What IS it about a good burger?

There’s a reason why it is so unbelievably pleasurable to bite into a deliciously juicy, steaming hot, and perfectly grilled burger. And there’s also a reason why we all have our personal favorites.

How quickly would it take you to describe your perfect burger? Chances are it would take half a second, and you probably would explain to me where to get it, what toppings to put on it, and why it’s your favorite.

My favorite chain burger is In-N-Out. Please give me a simple cheeseburger with their special sauce, lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, and no onions, and I’m a happy girl. I love how they are thin and crispy, wrapped up tightly in their paper wrapping, and come on… if you’ve ever been to an In-N-Out, everything is simple, clean, and efficient.

Same-same, yet different.

Burgers are all the same, and yet they aren’t. And when we all get a bad one, don’t you feel like you’ve been robbed? Eating a sad, limp, half-warm burger-wanna-be is a crime in my book.

The simple joy of a good burger is that it passes our expectations. Meeting our expectations is knowing that a burger is a burger and should taste like a burger. But when we get an exceptional burger… now we’re talking!

What makes a burger so yummy?

Biting into deliciously juicy, steaming hot, and perfectly grilled burgers release happy feelings in our brains. From our brain, the digestive juices happily join in to move along the happiness throughout our bodies.

We smile.

Maybe giggle a bit.

And then, all happy mmmm’ing noises.

What makes a burger a favorite?

Memories.

If I asked you right now about your favorite burger memory, I guarantee it wasn’t because the burger was so-so. It was incredibly delicious because of the rest of the story surrounding the memory.

Make sense, right?

In-N-Out reminds me of living in California when we were first married. I don’t remember having a burger growing up. I never even had a French fry until I was older! So, when Dennis introduced me to In-N-Out, I was blown away. Inexpensive to our newlywed budgets, perfectly cooked every time, and it was a treat for all the senses.

What’s your reason?

I bet you have your favorite burger, the perfect way you like them prepared, and even your favorite burger joint. I’d love to hear about it!

Years ago, someone in my office challenged me to do a “best burger roundup in Northwest Arkansas.” Dennis was pumped with the challenge; day after day and night after night, we rose to that challenge. Hugos, Feltners, Braums, etc. etc. etc.

It didn’t take long before we gave up. It was overwhelming and honestly, kinda gross. Burgers aren’t meant to be a challenge. They’re meant to be savored.