Legacy IAH food threads still skip Smashburger in Terminal B
Terminal B’s Smashburger sits in the more modern part of the United/Express concourse, but older IAH guides still talk about 3rd Bar Oyster House before they mention this place by name. It’s post-security in B, in the $10–$18 per person range, so think higher than McDonald’s prices but below a sit-down bar tab. If you’re stuck on a regional jet schedule out of B, this is one of the few recognizable chains you’ll see on that pier.
The menu sticks to the usual Smashburger format: beef burgers, chicken options, fries, and shakes, with most mains priced in the low teens as of 2024. Expect a standard quick-service setup rather than full table service, with orders called from the counter. Beer is sometimes available at airport Smashburger locations, but at IAH Terminal B it’s safer to assume soft drinks and shakes unless you see taps or bottles listed on the board that day.
Portion sizes run typical fast-casual: a single Smashburger and fries is plenty before a 2.5-hour hop to DEN or LAX, and a double is probably overkill for a short leg to AUS or MSY. Fries and tots trend salty, which pairs fine with a fountain drink but can feel heavy before an early-morning departure out of gate B76 or nearby B gates. If you’re counting minutes, a standard burger and fry order usually comes out in under 15 minutes when the line is short.
Line length spikes around United bank times in B, especially in the 06:30–08:30 and late-afternoon windows, when several regional departures cluster off B60–B90. If you see more than eight people in front of you, assume a 20–25 minute wait from queue to food in hand. Tip: mobile-order from your phone once you clear the B security checkpoint, then walk over; that five-minute head start can be the difference between eating at the gate and boarding hungry.