For those who care concerning the American hamburger — the actual factor, rooted in regional custom — you ultimately find yourself at George Motz. I found his Hamburger America web site in early 2008 with out realizing I used to be moving into the archive of each trustworthy, blue-collar burger value realizing. Earlier than the Journey Channel present, earlier than the Burger Scholar movies, there was the e-book, and earlier than that, the documentary. Now there’s the restaurant. Identical mission, 4 codecs: doc, protect, serve.
George Motz: Desk of Contents
Hamburger America Documentary (2005)
Motz’s characteristic doc covers eight landmark joints and earned a James Beard nomination. It’s a straight shot of burger historical past with out gimmicks.
Particular Intro to Hamburger America
In 2011, George recorded this intro for me. It performed proper earlier than the movie screened at my 2011 Burgie Awards.
Right here is George Motz’s Hamburger America documentary in its entirety.
Eating places within the Hamburger America Movie
There are eight burger eating places featured within the documentary:
- The Billy Goat Tavern and Grill (Chicago, IL) — SNL “Cheezborger” roots, curse lore, and an ideal stinger after the credit.
- The Bobcat Chunk (Santa Fe, NM) — The Inexperienced Chile Burger that stares again at you.
- Dyer’s Burgers (Memphis, TN) — Deep-fried since 1912; the relocation sequence is burger cinema.
- Louis’ Lunch (New Haven, CT) — Reported first hamburger; vertical broilers; don’t ask for ketchup.
- The Meers Retailer (Meers, OK) — Longhorn beef, lengthy on persona.
- Solly’s Grille (Milwaukee, WI) — The butter burger that’ll ground you.
- Ted’s Restaurant (Meriden, CT) — The molten-cheese steamed cheeseburger.
- The Wheel Inn Drive-In (Sedalia, MO) — The Guber Burger (sure, peanut butter).
Hamburger America Ebook
The third version (2018) options 200 burger joints you should go to. Use this checklist as a area information — and sure, you continue to want the e-book to listen to Motz’s tackle every one.
A Few Questions with George Motz
George has answered a few of my questions earlier than on the unique written model of the Grinder and on my Grinder net present:
What’s your plan of assault for judging on the South Seaside Wine and Meals Pageant Burger Bash offered by Schweid & Sons?
George Motz – I’m not going to fiddle. I’ve judged burger occasions earlier than, and there are two key parts to success: take notes on each burger, and don’t end each one! There will probably be over 25 burgers on the Burger Bash, and most of them will probably be completely wonderful. It will likely be very tough to not end my favorites..however want to avoid wasting room for all of them.
Inform me about your upcoming cookbook. How did the thought come about?
George Motz – I spotted that nobody had written a e-book concerning the burger ‘technique.’ Burger cookbooks are typically concerning the stuff you’ll be able to placed on a burger. My new cookbook (The Nice American Burger Ebook) will discover regional goodies just like the deep-fried burger, the steamed cheeseburger, and the smoked burger. We examined a Frita the opposite day and nailed it! Thus far, it has been probably the most difficult recipe. Mojo, the potatoes, the patty..
Char-Grill, flattop, steamed, or deep fried? What’s one of the best ways to prepare dinner a hamburger?
George Motz – There are such a lot of methods to prepare dinner a burger, however the flattop will all the time be my favourite technique. It’s quick, straightforward, and the tip result’s all the time rattling tasty. Cooking over a flame is definitely probably the most tough means..except you’re a professional, the outcomes might be unpredictable. However I encourage all burger fanatics to attempt different strategies too, like deep frying, smoking and steaming.
Who’s a very powerful determine in Hamburger Historical past?
George Motz – It’s a superb query, and nobody has ever requested me. I firmly imagine that a very powerful determine in hamburger historical past was Edgar Waldo “Billy” Ingram, the founder and visionary behind White Fortress…
Is the Luther Burger (hamburger with doughnut buns) a miracle creation or an abomination?
George Motz – The Luther falls someplace within the center however leans towards brilliance. I’ve eaten them earlier than, and I preferred them.
Additional Credit score: We haven’t seen one another since filming the Miami episode of Burgerland. How a lot have you ever missed me?
George Motz – I consider you, and I consider the Frita… I’m in severe want of a Frita repair proper now, so I assume I actually miss you!
Journey Channel’s Burgerland (2013)
Burgerland on the Journey Channel wrapped with a strong run and a bunch of recent bucket-list joints. For those who missed it, episodes can be found digitally. Every present riffs on identified classics, then an EBT (Skilled Burger Taster) suggests a brand new burger for Motz to attempt. Within the Miami episode, I took him to Pincho Manufacturing unit for the Toston Burger.
Episode Information & Featured Eating places
Episode 1: New Jersey Sliders
Hamburgao • Rossi’s Bar & Grill • White Manna • White Rose System
Episode 2: Wisconsin’s Burger Belt
Pete’s Hamburgers • Solly’s Grille • The Village Tavern • WEDL’s
Episode 3: Hollywood Hamburgers
The Apple Pan • Charlie’s Espresso Store • Marty’s • Pie ‘N Burger
Episode 4: Miami’s Cuban Frita
El Mago de las Fritas • El Rey de las Fritas • Latin Burger & Taco Truck • Pincho Manufacturing unit
Episode 5: New Orleans Po’ Boy Burgers
Bozo’s Restaurant • Camellia Grill • Port of Name • Ted’s Frostop
Episode 6: Houston, We Have a Burger
Blake’s BBQ & Burgers • Christian’s Tailgate Bar & Grill • Stanton Metropolis Bites • Tookie’s
Episode 7: New Mexico’s Inexperienced Chile Cheeseburgers
Bobcat Chunk • Bode’s Basic Retailer • Owl Bar & Cafe • The Pantry
Episode 8: Previous Miss Burgers
Invoice’s Hamburgers • Lamar Lounge • Latham’s Hamburger Inn • Phillips Grocery
Episode 9: The Classics of NYC
Donovan’s Pub • J.G. Melon • Korzo • Minetta Tavern
Episode 10: Tennessee Blues Burgers
Alex’s Tavern • Dyer’s • Fats Mo’s • Rotier’s
Episode 11: Carolina Model Burgers
Brook’s Sandwich Home • The Diamond • Duke’s Grill • South 21
Episode 12: A Burger is Born
Harry’s Place • Louis’ Lunch • Shady Glen • Ted’s Restaurant
Episode 13: Windy Metropolis Burgers
Billy Goat Tavern • Kuma’s Nook • Prime Notch Beefburgers • Wiener and Nonetheless Champion
Hamburger America – The Restaurant (NYC)
George Motz’s Hamburger America restaurant is open, a 15-stool diner that looks like a time capsule with out the kitsch. Counter, stools, onion burgs, the works.
Moving into HAMBURGER AMERICA is a step again in time. Our 15-stool diner is an genuine piece of dwelling hamburger historical past, a LOVE LETTER to certainly one of America’s favourite meals.
– George Motz
Menu Snapshot
Two hamburgs — Fried Onion Burger and Traditional Smash (single/double; with/with out cheese). Plus trustworthy lunch-counter sides and sandwiches: egg salad, grilled cheese, sizzling ham, PB&J, tuna. Shoestring fries, chocolate chip cookies, pie, milks/comfortable drinks, contemporary lemonade. Ketchup? For fries, sure.
Location & Hours
Hours change — test the official web site earlier than visiting.
Hamburger America
📍 155 W Houston St, New York, NY
📞
🌐 hamburgeramerica.com
📸 Instagram | Fb
🕒 Hours:
Solar–Thu: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Fri–Sat: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Opening Announcement
That is some thrilling burger information: George Motz opened a Hamburger America restaurant in New York. It was initially slated for Could 2023 to line up with Nationwide Burger Month, however typical delays pushed it to mid-October 2023.
In case you’re new to George’s world, Hamburger America is the title of his documentary and books highlighting traditionally vital burger joints. I’ll simply let George clarify his imaginative and prescient:
Strolling into Hamburger America will probably be a step again in time, however don’t count on kitsch. My love of the American Hamburger is deep and my burger joint information in depth. Count on a lovely counter with stools, fast service, and naturally onion burgs. Additionally, we plan to have a rotating menu of burgers from across the nation with visits from my hamburger heroes.
I’m no idiot and refused to open a restaurant with out correct assist, and that’s the place the Schnipper Brothers are available. I plan to be within the restaurant each rattling day however the @Schnippers will probably be managing the day-to-day with their many years of expertise.
– George Motz
*Image courtesy of George Motz