Chefs Celebrate National Hamburger Month

May is National Hamburger Month, and with Americans consuming nearly 50 billion hamburgers annually, according to the United States Department of Agriculture USDA, now is a great time for restaurants to (ahem!) beef up their burger selections. Sante Magazine scouted restaurant chefs around the U.S.A. to see what’s on their burger buns.

Below are some selections with suggested drink pairings provided by the restaurants’ beverage teams.

Drink Burger

Where to find it: Drink, Boston, MA

Chef: Barbara Lynch

Between the buns: Two well-done Colorado Wagyu beef patties, American cheese, lettuce, red onion, house-made pickles, black pepper aioli, ketchup, all on a sesame seed bun from a local Boston bakery. Menu price: $20

Beverage Pairing: Fort Point cocktail (rye whiskey, Punt e Mes, and Benedictine)

Check it out: instagram.com/drinkfortpoint

THE Bacon Cheeseburger 

Where to find it: Burger Bar Chicago, Chicago. IL

Chefs: John “Mac” Mclean and Martin Murch

Between the buns: Half-pound USDA Prime Beef topped with three-year-aged white cheddar, hickory-smoked bacon, and char-grilled onions on a bacon brioche. On the menu: $17

Beverage Pairing: 1837 Red Ale – brewed exclusively for Good Eats Group restaurants, this red ale, named for the year the city of Chicago was incorporated, features notes of cardamom and orange zest, finished with roasted malts.

Check it out: instagram.com/burgerbarchi

Tripel Burger

Where to find it: Playa Provisions, Playa Del Rey, CA

Chef: Brooke Williamson

Between the buns: The Tripel Burger is made with half-pound aged rib-eye beef, caramelized onions, poppy seed slaw, and aged cheddar on a pretzel bun. On the menu: $12

Beverage Pairing: Trio of Beers: $15 (a Wednesday night special)

Check it out: instagram.com/playaprovisions

Original Joe’s Famous Hamburger Sandwich

Where to find it: Original Joe’s, San Francisco, CA

Owners: John and Elena Duggan

Between the buns: This iconic burger is served on a San Francisco sourdough roll and has utilized the same recipe since 1937. Ground chuck beef is mixed with minced onions before it hits the grill. Upon request, guests can ask for the burger to be charbroiled to add a touch of smoke. On the menu: $22.95

Beverage Pairing: Joe’s Manhattan (Bulleit Bourbon, Carpano Antica, Angostura Bitters, and Amarena Cherries).

Check it out: instagram.com/originaljoessf  

Bash Burger

Where to find it: Lure Fishbar, New York City

Chef: Preston Clark

Between the buns: The Lure Fishbar Bash Burger comes topped with bacon, onion jam, cheese, shaved pickles, and a special sauce. The dish is a six-time winner of the New York City Wine & Food Festival’s Burger Bash competition. On the menu: $25

Beverage Pairing: Lychee Martini (Dorothy Parker Gin, lychee, cucumber, lemon).

Check it out: instagram.com/lurefishbar

Double Patty Skillet Burger

Where to find it: Hello, Sailor, Cornelius, NC

Chef: Joe Kindred

Between the buns: Double the pleasure with Hello, Sailor’s Double Patty Skillet Burger. They are packed with cheddar, pickles, lettuce, and the restaurant’s magic sauce. Choose to add pickles, slaw, or beef fat fries. Menu price: $16

Beverage Pairing: Perfect Stranger cocktail (Rye, Amaro Montenegro, Zucca, orange bitters).

Check it out: instagram.com/hellosailornc

Triple B Burger

Where to find it: Black Angus Steakhouse, with locations in Arizona, California, Hawaii, New Mexico, and Washington.  

Chef: Fernando Garcia

Between the buns: Hand-formed, half-pound, Certified Angus Beef® ground chuck, stacked high with bacon, bleu cheese, and balsamic red onions. On the menu: $18

Beverage Pairing: Bullseye Brew

Check it out: instagram.com/blackangussteakhouse

Vadouvan Spiced Chickpea & Lentil Burger

Where to find it: Greens Restaurant, San Francisco, CA

Chef: Katie Reicher

Between the buns: San Francisco’s legendary vegetarian restaurants offers a meat-alternative chickpea and pink lentil patty packed with carrots, English peas, jalapeños, red onions, vadouvan curry powder, cumin, and chickpea flour. Dressed in cucumber mint raita, avocado, lettuce, tomato, and red onion on a nigella seed bun. On the menu: $22

Beverage Pairing: Pennyroyal Farm, ‘Blanc de Noir’ Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley 2017 (on the list). Greens’ wine list supports winemakers who adhere to organic, biodynamic, and sustainable methods.

Check it out: instagram.com/greensrestaurant

Smokehouse Burger

Where to find it: FireLake Grill & Cocktail Bar, Anaheim, California

Chef: Edgar Beas

Between the buns: Ten ounce smoked chuck patty, aged white cheddar, slab bacon, and caramelized onion, served with house-made Kennebec fries and spicy tomato jam. On the menu: $22

Beverage Pairing: FireLake Blonde Ale – crisp with mild malt sweetness and subtle fruity esters. 5.2% ABV

Check it out: instagram.com/firelakerestaurant

W & W Burger

Where to find it: Weft & Warp Art Bar + Kitchen, Andaz Hotel, Scottsdale, Arizona.

Chef: Dushyant Singh

Between the buns: A patty blend of Angus chuck and brisket served with Hobbs bacon, organic tomato jam, bibb lettuce, chive, Gloucester cheddar, and a side of mustard aioli and truffle fries. On the menu: $22

Beverage Pairing: See You Amaro cocktail (berry-infused amaro, Bulleit Rye Whiskey, orgeat, and egg white).

Check it out: instagram.com/weftandwarpaz