Jeff Burgar
Last week, I saw an interesting story. A&W has taken over from In-N-Out the Number 2 spot as America’s favourite burger. Habit Burger and Grill, whatever brand that is, is first. In-N-Out was shuffled down the list.
Interestingly, the top A&W burger isn’t my beloved Teen Burger. It’s the Papa Burger. Heck, it’s been years, decades even, since I’ve tried anything besides a Teen. I am indeed, a diehard fan of A&W Teen Burgers.
Am I missing something?
When I barbecue, I always try a little bit of mustard, a little bit of relish, and a splash of ketchup. Plus some lettuce. And a pickle of course! Tomato and onions. My “Teens” I never seem to get it just right.
In fact, I gave up taking Teenies (Teeners?) apart. I just chomp them down. With some mayo, too!
I used to pick out the onions and feed a piece to my doggie. He loves them, too! But after buying him a Buddy Burger, I saw he wasn’t fussy at all. I was able to have mine all to myself. There probably is some kind of secret sauce in there, or maybe it’s cooking on the flat-top grill they use. Or oil. Maybe it’s the patties. Whatever. I can’t get it.
Once in awhile I try a DQ. Or Mickey D. Whopper. Harvey’s. All quite good. But my favourite is still that Teen Burger.
I read someplace years ago that In-N-Out Burgers were darn good. I was in the States and tried one. Not bad, but I wouldn’t go out of my way for one, despite the rave reviews popping up.
Also interesting, the secret behind In-N-Out is said by many to be it’s own secret sauce. Hmmm! Copy cat recipes online have lists of ingredients. But, if you have ever tried all those KFC copy cats, you know they never come close. Folks talking up any of those silly recipes must have defective taste buds. I’ve tried many. Ugh!
I do confess to using a sort of Shake and Bake recipe I put together. I call it sort of Shake and Bake because, in fact, real Shake and Bake is also darn good as far as I’m concerned. The best part? It’s even better when the Missus cooks it up.
On copy cat recipes, my own secret steak sauce comes from my restaurant days. I’m not a fan of steak sauces, but many people would ask for any sauce we had. Ketchup of course, is a no-no on any kind of steak. Hamburger, sure. A rib-eye or T-bone? Are you nuts? But our house Bullseye brand was way too strong as far as I was concerned.
After many hours of testing, mixing different concoctions, and tasting many, many samples with customers and staff, the favourite by a long shot turned out to be half and half ketchup and Bullseye.
This is interesting because, the raved about secret sauce by In-N-Out is said to be a mix of mayonnaise, ketchup, and a shot of something else. Probably Worcestershire. As is often said, the simplest solution is usually the best.
Anyway, congratulations to the ‘Dub. I don’t think I will switch to Papa Burgers, but just maybe I will try one the next time I get a craving. Who knows?