When an oil field worker turned chef transforms a box truck into a food empire and then wins Food Network’s Chopped, you know the sliders are going to be something special. 🍔
Curbside Bistro, founded by Chef Alejandro Barrientos and his wife Stephanie in 2014, started as a humble food truck in the Permian Basin and evolved into one of Odessa’s most celebrated dining destinations.
Featured on The Texas Bucket List, this locally-owned restaurant serves gourmet sliders with crazy concoctions that have earned Chef Alejandro national television appearances and loyal fans throughout West Texas.
How Curbside Bistro won Odessa’s hearts
Alejandro Barrientos worked in the oil fields before his passion for barbecue and cooking led him down a completely different path. 💪
After attending culinary school, Alejandro and Stephanie made a courageous decision—they saved money to buy an oil field box truck, completely gutted it, and created their first food truck serving serious sliders and freaky fries full of flavor. 🚚
The leap from stable paychecks and benefits to “we don’t sell these burgers, we don’t eat” was terrifying but transformative, with both Alejandro and Stephanie quitting their jobs to dive headfirst into their dream.
Alejandro’s commitment to representing Odessa and showing young chefs that you can succeed in your hometown rather than moving to big cities resonated deeply with the community.
The restaurant quickly became known as “the best kept secret” in the Petroplex, with customers declaring “people love to eat here” and returning week after week for the creative menu.
Chef Alejandro’s culinary prowess earned him a victory on Food Network’s “Chopped” episode “Fry of the Beholder”, winning $10,000 and bringing national recognition to Odessa’s dining scene. ✨
He later competed on Beat Bobby Flay, Cutthroat Kitchen, and even became a James Beard House Blended Burger Champion, establishing himself as one of West Texas’s most accomplished chefs.
For 10 years straight, Curbside Bistro has given out free Thanksgiving meals to the community, demonstrating the family’s commitment to giving back to Odessa beyond just serving great food.
Food Highlights
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Tejano Borracho Slider: The most sought-after slider features a blended mushroom patty topped with pulled pork, kickin’ bourbon sauce with actual alcohol, a fried jalapeño corn fritter, cilantro ranch, and queso all sandwiched in a brioche bun that Chef Alejandro calls his signature creation. 🌶️
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Homer Simpson Slider: This fan-favorite gets multiple mentions with customers declaring “you can’t go wrong with mac and cheese on a burger,” featuring bacon macaroni and cheese piled high on a juicy beef patty for the ultimate comfort food experience.
- Mother Clucker Slider: Made with fresh marinated chicken that’s battered and fried to golden perfection, served on a slider bun with various toppings that make it a lighter alternative to the beef options. 🐔
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OG Slider: Chef Alejandro’s go-to recommendation and a local reviewer’s regular order, this slider represents the foundation of what made Curbside famous, with one customer declaring they come specifically for this and “don’t deviate” 🍔
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Califas Slider: Made with a special blend of fresh chorizo and ground beef mixed and grilled to perfection, then topped with asadero cheese, guacamole, roasted green chilies, and spring mix lettuce for a Southwestern explosion.
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CSB Slider: The classic slider combo features two all-beef patties made fresh, never frozen, with melted American cheese, pickles, spring mix lettuce, Roma tomato, and their famous cilantro ranch that customers rave about.
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Bad Mamma Jamma Slider: A TripAdvisor reviewer’s choice described as “DELICIOUS,” this burger features bacon jam and a fried egg on top that creates the perfect combination of savory, sweet, and rich flavors.
- El Hefe Slider: this bold burger delivers serious heat and flavor that keeps customers ordering it by name.
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Swine Devine Fries: Featuring a generous portion of in-house smoked pulled pork on a bed of cheesy fries topped with BBQ sauce and cilantro ranch. 🍟
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Jalapeño Corn Fritters: A savory mix of sweet corn and freshly diced jalapeños in a light batter, deep-fried till golden brown and served five to order, drizzled with cilantro ranch, with one reviewer saying “good golly never get enough” of these. 🌽
Atmosphere
The relaxed yet modern atmosphere features trendy music and decor that enhance the overall pleasant dining experience despite limited seating for larger parties. 🎶
The restaurant offers plenty of tables for 2-6 people, creating an intimate setting perfect for couples, families, and small groups gathering over gourmet sliders.
Fantastic customer service consistently earns praise in reviews, with the Barrientos family creating a welcoming environment where diners feel valued and excited to return.
Bottom Line
Visit Curbside Bistro for Food Network Chopped champion Chef Alejandro’s award-winning gourmet sliders and famous cilantro ranch, everyone raves about.
Come for its creative menu featuring crazy burger concoctions you won’t find anywhere else, locally-owned authenticity with 10 years of community service, and nationally recognized cuisine right in the heart of Odessa. 🏆
Address:
3816 Andrews Highway, Odessa, TX 79762
🕔 Closed Sun-Mon, Open Tue-Thu 11:00 AM–9:00 PM, Fri 11:00 AM–10:00 PM, Sat 11:00 AM–9:00 PM