"I want the blood dripping down my throat"

Is always the same response the waitress receives when she asks how rare I'd like my burger. My friends and family would always give me the same disgusted and disapproving facial expressions as I had the waitress back the menu satisfied and anticipating on the weekly ritual of discovering that one burger in New York.

Yes, I know, everyone in New York is on the hunt for the Best Burger In New York and there are hundreds and thousands of blogs and websites dedicated just for this endless mission. Food snobs, fatsos, college kids, and Asians who can some how manage woof down Red Stars endless pasta platters and still maintain their weight of under 100 pounds alike are all out there just like me believing their opinion of what is tasty and what is not matters to the likes who really just don't give a crap until they go out and taste it for themselves. But thanks for the tip, Hoss!

Back to the disapproving looks. . .

My family and friends claim it to be unhealthy and uncivilized to eat a burger in such a way. I explain to them it's not about freaking them out by any means (though, I still do get that little bonus satisfaction) rather, it's about the quality of the meat, the story behind it, both the burger and the restaurant it self and that strong relationship that is a defining make or break attitude.

Did that waitress really make sure I asked for no mayonnaise? Is the cook going to cook it to my request? And how much? Will he just slap a ball of raw beef on the bun and call it a day or is he going to cook the shit out that that piece of meet until it's a crispy black disc with spicy mustard on top?

I've been to so many dives and diners with countless disappointments and delights that it has become difficult for me to retrace my process from a Yinzer from Pittsburgh Pa who moved to Chicago discovering their fascination of hot dogs,to Florida where no one knew how to cook a decent burger, then up to the city that is now my home, New York City.


So why the hell not? I created this blog to talk about the prime (haha, burger joke) love in my life, the Hamburger.