Best Hamburger in Leander & Cedar Park

We recently ran a Nextdoor poll asking local neighbors who makes the best hamburger in Leander and Cedar Park. After 325 votes, the winner was not one of the national chains or polished Austin-area brands. It was local favorite Sharks Burger.

The little local burger shop beat the big names

Our poll was limited to 10 options, so there were predictably people campaigning for an 11th, 12th and 13th choice. But the field still included some heavy hitters: Hopdoddy, Mighty Fine, Whataburger and In-N-Out Burger, among others.

The original Sharks Burger is tucked inside Texan Mart near Hero Way West and Sunny Brook Lane in Leander. It may not be the first place an out-of-towner pictures when planning a burger run, but that is part of its charm. The food and service do the selling.

Why Sharks Burger stands out

People can be quite pretentious about food, especially around the Austin metro. In the end, though, we tend to go with our gut—pun intended. Sharks has won over the community by being friendly, consistent and serving darn good food.

The burgers are customizable, with juicy beef, fresh toppings and buns that hit the right balance of buttery, crispy and soft. The fried items deserve attention too: the chicken bites are hand-breaded before frying, while the fries and tots arrive with the exterior crunch you want.

Food photos courtesy of Sharks Burger.

My first-visit advice

If you can, eat there. The original Hero Way shop is humble, with limited seating, but the food is best hot and fresh. If you are ordering ahead, the Sharks Burger website makes pickup easy. First-timers who prefer to study the menu without a line behind them will appreciate ordering online.

Weekly specials also make the decision easier, although building your own burger is part of the fun. And do not overlook the Shark Bites, fries or tots.

Let down your guard and give Sharks Burger a try. I’m confident you will understand why local voters put it at the top of the Leander and Cedar Park burger field.