🍔 What Makes a Good Hamburger? A Personal Opinion from an Expert 🍔 There’s something universally comforting about a hamburger. It’s a food that transcends cultures, regions, and occasions. From a backyard barbecue to a high-end gastropub, a good hamburger can be an experience that’s as simple or as luxurious as you want it to be. But what makes a good hamburger? For me, it boils down to a perfect balance of ingredients, texture, and flavor that feels satisfying and indulgent without being overwhelming. 🥩 The Foundation: The Patty The patty is the star of the show. A good hamburger starts with quality meat. Personally, I believe an 80/20 blend of ground beef is ideal—80% lean meat and 20% fat. This ratio provides just enough fat to keep the burger juicy while allowing the rich flavor of the beef to shine through. Freshness is critical; the beef should never be frozen, as it impacts both texture and taste. 🧂 Seasoning is essential. A generous pinch of salt and black pepper can be the simplest option, but for those who like experimenting, a touch of Worcestershire sauce or garlic powder can elevate the flavor without overshadowing the natural beefy goodness. Cooking it to a perfect medium—pink and juicy in the center—is key. 🍞 The Supporting Cast: The Bun A great patty deserves an equally great bun. The bun acts as the vessel that holds everything together, but it should never overpower the other ingredients. 🥖 Best choice? A soft yet sturdy brioche bun. Its slight sweetness and buttery texture complement the savory patty beautifully. 🔥 Toasting the bun is non-negotiable! It adds a slight crunch and prevents it from getting soggy. 👉 We all have our secret weapons. Try our #hambgourmet at @southoftheburger 🧀 The Harmony of Toppings This is where personal preferences really come into play. For me, simplicity reigns supreme: 🧀 Cheese: American, cheddar, Swiss, or Muenster—each one melts beautifully and adds just the right amount of tang. 🥬 Freshness matters! Shredded lettuce, tomato, pickles, and red onion bring crunch and balance, but they must be fresh. Wilted lettuce or soggy pickles? A big no! 🌭 Condiments: Balance is key. A swipe of mayo on the bottom bun and a dollop of ketchup or mustard on the top is enough to enhance the flavor without masking it. 🥓 Extras? Bacon or caramelized onions are great additions, but a burger should never feel overloaded or hard to eat. 🔥 The Cooking Method The way a burger is cooked makes all the difference: 🔥 Grilling: My top choice—it gives the burger a delicious smoky char. 🥄 Flat-top grill: Ideal for creating a caramelized crust on the patty. 🚫 Never press the patty! It squeezes out all the precious juices. Thickness matters. If you're making a #smashedburger, that's a whole different story! ⭐ The Magic of a Good Burger A good hamburger is about balance and quality. It’s not about piling on every topping under the sun or making something that’s more of a spectacle than substance. The best burgers are those that respect the ingredients and let them shine in harmony. The perfect bite? Where every element works together to create something greater than the sum of its parts. 🍔 The Hambgourmet and More At South of the Burger, we have our secret ingredients that make our burgers tasty and delicious. 🥇 We created the Hambgourmet in 2015, starting at the food truck circus, first at the #chefgourmet and later at @truckaburger. 📍 Come and try them! We’re located at: 📍 Francisco I. Madero 225, Romantic Zone, Puerto Vallarta. México. 👉 Follow us @southoftheburger 🔥🍔 The best burgers are waiting for you! 🍔🔥