It’s been five years since Justin Turner decided to open and operate his burger business out of a yellow school bus. Since then, the Bernie’s Burger Bus concept has expanded to include one brick-and-mortar location in Bellaire and another launching soon in Katy, with plans to add a third location in The Heights.
Turner is known around the city as a dealer of juicy meat patties and scratch-made condiments. In fact, in 2012 he won double Houston Culinary Awards for Favorite Burger and Favorite Food Truck. But did you know his culinary background lies elsewhere? We caught up with the burger boss — or should we say principal? — and asked him a few nosy questions.
What inspired the Bernie’s Burger Bus concept?
Until I was around 11 years old I thought my grandfather’s name was Jack because he had named some businesses after his father-in-law, Jack. When I found out his name was Bernie, I thought what a cool thing and that I would like to replicate that in the future. After I decided to open a burger business the alliteration was ideal but I kept it going by adding “bus.” And what better than a school bus?
Have you always wanted to open a burger joint?
Not necessarily a burger joint, but definitely a restaurant. As the success of Bernie’s grew within our food truck it became apparent that a restaurant, and now multiple restaurants, was in the cards. I’m actually more experienced in the seafood end of things, ha! One day!
What’s the ideal fat-to-meat ratio for a juicy burger?
30/70 all the way, baby!
How many burgers do you sell each week?
At our Bellaire location we sell an average of 4,000 burgers every week.
Down the line do you see yourself opening a different concept?
Actually I see myself opening up a few more concepts, for sure. I could tell you that seafood, barbecue, pizza and a little space that seats about 25 people have not left my head, so I will always strive to get those.
With access to all of the meat, toppings and condiments in the world, what would be your perfect burger?
Good aged cheddar, thick-cut applewood-smoked bacon, my homemade barbecue sauce, my homemade pickles and crispy fried tobacco onions.
Besides burgers, what is your ultimate comfort food?
A good bowl of pasta, even as simple as Bolognese made with great ingredients. There’s nothing better.
What do you do in your free time, if you have any?
My free time is definitely spent with my amazing little boy Cooper.
(Photo below by Ben Sassani, Shoot My Chef)
Your last meal on earth … please describe.
Whole hog barbecue, foie gras, an array of cheeses and breads, good whiskey. Man, it would be so hard to choose. I have no idea. I could keep going and going.
What do you cook at home?
I love playing with seafood and cooking anything Asian.