Book Review Hamburger America: One Man’s Cross-Country Odyssey to Find the Best Burgers in the Nation by George Motz

Running Press, $19.95 retail, ISBN 978-1423600220

It seems a little strange and out of place to review Hamburger America now since it was published in Spring 2008. However, it’s one of the best, if not THE best, books covering the subject of hamburgers in print and was definitely an inspiration for the start of this blog. I have been to at least a few of the spots covered in this book and have frequently made mention of it.

Through 312 glossy pages, author George Motz covers 100 different burger spots throughout 39 of the 48 Continental United States. There are large, full color pictures from quite a few of the stops, which are grouped by state. I considered Hamburger America to be an important road trip reference book for the best burger stops. While I don’t necessarily perfectly agree with all of the suggestions and descriptions, I haven’t had a bad burger yet from any of the places I’ve visited. I am indebted to George Motz for his suggesting the very excellent Charlie’s near the Philadelphia airport, one of my local favorites.

Motz goes behind the scenes to discover the cuts of meat which go into the burgers and other ingredient details, explains what’s interesting or unique about how they are cooked, and shows the importance of the hamburger spot often with owner interviews. These featured stops are all independently owned, fresh beef burger, non-chain restaurants and remind the reader about the food that makes America a special place. These are mostly inexpensive, working class burgers, not fancy high end gastropub or restaurant burgers, just simple, quality, good burgers. Perhaps not exactly a list of the top 100 burger spots in America, but at least a summary that comes close to showing several of the very best and most interesting locations. It’s a story of amazing food, but also the very unique and inspiring stories of the people behind the food.

Also, for those who are less literate, Hamburger America is an expansion of George Motz’s film by the same name which is included in the book version as a DVD (though unfortunately my DVD has cracked after being stored in my often used book). Motz visits several different burger spots which are featured in depth on the DVD including the ketchup hating Louis’ Lunch in New Haven, CT which lay claim to the invention of the hamburger, Billy Goat Tavern in Chicago, Dyer’s in Memphis for deep-fried burgers, Solly’s Grille for their extreme butter burgers in Milwaukee, Bobcat Bite for green chile burgers in Santa Fe, The Wheel Inn in Sedalia MO for the Guberburger–a burger topped with peanut butter, Ted’s Restaurant in Meriden CT for steamed cheeseburgers, and The Meers Store in Oklahoma who serve beef from the Longhorns that they raise on their farm.

Hamburger America is definitely one of my favorite books about burgers and food in general. A highly recommended read. Also, selections from the book are regularly reprinted on A Hamburger Today if you would like to read a bit from the book online complete with photos before you consider a purchase.

Tags: books, hamburger america, hamburgers