Prince’s Hamburgers – Pretty Carhops on Skates and Good Grub

Doug Prince started a Dallas hamburger stand in 1929 after admiring the success of these types of food at The Texas State Fair. The onset of The Depression eventually played a role in his decision to move operations to Houston. The rest is history. Starting on South Main in 1934, he eventually grew his locations to nearly twenty.

Prince was a consummate showman. His first Houston location was dubbed “Number 10” to give an immediate impression of success. He drove a white Cadillac around with a sign on the door saying “Who Woulda Thought It, A Hamburger Bought It.” Doug also promoted the first “Carhop Queen” in America.

Doug tended to keep things in the family and is said to restrict the running of his various locations to a blood relative. This put a limit on his ability to expand, but kept greater control on operations in an industry where profits are often evaporated by theft.

The innovative carhops delivered fried shrimp, chicken, fries, onion rings, and milk shakes in addition to those iconic burgers. Prince’s also was an early adopter of drive-thru service.

By the 1970s, the Prince family had lost control. Current owner Elizabeth Flores (who had begun as a carhop) teamed up with John Broussard. Broussard later took over and kept the business going until Hurricane Harvey in 2017.

The latest resurrection of Prince’s is still run by Bradley Broussard. He seems undaunted by the McDonald’s and Burger Kings of the fast food chain world. Keeping the original burger recipe, he hopes to restore Prince’s to its glory days.