I am sure most people may not have heard, but there is a “beef” going on between Athens, Texas and New Haven, CT. Buried in a small area of the newspaper was a story about where is the official birthplace of the hamburger.
On one side we have Athens, TX located 70 miles southeast of Dallas who believes the hamburger originated in their town in 1904. In fact they even have a marker that was installed in 1984 where Mr. Davis sold the first one. In addition, the town has an annual hamburger cook off which they believe strengthens their position.
On the other side is New Haven, CT. According to Louis Lunch in Connecticut, they say the first hamburger was cooked and sold in 1900.
Here is what I know for sure: (No it isn’t that I have done tons of research and know the answer, in fact I have no idea who is right.) What I know for sure is I love hamburgers. That is a 100% fact! When I first started dating my wife, I actually said to her Mom, “I’m very easy on food requirements. You can give me a cheeseburger anytime and I am happy.”
I would rather have a hamburger than a steak! I know that probably sounds crazy to most readers, but I really love burgers!
What I thought would be nice is rather than try and settle a dispute, is identify people’s favorite burger joints. Here are three of my favorites:
- Inn & Out Burger – located only on the west coast. Limited menu, long lines and tasty burgers
- Ritzy’s – Recently had my first hamburger there and the sirloin sliders with their special secret sauce are unbelievable
Johnny Bees – Located in Southlake, Texas – small but tasty burgers and crunchy, square buns
I hope the dispute is settled quickly and without any incident. I look forward to hearing your favorite spot and more importantly, look forward to visiting them as I travel around.
Ken says:
Hands down best burgers in the Metroplex belong to Clown Burger in Haltom City. Owner Bill Louthan has been serving up burgers since 1959. Fresh cut potatos for the fries and thin burgers served the same way for almost 50 years now. Restaurant hours are sparse because, well Bill is semi-retired. Just glad he’s not fully retired. He’s recently opened up a new location and is planning a turn-back-the-clock 50th anniversary party in 2009.
Ravi Raina says:
One way to settle the debate is to prove that burgers were invented by someone else. It is known that burgers were popular among Ancient Romans too. Doesn’t prove that Romans invented the thing either … it could’ve been around before them. But at least it makes the Athens/Newhaven debate moot.
Paul Kirch says:
Don’t get me wrong, I like a good steak every now and then, but I also am all about the cheeseburger. In fact, I remember when I was a kid we used to visit my aunt and uncle in Pueblo, Colorado. If we went out for breakfast, I would order a cheeseburger which my aunt would immediately follow with the same (of course she was the coolest aunt in the world at that point and time and still is). In fact, I was usually upset if they didn’t have them availabe in the morning. To this day, I go to restaurants and if there’s a burger on the menu I have hard time not ordering it. Favorite burger joint?… Too many to mention, but I know we see eye to eye on Inn & Out!
Stephenie Gordon says:
My two favorites are Port O’Call in New Orleans and George’s in Atlanta’s Virginia Highlands neighborhood. Both cook them perfectly to order (i like my burger medium rare). At George’s I can order it Carolina style which is with mustard, slaw, and chopped onions. Delicious! Port O’Call’s comes with a loaded baked potato which I would rather have over fries anyday.
I actually ate a burger last night at Ted’s Montana Grill. I had a beef burger; my husband had Bison. The beef was way too salty and my medium rare was mooing; and Greg’s (my husband) was perfectly seasoned and more favorful (but still mooing – if bison’s moo).
Key learning, if you’re in Atlanta and you go to Ted’s, order Bison – it’s what they specialize in.
Ed Sugar says:
In an earlier posting I mentioned Miller’s Bar in Dearborn, MI. Consistently voted best burger year in and year out. Here’s a review that sums it up best
“Some say it’s the meat, some say it’s the atmosphere. Whatever the case may be, the secret behind the burgers at Miller’s Bar has lasted and worked for decades. At Miller’s, something can be said for simplicity. You won’t find burgers doused in special sauces, topped with onion straws or pineapple, or stacked atop one another to form a three-dimensional cholesterol nightmare. What you will get is probably the tastiest burger you’e ever had with all of the basics, wrapped in paper and served up the old-time way sans a bill. When you’re done with your meal, you’ll be asked to pay by the honor system. How cool is that? And don’t be dissuaded by a line at lunch or the dinner hour. Miller’s is popular, but the staff is seasoned and up to the challenge of cranking out burgers with the quickness.” — Brian C. Louwers
Bob Graham says:
I return to my “You gotta go there” post and nominate Fast Eddie’s Bon Air in Alton, IL. Not only is it a great half-pound steak burger, it’s $.99.
For fast food, I would recomend the Culver’s and Steak ‘n’ Shake chains in the Midwest. And I haven’t eaten there in years, but I still have fond memories of Friendly’s back in the Northeast.
I’m surprised we haven’t heard from any White Castle afficiandos (I’m not big on them-no pun inended). Or Chicagoans mentionning Billy Goat’s.
Steve Schlesinger says:
There is a small luncheonette type of place on Long Beach Island called the Holiday Snack Bar – simply as can be but the best burgers. My mouth is watering as I write this. And not a bad 7 layer cake to finish off a great lunch before heading back to the beach. If you are on this small sliver of land on the Jersey Shore, this is a must if you want to take a step back to the past.
Tom Lix says:
Made at home on the outside grill, over real charcoal and I don’t mean the processed sand and charcoal “mini-bricks”. Fresh ground beef, not lean. Tomato paste, wasabi, finely cut onions, a little garlic, lots of ground black pepper, a dash of salt, egg and bread crumbs. Make them thick, turn frequently, keep the cover on the grill to minimize the flame and add more charcoal flavor. More ground pepper while grilling then a slab of cheddar, maybe some bacon slices. Served on a large roll, portugese sweet rolls work fine. Best time to make them, when it’s zero degrees and the ground is covered with snow. Remember, real charcoal. Keep the gas grill in storage.
Ace says:
As I read the burger blog to my wife Pat she said: “Hunter House Hamburgers” in Birmingham, Michigan. Merrill, FYI, they are a lot like Ritzy’s here in Texas, but better! Ace
Naomi Walters says:
Merrill, there is a little place just off the Northwest Expressway in Hoffman Estates, IL – the Assembly. They have a Bionic Burger that has mushrooms and grilled onions with a red wine sauce, on top of a perfect burger! It is finger lick’in good! They are so big that you can easily take home half of it for another meal! They also have the best ribs in town! Naomi Walters
Merrill Dubrow says:
Stephenie Gordon – thanks – just sent me this email and I thought I would share it –
Country’s Best Burger Found In Atlanta
POSTED: 6:02 am EDT March 12, 2007
UPDATED: 1:30 pm EDT March 12, 2007
ATLANTA — The best hamburger in America is right here in metro Atlanta.
Raymond Sokolov, the food reporter for the Wall Street Journal, crowned the “Ghetto Burger” at Ann’s Snack Bar on Memorial Drive as the best burger in the country.
DIRECTIONS: Finding Atlanta’s Best Burger
He describes Ann Price’s masterpiece as a “two-patty cheeseburger tricked out with bacon that she tends closely in a fryolator.”
After sampling a “Ghetto Burger” dusted with Miss Ann’s “seasoning salt” Sokolov called it “the next level in burgerhood.”
If you want to dive into one head for the Snack Bar at 1615 Memorial Drive.
Citing the burgers at The Vortex in Little Five Points and the EARL in East Atlanta Sokolov called Atlanta the home to the best burgers in America.
Lynn says:
And then there are those in St. Louis who lay claim that the modern-day hamburger made its public debut at the World’s Fair in St. Louis in 1904. (Ah, but what about the stories of the first version coming from Hamburg, Germany?)
Where ever it’s originally from, I agree, there are times when nothing is better than a hamburger. Many must agree, and White Castle, that well-known burger joint in the Midwest, has decided to capitalize on Americans’ love of the burger by sponsoring National Hamburger Month each May.
So, to hamburger fans, do you add cheese, pickles, lettuce, tomatoes, etc.? Or are you a purist?
Merrill Dubrow says:
Based on the response to this blog and all the emails I received America still loves burgers!
One of the emails I got was from Chuck Miller who invited me as his guest to have a GREAT burger close to my office.
Chuck had mentioned that this little, out of the way spot is worth the trip. I had never been to the Coppell Deli so I was looking forward to the burger and seeing Chuck is always a pleasure.
Not only did Chuck treat me but also being a gentleman he picked me up (probably because he knows I would have gotten lost).
I felt like a rookie trying to figure out what to order – so Chuck stepped in and helped me with ordering my burger. Since I wanted a little of this and that the deli customized my order which of course included cheese fries and onion rings. My first amazement was that this place was small but very efficient. They actually had customized burger ready in less than 3 minutes.
Perfectly cooked and very tasty – Chuck was right great burger!
One of the interesting facts is that one of their morning sandwiches made the All-Madden Team. I think it may have been one of the first sandwiches to make a team full of athletes. The restaurant is close to valley Ranch where the Dallas Cowboys practice so it is frequented by the team.
Thanks Chuck!
Merrill Dubrow says:
I was excited to read an article this weekend that featured Del’s Charcoal Burgers in Richardson, Texas.
Has anyone been there?
Based on the article it sounds like I need to take a road trip.
Merrill
Merrill Dubrow says:
The results of this year’s Zagat’s Fast Food Survey are in and Wendy’s is the top “Mega-Chain” (over 5,000 outlets) and In-N-Out burger the best large chain (up to 5,000). When asked which outlet had the best burger regardless of number of locations — In-N-Out came in first with Wendy’s at #2.
http://consumerist.com/5287288/in+n+out-wins-best-burger-in-zagats-fast-food-survey