By Jack Smith
Hamburgers may well be considered America’s favorite food, but the origins of the hamburger are fuzzy at best.
The Germans claim it started in Hamburg (hence the name, hamburger), influenced in turn by the 12th century Mongolians’ steak tartare. In the 19th century, beef from German Hamburg cows was minced and combined with garlic, onions, salt and pepper, then formed into patties (without bread or a bun) to make Hamburg steaks. Given the quality of Hamburg beef, these early burgers were considered gourmet and were pricey. When German immigrants arrived in New York and Chicago, many opened restaurants and featured the Hamburg steak, an Americanized version of the German offering.
Fletcher Davis claims to have invented the hamburger, putting ground beef between two pieces of Texas Toast when one of his customers was in too much of a hurry to sit down for a meal. The customer walked away with his hamburger steak and seemed so content that “Old Dave” offered his new carryout meal as a staple menu item at the end of 1880 in Athens, Texas.
The Library of Congress credits Danish immigrant Louis Lassen of Louis’ Lunch, a small lunch wagon in New Haven, Connecticut, with selling the first hamburger and steak sandwich in the U.S. in 1895.
Whatever the truth, the staff of PCB Life sure has enjoyed going in search of PCB’s “Best Burger,” with lettuce and tomato. See next page for our winners.
Capt. Anderson’s Restaurant
5551 N Lagoon Drive, PCB | (850) 234-2225
captandersons.com
While the young ones are enjoying a burger on the kids menu, the adults can sink their teeth into our signature steak… the Grilled Churrasco! A perfectly seasoned Nicaraguan Cut Tenderloin with grilled Bermuda Onions. Deliciously paired with a bottle of Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz.
The Grand Marlin
5323 N Lagoon Drive, PCB | (850) 249-1500
www.thegrandmarlin.com/pcb
The Grand Marlin may be known for its fresh seafood, but our TGM Cheddar Burger should not be overlooked. Covered with creamy Tillamook cheddar cheese and grilled to your desired temperature – our burger comes with house-made pickles, lettuce, and tomato on a toasted Brioche bun. Paired with some salty fries and an ice-cold draft, TGM cheeseburger is no joke!
Angry Tuna
1701 S. Pier Park Drive, Suite 155, PCB | (850) 235-4632
angrytunaseafoodcompany.com
Stop by the Angry Tuna for the great taste of local flavors of the Gulf Coast! House specialties include the Seared Tuna Bowl, Tuna Sliders, Tuna Nachos, Colossal Seafood Platter, Peel & Eat Shrimp and many more! We’ve got a full bar with a variety of beers, Angry Tuna Red Lager and delicious frozen drinks. Try Beth’s Tuna Club, fresh Ahi Tuna with lettuce, tomato and smoked applewood bacon served with seasoned fries.
Christo’s Sports Bar & Grill
2903 Thomas Drive, PCB | (850) 708-1878
christossportsbarandgrill.com
Our Smokehouse Cheddar Burger is one to try. An 8 ounce hand pattied burger with cheddar cheese, bacon, hand battered onion ring on top and a drizzle of our housemade whiskey BBQ sauce to finish this tasty burger.
Barefoot Hide-A-Way
15405 Front Beach Road, PCB | (850) 249-2031
barefootrestaurants.com
Try our Barefoot Bigmouth Burger with double patty, cheese served with lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle; or our Crab Cake Burger, made with fresh crab cake served on a toasted brioche bun with grilled onions and lemon dill aoli.
Schooners
5121 Gulf Drive, PCB | (850) 235-3555
schooners.com
The Schooners Burger is 10 oz. of choice Angus Beef grilled to perfection. Topped with all your favorite fixin’s and served with a view… a legendary burger on the Gulf coast!
Paparazzi Gourmet Deli
2810 Thomas Drive, PCB | (850) 588-8244
Paparazzideli.com
If you think burgers are the consummate comfort food, then you’ve never had a Meatball Parmigiana hot sub the Paparazzi way. Packed with hand-rolled meatballs, marinara sauce, and topped with mozzarella cheese, it gives their equally mouth-watering Papa-Strami sub (New York-style pastrami, melted Swiss, and mustard on rye) a run for your lunch money. Paparazzi is closed Mondays through winter.
Boon Docks
14854 Bay View Circle, PCB | (850) 230-0005
boondocksfl.com
Located under the mighty oaks on the Intracoastal Waterway just 5 minutes from the beaches in West Bay, Boon Docks offers you a delicious array of local and regional seafood prepared in a variety of ways. We use a special blend of spices that gives our grilled items a taste like no other! Looking for something different? Try our fried or grilled shrimp burger.
The Wicked Wheel
10025 Hutchison Boulevard, PCB | (850) 588-7947
thewickedwheel.com
Take a bite out of The Wicked Wheel’s Burger of the Month in February – The Smothered Candied Bacon BBQ Burger. This Classic Burnout Burger is smothered in cheddar cheese, caramelized sweet onion, barbecue sauce, and homemade candied bacon on a toasted sourdough bun.
