Can burgers be beat as the most-craved of meats? Pork belly, bulgogi tacos, and even meatballs (which are really mini-burgers in disguise) may each have had their brief moment in the sun, but the mighty hamburger inevitably reigns supreme. And all signs point to the hamburger becoming more popular still: First there were the countless chef-y spin-offs, and now the stepped-up expansion of one of our favorite burger joints, Danny Meyer's simple-chic, New York–based Shake Shack, which has expanded nationally and internationally, including two new locations–Philadelphia and Coral Gables–already this summer.
Meanwhile, halfway around the globe, the fast-growing five-year-old Denver-based chain Smashburger opened its first overseas branch recently, in Kuwait City. For an expert overview of what George Motz, author of Hamburger America, dubs the "international burgerscape," we called on Motz and other patty pros to name "The World's Best Burgers": the top places for American-style burgers from New York to New Zealand.
For fabulous burgers at home, simply dig into our latest Gourmet Modern Menu, a Burger Bash featuring three brand-new recipes: easy Bacon Cheddar Burgers with Caramelized Onions, French Fries with Five Sauces, and a sensational Strawberry Cheesecake Milkshake.
And here's one more burger recipe, with a backstory told by Gourmet Live's Sara Bonisteel, who traces the roots of her family's venerable "Grampy Burger"—apples, French dressing, Rice Krispies, and all!
For more inspiration, explore this summer's Gourmet Special Edition, Easy Dinners. It's packed with 109 recipes streamlined for ease, including an Aussie Burger that closely resembles the Down Under favorites in this issue's "World's Best Burgers" list. Practical weeknight solutions abound, along with menus that step right up to entertaining. You'll find Easy Dinners on sale now at retailers nationwide, such as Barnes & Noble, Whole Foods, and Hudson News.
What's your family formula for the perfect burger? Let us know via Twitter or Facebook, drop us a line, or post a comment on our blog. For more tasty bites, sign up for our weekly newsletter to get convenient access to our most-read blog posts, editors' favorite recipes, and exclusive reader offers.
Don't forget the napkins!The editors of Gourmet Live