Try these two burgers south of Fort Worth now. They’re worth the drive to Rendon

The south Tarrant County suburb of Rendon is a good place to get a truck bumper, a cold beer or fireworks.

There’s an abandoned 1972 Plymouth Duster broken down on Farm Road 1187. A sign points out where to stop for deer processing. One of the throwback country honky-tonks promotes “Smoking Allowed.”

It’s also a great place to get a burger.

Myrtle’s Burgers , a walk-up stand with small-town charm, was always a contender when the Star-Telegram staged a annual “Burger Battle.”

It has reigned as the Burleson area’s best burger for 30 years, since the days when a young Kelly Clarkson cruised Rendon Road, named for town founder Joaquin Rendón.

But in its second year, Rick’s Burgers might be even better.

It’s 4 miles east of Myrtle’s. The burgers are even thicker, and Rick’s offers more choices. The flavor compares with Fort Worth’s best.

If Myrtle’s is the best burger in the Burleson area, Rick’s might be the best burger in the Mansfield area.

Myrtle’s: classic burgers, crinkle fries

Myrtle’s, 4568-B Farm Road 1187 East, is 3½ miles east of Interstate 35W, next to a fireworks stand and across the street from another fireworks stand.

It’s definitely old-school. Fresh beef is hand-pressed on the griddle and served with American cheese on a simple, old-time 5-inch bun. If you’re tired of brioche buns, Kona buns or potato rolls, Myrtle’s is your place.

The burger ($10) tastes exactly as a burger should, with fresh beef, onions and mustard. It requires two hands, like a home-cooked version of a Whataburger.

For an extra $3.50, choose crinkle fries, usually superior. For $4.50, choose tater tots or onion rings, or it’s $7 for the house chip “Texas twister” fries.

Plan ahead: Myrtle’s is only open for lunch and early afternoon Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays through Saturdays; 817-561-1836, facebook.com/myrtlesburgers .

Rick’s: thick burgers 20 ways

Rick’s Burgers, 7414 Rendon Bloodworth Road, is next door to a beer store and vape shop where country music plays from a scratchy loudspeaker out front.

Unlike Myrtle’s, which is outdoors, Rick’s has a dining room, air conditioning and a bewildering menu of about 20 burgers plus sandwiches, quesadillas and salads.

Rick’s is like Rendon-meets-Rodeo-Goat. It has a teriyaki pineapple burger. Or a garlic-mushroom burger. Or a burger with fried jalapenos and beef sausage.

The regular cheeseburger ($8.29) comes with a choice of five cheeses. Thick, fresh meat is stacked above the toppings, like at Kincaid’s. The rich bun seems a little too dense, but it’s probably what Rick’s needs for the bigger burgers.

Hand-cut fries cost $1.99, or choose tater tots, onion rings, spicy cheddar fries or fried okra.

Rick’s is an everyday option. It’s open for lunch weekdays, lunch and dinner Fridays through Sundays; 817-217-0370, instagram.com/ricksburgers1 .