On the corner of Polk and McKinney lies a historic staple restaurant in the downtown Richardson community, Del’s Charcoal Burgers. On a sweltering afternoon in late May, I visited the owner, Hossein “Hoss” Taherzadeh, who explained how a fire that occurred April 25 deeply affected the Richardson community with Del’s temporary closure. Recovering from a fire is no easy feat for any business. As Hoss showed me around the kitchen, amid the construction and new appliances, he recounted how a long-time regular called him up distraught as soon as he heard about the unfortunate news.
Del’s has fed the community for 68 years, with Hoss at the helm for the past 22; as Hoss and I chatted about the future of his restaurant, while his team was hard at work repainting the place and setting up the new grill, I couldn’t help but notice one regular after the other stopping by to give Hoss all their best wishes.
Walking into Del’s is like stepping back into the ‘70s. Hanging above the counter is their original menu, with longtime classics like a smoked frank with chili, cheese, and onions. Though the prices have changed over the decades—55 cents for a smoked frank back in 1957—the options themselves have remained remarkably consistent. It’s no wonder that the restaurant’s popularity has only grown over the years, given that the menu boasts a burger for 8 bucks (and, if you’re vegan like I am, they offer a veggie patty burger combo with tots). Hoss recalled when a Dr Pepper CEO once visited Del’s and was enamored by the menu and vintage memorabilia, so much so that the CEO gifted Dr Pepper clocks and signs to hang along the walls. Fortunately, the signs and original menu were saved from the fire and only needed a few retouches.
Hoss emigrated to the US from Iran and quickly fell in love with the small-town charm of Richardson. Living just down the road gave Hoss insight into the nature of this tightly knit neighborhood and he got to see firsthand how even a small cornerstone restaurant could bring together such a warm community. That same community stood by his side to support him and Del’s during the closure and he couldn’t wait to be “back as soon as possible for another 68 years.” One man I spoke with who came by to check on Hoss said he’s been consistently coming to Del’s for the past year since he moved from West Virginia.
Don Magner, Richardson City Manager and long-time Del’s regular, explained how his boss first introduced him to Del’s, which by then had already cemented itself into the Richardson community for 30 years. States Magner, “Del’s is the place that ties the new and the old together in Richardson. It was there as the city grew and it’ll be there for the community as it develops even further.” Del’s offers a flavor and vibe that can’t be matched by other chains or corporate-owned restaurants and the community knows that.
Del’s has been the site for countless college and high school student gatherings. Whether it’s a Richardson High football team celebrating a hard-earned victory or a family looking to kick back with a house-made root beer float after a long week, Del’s provides a friendly atmosphere gushing with tasty authenticity fit for all of Richardson.
Thankfully, despite the fire, Del’s Charcoal Burgers is still dishing out its best and still features the same classic menu with some behind-the-scenes upgrades, along with a new soda fountain. If you haven’t already discovered Del’s, now’s the time.
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