There is a burger joint in Roanoke, Virginia called the Texas Tavern. My grandpa used to go there as a boy and get burgers for 5 cents a piece! This is where I discovered the Cheesy Western! It’s a hamburger with a fun surprise on it.
I keep waiting for this place to be on Diners, Drive-Ins, & Dives. It’s tiny, they only have 10 bar stools in front of a large silver counter that I’m pretty sure is the original thing. They serve greasy, simple food, and call ketchup sissy sauce! It is an experience. On a particular visit with my siblings, one of the old guys working the grill had us cracking up. With his thick southern drawl, every joke was ten times better!
I always order a Cheesy Western when I eat at, “Roanoke’s Millionaire’s Club” (it says that on their sign & my grandpa repeats it). It’s a cheeseburger with a fried egg on top! Why haven’t I thought of this before?! Try it. I promise you will be pleasantly surprised!
Matt & I visited while I was pregnant with Ada, May 2009.
Cheesy Western Hamburger Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 hamburger buns or sandwich rolls, sliced, toasted and buttered
- 4 hamburger patties
- 4 slices cheddar cheese
- 4 eggs
Instructions
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Grill burgers on barbecue or grill until desired doneness.
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Top with cheese and continue cooking until melted.
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While the burgers are on the grill, fry up the eggs to your liking. They can be as runny or cooked through as you want.
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Top with condiments of choice! The Texas Tavern does mustard, onion, and pickles. I prefer Miracle Whip and ketchup.
Grill burgers on barbecue or grill until desired done-ness, as seen here . Top with cheese and continue cooking until melted.
While the burgers are on the grill, fry up your eggs. I like mine flipped over and almost cooked through.
Matt likes his pretty runny.
Top with condiments of choice (Texas Tavern does mustard, onions, and pickles I believe), I prefer Miracle Whip & ketchup!
And, when you say Cheeeeeeeeesy Western, you have to say it like this:
Enjoy!
I grew up in Roanoke!! Texas Tavern is the best!! I sat at that counter many times back in the 70’s with my granny, after a Saturday trip to downtown on the city bus (yes I got to pull the cord to get off the bus!!) Was loads of fun!! Never had the cheesy western until I was an adult, always got the kids size burgers, no cheese just mustard and onion!! Loved them too. Moved from Virginia in 1998, haven’t had one since. But I will be going home for a visit this year (2021) and it will me my first stop with my grandsons!! Although they only use the sissy sauce on theirs lol. Can not wait!! Thanks for the recipe, I kinda knew what was on them, just wanted to make it as authentic as I could. Hopefully the original cook from back in the day shared his recipe and techniques for the future Texas Tavern experience!!
Melissa, this comment made my day!! Have the most wonderful time with your grandsons at the Texas Tavern! Such great memories throughout generations :) Thank you so much for sharing your story and taking the time to comment! – Kara