Summer Holiday Meal: Burgers on the Grill

As we enter this last holiday of summer, the thing most Americans will be engaging in, is grilling. Whether you are at the beach, camping, or in the privacy of a backyard, bonding over smokey deliciousness is something most of us look forward to. Although, society is becoming increasingly more health conscious, it is still a favorite activity of many to throw some burgers on a fire. How do you like yours?

There are so many types of hamburgers it is hard to determine what the most popular one is. The latest craze seems to be smash burgers, but just one decade ago, it was, go big or go home. Remember the super-size era? The history of burgers is expansive and crosses continents. It blends family traditions and pop culture inventions. Here’s a summary of how burgers came to be a culinary staple in the country.

The origins of the hamburger can be traced back to the 19th century in Hamburg, Germany, where a dish known as "frikadelle"  or “hamburger steak” was popular. This dish consisted of minced beef, seasoned and formed into a patty, usually served raw or lightly cooked. German immigrants brought the culinary tradition to the United States in the late 1800s. As they settled in various parts of America with many settling in the East Coast.

The exact origin of the modern hamburger is highly debated. Some suggest that Louis Lassen of Louis' Lunch in New Haven, Connecticut, served the first hamburger in 1900 when he placed a cooked beef patty between two slices of bread for a customer. Other reports suggest, Frank and Charles Menches sold a ground beef sandwich at the Erie County Fair in 1885. This was due to them having to substitute their usual pork sausages with hamburger meat, once the ran out of the former.

No matter who invented the original hamburger we can all agree that it was the fast-food revolution that made the meal extremely popular. First there was the founding of White Castle in 1921. Then, McDonald's in 1940, and others that followed. The car boom of the post war 1950s enabled the demand for quick and convenient food, leading to the widespread adoption of hamburgers across the country and eventually around the world.

Over the decades, the hamburger’s reputation has taken a hit as red meat has been linked to many health issues. As an alternative, a hamburger can be made of turkey, chicken, beans etc. I have tried many kinds of burgers. I had a Juicy Lucy once and burnt my lip, not a fan. I enjoy a good smash burger. I love the Dave’s  classic from Wendy’s. But nothing beats the flavor of a traditional grilled burger with lettuce, tomato, mustard and ketchup.  At least, not in my world. And isn’t that the beauty of the evolution of the hamburger, is that you can have it your way. Happy holidays enjoy the things that you labored for.