By Nicole Merino
Hamburger month in May has got us thinking, where did the first hamburger come from? There are many stories that talk about the tales of where the first burger was introduced. Some stories even go as far as the time of Genghis Khan discovering the idea of ground beef that eventually led to the hamburger we all know and love. So with that being said, how does one properly celebrate such an event? So in honor of National Hamburger Month in May, here are some wacky burgers with toppings that aren’t your usual mustard and ketchup. These restaurants are changing the game for the burger world and have caught the attention of many with their interesting twist. These aren’t your typical cheeseburgers from the grill, these are for burger lovers to explore all the possibilities for this American classic.
Crazee Burger
3993 30th St.
San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 282-6044
The Crazee Burger joint located in San Diego is a place to hit for National Burger Month because these burger options are unlike any other. For all the Nutella lovers, their Muddy Pig burger comes with Nutella spread, crispy bacon and caramelized plantains. Now that’s a unique burger to add to the bucket list. Of course if you don’t have a sweet tooth, there is the nacho Burger with hash brown sautéed with jalapeno and nacho cheese. Be in spirit and get yourself a burger that will make people say, where did you get that?
Slater’s 50/50
Various Locations
Slaters 50/50 is located in Anaheim Hills, Hermosa Beach, Huntington Beach, Pasadena, Rancho Cucamonga, San Marcos and San Diego. With a fun selection of burgers to choose from, their peanut butter and jelly burger has caught our attention. The P.B. jellousy burger is combining the burger and PB&J world with black canyon angus beef, bacon, natural peanut butter and strawberry jelly served on a honey wheat bun, and if you’d like, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream. With so many fun burgers to choose from, there is something for everyone including an eat your veggie burger that has a quinoa veggie patty with roasted red peppers, avocado and cucumbers all on a honey wheat bun. There is something for everyone to celebrate the burger month.
26 Beach
3100 Washington Blvd.
Venice, CA 90292
(310) 823-7526
If you are looking for a more interesting burger, try one that is exclusive to only the 26 Beach in Venice, California. They’re not on any other menu in the world! Try Chef Katsu’s original California roll hamburger that has a special bleed beef patty, with snow crab salad, avocado, sushi ginger, lettuce, tomato, nori and wasabi- shoyu- mayonnaise. If that doesn’t seem appetizing to you, try any of the other sushi hamburgers on the menu including a grilled Unagi on top of a patty with eel sauce, green onion, seaweed, black sesame seeds, radish sprouts and more. This style of burger is unlike any other, so if you are feeling adventurous in your burger choice, bring some friends and have fun trying these burgers out.
Grill ‘Em All
19 E Main St.
Alhambra, CA 91801
(626) 284-2874
When it comes to burgers, Grill ‘Em All doesn’t mess around. Located in Alhambra, they have a variety of burgers for the whole family to try. Their slogan is ‘Death to False Burgers’ and these burgers are killing the game. Any of their burgers can be substituted with turkey or veggie patties, including their witte burger that comes with bacon, Sriracha, grilled onions and cream cheese. You can also try the jump in the fryer burger that comes with waffle buns and fried chicken. If you’re looking for something new to add to your burgers, try powerslave, which has brie, grilled apple, balsamic aioli and field greens. These burgers are exploring your taste buds and making you think what other toppings will be good for my burger?
Umami Burger
Various Locations
Umami Burger, the place for gourmet burgers, will make you feel like you’re not eating a burger. With various locations in Southern California from the Arts District in Los Angeles, to Irvine and Costa Mesa, Umami Burgers are one-of-a kind burgers. There is the truffle burger, that has truffled aioli, house truffle cheese and truffle glaze. Or if you’re not ready for truffle, try something outside the box with their ahi tuna burger that comes with an ahi patty, avocado, gingered carrots, wasabi flakes and tartar. You can even try their falafel burger with a falafel patty, beet infused couscous, avocado, tzatziki and pickled red onions. Celebrate in style with these gourmet burgers and they will make you want National Hamburger Month to be every month.
Veggiegrill
Various Locations
For all the veggie lovers, we didn’t forget about you. Veggiegrill, with various locations in Southern California will help you celebrate National Hamburger Month with their lucky star burger. With a grilled beyond burger, non GMO, soy and gluten free, smoked gouda ‘cheese,’ balsamic onions, blue cheese sauce, arugula, sriracha ketchup and a pretzel bun, it will make all your friends want to eat veggie burgers. There is a selection of veggie burgers to choose from. Their grilled quinoa + veg burger has a scratch-made blend of organic quinoa, kale, mushrooms, gouda ‘cheese,’ house-pickled onions, arugula, veg mayo, drizzled cilantro pesto and brioche bun. There is something for everyone for National Hamburger month so don’t miss out and give yourself a burger that you and your stomach won’t forget.
