Monday, January 19, 2009

Bad News - Tookie's in Seabrook Texas is Closed


I've just learned from Doug at the Seabrook Texas Tourism Office that one of the 100 burger joints in my book has closed. Nothing anti-climatic like cash-flow problems or a bad health department inspection were to blame for the closing though. It was last year's Hurricane Ike that did in the 35 year-old burger destination. "Oh, it was under about 6 feet of water," Doug explained. He didn't know what the owner's plans were for reopening but he mentioned, "I sure hope they reopen. People come from all over for their burgers."

It was my Southern food guru John T. Edge that led me to this out-of-the-way burger spot to sample their famous bacon-and-beef "Squealer". It's the ultimate bacon cheeseburger that is sure to spike your cholesterol. It would be a shame if this American culinary treasure were lost.


14 comments:

DocChuck said...

I would agree that the loss of Tookie's would be a catastrophe.

As a native Texan (Houstonian) my family and relatives spent a lot of time in Seabrook for various reason -- one of which was that my oldest aunt owned a cottage on the waterfront (now long gone).

TexasBurgerGuy wrote a wonderful review of Tookie's a couple of years (or maybe longer) ago. I don't know what happened to TBG, but I miss his blog.

Anyway, we're hoping that Tookie's is able to recover and reopen.

Seabrook needs the place.

Anonymous said...

PLEASE SAY IT AIN'T SO!!!! I sure hope someone will step in and SAVE TOOKIE's!

I live in Birmingham and was in El Lago visiting my Mom and stepdad George early last summer. They took me to what my Mom described as "A Legend" of a hamburger joint! I had the best hamburger EVER at Tookie's and the Onion Rings were incredible! That was my first visit and I sure don't want it to be my last!!!

So, let me be the first to sign the Petition to "SAVE TOOKIE'S"!
Signed: Jim Huckestein

Texas5567 said...

Please reopen Tookies!! As a former resident of Pasadena, now residing in Richmond, TX, Tookies was the place to go to escape. In my teenage years, it was a favorite date spot. Not only famous for their hamburgers, but who could go there and not get a Bombshell? Or the SupaDupa Chalupas? I hate to think that now it may just be a memory. Where's the petition? Let me be the first to sign.

Unknown said...

The lights in Seabrook are dimmer without Tookies...we are 2nd & 3rd generation Tookie Rookies, and everything else.
Hopefully and prayerfully somehow...some way Tookies will once again "leave the lights on" for so many of us that truly truly enjoy dining there.

Unknown said...

I hope Tookiesre-opens. They have awesome burgers and the atmosphere is great also.

We Are Rootin' For U Tookies!!!

Shugar said...

I haven't been to Tookies since 1998 but I will never forget the best burgers in the world. You haven't had a real burger until you have tookies burger. I was seriously considering flying my family of 5 to Tx just to let them experience what I had. Those that don't rate this restuarant well don't know what they're talking about. I just found my Tookies t-shirt during a move. It made me so hungry! So wish I could open a location in PA. It would be a gold mine! My heart is broken with the closing....

Unknown said...

Tookies did Seabrook Proud, for those of us who grew up there, living on hamburgers, Jim transformed the old orange and white burger stand into a real family resturant. Using the taste buds of local characters like john Stamper, Tookie's had the recipe for instant sucess. Good food and customer service.

trag said...

NOOOOoooooooo! I worked at NASA JSC from '84 to '87 and the two things I remember best are Tookies and Laredos Too.

I am planning on taking my son on a trip after school this year to give his Mom time alone, and Tookies figured prominently in my consideration of Houston/Galveston as a destination.

The Oinker (am I remembering that right, half pork, half beef?). The Onion Rings.

Please say they've reopened.

Unknown said...

Tookies was the best in clear lake area. A must eat Burger joint that I will miss forever. I live in Alabama now but will always remember how good the #99 was.

Unknown said...

One of my first jobs was washing plates at tookies liked there food good people working there but working behind the scenes I did and saw some crazy stuff. Not going to say what but the walk in cooler was nice wink wink.

Janette said...

Tookies is reopening!

trag said...

Janette said...

"Tookies is reopening!"

When and where? Details please! Or are you just trolling us? If the latter, that's just cruel.

Jim said...

Supposed to re-open July 4th-ish!

From what I heard (not verifed), the owner of T-Bone Tom's, across the bridge in Kemah, bought it because he got tired of answering all the questions about when/if Tookie's is going to re-open. And, he knows a good burger, or 4 when he eats them. I only hope he does his best to keep the menu unchanged.

Janette said...

www.tookiesburgers.com

or

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tookies/34204310985

They are getting power any day now & should open soon after that.