When I think of classic American cuisine, burgers are one of the first things that come to mind. But like most culinary creations “born” in the United States, the origins usually can be traced back to somewhere else.
The story of the burger begins in Hamburg, Germany.
Beef was a delicacy throughout Germany for centuries. As political revolutions rippled through the country in 1848, waves of immigrants fled to the United States. They brought their beer and food with them. German restaurant owners served up all types of meats, including the “Hamburg-style” chopped steak. This dish was simply minced meat molded into the shape of a steak that was grilled, then served with gravy. Perhaps with some onions, breadcrumbs, and seasonings tossed in.
Around the same time, chopped raw beef was commonly prescribed for digestive issues in American households. In 1867, doctor James Salisbury recommended that these cooked patties would be just as healthy. BOOM! A ground beef craze was born. Near the end of the century, “the hamburger seems to have made its jump from plate to bun,” although the exact origins are a bit murky. (Perhaps I’ll dive into the different theories in another post.) We know for sure that the concept of a hamburger on a bun was introduced to a wide audience in 1904 at the St. Louis World Fair.
(Curious about what makes red meat red? I synthesized the science HERE!)
Today, billions of burgers are consumed a year, and I happened to consume quite a few myself.
Here are my top 3 burgers of 2023.
3. Spice Town USA from Harlem Public
Harlem Public is a Hamilton Heights institution serving up elevated American fare alongside a top-tier bar list. I lived in the neighborhood (and even in the same building!) for years, and I never had something from HP (as we called it) that I didn’t like.
In 2023, I tried the Spicetown USA, and it was so good it gets the #3 spot on my 3 best burgers of 2023 list. It consists of a house-ground cajun burger with pepper jack cheese, jalapeño, fried onions, chipotle mayo, tomato, and lettuce all on a brioche bun. The subtle kick is tantalizing, not overwhelming, and the soft crunch from the onion ring adds a little somethin’ somethin’.
Pro Tip: The sweet potato fries at Harlem Public are my favorite in the city!
2. Cheeseburger from Row 34 (Boston)
In April, I was hired to work a bat Mitzvah in Boston. After the long drive, the squad needed some grub before go-time, so we ordered some food for pick up from Row 34. I opted for a cheeseburger that has forever changed my burger standards.
It was perfectly medium with a pure, bold beef flavor and overwhelming umami. Caramelized onions dazzled each bite with a subtle sweetness and slight crunch. White cheddar enhanced the whole experience. It was one of the few foodie experiences I’ve had where the world goes dark and it’s just me and the burger enjoying our moment.
1. Legendary Cheeseburger from Nowon
Nowon is a Korean American gastropub dishing up American/Korean fusion fare with hip, slightly grungy, slightly quirky vibes. It had the potential to all vibes, no flavor. But the legendary cheeseburger proved me wrong.
This sucker is loaded with two smashed patties, roasted kimchi, kimchi special sauce, american cheese, pickles, and onions on a sesame bun. The kimchi adds a crazy salty, slightly sour, slightly spicy flavor that meshes with the meat and cheese for an unbelievable flavor journey.
While the quality of the burger from Row 34 was better, I’ve never had (and probably never will) have a burger like the legendary cheeseburger from Nowon. Earning it my best burger of 2023 award.
Cheers to my 3 best burgers of 2023! And to many more burgers to come.
Curious about what burgers made the list last year?
