Longtime Dallas residents will remember Goff's off Lover Lane.
It was a Dallas institution that opened in 1950.
"My mother and dad started in the hamburger business because that's what they wanted to do," said Harvey Gough. "I was 10 or 11 at the time, so I just grew up in the business."
Gough closed the business in 2004. He sold the land to a neighboring business.
"The only stipulation was I drove the bulldozer," Gough said. "Cause all he wanted was the dirt."
But Gough got bored, and last November he opened a new burger joint, Harvey's Charcoal Hamburgers, off Interstate 635 and Preston Road.
And just like old times, he's known for serving charcoal-broiled burgers with a side of snark.
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"Hey, old bag," is how he greeted customer Patricia Ivie.
"Some people might not understand that," Ivie said. "But we do."
Gough is an acquired taste. He's flat out rude, but customers seem to always come back.
"He's a little rough on customers sometimes," said customer Martha Stafford.
And no one is immune to Gough's antics.
"Everyday brings a new challenge," said employee Gary Rider. "You never know what he's going to say. The only thing you gotta do is prepare yourself. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best."
The pictures on the walls reveal a different side of Gough.
The former Texas Army National Guard member has a warm, soft side, when it comes to the military.
"We take 8-ounce tenderloin steak dinners to sailors, soldiers, marines and airmen in dirty, ugly, sweaty, nasty, dangerous places," Gough said. "My way of giving back. Taking care of soldiers and showing appreciation for what they're doing."
To date he's served more than 69,000 meals all over the world.
"It's usually about a $60,000 deal. It comes out of my pocket. We have zero sponsors," he added.
Does that make Harvey a nice guy?
"I try to be," he joked. "But sometimes you gotta be the word you don't want me to say."
