Hamburgers.

[Spenco]

Threads that discuss burger joints this explicitly should be locked to anyone not from the US in the interests of their sanity.

[glennpendlay]

Originally Posted by lou

Smash is not my favorite by far. The store we have here does not impress me.
The five guys falls short as well. The local Fuddruckers is the best of the three, but it does not replace making them at home.

As far as fast food burgers, the Whataburgers do a better job locally than all the others. BK used to have a solid product, and if you can get a fresh grilled one it still taste decent, but I can do a better job at home, either on the grill or in the cast iron.


The above is based on my experience at my house in North Houston, not South Atlanta.

You are quite literally the FIRST person I have ever heard not absolutely love Smashburger. Of the people who have tried them of course.

[lou]

Originally Posted by Spenco

Threads that discuss burger joints this explicitly should be locked to anyone not from the US in the interests of their sanity.

This isn't all that explicit.

There are multiple layers of topics about burgers that could be discussed, such as:

Meat, fat ratio in the patty, cut of meat that is ground, weight of the patty before cooking, method of cooking, ect.
Cheese!
Types of bun, plain, seseme seeded, or even a plain bread variety.
pickles, sweet, dill or a relish version of either.


I like my burgers a few different ways, both grilled or pan seared. I prefer about a half pound patty of ground sirloin with a 80/20 mix. This gives a good juicy finished patty. Basic seasoning on the meat, but the meat must be good quality. Sea salt, and fresh ground black pepper.

I like a butter grilled plain bun, dresssed with a purpose made spread. I use good mayo, with added dry mustard, some garlic oil a little dill weed, red pepper, or a splash of tabasco, and a little yellow mustard.

Cheese can be either a good medium chedder or a classic good quality american. other types work as well, but those are different speciality burgers.

Tomato's medium slice, dressed with olive oil, and salt and pepper.
Onions, thin sliced, or diced, raw or grilled. Onions grilled in some of the burger fat are very good. I prefer diced grilled.
Lettuce is thin sliced iceburg

Construction:

Meat side:
patty is cooked in cast iron on medium high heat, and seared down hard with spatula after about half a minute of cooking (do not sear again). Patty cooks for 3-3 1/2 minutes on this first side. On the flip onions are added to the pan to grill in the burger fat. after two minutes sliced cheese can be added to the patty, and the onions put on the cheese. The already grilled bun bottom is added to the patty at this point, and the burger finishes the last minute of cooking.

Bun top:
grilled bun top is spread with the mayo spread
2 tomato slices, and a little ketchup
3,dill pickle chips
lettuce, a good heaping portion


The cooked patty that is already topped with the bun bottom is then pulled and placed on the prepared top. Let it rest for about a minute before going in.

I know whats for dinner tonight.

The cut of the fries, and whether a cold drink or a milkshake will be served with are different threads for heated discussion.

Steak cut fries, and strawberry milkshake are good choices, IMO.

[lou]

Originally Posted by glennpendlay

You are quite literally the FIRST person I have ever heard not absolutely love Smashburger. Of the people who have tried them of course.

I'm aware. My Wife and middle Daughter love Smash. They really like the added fried egg as well.

The local Smash was brand new when I tried it, and I will say that new cooking equipment does not always cook as well as seasoned grills.

I have worked food service at a few burgers chains. One of the stores I worked at had a very well seasoned old flat top grill that to this day I will say cooked the best patty I've ever tasted come off a flat top.

Cooking is a bit of a hobby of mine among a few other things.

[WhiskeyWebber]

Originally Posted by lou

They really like the added fried egg as well.

I love the fried egg option when I go to Red Robin too.

[azolylifter]

Originally Posted by WhiskeyWebber

I love the fried egg option when I go to Red Robin too.

Red Robin is good, just not AS good, IMHO.

[DanG]

I had smashburger last night. It was pretty good, but I'll need to try it some more to determine if it's better than five guys. I hadn't realized you can add toppings for free...that would've helped!

[glennpendlay]

Originally Posted by DanG

I had smashburger last night. It was pretty good, but I'll need to try it some more to determine if it's better than five guys. I hadn't realized you can add toppings for free...that would've helped!

Sucks to have to go back, doesn't it.

[WhiskeyWebber]

OK, We just got back from the Smashburger and here's the report: Best burger we've ever had. Smashfries were the best fries we've ever had. Beats Five Guys, In-N-out, Red Robin, Sonic and all of the other ones that I've considered tasty in the past. After Smashburger, we went over to the coldstone creamery and put a nice cap on our once a week carb-fest

[azolylifter]

Originally Posted by WhiskeyWebber

OK, We just got back from the Smashburger and here's the report: Best burger we've ever had. Smashfries were the best fries we've ever had. Beats Five Guys, In-N-out, Red Robin, Sonic and all of the other ones that I've considered tasty in the past. After Smashburger, we went over to the coldstone creamery and put a nice cap on our once a week carb-fest

I want a "love" button for this!!

Glad you liked it!!