Posted by Adam Kuban, October 3, 2006 at 10:50 AM
Today we're going through a stack of shamefully unanswered emails. Here's one that poses an interesting question that perhaps AHT readers can shed some light on....
Dear AHT: I have a question for you that maybe you could answer for me and my friend, chef Chris George of Zingerman's Roadhouse in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I'm trying to get him to put a tortilla burger on the lunch specials menu, and he wants to know where the recipe originated. I'm pretty sure it's a New Mexican invention, but I couldn't find anything from googling it or on Wikipedia.
A tortilla burger's pretty easy—a burger is grilled, wrapped in a flour tortilla, cheese and green or red chile is put on top, and it goes under the broiler for a half a minute. You eat it with a fork and knife. We had it at the Blue Corn Cafe and Brewery in Santa Fe when I worked there. It's somewhat common on menus in New Mexico. I'd serve a little salad with a fresh corn–bean-cilantro-and-lime topping on the side.
Whaddaya think? Can you help shed some light on the subject? Chris and I want to know. —Dave
Dear Dave: I suspect burger purists are horrified at the idea of this concoction, but it sounds pretty interesting. Almost like a burger-based version of Taco's Bell's excellent Crunchwrap Supreme product. But a thousand times better. I don't know what the origins are, off hand. Can't your friend Chris add it to the menu without the origin story? See how it goes. And when you make them, take a picture and send it our way.
Readers: Do any of you know the origin of this "burger"? Email us or leave your answers in the Comments section. —The Management
Tortilla burger photograph from Arnold's Burgers
Posted by Adam Kuban, May 10, 2006 at 5:00 PM
Here's a killer list we've mentioned on AHT but have never elaborated on. It's Alan Richman's top 20 from his July 2005 story "The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die" in GQ. Do click through to read the entire piece; it quickly made its way onto the Required Reading list at AHT HQ. Bon appétit! ...
1. Sirloin Burger, Le Tub
1100 N Ocean Dr., Hollywood FL 33019 [map]
2. Luger Burger, Peter Luger Steak House
178 Broadway, Brooklyn NY 11211 [map]
A Hamburger Today on the Luger Burger
3. Not Just a Burger, Spiced Pear Restaurant at the Chanler Hotel
117 Memorial Blvd., Newport RI 02840 [map]
4. Rouge Burger, Rouge
205 S 18th St., Philadelphia PA 19103 [map]
5. Kobe Sliders, Barclay Prime
237 S. 18th St., Philadelphia PA 19103 [map]
6. California Burger, Houston's
202 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica CA 90401 [map]
A Hamburger Today on Houston's (New York City)
7. Buckhorn Burger, Buckhorn Tavern
San Antonio NM 87832; call for directions: 505-835-4423 [map]
8. Hamburger, Miller's Bar
23700 Michigan Ave., Dearborn MI 48124 [map]
9. Cheeseburger, Burger Joint at Le Parker Meridien Hotel
118 W. 57th St., New York NY 10019 [map]
A Hamburger Today on Burger Joint
10. Number Five, Keller's Drive-in
6537 East NW Hwy., Dallas TX 75231 [map]
3766 Samuell Blvd., Dallas TX 75228 [map]
10554 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas TX 75220 [map]
11. Grilled Bistro Burger, Bistro Don Giovanni
4110 Howard Lane, Napa CA 94558 [map]
12. Hamburger, Bobcat Bite
420 Old Las Vegas Hwy., Santa Fe NM 87505 [map]
13. Cheeseburger, White Manna
358 River St., Hackensack NJ 07601 [map]
A Hamburger Today on White Manna
14. Hamburger, J. G. Melon
1291 Third Ave., New York NY 10021 (at 74th St.) [map]
15. Build Your Own Burger, The Counter
2901 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica CA 90405 (at 29th St.) [map]
A Hamburger Today on The Counter
16. Hamburger & Fries, Burger Joint
700 Haight St., San Francisco CA 94117 [map]
17. Double Bacon Deluxe with Cheese, Red Mill Burgers
Phinney Ridge, 312 N 67th St., Seattle WA 98103 [map]
Interbay, 1613 W Dravus St., Seattle WA 98119 [map]
18. Hamburger, Poag Mahone's Carvery and Ale House
333 S Wells St., Chicago IL 60604 (in the 175 West Jackson Building) [map]
19. Our Famous Burger, Sidetrack Bar and Grill
56 E Cross St., Ypsilanti MI 48198 [map]
20. Hamburger Sandwich, Louis' Lunch
261-263 Crown St., New Haven CT 06510 map]
The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die [GQ]
