Momof2kids,
I loved your post and want to try you and your kids comments on my next burger expedition. We too do not go to most fast food hamburger places.
We are on the search for that perfect burger and our expectations are listed below...not necesarrily in order:
- Fresh ground, grain fed, 80/20 ground chuck
- The hamburder meat not pounded to death to make so dense, the less one messes with it the better, and it is ok if it falls apart a little. This kind must be cooked on a griddle or iron skillet, it would fall through the bbq grill! Cooked done but not dry.
- The only seasonings are salt and pepper, no garlic or worcstershire sauce, or any other mystery ingredient.
- Choice of 3, 6, or 8 ounces (ok go a step ahead for the big eaters and make it 3, 6, or 9 ounces) and could be done one patty, two paties or three. Remeber loosly packed so they look bigger and are much tenderer.
- No fancy bun, white or wheat Sara Lee will do. Not a thick, heavy, dense bun. Warmed on the griddle or iron skillet.
- A choice of hamburder or cheeseburger(with a choice of cheddar, American or Swiss).
- A choice of mustard, mayo, catsup, pickles, onions, tomatos and lettuce(my way versus your way).
And trust me this is very hard to find. Most places pack them as dense as they can get them, put those mystery seasonings in them, and want to serve some fancy grass fed beef(which in my opinion is really beefy). One can get hormone free beef at high end grocery stores that makes the perfect burger, so I am sure food vendors can do the same. And then they want to use bread that overwhelms the burger.
Come on guys use the KISS formula....Keep It Simple Stupid!