Ohh, burgers. Any food you literally cradle in your hands (and whose glorious assembly once inspired its own Nintendo game) has to be special—and while May was the 'official' National Burger Month, we think every month should be national burger month. Especially if Australian lamb is involved. And, um, hello. It's grilling season!
However, while we are (with all due respect) telling the calendar to flip off, National Burger Month was a great time to size up the state of this cherished sandwich, to sink our teeth (and hopefully yours) into some fantastic recipes and menu offerings. A roundup:
The Traditional
Naturally, there's no better place to start a burger bonanza than with an iconic Aussie Lamb burger. We're talking 12 ounces of fresh Australian Lamb, topped with pickled beets, pineapple, bacon, fried egg and cheese. Just… try it.
The New Classics
The top chef creations that stole our hearts in last year's Plate magazine burger contest are still going (deliciously) strong. Don't miss this recipe for Kristina Vanni's Mediterranean Lamb Burger with Goat Cheese and Tomato Relish. Or, if you're in L.A., swing by the Jewel City Diner for Anthony Jacquet's winner, topped with cranberry compote, Brie cheese and jalapeño mayo.
The Greek
Because we're cool like that, we'll acknowledge that one popular lamb burger takes its inspiration not from the lovely country of Australia, but from Greece. At Chicago's DMK Burger Bar, Chef-owner Michael Kornick has concocted a grass-fed lamb burger garnished with sheep's milk feta, briny olive tapenade, Greek salad and tzatziki. In New York, The Breslin's award-winning April Bloomfield pairs her chargrilled version with feta and cumin mayo.
The Hybrid
While all fine and good, the ubiquitous black and bleu burger and the mushroom-and-Swiss burger are just a tad bo-ring. At top-rated San Francisco pub, The Chieftain, they're spicing things up with their best-of-both worlds lamb burger, topped with melted bleu cheese, caramelized red onions and grilled mushrooms. If you Google this delectable signature dish, you'll spot "awesome" and "to die for" early on in reviews.
Seasonal Sensation
Another reason why you shouldn't limit your burger intake to the month of May: you might miss out on fresh, seasonal ingredients! Example: during National Burger Month, Michael Mina's Wit & Wisdom in Baltimore paired their juicy lamb burger with tiger sauce (aioli made with fresh spring ramps and horseradish), grilled picked red onions, romaine and confit tomatoes. Can't wait to see their lineup for summer and fall.
Beef-Buster
Texas isn’t exactly lamb country (for now, anyway) but owner Mike Hoque, Nafees Alam, and the team at Dallas Chop House are really breaking the beef-y mold. Seasoned with exotic Indian spices, swadled in brioche, and topped with tzatziki and pickled cucumbers, their lamb burger is as innovative as its Dallas origin may be surprising. Nice bonus: a side of Truffle-Parmesan fries.