What is an expensive burger? Favorite burgers and such...
How much is too much, or what makes food worth it?
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JoeUser Forums
JoeUser Forums
This topic has been around a bit in the past, with reports in the last year or two of upscale restaurants that were all competing amongst themselves to offer the most expensive burger. During that run of articles I think prices of $1000 were among those mentioned in the articles as being "the most expensive."
The inspiration for this current article is a fairly regular craving for burgers from a relatively small chain outlet in my area. A nice little burgers and shake place known as Cheeburger Cheeburger. (Linked: here)
In our area, we also have an up-and-coming (at least they tout themselves so in the articles they clip and place on their walls. Articles from newspapers, both local and national in scope, and articles from trade magazines and others) burger restaurant that only does burgers. Burgers and fries, and softdrinks, but no shakes, no salads, no soup, no chicken and no vegetarian type products. That quickly growing chain is known as Five Guys Famous Burgers and Fries. (Linked here: here)
Having dined at both places multiple times, my personal preference is for Cheeburger Cheeburger. There's more variety in their burger sizes, more choices for levels of "done-ness," and if you are so inclined, more choices for burger toppings. I'm also a huge fan of their fries (which they provide generous amounts of, no matter what size you order) which I think taste a little better than Five Guys fries do (though I'll give credit to the quantity of fries that are given to you by Five Guys, no matter what size you order they give you a ton of them, way more than are needed. A meal unto themselves if you wanted them that way!).
Both places charge similar prices for their food, though Cheeburger Cheeburger has more flexibility with the various sized burgers, and the other menu choices they offer (chicken, salads, shakes, etc.), and the prices are part of what bring this article up.
I don't personally believe the prices are bad at either place. They may be bad compared to say McDonalds, Burger King, or Wendy's, but the food is multiples better quality and taste wise. Where you'll pay approximately $6 for a 1/3 pound burger at Cheeburger Cheeburger, versus $2.99 for a value meal (or similarly priced) that includes a McDonalds Quarter Pounder with Cheese, the food you get is more recognizable, cooked to order, and not the overly processed and bland products that require a big squirt of some secret sauce to give the thing a little flavor.
My wife on the other hand, though she enjoys the food we get at Cheeburger complains when the bill hits the table and she realizes we've just spent approximately $50 (including tip) for a family of four to go out for food. Certainly it's not more expensive than a place like say The Olive Garden, Outback, Red Lobster, or a batch of other places. Most of those places would be more expensive by about $10 - $20 (by the time we include tips) depending on whether we order appetizers, deserts, and such.
My wife's complaint is easily summarized as "$50 for burgers!?!" while the rest of the family is still enjoying the taste of the food.
In anycase, I'm curious what the consensus is on "how much is too much" for a burger. What's your breaking point on how much you're willing to pay for what you consider a good burger?
The inspiration for this current article is a fairly regular craving for burgers from a relatively small chain outlet in my area. A nice little burgers and shake place known as Cheeburger Cheeburger. (Linked: here)
In our area, we also have an up-and-coming (at least they tout themselves so in the articles they clip and place on their walls. Articles from newspapers, both local and national in scope, and articles from trade magazines and others) burger restaurant that only does burgers. Burgers and fries, and softdrinks, but no shakes, no salads, no soup, no chicken and no vegetarian type products. That quickly growing chain is known as Five Guys Famous Burgers and Fries. (Linked here: here)
Having dined at both places multiple times, my personal preference is for Cheeburger Cheeburger. There's more variety in their burger sizes, more choices for levels of "done-ness," and if you are so inclined, more choices for burger toppings. I'm also a huge fan of their fries (which they provide generous amounts of, no matter what size you order) which I think taste a little better than Five Guys fries do (though I'll give credit to the quantity of fries that are given to you by Five Guys, no matter what size you order they give you a ton of them, way more than are needed. A meal unto themselves if you wanted them that way!).
Both places charge similar prices for their food, though Cheeburger Cheeburger has more flexibility with the various sized burgers, and the other menu choices they offer (chicken, salads, shakes, etc.), and the prices are part of what bring this article up.
I don't personally believe the prices are bad at either place. They may be bad compared to say McDonalds, Burger King, or Wendy's, but the food is multiples better quality and taste wise. Where you'll pay approximately $6 for a 1/3 pound burger at Cheeburger Cheeburger, versus $2.99 for a value meal (or similarly priced) that includes a McDonalds Quarter Pounder with Cheese, the food you get is more recognizable, cooked to order, and not the overly processed and bland products that require a big squirt of some secret sauce to give the thing a little flavor.
My wife on the other hand, though she enjoys the food we get at Cheeburger complains when the bill hits the table and she realizes we've just spent approximately $50 (including tip) for a family of four to go out for food. Certainly it's not more expensive than a place like say The Olive Garden, Outback, Red Lobster, or a batch of other places. Most of those places would be more expensive by about $10 - $20 (by the time we include tips) depending on whether we order appetizers, deserts, and such.
My wife's complaint is easily summarized as "$50 for burgers!?!" while the rest of the family is still enjoying the taste of the food.
In anycase, I'm curious what the consensus is on "how much is too much" for a burger. What's your breaking point on how much you're willing to pay for what you consider a good burger?
