Does The Perfect Burger Really Exist?
by Daron Anderson
I've been thinking about the question, "Does the perfect burger really exist?," quite a bit lately. I am a Chef, and as much as I can cook something fancy, a burger is in itself a simple food, but it can be so complicated. One of my Culinary Instructors, Chef George, said to us "It takes as much skill to cook a burger as it does to cook a steak." That was one of best lessons I took from school, and a very similar quote from my friend John Russo, (also a Chef), "It takes as much time to cook something that tastes bad as something that tastes good, so you may as well make it taste good while you're at it." I have never forgotten these quotes, as they apply to so many things in the kitchen.
Hamburgers? Why? First, they're one of my favorite foods, and as much as they get a bad wrap, I've always seen them as a fairly balanced food. When you think about it, you get a protein, starch, vegetable, and a fat. I know there are the arguements about fats, and calories, cholesterol, and so on, but that's not what I'm worried about. I believe that anything is fine in moderation, and that one shouldn't worry themselves because they ate a burger. As for burgers, I remember them being in discussions, and I understand the history. For a good description, go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamburger - I think that will suffice for information. So for this perfect burger, I'm still not sure where to look.
Last week, I went with Marissa to the newly opened Fatburger on Lake street (formerly Taco Bell, and Pearls Hawaiian BBQ). I felt cheated. I spent $20 on a mediocre meal. I ordered a Large meal, and did not realize that it was the size of the burger, not the fries and drink. Ok thats fine, but I ordered the fat-fries (commonly known as Steak-Cut). They were cold, soggy, and unsalted. We had driven off, and we both tasted the fries, and they were terrible. We returned and got new fries, (that weren't much better either), and after our stops, we got home to eat. I was angry. I spent $20 for a meal that was substandard. What I was apalled with, is that there were seven people in the kitchen cooking. Seven people cant make a decent burger combined? I'm not going to write them off completely, but it will be a while before I return.
So I'm always looking for the awesome burger. McD's, Jack, Carls, BK, and the other chains usually deliver for the fast-food that they are. Then we have Tommys & In-N-Out, who almost always deliver too. The burger-based restaurants go up in scale, and you get Islands, Red Robin, and Fuddruckers. I could go on about all the various establishments and their burgers, but when you get a good one you know. The same is true for when you get a bad one. There is a built in expectation that you have for that meal, and when it fails to deliver, you end up feeling cheated. And when you think about it, you just spent $15 for a bun, meat, lettuce, and cheese. Watch the price go up when you add extras.
I will say that The Counter Burger, has stepped up a chain burger-based restaurant. Their system of ordering allows for thousands of combinations, so essentially you never would have to order the same burger. The fact that they cook to order and nail it is a major plus. I've had great experiences there, and while it entails spending more money, I've never felt cheated by the experince.
What's interesting with burgers, and any food for that matter, is the individual spin that is put on by each restaurant. Should they be fancy? Plain? Fast? Slow?, and when is too much too much? Is it an 8x8 at In-N-Out? The Triple Decker at Wendy's. Sometime when burgers get too fancy it gets pretentious, just like grilled cheese. I love those sandwiches as well, and I love different cheeses, but when I get a grilled-cheese sandwich, I don't want a humboldt fog & chef's chevre grilled cheese on artisan bread, with wild arugula salad. I want white bread, american or cheddar, and thats it. Funny when you think about that because its not really grilled on the grill. It sounds better then griddled cheese.
I guess it would be impossible to answer if the perfect burger really does exist or not. Maybe the answer is if its perfect for the moment. There will always be a better one, and there will always be a worse one. So the next time you're out, and order a burger, think about it. And if you're doubting the burger quality, don't do it. But - if you ever find the perfect burger, tell me.
daron727@msn.com
go figure, i'll probably end up eating a burger for dinner.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
The Decline of Lake Street
The Decline of Lake Street
by Daron Anderson
So my mom (@Leslie Aitken) has been talking to me about the goings on of the Altadenablog, and whats happening around town. The business is fading away. Its sad to see honestly. We're all local residents, and why can't we see that its falling apart? The intersection of Lake and Mariposa should be our town center. Look at Sierra Madre, they have a nice strip and Kersting court, and it is always packed. We're living in a wonderful community that has been held back for so long, because we're looked at as an "Affected Area" Frankly, things need to change. Im not a business owner on Lake, but there has to be a way to change our town. We have too many wonderful people to let things fall apart.
I agree with @Ben McGinty, we need a Starbucks. Starbucks brings business, and foot traffic. I've heard that Steve Lamb was opposed to having Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, because it would compete with the Coffee Gallery. The CG is its own entity and will survive if a Starbucks moved in. It's too far away from the Lake & Mariposa Village (thats what we should name the intersection.) I've never met you Steve, but why would you oppose growth? To keep it local? If thats the case, I'd like to borrow $75,000 so I could open a local business when Ben moves out. Its sad that Ben is closing, but he's burned out. The Gallery has run its course. But it will be missed. Ben, I also like what you said in your interview - office buildings are for offices, leave retail storefronts for retail.
So here we have Lake and Mariposa. We're losing Kat Scrap Fever to a Curves? Really? Curves was next to Quizno's and failed. Now were going to have another prime corner blocked off with a gym? That is counterintuitive to progress. How is Curves going to bring up the community? I understand that times are tight right now, so its hard to open new businesses. But its time to let go to the "local entities." - they're not thriving anymore.
As for family drama with any of our local retailers, thats not our business as the general public, but it does affect all of us. When the Webster family split up the stores, its never been the same. Steves too. The Websters have owned the most prime retail in Altadena for years, and its going to waste. Now we have the Daisy Thrift Shop in the bottom anchor of that store? I guess nothing better could go in there. The sad part is that we all know each other and still theres nothing that can be done. Apparently theres some ordinance that bans signage on Lake too? Lori Webster mentioned to my Mom that she was going to be fined $1000 if she didn't remove her street signage. Surprisingly, business has declined.
I will say hats off to El Patron. We finally have a restaurant that delivers. Alex and co, have been increasingly successful since they opened. Look for patio seating in the front too. Amy's & Fox's and Park Bench shut their doors in the afternoon. Altadena is hungry too. So how can it change? The people need to start talking.
So Lake street is tied up for ownership. Chris has the Rancho, Erik has the smoke shop, the Websters have their buildings, Lorraine Dorsey owns the corner of Lake & Altadena (where Amy's is), and so on. We need more life in this town. I'd love to see the Lake & Mariposa Village with angle parking like in Sierra Madre, Montrose, Monrovia, and we have some on Mariposa.
I'd love to see a median with trees in the center of Mariposa. It would block the view of Ez-Stop and the Liquor Store. The streets are wide, because of the past when we had streetcars, but that is gone. With street parking on Lake, that would help, and promote the growth of our neighborhood. It would take that small section of Lake and slow the traffic down too. Erik & The Webster family have the advantage, they have the ONLY parking lots on Lake. It would be great to see some family festivals in the neighborhood. There could be an Altadena Street Fair, just like Monrovia.
The last thing this town needs is another damned hair salon, church, thrift shop, or liquor store. We need some major chains to anchor our shopping district. Imagine if a Barnes & Noble were to move into the bottom of Websters instead of the rummage sale mess of Daze E Thrift Store?
The money is here. We are not the ghetto. And we need to take the owners of the Rite Aid lot to task. That center needs renovation, additional buildings, and is a general eyesore. And Kragen is fine, but our Rite Aid is one of the worst in the area. What if Bulgarini Gelato were on Lake, where they could be seen? There could be a Starbucks, and you could take the kids to get a gelato and sit outside. It seems logical to me.
Its time to put our heads together and do something.
Daron Anderson
daron727@msn.com
by Daron Anderson
So my mom (@Leslie Aitken) has been talking to me about the goings on of the Altadenablog, and whats happening around town. The business is fading away. Its sad to see honestly. We're all local residents, and why can't we see that its falling apart? The intersection of Lake and Mariposa should be our town center. Look at Sierra Madre, they have a nice strip and Kersting court, and it is always packed. We're living in a wonderful community that has been held back for so long, because we're looked at as an "Affected Area" Frankly, things need to change. Im not a business owner on Lake, but there has to be a way to change our town. We have too many wonderful people to let things fall apart.
I agree with @Ben McGinty, we need a Starbucks. Starbucks brings business, and foot traffic. I've heard that Steve Lamb was opposed to having Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, because it would compete with the Coffee Gallery. The CG is its own entity and will survive if a Starbucks moved in. It's too far away from the Lake & Mariposa Village (thats what we should name the intersection.) I've never met you Steve, but why would you oppose growth? To keep it local? If thats the case, I'd like to borrow $75,000 so I could open a local business when Ben moves out. Its sad that Ben is closing, but he's burned out. The Gallery has run its course. But it will be missed. Ben, I also like what you said in your interview - office buildings are for offices, leave retail storefronts for retail.
So here we have Lake and Mariposa. We're losing Kat Scrap Fever to a Curves? Really? Curves was next to Quizno's and failed. Now were going to have another prime corner blocked off with a gym? That is counterintuitive to progress. How is Curves going to bring up the community? I understand that times are tight right now, so its hard to open new businesses. But its time to let go to the "local entities." - they're not thriving anymore.
As for family drama with any of our local retailers, thats not our business as the general public, but it does affect all of us. When the Webster family split up the stores, its never been the same. Steves too. The Websters have owned the most prime retail in Altadena for years, and its going to waste. Now we have the Daisy Thrift Shop in the bottom anchor of that store? I guess nothing better could go in there. The sad part is that we all know each other and still theres nothing that can be done. Apparently theres some ordinance that bans signage on Lake too? Lori Webster mentioned to my Mom that she was going to be fined $1000 if she didn't remove her street signage. Surprisingly, business has declined.
I will say hats off to El Patron. We finally have a restaurant that delivers. Alex and co, have been increasingly successful since they opened. Look for patio seating in the front too. Amy's & Fox's and Park Bench shut their doors in the afternoon. Altadena is hungry too. So how can it change? The people need to start talking.
So Lake street is tied up for ownership. Chris has the Rancho, Erik has the smoke shop, the Websters have their buildings, Lorraine Dorsey owns the corner of Lake & Altadena (where Amy's is), and so on. We need more life in this town. I'd love to see the Lake & Mariposa Village with angle parking like in Sierra Madre, Montrose, Monrovia, and we have some on Mariposa.
I'd love to see a median with trees in the center of Mariposa. It would block the view of Ez-Stop and the Liquor Store. The streets are wide, because of the past when we had streetcars, but that is gone. With street parking on Lake, that would help, and promote the growth of our neighborhood. It would take that small section of Lake and slow the traffic down too. Erik & The Webster family have the advantage, they have the ONLY parking lots on Lake. It would be great to see some family festivals in the neighborhood. There could be an Altadena Street Fair, just like Monrovia.
The last thing this town needs is another damned hair salon, church, thrift shop, or liquor store. We need some major chains to anchor our shopping district. Imagine if a Barnes & Noble were to move into the bottom of Websters instead of the rummage sale mess of Daze E Thrift Store?
The money is here. We are not the ghetto. And we need to take the owners of the Rite Aid lot to task. That center needs renovation, additional buildings, and is a general eyesore. And Kragen is fine, but our Rite Aid is one of the worst in the area. What if Bulgarini Gelato were on Lake, where they could be seen? There could be a Starbucks, and you could take the kids to get a gelato and sit outside. It seems logical to me.
Its time to put our heads together and do something.
Daron Anderson
daron727@msn.com
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