Chefs salute National Hamburger Month of May by sharing their restaurant’s most popular burgers and beverage pairings.
Although Americans consume nearly 50 billion hamburgers a year, the origin of country’s favorite national food is debatable. Were they conceived in Hamburg, Germany, or does the Lone Star State of Texas get the credit for inventing the juicy combo of ground beef sandwiched between cushiony buns? While the birthplace remains a mystery, something everyone can agree on is the fact that hamburgers are a delicious staple of the American diet and they come in all sorts of varieties. In honor of National Hamburger Month of May and National Hamburger Day on May 28th, you’re invited to peruse a group of best-selling burgers prepared at some of the most popular restaurants across the country; the list includes beverage pairings as a bonus to delight the palate.
Feast your eyes on exceptional burgers and drinks from a wide array of talented chefs including: Gringo Burger from Chef Lisa Dahl at Butterfly Burger in Sedona, Drink Burger from Chef Barbara Lynch at Drink in Boston, THE Bacon Cheeseburger from Chef John Mac Mclean and Chef Martin Murch at Burger Bar in Chicago, Tripel Burger from Chef Brooke Williamson at Play Provisions in Playa Del Rey, Joe’s Famous Hamburger Sandwich from the Original Joe’s in San Francisco, Bash Burger from Chef Preston Clark at Lure Fishbar in New York City, Double Patty Skillet Burger from Chef Joe Kindred at Hello, Sailor in Cornelius, The Cheeseburger from Hudson House in Dallas, Dry Aged Prime Beef Burger from Chef de Cuisine Jonathon Sawyer at Adorn Bar & Restaurant in Chicago, Triple B from Chef Fernando Garcia at Black Angus Steakhouse with locations in California, Hawaii, Arizona, Washington and New Mexico, Vadouvan Spiced Chickpea & Lentil Burger from Chef Katie Reicher at GREENS Restaurant in San Francisco, Smokehouse Burger from Chef Edgar Beas at Firelake Grill and Cocktail Bar in Anaheim, and W&W Burger from Chef Dushyant Singh at Weft & Warp Art Bar + Kitchen in Scottsdale.
Below are descriptions of twelve hamburgers and one veggie burger for good measure! Their restaurants, creators, prices, and beverage pairings are included for those who have a chance to try them in person or plan to attempt to imitate them at home. May your appetite be filled with visions of mouthwatering patties!
Gringo Burger
Butterfly Burger Couture Burger Lounge, Sedona, Arizona
Chef: Chef Owner Lisa Dahl
Description: Tillamook White Aged Cheddar, Louis Remoulade, Shredded Romaine & Crispy Onion Strings on Artisan Bun. This is the Scottsdale Burger Battle People’s Choice Winner 2016, and Chef Dahl competed with this burger on The Food Network’s Beat Bobby Flay. It is also featured in her Bodacious Burgers and Their Buddies chapter in A Romance with Food, an acclaimed cookbook memoir.
Beverage Pairing: Luscious Skinny Margarita
Drink Burger
Drink, Boston, MA
Chef: Chef Barbara Lynch
Description: Two well-done Colorado Wagyu beef patties, American cheese, lettuce, red onion, housemade pickles, black pepper aioli, ketchup, all on a sesame seed bun from a local Boston bakery
Beverage Pairing: Fort Point, made with rye whiskey, Punt e Mes, and Benedictine
THE Bacon Cheeseburger
Location: Chicago, IL
Chef: Chef John “Mac” Mclean and Chef Martin Murch
Description: Half-pound, USDA Prime Beef topped with three-year aged white cheddar, hickory smoked bacon, and char-grilled onions on a bacon brioche
Beverage Pairing: 1837 Red Ale – brewed exclusively for Good Eats Group restaurants, this red ale, named for the year the city of Chicago was incorporated, features notes of cardamon and orange zest, finished with roasted malts.
Tripel Burger
Location: Playa Del Rey, CA
Chef: Celebrity Chef, Brooke Williamson
Description: From “Top Chef” & “Tournament of Champions” Winner Brooke Williamson and her husband Nick Roberts, Playa Provisions offers a Burger & Beer Special on Wednesdays. This beloved Tripel Burger is made with ½ lb aged rib-eye beef, caramelized onions, poppy seed slaw, and aged cheddar on a pretzel bun. This signature burger was brought back from the now-closed sister concept, The Tripel, by popular demand from local Playa del Rey residents, and can be paired with a trio of beers (+$15) until supplies last.
Beverage Pairing: Trio of Beers
Joe’s Famous Hamburger Sandwich
Location: San Francisco, CA
Owners: John and Elena Duggan
Description: Served on a sourdough roll, which is a perfect representation of San Francisco, the Joe’s Famous Hamburger is made with ground chuck beef mixed with minced onions right before it hits the grill. The restaurant’s iconic hamburger sandwich has been doing the same presentation since 1937 and it continues to satisfy guests with its juiciness and delicious flavors. Upon request, guests can ask for the patty to be charbroiled, which gives the hamburger a smoky taste.
Beverage Pairing: Joe’s Manhattan – Bulleit Bourbon, Carpano Antica, Angostura Bitters, and Amarena Cherries
Bash Burger
Location: New York City
Chef: Chef Preston Clark
Description: The iconic Lure Fishbar Bash Burger comes topped with bacon onion jam, cheese, shaved pickles and a “special” sauce. The dish has been hailed as a top burger in NYC by locals, tourists, and celebrities alike, and is a six-time winner of the New York City Wine & Food Festival’s Burger Bash competition. “My new favorite is Lure Fishbar,” said supermodel Gigi Hadid. Adding that she loves “to stop [by] for oysters or a shrimp cocktail paired with a burger.”
Beverage Pairing: Lychee Martini – dorothy parker gin, lychee, cucumber, lemon
Double Patty Skillet Burger
Location: Cornelius, NC
Chef: Chef Joe Kindred
Description: Hello, Sailor’s Double Patty Skillet Burger comes served to perfection with cheddar, pickles, lettuce and the restaurant’s magic sauce. Those who choose to indulge have the option of pairing with additional pickles, slaw or beef fat fries.
Beverage Pairing: Perfect Stranger – rye, amaro montenegro, zucca, orange bitters
The Cheeseburger
Location: Dallas and multiple locations in Texas
Description: Thin patties, American cheese, pickles, minced onion, and Hudson sauce has made The Cheeseburger a huge hit among regulars. *Often imitated, never duplicated
Beverage Pairing: Bleu & Gold Martini
Dry Aged Prime Beef Burger
Location: Chicago, IL
Chef: Chef de Cuisine Jonathon Sawyer
Description: American cheese, potato bun, crispy bacon, secret sauce & French fries
Beverage Pairing: Moors Brewing Co. Session Ale
Triple B
Location: Arizona, California, Hawaii, New Mexico, Washington
Chef: Chef Fernando Garcia
Description: Hand-formed, half-pound, Certified Angus Beef® ground chuck, stacked high with bacon, bleu cheese and balsamic red onions. Due to its popularity, this combination was resurrected from the past specifically to honor National Burger Month.
Beverage Pairing: Bullseye Brew
Vadouvan Spiced Chickpea & Lentil Burger
Location: San Francisco
Chef: Chef Katie Reicher
Description: Made with cucumber mint raita, avocado, lettuce, tomato, red onion, on a nigella seed bun. This vegan chickpea & pink lentil patty is packed with carrots, English peas, jalapenos, red onions, vadouvan curry powder, cumin, and chickpea flour. So full of flavor, this veggie burger doesn’t need much – a simple yogurt raita and classic toppings do the trick, and it is served with a salad.
Beverage Pairing: Celery Seed Soda
Smokehouse Burger
Location: Anaheim, California
Chef: Chef Edgar Beas
Description: 10oz smoked chuck, aged white cheddar, slab bacon and caramelized onion, served with house made Kennebec fries, spicy tomato jam
Beverage Pairing: FireLake Blonde Ale – made exclusively for FireLake Grill & Cocktail Bar by our friends at Brewery X in Anaheim, California, this blonde ale is crisp, clean, and features a mild malt sweetness and subtle fruity esters. 5.2% abv
W&W Burger
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
Chef: Chef Dushyant Singh
Description: Angus chuck/brisket blend, Hobbs Bacon, Organic Tomato Jam, Bibb Lettuce, Chive Gloucester Cheddar, Mustard Aioli and Truffle Fries
Beverage Pairing: See You Amaro – berry-infused amaro, bulleit rye whiskey orgeat, and egg white
For more information, please contact Caroline McBride at caroline@wagstaffmktg.com.
