As heard on the 17 September 2021 broadcast of The Virginia Eats + Drinks Show on AM 790 WNIS
By Patrick Evans-Hylton – Chief Eating Officer
Hamburgers, that all-American dish, has a more complicated – and international – background than many folks think of.
Although there have been ground/minced beef dishes since at least the 12th century, it wasn’t until sometime in the 19th century that someone put raw meat to flame to created the predecessor of what we think of as today’s hamburger.
The exact origins of the burger are unknown, although it is agreed that the name comes from the German port of Hamburg centuries ago.
In 1895 at Louis’s Lunch in New Haven, Conn. the first burger in America was served, so says the Library of Congress. But for more than two decades, you had to have yours on toast, because the first bun wasn’t crafted until 1916.
It’s not really certain when the first slice of cheese was added to a sizzling hot patty, but let’s just all agree it had to have been a beautiful moment.
Indeed, the cheeseburger is immortalized this time of year when National Cheeseburger Day occurs on September 18.
HERE’S OUR TOP 5 CHEESEBURGERS OF THE MOMENT IN COASTAL VIRGINIA:
Listed alphabetically, of-the-moment selections based on presentation, properties of dish, and presentation by the VAEATS staff
1608 Crafthouse, Virginia Beach | Pork Burger
House-ground patty, apple-smoked bacon, andouille sausage, swiss cheese, and honey mustard.
J&K Style Grill, Virginia Beach | The Dion
Angus beef, Mr. Pibb barbecue sauce, grilled onions, fried egg.
Le Grand Kitchen, Norfolk | Burger
Double patty (beef or Beyond), griddled onion, pickled lettuce, jalapeno, american cheese, roasted shallot mayonnaise, Big Marty bun
Mango Mangeaux, Phoebus | Bistro Burger with Swiss and Bacon
Angus burger with fried green tomato, grilled onions, mushrooms, housemade bistro sauce with lettuce, tomato and pickle.
McGrath’s Burger Shack, Chesapeake | Irish Whiskey Burger
www.facebook.com/McGrathsBurgerShack
Half-pound Guinness beef topped with housemade Jameson whiskey glaze, sautéed onions, Dubliner cheddar cheese, and bacon.
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