Delicious, filling and can be eaten on the go. We all love them, but how much do we actually know about burgers? The word burger is a shortened version of hamburger, which is the original name of this famous fast meal.
The hamburger first appeared in the 19th or early 20th century. It is said that Hamburg steaks were introduced to the US by German immigrants. This happened at the St Louis World’s fair in 1904.
Of course, there is some controversy over the origin of the hamburger. That’s because its two basic ingredients – bread and beef, had been prepared and consumed separately for many years in different countries before their combination. The hamburger included all of its currently typically characteristic trimmings (onions, lettuce, and sliced pickles) shortly after its creation.
After various controversies in the 20th century, including a nutritional controversy in the late 1990s, the burger is now readily identified with the United States and with a particular style of cuisine, namely fast food. Yes, we all know that hamburgers are associated with the US nowadays and if you ask people around the world to list some American foods, the burger will probably be on top of that list.
Hamburger was also called a “Liberty Sandwich”. After World War II, American soldiers wanted hamburgers to be called “Liberty Sandwich” to promote patriotism and also to avoid any German name, but the name didn’t really catch on.
The Hamburger Hall of Fame (yes, this place really exists!) is located in Seymour, Wisconsin. It is actually a museum honoring all things about hamburgers.
One of the most expensive burgers in the US is served at the Fleur de Lys in Las Vegas. The Fleur Burger is made of Kobe beef and topped with foie gras and black truffles. With this burger you get a 1990 bottle of Chateau Petrus and this meal will cost you “only” $5000! Well, we’re not that hungry.
But, that’s not the most expensive burger ever – yes, we know, it’s hard to imagine there’s something more expensive than this, but keep reading to find out more. The defunct uSocial.net celebrated its 4-year anniversary in 2012 with a one-of-a-kind, edible luxury burger worth $10,000. The price of this burger is high (extremely high) because of its ingredients. It is made with the world’s rarest and most expensive ingredients. The patty is made from Wagyu beef and white truffle, while it rests on a brioche roll infused with 24-karat gold, saffron, and black truffle. It’s flavored with Spanish Jamon Iberico, which is a ham made from Iberian pigs fed with a specialty diet consisting almost entirely of acorns. And the beautiful part about this is that all proceeds were intended for charity.
The first restaurant that sold hamburgers was opened in 1921 and you could get the hamburger for 5 cents at a time.
The Guinness World Record holder for the largest hamburger weighs more than 2,000 pounds.
We hope you enjoyed learning more about America’s favorite food. Now, we believe you’re hungry after all this reading and we can recommend from Chicago Waffles menu Chitown burger which is 8-ounce black angus beef on a buttery bun or pretzel roll topped with grilled onions, mushrooms, bacon, American cheese and sunny side up egg, or Old School Burger which is 8-ounce black angus beef on a buttery bun or pretzel roll with lettuce, tomato, red onions and American cheese.
They sound good, right? That’s because they are good! Great actually! Come see for yourself! We’re expecting you at Chicago Waffles!
