Why do some restaurants...

Re:Why do some restaurants... (NYPIzzaNut)

Wed, 27 May 2009 17:27:56 GMT

If you are trying to antagonize me you are doing a pitiful job of it.

Re:Why do some restaurants... (BillyZoom)

Wed, 27 May 2009 14:13:05 GMT

NYPIzzaNut

Isn't it wonderful that we are all free to build our burgers any way we wish?

And cook them accordingly.

It just does not get any better than that!

Yeah, and we're all free to decide what kind of pizza we like. Aren't we?

Re:Why do some restaurants... (NYPIzzaNut)

Tue, 26 May 2009 09:11:10 GMT

Isn't it wonderful that we are all free to build our burgers any way we wish?

And cook them accordingly.

It just does not get any better than that!

Re:Why do some restaurants... (carolina bob)

Tue, 26 May 2009 01:21:35 GMT

Thanks, TTM, for posting that photo. It's truly a wonderous sight to behold ( except for that cheese; it will never find it's way onto any Hackneyburger of mine. )

Re:Why do some restaurants... (The Travelin Man)

Tue, 26 May 2009 00:34:12 GMT

At your request, nocarolina!

NYPizzaNut - So long as you are not suggesting that *I* need to put that sauce on my burgers, we're good....you can add it to whatever burger you like - even a beloved Luger Burger!

Re:Why do some restaurants... (carolina bob)

Mon, 25 May 2009 11:36:41 GMT

Travelin Man, I'm in complete agreement about the price of hamburgers. If all I cared about was getting an inexpensive burger, I would be satisfied with the franchised crud-burgers that can be found within a five-minute drive of my apartment. Saving money is not a priority, though, when I have an urge for a great burger. At least twice a month, I make the ninety minute round trip to Hackney's in Palos Park for one of their wonderful half-pound Hackneyburgers ( medium rare on dark bread... burger ectasy! ) The burgers come with terrific fries and good cole slaw. Including tip, the whole meal runs about $16.00 ( not including the tollway fees ), and I'm happy to pay it. That's how important getting a truly great burger is to me. We all have our priorities, don't we?

Re:Why do some restaurants... (JRPfeff)

Mon, 25 May 2009 11:07:34 GMT

billydee,

Hold the pickle, hold the lettuce ...

And while you are at it: hold the mayo, hold the mustard, hold the tomato, hold the barbecue sauce, hold the mushrooms, hold the cheddar. Even then, my family would not be happy with your creation. In fact, you would even have to hold the 6 ounce beef patty to have a burger that everyone in my family would eat.

There is nothing wrong with your perfect burger. However, there is less that 1% of your customers who would agree that your personal preference is their perfect burger.

We live in a BK world, even McDonald's has figured that out.

Cheers.

Re:Why do some restaurants... (badbyron722)

Mon, 25 May 2009 10:56:11 GMT

The best I ever had was cooked omn my grill by myself.My Grandkids all call the Papa Burgers.About 1/2 lb of ground chuck al ittle salt,pepper,garlic and worchestire sauce.love to top it with sharp cheddar lettuce,tomato and onion.

Re:Why do some restaurants... (NYPIzzaNut)

Mon, 25 May 2009 10:56:05 GMT

The Travelin Man

In all of my years of enjoying hamburgers, I have convinced myself that the price is never going to be the determining factor in whether or not I enjoy it.

I have had excellent cheap burgers and lousy/ordinary expensive burgers. At the end of the day, my favorite burger to date is served at Peter Luger Steakhouse in NY. It is served from the kitchen simply as meat on a bun. Ketchup and Luger's sauce is placed on the table. I have never seen mayo, nor have I ever seen anyone ask for mayo. I have added on various occasions some combination of one slice of American cheese, bacon, and one thick slice of tomato. I do know that they serve an onion and tomato appetizer, so perhaps if one were so inclined, a slice of onion could be added, as well. The basic burger runs $8.95 - and all toppings that I mentioned will incur an additional charge.

Regardless, if cost were the only factor, I would spend my life continually eating miserable fast food burgers.

...any burger tastes better with:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/20/dining/20united.html?_r=2&ref=dining

Re:Why do some restaurants... (badbyron722)

Mon, 25 May 2009 10:53:08 GMT

I like it when the buns are toasted.Just makes a better burger to me.

Re:Why do some restaurants... (The Travelin Man)

Mon, 25 May 2009 10:13:14 GMT

In all of my years of enjoying hamburgers, I have convinced myself that the price is never going to be the determining factor in whether or not I enjoy it.

I have had excellent cheap burgers and lousy/ordinary expensive burgers. At the end of the day, my favorite burger to date is served at Peter Luger Steakhouse in NY. It is served from the kitchen simply as meat on a bun. Ketchup and Luger's sauce is placed on the table. I have never seen mayo, nor have I ever seen anyone ask for mayo. I have added on various occasions some combination of one slice of American cheese, bacon, and one thick slice of tomato. I do know that they serve an onion and tomato appetizer, so perhaps if one were so inclined, a slice of onion could be added, as well. The basic burger runs $8.95 - and all toppings that I mentioned will incur an additional charge.

Regardless, if cost were the only factor, I would spend my life continually eating miserable fast food burgers.

Re:Why do some restaurants... (brittneal)

Mon, 25 May 2009 01:05:07 GMT

I just cant justify paying over 5 buck for a burger platter. I remember going into a Cooker in Columbus years ago and a 1/2 lb deluxe(lettuce,tomato, onion slice and picle spear was $7.95 ala carte! Even with fries included it would have been too much.
I remember working at a number of differentplaces in Denver in the 70's when the hand formed 1/2lb burger became the standard. Now you can lowball it with a 4 dollar big macc or a 3.50 Whopper the Fudruckers and Red Roins fill the next niche.
Remember a Big Mac, fries and medium soda and get change back from your dollar!

Re:Why do some restaurants... (SassyGritsAL)

Mon, 25 May 2009 00:25:05 GMT

I know that most burgers come with lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles and if I feel that the lettuce if yucky or the tomato is not fresh then I don't mind taking them off. I think that adding other condaments such as mushrooms, grilled onions and even cheese should be an option.

Re:Why do some restaurants... (SassyGritsAL)

Sun, 24 May 2009 23:25:16 GMT

My fav. burger place of all (I believe it is the best burger I've ever had) is here in Huntsville at a place called Dallas Mill Deli. Their burger cost $4.50 and has mayo, your choice of cheese, lettuce, pickles and always a great tasting tomato. For me this price is OK, but when I take the grandgirls they get a burger, chips, fruit bowl and drink at this make each order around $10 so for the three of us to eat burgers out cost around $30.00. Of course I think they (the girls) are worth it and the burgers are great. And the best of all, the girls would rather go here than McDonald's and the burgers are made fresh for each order. Definitely worth it.

Re:Why do some restaurants... (rezlesj)

Thu, 21 May 2009 08:02:49 GMT

My problem with this question is I do not know if the issue is restaurants that specialize in burgers, such as a 5-Guys or a Red Robin, or just any old restaurant that has burgers on the menu.

Practically every restaurant has a burger on the menu for people like my son who orders one pretty much wherever we go (except maybe chinese). For them, the burger is more of a concession or after-thought rather than a feature item.

Now if we are talking bars and such, most I find offer quite a variety of toppings to suit any taste.

Personally I agree with the Keep-it-simple crowd:
- Mayo (just a coating, not a whole quart) keeps the bun from getting soggy.
- Tomato, especially in the summer.
- Some good sweet onion, sauteed, grilled or raw.

Re:Why do some restaurants... (caver)

Thu, 21 May 2009 03:15:53 GMT

Even the simplest of joints could benefit from having just a few optional condiments on hand. A good strong German mustard is awesome on a hamburger. A bit of horseradish or some good hot sauce can add a lot.

But other than sending it out cold or undercooked, about the worst thing they can do is bathe it in mayo as some places seem determined to do. Other than the fact mayo has no place anywhere near a hamburger, I'll decide how much I'd like to add if any. Ugh.

And burgers can benefit from some good fresh baked bread just like any sandwich. Enough of the white bread buns already.

Re:Why do some restaurants... (Matt from Brooklyn)

Tue, 19 May 2009 17:05:33 GMT

I have to say I like my hamburgers simple, too. If it's really good enough, not even ketchup. Just a hamburger on a bun. Sometimes ketchup or sliced or grilled onion. Never anything else.

If you put anything else on it, it's not a hamburger. It's a cheeseburger or a mushroom burger or a pizza burger or whatever.

Re:Why do some restaurants... (yodeler)

Sun, 17 May 2009 21:27:48 GMT

Well, to me the perfect burger is simple and I don't much pay attention to the price. At our local joint, the See Zurh House (Bemus Point. NY), the basic burger is a half pound of angus beef (no frills), grilled to your liking with your choice of condiments. But, I am here to tell you (although I like mine with american cheese, and a thick slice of onion) the burger stands alone as a great piece of beef. Served on a toasted yellow burger bun, it is a beautiful mouthful.

Re:Why do some restaurants... (JayL)

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 01:39:23 GMT

Went to my very first Five Guys B&F today.

Two of us. We had one regular hambuger (or should that read ham burger) with let, tom, jalapenos, and onions...and one regular bacon cheeseburger with just mayo and ketchup...and one large fry.

The hamburger with all the fixings wasn't that good. I feel the meat got lost with all the "stuff" on it.

The bacon cheeseburger was excellent. The meat came through on this one.

The fries were not euphoric, but you could taste that they were fresh cut. I'd have them any day.

I will say that the location we visited was the cleanest fast food restaurant I've even been in. Absolutely spotless. About 10 minutes after we ordered there was a slight lull in the order line. The manager (and the guy who was taking all the orders) immediately came from behind the counter, swept the floor, thoroughly cleaned a couple of dirty tables...and get this...HE WASHED THE FINGER PRINTS FROM THE FRONT DOOR!!! This place was absolutely spotless. I was impressed by this fact moreso than from the food. I highly commend the employees of this store.

Re:Why do some restaurants... (dannybotz)

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 12:25:43 GMT

Word!

Re:Why do some restaurants... (Mosca)

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 12:24:29 GMT

Michael Hoffman

Twinwillow

Michael Hoffman

Perhap the reason they don't make their hamburgers the way you think they should is because they have a few customers such as me. I don't like lettuce or tomato on a hamburger. I don't like bacon or barbeque sauce on a burger. I do like grilled onions, but not fried onions, on a burger. And I'm allergic to mushrooms. And while I enjoy mustard (not yellow) and mayonnaise on a burger there are actually a few people who don't like mustard or mayonnaise on theirs. I've heard that some people actually like catsup on their burgers.

Gee, Michael. For once, I'll have to agree with something you've said.

That's sort of silly, don't you think? I mean, it's impossible to not agree with me 100 percent of the time.

It's probably the first time Twinwillow has ever actually read what you posted instead of skipping over it.

Re:Why do some restaurants... (GNeedles59)

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 11:31:03 GMT

what Mr. Hoffman said...

Re:Why do some restaurants... (Michael Hoffman)

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 11:20:15 GMT

Twinwillow

Michael Hoffman

Perhap the reason they don't make their hamburgers the way you think they should is because they have a few customers such as me. I don't like lettuce or tomato on a hamburger. I don't like bacon or barbeque sauce on a burger. I do like grilled onions, but not fried onions, on a burger. And I'm allergic to mushrooms. And while I enjoy mustard (not yellow) and mayonnaise on a burger there are actually a few people who don't like mustard or mayonnaise on theirs. I've heard that some people actually like catsup on their burgers.

Gee, Michael. For once, I'll have to agree with something you've said.

That's sort of silly, don't you think? I mean, it's impossible to not agree with me 100 percent of the time.

Re:Why do some restaurants... (billydee)

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 11:05:48 GMT

I just googled Five Guys Grill and it sounds like quite the operation and a place where I would really enjoy the food. They just opened their 400th location and I am hoping an Alberta location is in the future!

Re:Why do some restaurants... (Baah Ben)

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 10:35:14 GMT

Very good fries!

Re:Why do some restaurants... (Niagara)

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 10:14:15 GMT

jellybear is right - just go to Five Guys - they also have great fries made from fresh potatos.

Re:Why do some restaurants... (Twinwillow)

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 09:43:46 GMT

Michael Hoffman

Perhap the reason they don't make their hamburgers the way you think they should is because they have a few customers such as me. I don't like lettuce or tomato on a hamburger. I don't like bacon or barbeque sauce on a burger. I do like grilled onions, but not fried onions, on a burger. And I'm allergic to mushrooms. And while I enjoy mustard (not yellow) and mayonnaise on a burger there are actually a few people who don't like mustard or mayonnaise on theirs. I've heard that some people actually like catsup on their burgers.

Gee, Michael. For once, I'll have to agree with something you've said.

Re:Why do some restaurants... (jellybear)

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:08:34 GMT

Billydee,Just go to a Five Guys Grill and they will heap a bunch of toppings on your Burger at no added costs.

Re:Why do some restaurants... (Born in OKC)

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 05:06:29 GMT

I agree with most those who criticized on the basis of price and so on. For the record I want my burger different in several details. I would object to a sandwich with one leaf of lettuce and and one thick slice of tomato and onion. I like a lot of lettuce and multiple thin slices of tomato and just a few circles of raw thin sliced onion - not a slab. The tomato has to be ripe. For me, if you don't do the vegetables as I've just suggested then you don't understand the place of lettuce, tomato, and onion on an American sandwich. Add sliced pickle please. Add catsup and hold the mustard. No BBQ sauce. Bacon, if present, has to be crisp and cheddar is the preferred cheese. Mushrooms? They are for pizza. IMO unpeeled fries are an indication of sloth,

I am glad someone mentioned Hardee. I like Hardee's hanburgers which we don't see often enough, even in Georgia. And a Whopper rates high also. In north Atlanta, Rhea's Special from the small local chain is close enough to my preferences to rate very highly. It is reasonably priced although with a smaller meat patty than described at the start of this thread.

Re:Why do some restaurants... (JayL)

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:47:43 GMT

Actually I'm just trying to figure out the real point here. In one breath the guy is complaining about the price ($5) of a pretty plain burger...then goes on to tell how he'd do it with all the fixings for $7. In reality he just took that plain $5 burger and added $2 worth of crap on it. So why was he fussing about the price of the $5 burger to begin with?

You'd think, to have a REAL argument, he would have said that he'd add all the burger toppings and still charge the $5. But instead he raised the price by 40%. That's all well and good...but he started out upset over the price of the "cheaper" burger. Just sounds like he's ok with charging for it, but doesn't like it when others do.

Found it strange the way it was all worded and asked a few simple questions the he should have been able to rattle off the answers pretty quick. Those questions were ignored...which is ok.

It's just a "hamburger" thread on an internet forum...real traffic stopping news here. LOL