At first, I wondered what was so special about the ubiquitous Cheeseburger that it should be honoured with a national celebratory day all its own. Then I realized in a flash that it’s because the Cheeseburger is such an institution that it gets its day to shine! Let’s start by lifting the veil on the CB’s origins…
Homemade Cheeseburgers: Just off the grill in your back yard to celebrate
CB’s special day! Another great excuse to get out into the fresh air!
A little history
The Cheeseburger enjoys the distinction that folks in at least three U.S. states claimed to have invented it, back in the first half of the last century.
The basic Hamburger was already an international institution by 1926 when 16-year-od Lionel Sternberger was working at his Dad’s Sandwich shop in Pasadena, California, one day when business was slow, and decided to melt a slice of American (‘Processed’) Cheese on top of a regular Burger Patty. In spite of claims from other restaurants in California and two other states, Wikipedia gives the discovery to Sternberger, by virtue of the fact that the was first.
Word spread quickly, and, within a decade or so, most established restos had one on their menus. Today the price of a Cheeseburger varies from (US)$1.00 at McDonald’s to (US)$777.00 for 777 Burger at Le Burger Brasserie (Las Vegas, Nevada). Sure, there are other ridiculously-priced Burgers out there, but they’re not on the regular menus, and they invariably use some kind of exdotic, expensive Cheese, and so so not qualify as genuine, authentic Cheeseburgers.
Wikipedia also notes that: “The largest cheeseburger ever made weighed 2,014 pounds (914 kg), including, ’60 pounds (27 kg) of bacon, 50 pounds (23 kg) of lettuce, 50 pounds (23 kg) of sliced onions, 40 pounds (18 kg) of pickles, and 40 pounds (18 kg) of cheese.’ The record was set in 2012 by Minnesota’s Black Bear Casino, breaking the previous record of 881 pounds (400 kg).”
Set up that Burger Buffet!
Obviously, the best way to celebrate Cheeseburger Day with the family – especially in this, the Age of the COVID-19 Lock Down – is to fire up the Grill and set out a Burger Buffet! The following is excerpted from a Hamburger Buffet How-To post, but translates seamlessly to a Cheeseburger Fête…
Whatever ‘formula’ of embellishments your fave Burger employs, there are a few key ingredients that the vast majority of Burger lovers agree upon:
- Mustard
- Ketchup
- Mayonnaise
- Ranch Dressing
- Green Hamburger (Sweet Pickle) Relish
- Pickles
- Lettuce
- Tomato
- Onion
- Crispy Bacon
- Cheese
Any or all of these may be employed in any given iteration of the contemporary Burger. Use your imagination to come up with others!
Common Bun variations include:
- Sesame Seed
- Brioche
- Potato
- Onion
- Kaiser
- Pretzel
… Although, to be a genuine, authentic Cheeseburger, you need to use a plain supermarket, 8-to-a-pack Bun.
Choose your fave Bun, arrange your fave toppings on a buffet-style Burger Bar at the picnic table and let each member of your family build their own perfect Burgers!
Cheeseburger Tips…
Simply search for ‘burger’ on site search right here at The Fabulous Food Blog. I can especially recommend these posts on specific Burger issues:
- Burger Dos and Donts
- Cooking Beyond Meat Burgers: NOT The Same As Beef
- How Do You Recycle Leftover Hamburger Patties?
What are you waiting for?
Keep it simple, take advantage of one more time to grill this waning season, and enjoy our last few breaths of summery weather. Uncap a Brewski or a Soda… And have a blast!
~ Maggie J.