How Many Hamburgers Do Americans Eat Each Year?
America is in Love with their Buns… and Patties
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Why Burgers
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Well, let’s see; first of all Burgers are typically affordable, and they’re becoming more and more imaginative… oh, yea, they’re also very tasty! ZZZippy recognizes that infatuation and why America has formed a love affair of sorts with burgers . As such, we salute you burger lovers by providing you with a heaping helping of Burger Trivia (on ZZZippy.com), Burger Articles (on both ZZZippy.com and ZZZippy Magazine), a Burger Directory on ZZZippy’s Electronic Search Directory) and of course one of the country’s largest burger contests; ZZZippy’s 100 Best Burgers in 100 Miles.
Yes indeedy, Americans do love their burgers. In fact, we even have a National Burger Day (May 28th). My guess would be that some Americans celebrate National Burger Day by consuming burgers every day for the entire month of May. Heck, let’s face it; I’m sure that a few even celebrate by consuming burgers every single day, all year long. My question; is this really necessary? My answer; absolutely! That’s because I’m a burger lover and proud of it. I think I even have a bumper sticker that says “There’s Nothing Better than a Great Pair of Buns!”
So here are the warm, soft facts: Americans devour nearly 50 billion burgers each year (that’s billion with a b). There are approximately 325,000,000 people in this country, so if my math is indeed correct that means that the average American consumes 154 burgers each year or 3 every week. And that's not taking into consideration that there are many Americans who do not eat burgers at all (what's up with that?!
AMERICANS
DEVOUR NEARLY
50 BILLION
BURGERS
EACH YEAR!
That's equal to
154 burgers per
American per year.
THE AVERAGE
AMERICAN
EATS 3 BURGERS
EACH AND EVERY
WEEK!
Burger providers such as McDonald’s and Burger King have not hurt that average- through convenience as well as the hundreds of millions spent each year on burger advertising. But also adding to the Burger Mania is the onslaught of creative and tasty variations of burgers that so many other restaurants are delivering to feed this burger frenzy. And I’m not just referring to “Burger Joints”, I’m talking about all of the burger providers that have joined in this massive burger movement. Even some of the fine dining establishments have figured a way to capitalize on this interesting trend.
Let’s review some of the finer dining establishments that feature their version of America’s “new burgers”. We can certainly start with Ruth’s Chris Steak House (Granger) where you’ll find the Ruth’s Burger featured during summer months. This delectable burger (made up of 10 ounces of USDA Prime Beef) is masterfully prepared to succulent excellence. Ruths’ melts Havarti Cheese over the patty and spreads a nice dab of smoked onion Aioli on the brioche bun before adding beefsteak tomato, shredded Romaine and crispy onion straw. Just add a dirty martini and you have an amazing little meal! The Ruth’s Burger actually captured 4th Place in ZZZippy’s 100 Best Burgers Contest.
CHECK OUT RUTH'S BURGER
ruthschris.com/restaurant-locations/sou...
What may also surprise many Michiana locals is the Carriage House also features a fabulous burger. While Carriage House is known for upscale dining experiences, the new owners diversified a bit by adding a delightful burger of their own to their patio menu. This tasty burger (the Carriage House Burger) is created with a 100% custom blend of prime beef patty which is topped with off with Cipollini onions and a pecan wood-smoked bacon. In Carriage House style it is finished with a slice of two year aged Gouda cheese. Wow, this certainly makes a visit to Carriage House worthwhile.
Another fabulous local restaurant that typically features finer dining is Elkhart’s 523 Tap & Grill. The addition of their Main Street Burger certainly has not hurt their reputation with burger aficionados.The Main Street Burger is a mountain high sandwich which starts with a soft browned bun as a foundation. Added to the bun; a half a pound of fresh ground, Certified Angus Beef chuck, flame broiled over a char grill… and then it is smothered with cheddar cheese. Next 523 throws on some fresh tomato, lettuce, grilled mushrooms and applewood smoked bacon and it’s topped with fried onion straw. Finally, for a grand finale’, a special, house barbecue ranch sauce is carefully drizzled over it.
Let’s also take a little trip to Culver’s Lakehouse Grill. While it may not be considered quite as upscale as a Ruth’s Chris or Carriage House, it certainly gravitates toward the finer side of dining. But what I really love about Lakehouse (and owner Mark Damore) is they offer not one, but three of the very best hamburgers in the region. I won’t spoil the fun by exposing all three of these amazing creations but I will share the 2nd Place Winner of ZZZippy’s 100 Best Burgers in 100 Miles Contest- the Hawaiian. Oh my! The ingredients in the Hawaiian Burger meld together to bring this burger to “near perfection”. Lakehouse begins by choosing the right bun, one that does not distract from the other flavors (very important). Next they carefully prepare the high quality ground beef and grill a fresh pineapple slice and gently ladle it with a homemade teriyaki sauce. A point worth mentioning: this is simply the best teriyaki I’ve ever had. After fresh tomato and Bibb lettuce are added the bun is branded with the Lakehouse logo… just so you never forget where this amazing baby comes from! Mark, you’re amazing dude!
Our region is certainly blessed with many other incredible burgers (check out ZZZippy’s 100 Best Burgers in 100 Miles story) and unfortunately I can’t name them all in this article. However, I would be amiss not to mention ZZZippy’s Grand Champion- Best Burger in 100 Miles- Yesterday’s Great Scott Burger. Yesterday’s is known far and wide for outstanding food, (personally, it rates as one of my favorite restaurants in the entire country). Bill and Evonne Corbett, proprietors of this fine establishment, are committed to quality in every aspect; from the outstanding food, to the remarkable staff and right down to the fun-filled atmosphere. And let us not forget that their Great Scott is about as good as burgers as you are going to find… anywhere. This Grand Champion delivers just about everything a burger connoisseur could ask of a burger: the bun is soft and pillowy, the tomato and lettuce are always fresh and the sweet Vidalia onion compliments the other produce perfectly. The meat, a whopping 16 ounces of delicious beef (two 8 ounce patties) are ground fresh daily from filet mignon. Yes, fillet mignon. Finally, this award-winning, burger is finished with aged cheddar cheese (melted on both patties). Taste, value and presentation combined make this a burger you best not miss.
So there ya have it. America loves burgers and Michiana’s Burgers are some of the best burgers in the region… actually, some of the best burgers you’ll find anywhere, I guarantee it!
J. W. WELLINGTON
Author of the ZZZippy Best Seller
"Burgers! Better Than Spinach!"
