What You Need To Know:

• Harvey Washbangers offers high-quality dining along with high-quality washers and dryers.

• Expect a delicious hamburger and French fries for a fair price.

• This eclectic pairing of businesses serves a unique purpose to the students and population of Bryan/College Station.

• 1950s style restaurant with the cleanliness of a 2022 establishment.

• Cheap rates for the self service and full service laundry.

If you were to ever ask me about the most eclectic restaurants I have ever been to, Harvey Washbangers would be among the top of the list due to being a combination of a restaurant and laundromat. Among College Station residents, however, it’s a local favorite. They’re known for their delicious hamburgers, French fries, and diner-esque atmosphere. Having never been to this locale before other than to write this review, does this outlandish concept stack up among the plentiful burger options in the BCS area?

Before I begin, I’d like to preface by stating that I did not try the laundry service for myself. However, their washers and dryers looked of excellent quality, their self-service was very inexpensive with a turnaround time under 24-hours. Despite the fact that I didn’t need a wash at that moment, I might eventually try it out due to sheer curiosity.

When entering the establishment, you are greeted with a rustic outdoor seating area. I went on a muggy College Station Tuesday, so I felt that eating inside would be the best option for the weather. The inside has a clean and retro aesthetic that fits well with the 1950s diner look. The smell of the restaurant was very much of fresh bread and grease, but I wouldn’t want to have it any other way. There is a bar with local craft beers on draft and plenty of others to choose from. Most of the seating on the inside are booths, but there are a few tables near the back of the seating area. The table was clean, and my waitress was very nice and attentive to refilling my drink. Every customer and staff member in the establishment also seemed to be having a nice time, so that too added to the restaurant’s cheery ambiance.

Now for the main attraction…the cheeseburger and French fries. Made with 1/3 pound Angus beef patties and freshly cut French fries (they had the skin on them!), Harvey Washbangers had a lot to live up to with the number of burger restaurants in and around College Station. I ordered the “Banger Burger”, which includes lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, mayo, cheddar on a toasted sourdough bun. It’s probably the most classical option for a cheeseburger on the menu. My editor, who is admittedly a fan of the restaurant, ordered the Alpine burger which included swiss cheese, mushrooms, arugula, and onion strings on a toasted challah bun.

My meal was hot, fresh, and perfectly grilled. The ingredients were nice and crisp as well. This combination contributed to the overall flavor, with the toasted bun adding a nice crunchy texture too. The French fries were hot and crunchy, and the salty taste wasn’t too overpowering. My editor enjoyed his burger very much and commented that “the arugula added a lot of intriguing flavors to an overall well-made and unique burger.” We both cleaned our plates by the end of the meal, so it’s safe to say that we both enjoyed ourselves.

It’s hard to not recommend Harvey Washbangers to anyone who enjoys a classic hamburger and French fries combo. The made-to-order burger was tasty, the fries crispy and hot, and the service and atmosphere were wonderful. Even if you aren’t into hamburgers, this restaurant is worth a visit to at least once to experience its unique combination of businesses. I can hardly believe that something like this exists, but they do good work on both sides according to the reviews of the laundromat and my experience with the food. In this university student’s eyes, you can’t go wrong with Harvey Washbangers.