Abbas Dhanani’s story is quintessentially Houston. Born and raised in the H-Town area and graduating from the University of Houston, Dhanani worked tirelessly at his parents’ local fast-food franchises to gain deep F+B experience. In 2011 he started the Instagram account @houstoneatz, giving a platform to Houston chefs and restaurants, all while working on his dream to open a burger spot. The dream came true in 2021 with the pop-up Burger Bodega. Overwhelming response led Dhanani to open his first brick-and-mortar Burger Bodega in 2022. A second location will open in Katy in 2026. 

In June 2025, Abbas launched Bas’s Cheesesteaks, a series of pop-ups bringing his take on the beloved Philly staple to the Houston community.