Leading the way in local nostalgia, Hamby’s on Main St. is Boerne’s newest “old” burger and milkshake joint. Featuring a revival of smash burger and shoestring fry combos, onion rings, and malts, customers of this new iteration of a former favorite can also anticipate the added offerings of a craft brewery. That’s because owner Josh Mazour also owns Cibolo Creek Brewing Co., located directly across the street, and he has big plans for this 1950s-esque enterprise.
Having the idea during the pandemic, Mazour developed the concept of his family growing one brewery into two with the revival of the San Antonio-based walk-up-style burger spot and the addition of something they already excel at – making great beer! Their Boerne-based brewing company was launched seven years ago, and with its growth and success, Mazour felt the natural next step was a sister location. Over homemade smash burgers and Cibolo Creek beer, he pitched the idea of what this could look like, and his family went all-in. Two years later, they’ve opened the doors and welcomed a new customer to a familiar experience of bygone times.
Located at 437 S. Main St., this former flower shop on the Hill Country Mile and actual former shuttered Hamby's location was two years in the making. Mazour explained that working with an architect to renovate the existing building over constructing new, and doing so over the pandemic itself, posed some difficulties. However, this determined visionary knew exactly what it took to bring Hamby’s back to life and stayed the course in favor of bringing fresh burgers off a flat top and unique lighter brews to his customers. Curated to bring back the feeling of a simpler time and lifestyle, the taste sensations and atmosphere create a unique culture all its own.
“Cibolo always felt like a living room, whereas Hamby's is meant to feel like your backyard,” Mazour explained. He loved the concept of taking the customer back to when they were a kid and having them bring their families for an experience unique to this era. Susan Lammert, daughter of the original Hamby’s founder, gave him the green light to make use of the name for this new version of an old favorite, and now the smash burger concession remix with a craft brewery sidekick features vintage pinball machines and arcade games, a simple, tasteful menu, and lighter beers to match.
Families are greeted at the large walk-up window or indoors, where booths and table seating invite them to enjoy the old-school feelings of being together at their new favorite place. There’s also a patio where folks can enjoy their delicious Texas Wagyu beef smash burgers and beer at picnic tables under umbrellas with their friends. Making single, double, and triple patty burgers together with fried chicken and fried fish sandwiches, hand-dipped corn dogs, and amazing malts and milkshakes, the menu is on-point. Those who opt for a beer in the mix can try lagers, pilsners, and German and Czech-style brews crafted to marry well with the menu and the ‘50s and ‘60s throwback atmosphere.
Mazour's hope is that the younger generation can have fun experiencing the restaurant and their parents can remember when they themselves did the very same. Using premium local ingredients to bring a perfectly simple menu up a notch and pairing that with the high quality of brewing his family is known for, he’s brought Hamby’s back to life in Boerne. Now officially open for business, you can follow Hamby’s social media for details and updates on Facebook and Instagram.
Written by: Spring Sault, Uncommonlygrand.com