Let me put it this way: we are living in the heyday of hamburgers. I’m not referring about the depressing, flat patties you get at drive-throughs, though to be honest, they may taste different at two in the morning. I’m referring about the kind of burger that causes you to halt in the middle of eating it and ask yourself, “Wait, is this… fancy?”
The problem is that, in some ways, gourmet burgers have replaced cashmere sweatpants as the go-to comfort food. They are uplifted. They’re decadent. Although they are rather pricey, you feel as if you are giving yourself a particular pleasure.
The Glow-Up of Comfort Food We were unaware that we needed
Do you recall the days when “luxury dining” meant cuisine you couldn’t pronounce and small quantities on enormous plates? Those days are quickly disappearing. People demand comfort these days. Genuine comfort that is true to itself. However, we also want quality. We are looking for substances that we can really identify. Gourmet burgers, for whatever reason, were able to precisely thread that needle.
Consider it.
A great burger satisfies all the requirements: it is well-made to feel like an adventure while also being familiar enough to feel like home. You’ve got your well seasoned beef (or perhaps that elusive wagyu that everyone is obsessed with), fluffy but durable artisan buns, and extra toppings beyond the standard trio of lettuce, tomato, and pickles. Comfort food that isn’t afraid to go a little over the top.
Can we also discuss the emergence of the eatery that french fry restaurant? That’s a complete feeling in and of itself. Fries that are hand-cut, triple-cooked, and served with upscale aiolis and truffle oil are becoming the main attraction at these restaurants. It’s as if someone seen the unassuming side dish and thought, “You know what? You’re worthy of the attention.
Reasons for Spending $20 on a Burger (And Feeling Good About It)
This is when things start to get interesting. Why not spend a little extra on a really nice burger in a world when everything seems so unpredictable and overwhelming? You could definitely prepare a burger at home. Will you, however, age your own beef? Are the brioche buns purchased from a nearby bakery? Make your own homemade bacon jam?
Most likely not. (And, honestly, show respect if you are.)
Gourmet burgers are a strange compromise between overindulging and not going crazy. While you’re not spending two hundred dollars on a tasting menu, you’re also not content with mediocrity. This is the type of luxury that is really within your reach—the kind that you can savor on any Tuesday without feeling the need to dress up or book three weeks in advance.
The Art of the Casual
The meticulous attention to detail that goes into something we all believe we understand is what really makes gourmet burgers unique. These eateries aren’t only combining ingredients. They are:
They grind their own mixes of beef, sometimes every day.
Trying with different dry-aging methods
Purchasing from nearby farmers
Making homemade sauces that your grandmother would be envious of
Toasting buns to the ideal crisp golden-brown
Craft beer introduced the same spirit to beer in general.
People who always assumed they understood what a burger was are now learning that there are several degrees to this concept. And truthfully? It’s rather thrilling.
Putting frozen fries in a fryer is probably not the ideal way to make french fries in your neighborhood. For optimal crispness, they are hand-cutting potatoes, frying them twice or three times, and seasoning them with real consideration and care. I’m all for loaded fries, which are essentially a whole meal at certain locations.
Let’s face it, the social media effect
Alright, the Instagram element cannot be disregarded. Perfectly golden fries heaped high, a burger with melting cheese dripping down the edges, and perhaps a specialty drink in the background? Baby, that’s satisfied.
The problem is that gourmet burgers deserved that recognition. They aren’t just style without substance. Indeed, they make good photos—don’t lie, we’re all going to snap that shot before we even taste it. They taste amazing, however. The aesthetic attractiveness is only an added benefit.
Experience, Not Presence, Is the New Luxury.
White tablecloths and sommeliers aren’t what give gourmet burgers their opulent feel. It’s the satisfaction of eating food prepared with real attention and high-quality ingredients. It’s the joy of knowing that every mouthful is just as you had hoped. It’s feeling content, joyful, and as like you’ve just eaten something nice—not simply filling—when you leave a restaurant.
Gourmet burgers have, in a strange sense, made fine eating more accessible. They have shown that you can make something unique without using foam or sous vide. Elevating the mundane may sometimes lead to the most spectacular things.
You should definitely treat yourself to the $18 burger with aged cheddar, caramelized onions, and house-made everything the next time you’re considering it. Comfort food is worthy of a little extravagance at times. You are worthy of a little extravagance. even if you’re wearing a sweatshirt and pants.
