Is it doable for a Houston consuming spot that’s been round for over six many years to be each well-known and little-known on the similar time? Sure. And Cream Burger is that spot.
Beloved by numerous H-City die-hards—particularly college students, school, and workers of Texas Southern College and the College of Houston—Cream Burger has been featured on TV by KHOU, the Texas Bucket Record, and extra. Its burgers, fries, and chili canines have been spotlighted by numerous meals lovers on-line, together with nationwide influencer Mr. Chime Time.
Nonetheless, loads of native Houstonians are solely now discovering this family-owned, inexpensive, deeply Third Ward-rooted establishment that’s been holding it down for 64 years.
Based in 1961 by Willie and Verna Lee Greenwood, a husband-and-wife duo from Hungerford, Texas, Cream Burger was handed to their kids in 1974—the identical yr George Foreman fought Muhammad Ali within the “Rumble within the Jungle.”
That second era continues to run the enterprise immediately whereas coaching up the third to hold the legacy ahead.
“My mother and pop began this enterprise in 1961. And in the event that they had been alive immediately…I guess they might be so pleased with us proper now. And we’re making an attempt to get a 3rd era in to proceed the legacy.”
Beverly Ann Greenwood
“My mother and pop began this enterprise in 1961. And in the event that they had been alive immediately, they’d be stunned as a result of we’ve been going for 64 years,” says Beverly Ann Greenwood, one of many second-generation homeowners and the unmistakable face on the Cream Burger window. “I guess they might be so pleased with us proper now. And we’re making an attempt to get a 3rd era in to proceed the legacy.”
Beverly’s lifelong Cream Burger journey
Beverly’s connection to Cream Burger runs deep.
“I’ve been working at Cream Burger ever since 1961,” she stated. “No, my siblings and I didn’t cook dinner hamburgers or make French fries once we had been kids, however we cleaned up the place. We picked up paper and swept the yard.”
Ask her what her favourite menu merchandise is, and he or she bursts into laughter.
“That’s what everyone asks. And I inform them every thing. I’ve eaten extra hamburgers, extra chili canines, extra French fries than anyone who has come as much as the window,” shared Beverly.
Her childhood recollections are seasoned with numerous meals contemporary off the grill.
“It was a hamburger within the morning for breakfast, a hamburger at lunch, a hamburger at dinner. We would change it up—chili burger, cheeseburger, chili canine—however sure, I ate extra hamburgers right here than anyone.”
Buyer-service legend
Cream Burger’s meals has a cult following, however so does Beverly’s strategy on the ordering window.
Some name her arduous. Others say stern, “direct,” and even straight-up imply. Simply as many name her loving. Beverly has heard all of it and stays utterly unbothered.
“I work together with prospects the way in which I wish to be handled,” she defined. “Some say I’m arduous: ‘That loopy woman up there at Cream Burger.’ However what goes round comes round. In the event you deal with me form and respectful, I’ll deal with you form and respectful. However if you wish to be disrespectful, I will be disrespectful to you.”
She pauses, then provides with a smile, “I used to curse, however I don’t curse anymore. I simply say, ‘God bless you’ and hold you going in your method. Now I’m seasoned.”
Similar to the burgers, prospects can’t wait to order.
When the Defender visited, prospects had been lined up half-hour earlier than opening.
“It makes me really feel good that we’re doing one thing for the group and the group acknowledges us and loves us,” Beverly acknowledged. “At the moment, it’s arduous to search out love in all places. So I feel once they come up right here, they see the love that we’re giving.”
Third era steps up
After years in company America, Corey Greenwood, Beverly’s nephew, is now Cream Burger’s supervisor and a part of the third era of management.
“It’s my grandmother and grandfather’s enterprise,” Corey says. “They began it in 1961 after I wasn’t even a twinkle in my mom’s eye. So, it’s a household custom.”
He’s been across the stand all his life, however joined full-time after being laid off following the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It was like God making ready me for what my household wanted from me,” he says. “And actually, I’m not careworn. The complications I had in company are gone.”
He remembers being a small youngster, coming to the stand together with his grandmother.
“Strolling in the identical area she walked, and now my aunts and uncles stroll, and now I’m strolling—it uplifts me. It places a smile on my face and guidelines my coronary heart,” stated Corey.
Beverly beams with delight about Corey’s function.
“My nephew is identical method my daddy was; a person of all traits. He will get on the grill, cooks hamburgers, and cooks French fries. If something breaks, we name him. I’m so glad he put apart all his different achievements to assist us,” she stated.
And Corey displays that love proper again.
“My aunt Beverly is among the 5 ladies who raised me. Her customer support helped me in my 25 years in company. Serving to here’s a blessing,” added Corey.
Shifting ahead with gratitude
Each Beverly and Corey say Cream Burger’s future is constructed on love, loyalty, and affordability.
“It’s the love and the help,” Corey says. “We thank our prospects, we admire our prospects, and we attempt to give again.”
That features sustaining aggressive costs, whilst prices rise.
“All the pieces goes up however the wages,” Corey says. “So, we attempt our greatest to do our half for the group.”
They’ve additionally modernized their choices to incorporate credit score and debit card funds, in addition to new shake flavors, to higher cater to youthful prospects.
By all of it, Beverly sums up the Cream Burger spirit merely: “We simply admire our prospects, and we wish to do what we are able to to make them joyful and make them smile.”
