Local institution Burger House will celebrate 60 years in business on Tuesday, December 13, 2011, with contests, giveaways and 60-cent cheeseburgers.

When Burger House first opened its doors on Hillcrest in 1951 (view photo gallery), Dallas was quite a bit different than it is today. With just four lanes, newly opened Central Expressway stretched just over two miles from the northern edge of downtown to Northwest Highway. Families gathered around black-and-white television sets to watch popular new sitcom “I Love Lucy.” Still just a high-schooler in Memphis, Elvis’ gyrating hips wouldn’t send SMU girls into a frenzy for another five years. A cheeseburger fries and a drink would set you back less than a dollar.

A lot has changed in the past 60 years, but Burger House’s loyal customers know that some things are just too good to mess with. That’s why the burgers, fries and shakes at Burger House are made the same way today as they were way back in 1951. For one day only, on December 13, Burger House will make one welcome change. To celebrate their milestone anniversary, all Burger House locations will serve their famous cheeseburgers for just 60 cents and give away special prizes throughout the day.

Burger House on Mockingbird, located at 6248 E. Mockingbird Lane, will support local schools with a French-fry eating contest for students from 3 to 5 p.m. The first student to finish their basket of fries will win free fries for a year, as well as a donation to their school.

Free burgers, fries, shakes, hot dogs, T-shirts and hats will be given away throughout the day to diners who complete an info card in store. Current patrons are also being encouraged to sport their Burger House t-shirts for the celebration. Hourly prizes, including free burgers, fries and milkshakes for a year, will be up for grabs at Hillcrest and Mockingbird locations. One grand prize winner will win a 50-person hamburger party catered by Burger House, a $650 dollar value.

Burger House owners Angelo Chantilis, Jr. (Sonny) and Christopher Canellos are excited to give back to the community that has supported them for the past 60 years.

“What started out 60 years ago is still going on today, and we couldn’t have been here without our loyal customers,” says Canellos.

“I’m most excited to give back to the neighboring schools with the fry eating contest,” adds Chantilis. “The kids have been making up their own contests for years, so it’ll be great to actually reward their schools for all their practice.”

• What: Burger House’s 60th Anniversary
• When: December 13, 2011
• Cost: 60 cent cheeseburgers; dine-in only except at Hillcrest location
• Where: Burger House locations across Texas
• Milkshake toast from University Park Mayor W. Richard Davis
  • 11:00 AM — Original Hillcrest location
• French-fry eating contest at Mockingbird location to be determined
  • Details to follow.

•••••

Burger House, a Dallas institution, has been serving up award-winning burgers, crispy seasoned fries, real shakes and old-fashioned malts since it was founded by Prometheus “Jack” Koustabardis in 1951. Burger House is committed to serving a great tasting meal using the freshest ingredients in a family-friendly atmosphere.

Burger House Lubbock opened today, June 6, 2011, to a resounding success. So get your “Guns Up” and your West Texas “smile” on and head on in. Located at 19th & University.

For years this off menu secret item was available only at the Hillcrest and Mockingbird locations to those lucky enough to be in the know.

Two all beef patties, two slices of cheese, one hot-dog, two slices of applewood bacon, chili, grilled onions, jalapenos and mustard all between a toasted bun—now thats a real gut bomb!

So put your game face on and bring your appetite because the Texas Hamburdog is ready to fill your gut and dance all over your taste buds.

Angelo (Sonny) Chantilis and Chris Canellos appeared on the Fox Business News Selling It segment. Watch the videos from the links below.

• Focusing on Quality to Boost Sales
• Utilizing Your Web site to Drive Sales

The doors are a open and the HOUSE is a rockin. That's right, Burger House Rockwall is open.

Many thanks to the Wells family for building such a incredible store, and welcome to the Burger House family.

So come on in and get a great meal from our family to yours. Hey you can even relax with an adult beverage if you want.

The hammers are pounding, and the paint is splashing. Construction has begun on Burger House Rockwall. We will be opening soon, stay tuned for more updates. The address is 919 E. IH-30 Suite 107. The phone numbers are 972-722-6622 and 972-722-6639. The fax is 972-722-6640. See you soon!

Burger House, where customers are on a first-name basis, grows iconic Dallas restaurant brand through catering, franchising. Read this Dallas Business Journal story.

The Original Jack's Burger House is now taking credit cards! So get your favorite plastic on and order up your favorite burger, fries, and shake.

Burger House Addison wishes the Town North YMCA good luck for its Spring baseball parade. We are committed to giving back to our neighborhood. The Burger House Nation rolls on.

Burger House Catering is pleased to help Lakewood Elementary School with its Spring Carnival. This Blue Ribon, Nationally Reconized Neighborhood School, is a perfect fit for our award winning food. We are proud to provide the food for the Urban Cowboy Spring Carnival, in hopes of helping this school in its effort to educate our children. The Burger House Nation rolls on.

In Dallas and Fort Worth, Burger House can now cater parties from 50 to 1000 of your closest friends! Our second catering trailer better serves your rock star party needs. Let us bring the Burger House to you.

We’ll keep Austinites fueled to pass some bills or hook ’em horns with our catering now available in our great state capitol. So whether you’re chillin’ at Lake Austin or tailgating at UT, let us do the cooking. Everything is cooked on location so it is fresh and hot.

Burger House, along with Seaboard Franchise Services Company, is growing the Burger House Nation. With our half century of award-winning food and service and their full service franchising expertise, we will bring our double-double to the people of this great nation.

A restaurant franchise with a budget-friendly menu and proven history like Burger House makes for an attractive opportunity for savvy entrepreneurs and those looking to diversify their franchise mix. Read this Dallas Morning News article.