“Hamburger America” Hits New York!
One of the most popular “hamburger experts” in America has opened up a restaurant in New York this week – and I’ve already eaten there!
As reported in Eater New York:
“Burger scholar George Motz loves burgers so much that he’s written books about them, traveled the country in search of regional varieties, has developed a following on his burger YouTube channel…“
During the pandemic, he made burgers and served them to locals – and now, he’s opened this new spot on New York’s lower west side…the soft opening is under way and I had to check it out, along with this guy…
You’ll see in a moment that by the time the restaurant opened, we weren’t alone!
“Hamburger America” opened at 51 MacDougal Street near Sixth Avenue. There are tables and a countertop surrounding one of two grills, and that’s where I got a seat.
It is in the “soft opening” phase, but that didn’t keep it from being packed within minutes of opening…luckily, I waited for 15 minutes before at the front of a line that swelled to more than 50 people, and got a seat at the counter with a prime cooking view of George in action. First, the menu:
As Eater reported:
“The first burger on the menu is his favorite, and if you’re a Motz follower, the one you’d know: the Oklahoma fried onion burger. “It goes back a hundred years,” he says, noting that the onion was the burger’s first condiment and predates McDonald’s. “
The second page of the menu teases that monthly specials are on the way as well – ensuring that I will be back!
Naturally I had to try the “Fried Onion” burger, and here’s how it all came together, first with George putting meatballs on the grill:
After arranging his burgers like pieces on a hot chessboard, George goes to work, adding seasoning and then freshly sliced onion – take a look:
After flipping the burgers, George adds BOTH buns to the top, the bottom bun resting on top of the top bun!
The final step is for George to take the burger off the grill, use his hand to flip the top bun underneath the burger, then step over and wrap it up!
Her’s a sneak peek at the process – you will see him pull a burger off the grill, slip the top bun underneath and then take it to the table and wrap it:
You saw the process of how it was all pulled together….now, here is what they put in front of you:
The grilled onions are underneath and mixed in the melted cheese and two patties of meat…now there’s nothing more to do than to take a bite…
Delicious!
The grilled onions have a smokiness from being cooked in the beef fat, and the cheese is deliciously melted, permeating every bite of the burger…the bun itself is a soft potato roll type, and is soaked up the juices and has a fresh flavor of its own.
By the way, I chose to get a double burger and forego the fries, which looked like fries so I’m sure they were tasty:
Because you are supposed to, I had a chocolate milk egg cream…which is essentially a chocolate milk soda. It’s a simple combination of whole milk, chocolate syrup, and seltzer – and it’s refreshing!
This is an excellent burger with a unique flavor…no lettuce, tomato or anything else, just a “grilled onion” burger that delivers!
I have been playing around more with videos, so here is an “ode to George Motz” and his Grilled Onion Burger…a music video with more pictures and clips to tell the entire story of the process…enjoy!
This cooking method reminded me a lot of the legendary White Manna Burger in Hackensack New Jersey…remember when I showed you this?
They also cook their burgers with the onions on the grill – but they purposefully keep their grill heat low to let them steam and sauté….and it works!
Check out the incredible result by clicking on my story here:
By the way, in their interview with Motz, EaterNY noted that he wants the decor to look as if it’s evolved, not the 1950’s “Johnny Rockets” version, but one that feels more like a diner, like Apple Pan in Los Angeles – where I’ve eaten!
The Apple Pan also has a counter to sit and watch them cook – but how was the burger?
Click here for my review!
Back in the big apple…some of you saw that I ate at one of the city’s most popular restaurants, where this is their signature dish:
Yes, this “Black Label” burger is something else!
Click here to find out why it has that name and just how good it was:
A more downscale burger lives on New York’s 7th Street:
Click on my review to see just how good this burger was!
I also walked more than 5 miles in New York one day to try a legendary Harlem sandwich:
Behold The “Chop Cheese!”
Want to know what it is and why it is called that?
Here’s a clue:
Yes, the chop chop sound is just one reason this is such a unique sandwich – click here to go to my “all food all the time” blogs called “Bite! Eat! Repeat!” – your site for all things food for more!
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Categories: cookbooks, Food, food blog, Food Review, Hamburgers, New York, Recipes, Restaurants, Wacky Food
johnrieber 
You find the best burgers, John. I love the look of this one.
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My mouth is watering! I didn’t know the onion was the first burger condiment. I love restaurants like this one.
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You are a burger connoisseur, so your recommendation carries more weight. I’m also intrigued by chocolate milk egg cream drink. I’ve never tried one, but I like all the individual ingredients.
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John, it is only 3pm here, and I am 4 hours away from having dinner. I could really eat one of those featured burgers now! Delicious.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Pete, I lucked into the place when Motz was there and having him cook up his signature burger for me was great…ten minutes after it “soft opened” is was packed! They also were mKING A TON OF “TO GO” ORDERS, WHICH IS A HUGE BUSINESS HERE IN NY.
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