A Better Burger Can Cure All Blues?

I love a good burger. I can't deny that there are times when I crave nothing more than a well made burger on a bun. Some people argue that it isn't a burger without cheese, or mayo, or ketchup (catsup) onions and whatever else people feels makes a burger a complete burger. But regardless, I firmly believe that whatever you as an individual feels makes a good burger will always be better than what anyone else may think. And that's what makes burgers one of those dining experiences that can have such a profound impact on many people in so many different ways. Perhaps I'm blowing the importance of burgers out of proportion but I was inspired by a story I read online this past weekend which talked about how people are now ponying up for a 'better burger' and businesses are stepping up to meet a perceived growing demand.

For those who don't partake in beef burgers I can completely understand and sympathize but you have no idea what you're missing. Still, be that as it may, the purpose of my posting isn't to argue the merits of a good beef burger but a burger in general. I think one of the things that has really brought the burger back to prominence is the fact that President Obama and Vice President Biden felt it worthy enough a meal for a public appearance with Russian President Medvedev. Some will undoubtedly make the argument that rather than appearing at a burger joint together, the three could have accomplished the same thing by appearing at the White House Rose Garden, and that may be but I think by showing the American President in such a setting, it probably conveys an image of a person who is like the average American. Who can go and enjoy a simple meal that is filling much in the way some people like their President to be someone they'd enjoy sharing a beer with. I suppose we all have our standards.

According to the article I read, such notoriety has helped increase the popularity of the burger once again. That being said it seems that besides the normal burger joints that many people think of (like McDonald's or Burger King) there are plenty of other places looking to get into the act. Now there are places like Hamburger Hamlet and such which although are a bit fancier, they still focus on serving good quality burgers. I think many of the burgers that they have on their menu are pretty good and they do their best to preserve the burger in the way it was intended to be eaten which is with the hands and with ingredients that you can say with one or two syllables. There are some places though that feel that in order to have a gourmet burger, it should not only have a higher price but also more expensive ingredients as well.

I'm not really in agreement with that belief. Sure you can buy the absolute best beef in the world and that would certainly go a long way towards improving the taste of the beef but that isn't the only criteria. I mean as my brother often remarks, "are you going to eat the main dish or the sides?"; a corollary to that is are you going to eat the burger or the additions. I personally think what I stated at the outset, that a burger that is well and truly good won't require much else on it other than the burger patty. Cooked well and seasoned just right, it will be a wonderful meal in and of itself.