If you had to describe the quintessential American meal in three words what would it be?

a) Many breakfast tacos

b) Brunch with mimosas

c) Goat cheese/air flaaaahbread

d) Burger + fries + beer

If you chose d) then you’re probably celebrating the upcoming holiday aka National Hamburger Day. Do you know where you’ll be partying? Well if you’re into burgers and upscale fast food, let me introduce you to the frenemy that Chipotle doesn’t even know it has: eT Craft Burgers & Beer.

Located on 290 in the Cypress area, eT Craft Burgers & Beer swaps burgers for burritos and local craft beer for Corona. Designed by Michael Hsu–the same architect who brought us Uchi and Snap Kitchen, the interior of eT emits the similar sleek, industrial feel of its burrito bowl brethren.

Like Chipotle, eT has a remarkably simple menu that consists of burgers and burger bowls (aka a salad with a burger on top). You order at the counter and then go down the line pointing at which toppings you want on your burger.

Unlike Chipotle, eT has a fabulous rotating collection of craft beers on tap–most of them local. I had a hard time deciding which beer I wanted to accompany my meal. The menu had Karbach Love Street, St. Arnold Rootbeer, Leprechuan Hard Cider and more…On the recommendation of a friend, I elected for the Oso Bueno from 11 Below Brewing Company–a local Houston brewery that just opened!

Karbach Love Street and 11 Below Oso Bueno

Watch them grill as you go down the line

Toppings on toppings on toppings

I ordered a side pesto fries (#friesonfleek) and a veggie burger (typical, I know), and then went down the line pointing at every topping that looked good (which was a lot). My burger was a delicious hodgepodge of sriracha mayo,  sprouts, arugula, tomato, pickled tomatillo and onions, carmelized onions, grilled poblano peppers, jalapenos and pepper jack cheese (and probably a few more toppings that I forgot) on a toasted bun. Yes, that all fit on my burger–and it was spicy and fabulous.  Other interesting toppings that eT offers includes hummus, portabella mushrooms, pesto, confit tomatoes, and more! eT now also offers wine–in reusable glasses that you can take home. Woo souvenirs!

The Craftsman Combo

If you are of the meat-eating variety, the burgers are unique because they come as two small patties instead of one giant one. This allows the workers to cook your meal quickly (in front of you) with no wait time on your food.

If you’re salivating over this post, wipe the drool off your keyboard and make some time to stop by eT Craft Burgers & Beer. During the month of May, you can get 25% off any Craftsman Combo meal (aka burger + fries + beer #murica). And bonus if you’re one of the first 100 customers on National Hamburger Day (May 28), you’ll get a free burger! Just mention the secret phrase “I love National Hamburger Month.”

Watch out Chipotle, eT has something great between its buns.

Check out eT Craft Burgers & Beer at 19841 Northwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77065