MOOYAH Burgers, Fries, & Shakes is a casual, family restaurant that specializes in what the name advertises – burgers, fries, and shakes. MOOYAH is dedicated to making a “better burger” and is leading the industry in bringing better quality than fast food and less expensive prices than full-service restaurants. There is a simple menu, yet they still have something for everyone.

At MOOYAH, the customer is in charge. The menu is full of top quality food items that customers can choose from when creating their meal. They carry items such as fresh-baked buns, Heinz Ketchup, Hellman’s mayonnaise, Dreyer’s Ice Cream among other big-name, familiar products. They deliver all this in their family-friendly atmosphere.

History

Mooyah was founded by Rich Hicks and Todd Istre. Rich Hicks started at 14 years old as a dishwasher in a bar located in Pennsylvania. He eventually became an area director at Romano’s Macaroni Grill at the age of 25. After realizing he could not make decisions without approval, Hicks decided that he needed to let out his entrepreneurial spirit.

Hicks went to his father, who had been a CEO at Dr. Pepper/ Seven Up Inc. for help. He struck a deal with his father in which he would serve for two years as a multi-unit director in order to secure funding for him to follow his dream. In 1999, he opened Tin Star Taco Bar.

Todd Istre graduated from dental school in 1989 and had co-founded a successful dental group less than 5 years later. Istre has a passion for food and founded Boudreaux’s Cajun Kitchen in 1999. Todd Istre had been a regular at the restaurant and the two of them worked together in 2007 to open the first MOOYAH Burgers, Fries, & Shakes in Plano, Texas.

Their plan was to try to start of strong regionally and grow where the customers led them. Within two years they had 5 locations and they doubled that the next year. By 2012 they had grown to 40 restaurants. In 2014 there were 76 locations and they are now on track to have over 100.

Review

The menu allows for full customization. They have beef, turkey, and black bean veggie burgers, as well as beef hot dogs. They are served on either a white artisan or a multigrain wheat bun. They also offer an “Iceburger,” which is wrapped in lettuce. To start off, the burgers and hot dogs are all under $6. An extra patty is about $2.

They carry a variety of cheese. Applewood bacon and fresh avocado can be added on for less than $1 each. Lettuce and other veggies can be loaded on for free. The large sauce menu includes A-1, Cholula, BBQ, and their own signature sauce. The ready-made combinations, such as the Farmer’s Favorite – veggie iceburger, Swiss cheese, avocado, tomatoes, and spicy ranch – are mostly under $6.

For sides, they have regular potato or sweet potato fries. There is also a loaded house salad or a smaller side salad. The kid’s menu offers meals served with either fries or applesauce and either low-fat milk or low-fat chocolate milk. They are priced under $6. Finally, the shakes for less than $5 – they have cookie dough, mint chocolate chip, M&M’s, and more.

The restaurants are clean and the service is friendly. They have online and mobile ordering, and some stores have ordering kiosks. They even have an area on the wall where children can doodle. MOOYAH Burgers, Shakes, & Fries is a great place to bring the family and order food the way you want it.