In search of the perfect burger..

The hamburger. What a brilliant invention. So simple yet so tasty! But where do you get one? Well unless you make it yourself, they're difficult to find. What baffles me is that any idiot with even the most basic skills in the kitchen should be able to throw one together. All you need is some good quality beef mince, a robust bun, some cheese and anything else you feel like adding. The mystery is why the hell is it so hard to find a decent one! I'm not talking about fast food "burgers" with the soggy, sugary buns that don't seem to last the distance, but the REAL old fashioned fish and chip shop burger! I remember them with fondness from a generation before we were hoodwinked by the multinational fast food chains that claimed "the burgers are better at Hungry Jacks". Better than what I ask? 

I'm a big believer in simple food made with quality ingredients (which is why I can't stand Masterchef!) I hate fancy for fancy's sake. Keep it simple stupid! There used to be a place down the road from me in Ascot Vale that knew how to make a burger. Quality beef from the butcher a few doors up. Organic sourdough rolls from the bakery opposite. Quality cheese and homemade tomato relish. It was a delight. The best part was the bun remained intact right until the last mouthful. No meat juices dripping off your elbows and sauce down the front of your shirt. It was a work of art! The thing is, why was I so impressed? Making a good burger is as easy as getting drunk at a wine tasting but why can so few people do it? I guess it's one of life's eternal mysteries. But as my father always said, " If you want something done properly, do it yourself"

P.S if you have a favourite Melbourne fish and chip shop burger haunt then let me know. I'm sure there are still some I haven't tried!