“I was actually friends with the [Dirty Juicy Burger] owner, and I had come here a few times and liked the product,” Headley said, noting Mean Burger now operates out of the same building once inhabited by Dirty Juicy Burger. “Eventually when it closed, the idea came forth and I contacted [Sanchez] and said, ‘Hey, would you be willing?’”
Sanchez, who had worked as a chef for Dirty Juicy Burger for four years, accepted Headley’s offer, and the pair opened Mean Burger in March 2022.
The eatery offers more than 20 unique burgers in addition to a variety of chicken sandwiches and specialty fries.
While a lot of the items offered at Mean Burger are similar to the Dirty Juicy Burger menu, Sanchez said he and Headley have made a concerted effort to procure higher-quality ingredients for the restaurant’s dishes, such as 100% Angus beef.
“A lot of customers ask me what kind of seasoning we use [on the burgers],” Sanchez said. “I don’t use any seasoning, just salt and pepper. The key is the quality of the meat and the quality of the [homemade] buns.”
Headley added the restaurant also now uses better ingredients for its fries.
“We were both shocked at the difference in the flavor,” Headley said.
Headley noted customer favorites include the chile relleno burger and the mac ’n’ burger, which Sanchez created himself.
“[Sanchez] brings new ingredients in, and he tries different things,” Headley said. “I can see the excitement when he comes up with another idea.”
While the duo said they are open to the idea of eventually expanding the business, they would only do so if they could ensure both restaurants maintain the level of quality they have established. As an immigrant from Mexico, Sanchez said his story is proof that the American dream still exists.
“I came to this country without anything,” Sanchez said, noting he arrived in America with $200. “Now, we’re running a business, and it shows everyone out there that you can make your dreams come true.”
Mean Burger
9441 FM 1960 Bypass Road W., Ste. 200, Humble
281-913-5234
www.mean-burger.com
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun. noon-4 p.m.
