Burgers as big as your head

One of the fun perks of living in a military-centric area is that so many different cultures, and cuisines are represented. Small, locally owned restaurants here feature authentic South Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Mexican, German, Italian and of course American mom and pop comfort food.

I like dining at local restaurants, supporting local businesses. One of my favorites is a hole-in-the-wall burger joint housed in a former gas station. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t some typical greasy, beef patty place. These burgers are as big as your head. When they’re brought to your table, they aren’t held together by a measly toothpick garnished with cellophane tassels. No… these behemoths are skewered by a table knife.

If you use that knife for anything other than holding all the ingredients together until you can dive into it, you will be taunted for having to cut your food into wimpy, bite-sized pieces. If you’re a guy, you’ll be mercilessly chastised for being girlie. I’ve witnessed the shaming. The burgers are meant to be enjoyed in all their delicious, messiness. There will be drips and drops, copious napkin usage, and licked fingers.

There is no pretense that these burgers are in any way good for you. Garnished with rémoulade, creamy horseradish sauce, homemade garlic aioli, cheeses, bacon, tater tots, and hand-dipped fried onion rings, biting into any one of these massive sandwiches is a taste explosion.

I don’t have a favorite sandwich, because every time I go, I get something different. And, every time, at that moment, that is my favorite.

*Photo venue: Tucker Duke’s, Valparaiso FL. This was not a sponsored review. I received no compensation for this post.