Dogs allowed
- Dogs allowed outside
Real Reviews from the Community
- Mar 15, 2026
Visited here today, for the first time. The food was wonderful and I didnt think the price was unrealistic. I would, however, like to make a shout out to Michael, who was working the register. He was the friendliest service worker I have experienced in a LONG time. I am a restaurant manager myself, and if I lived in Temple, I would definitely try to poach him! He was wonderful and I loved the southern hospitality!! Thank you guys!
- Mar 6, 2026
Soooo this place is clean. Employees are nice and professional. Fun atmosphere. The food tasted good. However, I ordered the Bacon Royale without hat sauce and added pickles....I will share a picture....it had very little bacon and had no grilled onions on it. That just rubbed me the wrong way. I mean come on...it's the name of the burger! Put an appropriate amount of bacon on that thing. This place is about $10 a person. Less for kids meals.
- Mar 1, 2026
I went through the drive thru with my bestie to get some dinner. They have a great varity of healthy options. My bestie got the cheeseburger salad and she said it was "Pretty alright!" And I got the Paleo Salad which in my opinion tasted nasty. The peanut butter cup shakes were AMAZING . Whoever took our order was super cooperative and fast. Overall great experience and will definitely come again (Especially for shakes because we are big backs)
- Feb 11, 2026
I had not been in here since I had an unpleasant experience a couple of years ago. I am really glad we have them another try. We have eaten here twice in the last week. Both times the burgers have been great andvthe sweet potato fries were perfect! I need to give a shout out to Michael for great customer service and to thank Joey for checking in on our table to make certain we were enjoying our food. The customer service was so much better than when I tried it before. So long as it stays like this, I will be back!
- Feb 3, 2026
I love Hat Creek! Amazing atmosphere with outdoor and indoor seating and a great play area for the kids! Food is delicious hamburger or chicken sandwich, you can't go wrong! Fries are decent and seasoned pretty well. It's definitely a nice change up from the usual fast food restaurants. Food does take a little longer to make/get but its worth the trade off.
- Jan 24, 2026
We love coming here with the kids! The staff is always super kind. Abby has helped us the last few times we’ve been and she goes above and beyond and is super sweet with the kids.
- Dec 20, 2025
They had a deal going of for a free burger if you wore A&M colors, so I did, got a free burger along with my meal. Michael at the counter was very careful to make sure to get each element of my order right. The attention to detail was appreciated. Ordered the new Green burger with avocado and I believe it was a serrano sauce? I was a little nervous because my experience with avocado is usually hit or miss. It was fresh and tasty. Would order the burger again. I also got fried pickles and fries. The fries were great, the seasoning reminded me of serendipity from Bushes which I miss dearly. The pickles were okay, solid and worth finishing but not the best I had. Quality meat patties, solid and tasty options, and friendly and attentive staff means I would definitely come back again, and sit down for a meal.
- Dec 19, 2025
Hat Creek is such a great place for family eating. The kids have plenty to choose from and a place to play. Adults have healthy and not so healthy choices to eat. Michael is a regular staple to take our order. He always remembers us and is so very kind. They also let you bring your own cake and have birthday parties at no charge. My family highly recommends Hat Creek!
