Given a choice between one of those big plates with a little food, a little drizzle and a fancy name or a big, oozing, greasy, char-encrusted cheeseburger, I'll take the latter.
I like mine simple, with a little ketchup, lots of pickle, and sometimes onion. The onion only goes on when I know I'm not going to be working in close proximity with others. And, I really like mine made on a mature, seasoned griddle that creates a little salty, greasy crust on the outside....pure decadence.
To eat a cheeseburger is a relationship. Unlike one of those "fancy" meals, where you can pick with your fork and eat little bites, the cheeseburger requires your full attention. You have to embrace it with both hands, if you've got a good one. You have to pay full attention or it will pay you back with debris on the front of your shirt.
I think my relationship with cheeseburgers started with my dad. He used to take me on trips to Chicago when his work required him to go. He knew I loved to go. We would always stop at the oasis in Belvedere. We always had a cheeseburger.
And, when I was young, cheeseburgers always seemed to be served at places that served the food through a screen and we'd sit down at a table outside, the County Fair, Hap's, Becker's. If there was root beer involved, all the better. Maybe that's also part of the relationship with the cheeseburger, because maybe it reminds me of my dad and the times we had together.
Here's to you, Dad.
I'm with ya. Here's to your Dad & Cheeseburgers.
ReplyDeleteI'm more of a hot dog girls myself. The absolute BEST hot dogs are from Lafleurs in Montreal. An all dressed steamee with mustard, onions, and coleslaw and a side of REAL french fries. You know, the thick greasy kind that come from real potatoes and not skinny colourless and flavourless potatoes (a la McDonalds and Burger King). I can just smell the yumminess of that artery clogging foodfest now..... :-)
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I do like a hamburger now and then. Our friend Scoop makes awesome burgers. I asked him one time what he puts in the meat that makes them so good. His reply -- nothing. He just buys fresh ground beef from the butcher and smushes it into chunky patties. Simple and delish!!
Kelly
Kelly, Next time I'm in Montreal, I know where I'm going.
ReplyDeleteTom,
ReplyDeleteI love Chinese food. So will always remember being in Shanghai with you. Great time. Eye opener. Etc. But the moment I know I was with a Special Fellow, was when you said "hey lets have dinner" and we went to the Kentucky Fried Chicken joint down the street from the hotel.
None of my snooty friends could ever believe we weren't eating freshly killed snakes, bugs and eels!
The cheeseburger will kill us, but they won't say when!!!!