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.
And maybe that’s the honest answer after all.
What IS it about a good burger?
They’re meant to be thoroughly enjoyed.
Enjoy your day!
Hopefully a delicious burger will be involved.
Eat well, my friends.
Lyndi
Burger King used to be because of the memories. When we were growing up, we always had a very large garden and we worked planting, harvesting, and preserving from April through October. On days, when Mama was canning beans or tomatoes (we’re talking a table-that-seated-8-people full), she and Daddy would take us to Burger King for dinner.
The goofy crown. The charbroiled Whopper (no mayo, thank you) with cheese, the piping hot french fries, and our rare opportunity to drink soda (we very rarely had them at home and it was either 7-Up for sherbert floats or Canada Dry ginger ale for upset stomachs).
It was our family tradition during the summer, and memories I’ll carry with me as long as I breathe.
BTW, now, the best burger I’ve had to date is from a regional burger place named Pal’s in East Tennessee. Good eats.
Sandra, that’s a GREAT memory! And that goofy crown! Ironically, my sister worked at Burger King in high school. Did she ever bring me a burger? Nope! Thanks for the East TN tip!
Now that is just wrong, Lyndi, that your sister never brought you a burger from Burger King. LOL!
I agree! Not cool! ha!