Sugar Land - Missouri City | July Edition

DINING FEATURE Tornado Burger Beloved mom-and-pop shop serves a whirlwind of avor T he hamburger is a culinary classic for many Americans, and at Tornado Burger, the key is simple: quality ingredients done right, owner PJ Gautam said. “No frills, we keep the prices low, we throw the meat on the grill and you go,” he said. No stranger to the restaurant business, Gautam brings a wealth of experience to the table. He’s the owner of both Tornado Burger in Staord and sister company Tornado Taco in Missouri City. “The learning curve is very steep in the restaurant business,” he said. “Once you fail, most people are like, ‘That’s it for me,’ and quit. It was tough, but I made it work, and now we are here.” Established in 2007, Tornado Burger has become a staple in Staord and the Sugar Land and Missouri City area. The menu is intentionally short and sweet, focusing on perfecting the essentials, Gautam said. The eatery oers various burgers, Philly cheesesteaks, gyros and numerous sides. “When you do too many things, you can’t do everything,” he said. The lines inside the restaurant are always long, and the drive-thru is even longer, Gautam said. However, customers can count on receiving their food fast, as the name of the restaurant suggests. Gautam said he named the restaurant Tornado Burger to convey the speed and eciency with which customers can expect to receive their burgers. “It’s a small building, and when the customers drive around it constantly, it looks like an artist’s rendition of a tornado,” Gautam said. Over the years, Tornado Burger has become a staple in the community, drawing customers from near and far, Gautam said. “Everywhere I go people are quick to talk to me [about Tornado Burger] even far away,” Gautam said. “I was in San Diego talking to someone, and they said ‘I know where that’s at, I’ve been there.’” BY SHAHERYAR KHAN

TO TRY 3

SANDWICHES

Spicy cheeseburger ($6.35) has garlic, onion, jalapeno and spices. (Photos by Shaheryar Khan/Community Impact)

Double cheeseburger ($6.35) has lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese, mayo and a special spread.

Steak Philly sandwich ($8) is thinly shaved steak with grilled onions and provolone cheese on a hoagie roll.

Tornado Burger 505 Murphy Road, Staord 281-403-3278 Hours: Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Owner PJ Gautam opened Tornado Burger in 2007.

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SUGAR LAND MISSOURI CITY EDITION • JULY 2023