Hamburgers Galore … and More

I love burgers. Where Bobby could eat pizza seven days a week, I could eat burgers. I’m famous in my family for the way I construct my burgers. In fact, as a child I was usually the last one to get done eating when we had burgers. It took me that long to get everything just right. A burger had to have salad dressing (think generic Miracle Whip), ketchup, mustard, tomatoes and pickles. I hate onions, so there was no place on my burger for them; they just ruin them. (Don’t hate me onion lovers!)

I say all that as a way to explain the eager anticipation I felt when Bobby and I were on our way to the 10th Annual National Hamburger Festival at Lock 3 in Akron. While the festival itself was a two day event, that had everything from a festival queen pagant, to a burger eating contest, to a bobbing for burger event, Bobby and I were only able to on Saturday evening.

As we were purchasing our food tickets, we were developing a plan for how we would enjoy the festival. We decided that we would start with Smoke, the Burger Joint. Bobby had wanted to try the burger from the restaurant, so this was a perfect opportunity. We planned on getting one burger and splitting it.

As we stood in line, Bobby decided we should try the Texas Triple Jay Burger. The burger is smoked over “real hickory wood”. Next it is topped with smoked pickled jalepeno mayo, cheddar cheese, jalapeno bacon and fried jalapenos. If you like things hot and spicy, this is the burger for you. Bobby enjoys things that are spicy (he married me, didn’t he?). I enjoy my food on the mild side. However, I don’t know how many times Bobby has acquiesed and order things that were more mild than he would have liked, just for me. So on Saturday, I thought, “What the heck.” Let’s just say that I’m glad we had also purchased a large lemonade.

After we finished with the burger, which definitely opened up our sinuses, Bobby went in search of a more traditional burger. He left me on the lawn to watch the gorgeous sunset and listen to the music of Jimmy Buffet performed by Changes in Latitude, a tribute band. When he returned he brought with him a burger from Bob’s Hamburg. The sign touted that Bob’s Hamburg is the oldest restaurant in Akron. It has been around since 1931. All I know is that the burger was terrific!

The burger was the perfect traditional burger. It was two patties with tomato, lettuce, mayo and ketchup. It was just juicy and messy enough to be great. In fact it was so good, we were half way through it before we remembered we needed to take a picture for my blog!

Although we were only there for a couple of hours, it was a great end to a wonderful Saturday. I will be more prepared next year. I’ll go earlier, stay later and bring a bigger appetite, because honestly, one can never have too many hamburgers.