 Day 43: Inspecting My Burger |
For most nights in the kitchen, I let Pat go at it because — not only is he a great cook but — he likes it. Because of him, I get delicious curries, delectable meat pies, yummy stir-fries and pesto pastas. When it comes to things like burgers, however, I have to take charge.
Burgers are not the same in Australia… just not the same at all.
First off, you might start munching down on this massive, massive burger, overjoyed and ecstatic about the awesome food you are in the process of consuming, just to come to the conclusion that, “Hey, this meat tastes funny.”
That’s because they put stuff in it, and by stuff I’m referring to certain herbs and spices and maybe even breadcrumbs, that makes it a weird flavor and texture. When this happens, I’m almost outraged.
Where the hell is my 100% ground beef burger?!
I feel like I’m talking to a brick wall every time I voice my yearning for a great burger… until I talk to other Americans… those that feel my pain when it comes to a good, classic burger.
The Aussies just do it different here.
They do this burger called a burger with the lot (or is it lotte?) and it comes with an egg (I like) and beetroot (I dislike). I mean beetroot on a burger? Beet root… on a burger?! Ack!
Sometimes, they’ll even throw pineapple on it.
I can’t believe you aren’t into Beetroot. There’s nothing quite like purple burger juice dripping down onto your plate
I can however live without egg in there – save that for my pizza lol.
Man, so wrong.
2 requirements for a great burger:
> Beetroot. Enough said.
> You can’t put it down. Literally. If you release your grip, the thing will topple over, buns akimbo.
A neatly arranged affair with high structural integrity is not a burger.
That’s a sandwich.
Nice
I’ll agree with you on point number 2 at least!
Can’t say I’m a fan of the beetroot either.
ThANK YOU
A burger HAS to have beetroot on it! Mmmm. You’ll come round…
Ha
I think not.
I’m with you on the burgers being different. I do like the egg sometimes, but never the beet root! I don’t eat beets on their own, wouldn’t enjoy ‘em on burgers!
I think the first time I ever had avocado on a burger was in Oz too – that wasn’t half bad.
I do add breadcrumbs to my burgers when I make them at home, Italian breadcrumbs, for an added flavor.
I don’t mind those in burgers!
Sometimes I just think it would be easier for the people making them if they just stuck to plain beef, no? And I will never understand the fascination with beetroot here. Never ever ever.
Haha, yeah the beatroot did make me think before ordering one
It wasn’t that bad, just had to get used to it. But I do agree that the burgers taste different in Australia!
I have eaten a burger with beetroot on it, but the burger was so far from a “real” burger that it didn’t matter — plus I was starving. But, overall, the taste of beetroot is just not right… it’s not what I’m looking for in a burger…
100% agreed. I like beetroot, but it doesn’t belong on a burger (much like satay chicken on a pizza…). I ordered my first burger in Australia and got a mushy grey patty with green herbal flecks, and subsequent attempts haven’t been any better. Luckily, I was able to convert Jared into an American-burger-loving Aussie so I just make them at home.
I know the exact mushy patty with green flecks you are talking about! Luckily, Pat loves my burgers, too
Beetroot = NO. That is my biggest complaint for Aus/NZ re: their burgers. What. The. Hell?
Head over to Burger Fuel for some good, non-fastfood american-type burgers. Their buns are a little funny, but how I love and miss them!
I’m so glad you agree
There’s a new place down at CenterPoint — Charlies, I think — that does AMAZING burgers the right way.
Must be a comfort food thing. I always hate getting a burger that’s nothing but beef. It’s barely a half step above eating cardboard, in my opinion. When I make them at home, I include onions, spices, oats and egg. And they are yummy.
Ok, so I’m a self-proclaimed burger whore. I love burgers, I am SUPER picky about burgers but I also will eat and/or try pretty much anything on any menu anywhere that says burger. I have tasted some real… nasty… burgers. Think McDonalds in a subway station in Prague or a dive bar in Japan (as a dare, mind you). However. I do appreciate a good “theme” burger. And an aussie burger loaded with a good egg AND SOME BEETROOT… I think… is delicious. Now, this “meatloaf-disguised-as-a-burger” breadcrumb and herb infusion you’re talking about, that seems sacrilege. But as long as the burger is made of real beef, I will generally appreciate it. Beetroots and all. It’s not my perfect burger. It’s not my favorite. But I will admit it is tasty and I will order it on occasion.
Just my two cents.
I just want to ask, as a milkshake is a classic accompaniment to a burger what is your opinion on Australian milkshakes? I’ve heard a lot of Americans are bitterly disappointed by our milkshakes as American ones are more like our thick shakes? After having a shake at Melbourne’s retro American themed Soda Rock Cafe I can see why ours would be a let down. But I like both for different reasons and on different occasions. I’ve had low-blood-sugar-fuelled arguments with my (now ex) boyfriend that were solved by inhaling a chocolate milkshake in 15 seconds flat. Thick/American shakes just won’t go up a straw that fast!
what we miss in Oz is the great fresh kosher pickles you get with a slider or cheese burger in the states…. i want to start a propper pickle business in Oz…