In the U.S., what does ordering a "plain hamburger" mean where you live?
Mar 20, 2011 | 7:00 pm
#46
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I don't know the answer to your question either. And I don't know why someone would do as you describe.
Per the thread title, I am interested in what "plain" means in reference to hamburgers in various parts of the country, and have appreciated the answers upstream.
Per the thread title, I am interested in what "plain" means in reference to hamburgers in various parts of the country, and have appreciated the answers upstream.
Mar 20, 2011 | 7:23 pm
#47
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Originally Posted by cblaze
One of the interesting/annoying things I've discovered is that across the U.S. the notion of a "plain hamburger" varies a lot.
Mar 21, 2011 | 5:43 am
#48
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For me the best burger is what I make at home where I can control every aspect of its preparation to my taste. It is one of the few things I almost never order out because I like my own better.
Mar 21, 2011 | 10:05 am
#49
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It wouldn't even occur to me that a plain hamburger would be any different to just the meat and the bun. Guess I live and learn!
I did have a bad habit of ordering a McDonalds cheeseburger with just the lettuce, cheese, tomato, onion and mayo - hold the meat, hold the gerkin, hold the ketchup! I'd say they got it correct around 40% of the time. I tried ordering it so many different ways, didn't seem to matter!
I did have a bad habit of ordering a McDonalds cheeseburger with just the lettuce, cheese, tomato, onion and mayo - hold the meat, hold the gerkin, hold the ketchup! I'd say they got it correct around 40% of the time. I tried ordering it so many different ways, didn't seem to matter!
Mar 21, 2011 | 11:34 am
#50
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Plain to me has always meant just burger and bun. I've never been delivered anything else except when it hasn't been properly keyed in. Back in the 80s when I was the only one on the planet who wanted a plain burger (that's what Mickey's D's would have had you believe anyway), you had to wait forever to get your food. I'm glad most places are more "cooked to order" these days. I hated waiting at the table while everyone else had their food already.
Mar 22, 2011 | 1:53 pm
#51
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It wouldn't even occur to me that a plain hamburger would be any different to just the meat and the bun. Guess I live and learn!
I did have a bad habit of ordering a McDonalds cheeseburger with just the lettuce, cheese, tomato, onion and mayo - hold the meat, hold the gerkin, hold the ketchup! I'd say they got it correct around 40% of the time. I tried ordering it so many different ways, didn't seem to matter!
I did have a bad habit of ordering a McDonalds cheeseburger with just the lettuce, cheese, tomato, onion and mayo - hold the meat, hold the gerkin, hold the ketchup! I'd say they got it correct around 40% of the time. I tried ordering it so many different ways, didn't seem to matter!
Mar 22, 2011 | 3:23 pm
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Mar 22, 2011 | 3:28 pm
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Mar 22, 2011 | 11:43 pm
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I've never ordered a "plain" burger, so I don't know, but I've ordered fast food burgers "only ketchup" or "only ketchup and pickles" and never had it arrive either (A) without a bun, or (B) with anything undesired.
At restaurants, I'll sometimes order "just meat and cheese," and once got asked "do you want a bun?" but I'm pretty sure it was waiter humor (like reading your order back with "and extra mayo" instead of "no mayo") and not an assumption that I was low-carbing it.
Like others have mentioned, I like the "you dress it yourself" approach to burgers; unlike at least one of the others here, I was not too impressed with the burgers at Fuddruckers.
At restaurants, I'll sometimes order "just meat and cheese," and once got asked "do you want a bun?" but I'm pretty sure it was waiter humor (like reading your order back with "and extra mayo" instead of "no mayo") and not an assumption that I was low-carbing it.
Like others have mentioned, I like the "you dress it yourself" approach to burgers; unlike at least one of the others here, I was not too impressed with the burgers at Fuddruckers.
Mar 23, 2011 | 11:00 pm
#55
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For that head to Inn N Out and order the Atkins - a patty between 2 pieces of lettuce
Mar 24, 2011 | 12:44 pm
#56
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More usually called "protein style," but yeah, I've known people to do it. Or "flying dutchman" without anything around it. Neither of while would be to my taste: my point was the opposite, which is most places if you say "just meat and cheese" the bun is still assumed.
Mar 24, 2011 | 8:32 pm
#57
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Regarding the OP: I expect that "plain hamburger" means meat and bun anywhere in the USA. Though a bit of conversational context is important. For example, when the cashier asks, "Would you like to add cheese or sauteed mushrooms?" and the customer responds, "No, I'd like it plain," that's ambiguous. Probably the customer is simply saying no to the cheese and mushrooms.
Mar 24, 2011 | 8:51 pm
#58
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Mar 24, 2011 | 10:21 pm
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Certainly; in this particular case it was quite a while ago and a tone of voice thing, but you never know.
Mar 24, 2011 | 10:43 pm
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