Is there a ‘Perfect Burger’?
Years ago, when I lived in Waterloo Ontario, I often went to a diner called Harmony Lunch. It was a bit of an old skid row joint, a place that had seen better times, but was still super popular among the locals. The main reason was that they still sold cheeseburgers for two bucks a piece! And they were good too. The place also had character – diner bar stools from the fifties, wooden chairs and tables. The milkshakes came in upside down pylon glasses and they had a massive fry grill behind the counter where you could see everything the cooks were preparing. They even had an old jukebox right between the two washroom doors playing singles. If that wasn’t something out of Happy Days I don’t know what is.
I loved it. They never played music (unless that juke was on), so most of the time all you could hear was the clatter of plates, the chatter of patrons and the sizzle of meat and onions. And it was those onions that really made the place, the crazy powerful scent of sauteed onions. And every burger got them. It was a given. There was something very Charles Bukowskish about the place, or Jack Kerouac, but not frightening or sleazy, just honest working class.
If there is one food that everyone has a favourite for it’s a burger. It could be a favourite recipe, the best burger joint, or some blissed out memory of a legendary barbecue that the produced the burger’s platonic ideal. Think about it, even vegetarians have their favourite burger. My favourite can be found at Harmony Lunch.
Anyways, that’s my burger story.
Here are 4 great burger recipes:
- Is this the perfect burger?
- Grilled Turkey Burgers with Cheddar and Smoky Aioli
- Andouille and Beef Burgers with Spicy Mayo and Caramelized Onions
- Buffalo Burgers with Pickled Onions and Smoky Red Pepper Sauce
If any of you have a great burger story send it in. It is the season to celebrate and honour the humble burger. And I love hearing stories.
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