Why Do We Love The Hamburger?
5 Things That Keep Us Coming Back To This Classic Menu Item.
Chances are, if you walk into any quick-serve or fast-casual restaurant in Malaysia, you'll find at least one variation of the classic hamburger on the menu. And chances are also pretty good that the burger item on the menu is one of the best-selling in the place. But why? How is it that, for over 100 years, the hamburger has been so popular?
What is it about a good burger that keeps us coming back for more?
Let us count the ways…
1. Burgers are easy to eat – and they usually come with fries.
The first thing that comes to mind about burgers is that burgers are incredibly easy to eat. The ground meat (in our case, beef or lamb) is ground up and formed into a patty, making it far easier to eat than, say, a steak - even if the steak is rare. And, as you know, most burgers come with fries, which add another very easy-to-eat element to an already appealing main dish.
2. Burgers are comfort food. Like a friend you’re always happy to see.
Familiarity is another factor that makes the trusted burger a go-to for many diners. Imagine walking into a fancy restaurant and being handed a menu of gourmet dishes with names you can barely pronounce...you're nervous, looking for something you recognize, and then there it is. A hamburger. Granted, it's a gourmet, overpriced hamburger, but you know what you'll be getting (roughly) when you order it. It's this kind of familiarity with the burger that make it a must-have on just about any restaurant menu.
3. Burgers are easy to make.
It's fast. Or, at least, it can be fast if you need it to be. There's often a delicate relationship between quality, speed and price when it comes to burgers. If you want a cheap burger served at lighting speed, expect the quality to match. Even when cooked from fresh, a quality burger can be on your plate and ready to eat in just minutes - at an affordable price. When you're in a hurry and you need something that will meet your hunger and budget needs, the burger is almost always the way to go.
4. Burgers are portable.
Not only are burgers fast, they are portable too. There's no shame in getting a burger to-go and taking back home, to work, the park - wherever you want. It goes back to burgers being so easy to eat. Good quick-serve and fast-casual restaurants package your burger knowing that you may be taking it with you and eating on a bench or some other place outside their establishment.
5. Burgers can be dressed up however you want.
Burgers are like an artist's canvas. With dozens upon dozens of toppings to choose from, today's modern burger can be dressed up with fresh, tasty toppings that give you the flavor combination you desire. From specialty buns to exotic toppings and sauces, the simple burger can be dressed up and made to your tastebuds' exacting specifications.
In the end, burgers are popular because they are just so good. With so many options for meat, consistency, flavor and toppings (and of course a decent price and lots of sides) it's no wonder why we keep heading back to our trusted menu item again add again.