Originally Posted by
MSYtoJFKagain
Here's my very subjective and terrible take on burgers:
No brioche. I don't want cake bread to distract from the patty and make the burger impossible to eat. Sesame seed bun or martin's potato roll. English muffins also accepted.
American cheese, possibly cheddar. Cheddar usually doesn't melt right and other cheeses have no business being there.
Meat, beef 80/20. No thick 8oz patties either. This isn't a hamburg steak, it's a burger. 6 oz or less, preferably 2 smaller patties.
Toppings: This is a contentious point. I think the trend of expensive and over the top additions needs to stop. If you have good beef, there's no reason you need anything except maybe a pickle slice or two and possibly a slice of tomato or some onions. Condiments can be whatever you want but again, why are you trying to overdo it?
First, I agree that certain foods should have rules. Such as NO KETCHUP on a hot dog...ever! Goes for most other sausages too. I was painfully silent last week when I watched a friend eat nothing on his brat except ketchup. No mustard, onion, or sauerkraut. And he's an adult who knows better.
With that out of the way, I think you're a little too strict on some of the rules. Here's where I'd differ:
- There are other good buns, like a kaiser, or a midwestern "hard roll".
- Any cheese that can be sliced without crumbling is acceptable, including bleu cheese but not the crumbly kind. Honestly, you're just missing out by not trying some of the others. Cool to have a favorite but so many cheeses pair wonderfully with beef.
- Toppings/Condiments: lettuce is fine. Ketchup and/or mustard fine. "Burger sauce", usually some variation of Thousand Island dressing, is ok too, but then that's the only sauce you get.