1 of 7
Stephen Montoya
2 of 7
Stephen Montoya
3 of 7
Stephen Montoya
4 of 7
Stephen Montoya
5 of 7
Stephen Montoya
6 of 7
Stephen Montoya
7 of 7
Stephen Montoya
What started out as a side hustle for Moe Ghoreyshi over 27 years ago has become one of the West Side's most beloved burger spots. Currently the Burger Box, which kicked off on East Abram Street in Arlington, can now be found at multiple locations on the good side of the Metroplex. However, for this article’s purpose we stopped by the one located at 4466 Southwest Blvd. right off of Texas 183. This drive-thru/dine-in spot has been cooking up delicious made-to-order burgers and sides for nearly 30 years to a slew of repeat customers.
The exterior of this simple burger shack seems like an ode to diners and drive-ins of the late 50s or early 60s. Near the drive thru on the south side of the parking lot, is a covered parking area that looks like it may have been an old car hop at one time. Upon entering, customers are greeted by a giant menu filled with images of food items and a picture or two of Hollywood legend and Oscar Winner Audrey Hepburn.
So, what’s on the menu?
Customers can choose from several menu options that include everything from a crispy chicken sandwich to an ice cream sundae made with real Blue Bell Ice Cream. Outside of these conventional cuisine offerings, the Burger Box is also a great place to get a custom order. One example of this happened when a group of servicemen from the Naval Air Station stopped in and dared one of their group members to eat an entire six meat burger.
“He ate the whole thing too,” Ghoreyshi says. “It was kind of like a dare, you know, one of the guys at the table started talking and before you know it, we are cooking six patties for one burger.”
Ghoreyshi, who hails from the Houston area, says he ended up in Fort Worth after he moved to Denton to study for his doctorate in Psychology over 20 years ago. While he was moving up in the academic realm, Ghoreyshi says he found a penchant for the hospitality industry.
“I found out that being in the restaurant business was in my blood,” he says. “I made good money at it and I liked to meet new people."
In 1996, Ghoreyshi says he purchased the spot where Burger Box resides — it was once an old Dairy Queen, which, if you've ever driven through small-town Texas, you would know explains the design — with a plan to offer great customer service at a reasonable price. Sounds cliché, right? Well, the proof is in the burger, so to speak, because there is a substantial line in the parking lot during lunchtime on any given weekday.
“You see, I don’t have any competition in this area,” he says looking out to the street from the dining room. “This is part of the reason I feel we have been successful for many years. If you don’t have a good location, you can’t make any money.”
You could also chalk up Ghoreyshi's success to his knowing and understanding of his customer.
“Americans love hamburgers,” he says with a grin. “If they cannot afford one hamburger or cheeseburger, there’s going to be a revolution (laughs).”
To help combat this burger revolution from taking place, Ghoreyshi priced his first burger combo at 99 cents. It was so popular in fact that he even had a customer swing by on horseback through the drive-thru. Now, if that’s not Fort Worth, I don’t know what is.
Ghoreyshi says the Burger Box’s model is based on old-fashioned traditions that include handing down family recipes from one generation to another. “You know how your grandfather and grandmother always fixed good food? That’s how we like to do it here,” he says. “You learn from them along the way and keep that tradition moving forward for another generation, that’s our motto.”
Another aspect of the business Ghoreyshi attributes to its popularity is the quality of the meat Burger Box uses to make its patties. “We don’t go for cheap on anything, that even goes for the French fries,” he says. “We changed the meat one time, and our customers could tell on the first bite. That’s why we only get the best.”
There are nine Burger Box locations in and around the Fort Worth area — all reside west of Highway 360 — and many of which occupy former Dairy Queens. So, while you have your fair share of Burger Box options, Ghoreyshi insists you'd make his day if you swung by the location on Southwest Boulevard on horseback and placed a to-to order.
“I love the community here,” he says. “We have repeat customers that have been coming here for years. We see them coming and already have their order ready for them. This is what makes this business so fun.”
Holes in the Fort Rating Scale
Ambiance: 4 out of 5 (The charm of this eatery is that is looks like it has been around for 27 years. The time warp aspect is what makes it authentic.)
Service: 5 out 5 (The Burger Box staff are seasoned pros who are friendly and willing to make anything you can imagine within reason like a six-meat giant burger.)
Food: 5 out 5 (The meat is really good and so are the French fries. The fries are not an afterthought, but part of what makes a combo from this spot so good.)
Price Point: 5 out 5 (Very affordable. My first trip to this spot cost me $11 for a double meat combo with fries and a drink. No revolution necessary.)
Do: the cherry limeade, It’s one of the best in the city if not of all time.
Don’t: forget to bring your appetite and an open mind. This spot might look a bit faded from its outward façade, but it’s every bit the real deal.
(Holes in the Fort is an ongoing series that highlights some of the city’s best local food spots.)
