Your Favorite Hamburger Toppings

[Flick James]

I observe a pretty balanced diet overall, but one of my favorite things is a good burger. As a mild Tarantino fan, I've sometimes found myself wishing there really was a Big Kahuna Burger.

Usually I prefer the traditional toppings: lettuce, onion, tomato, mustard, and maybe a little mayo. However, tomato has to be ripe tomato, otherwise I don't want it touching my burger. I also like pickle, but I actually prefer a dill spear on the side rather than chips on the burger.

Sometimes I like a barbeque burger, with the sauce and maybe a couple of onion rings.

There's a chain restaurant, I don't know if they are nationwide, called Islands that does a burger with Guacamole on it that is fantastic. Messy as hell, and fantastic.

And just every once in a while I love me a chili burger, with chili, cheese, onions, and maybe a little mustard. Anybody who has spent any time in Los Angeles knows of the legenday Tommy's chili burger.

I also like doing a burger with nothing but a roasted green chile (like Ortega chiles) and some pepper-jack cheese.

Whatever the combination, I am definitey a cheese guy. I can't remember the last time I ate a burger without cheese.

Anyway, the hamburger, as it is done in the U.S., gained prominence in the early 20th Century and became a staple part of Americana. As corny as it sounds, the name does originate from Hamburg, Germany, although the original meaning of the word as it pertains to sandwiches was quite different to Germans.

So what are your favorite hamburger toppings?

[RCMerchant]

Horse radish,Mayo-(Hellmans) musterd,tomato,lettuce,sliced cucumbers if I got it.

[WingedSerpent]

Ketchup
Mayo
Lettuce
Pepper
Cheese
Bacon
Pickles

[Jack]

Cheese, bacon, ketchup, mustard and pickle.  Pickle can kind of make it or break it - too much and that's all you can taste;  just right and it's awesome.  Though a dill pickle on the side is very good too.

I actually prefer potato chips instead of fries with it.

[Flick James]

Cheese, bacon, ketchup, mustard and pickle.  Pickle can kind of make it or break it - too much and that's all you can taste;  just right and it's awesome.  Though a dill pickle on the side is very good too.

I actually prefer potato chips instead of fries with it.

I forgot to mention that I love a good bacon cheese burger once in a while too. I wouldn't say I prefer chips to fries, but I do enjoy chips with a burger. My favorite side is still onion rings, though.

[RCMerchant]

Cheese, bacon, ketchup, mustard and pickle.  Pickle can kind of make it or break it - too much and that's all you can taste;  just right and it's awesome.  Though a dill pickle on the side is very good too.

I actually prefer potato chips instead of fries with it.

I forgot to mention that I love a good bacon cheese burger once in a while too. I wouldn't say I prefer chips to fries, but I do enjoy chips with a burger. My favorite side is still onion rings, though.

Favorite side-fried mushrooms,baby!

[Leah]

well here goes:
Fried egg
grilled onions
raw red onions
arugula
mayo
pickles
American cheese
Swiss Cheese
Provolone cheese
Cheddar Cheese
Parmesan Cheese
Mozzarella Cheese

never really liked bacon on a burger, nor Mustard, nor Ketchup, Lettuce, Tomatoes.

[claws]

I'm a bit picky when it comes to raw onions and tomatoes on my burger. Both should be thinly sliced. If they are too thick I usually take them off the burger.
I don't mind Hamburger relish, and occasionally I will add a slice of red beet, fried egg and Gorgonzola.
I also prefer shredded lettuce.
Sometimes I'll only add mozzarella and mild ajvar. Deeeelicious.

[Jack]

Cheese, bacon, ketchup, mustard and pickle.  Pickle can kind of make it or break it - too much and that's all you can taste;  just right and it's awesome.  Though a dill pickle on the side is very good too.

I actually prefer potato chips instead of fries with it.

I forgot to mention that I love a good bacon cheese burger once in a while too. I wouldn't say I prefer chips to fries, but I do enjoy chips with a burger. My favorite side is still onion rings, though.

Onion rings are heavenly.  But they can be like a meal in themselves.   

Favorite recipe:  http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/thick-cut-o-rings-and-spicy-dipping-sauce-recipe/index.html

[ChaosTheory]

Cheese, jalapeno slices and a thin tomato slice - with kettle chips and a big dill pickle on the side.

[RCMerchant]

Cheese, jalapeno slices and a thin tomato slice - with kettle chips and a big dill pickle on the side.

Jalapenos are swell-but my gut f**ks with me in me old age-so I cant eat alot of what I like. Cant eat too much Lousiana Hot Sauce or Tabasco lately either.

[ChaosTheory]

Cheese, jalapeno slices and a thin tomato slice - with kettle chips and a big dill pickle on the side.

Jalapenos are swell-but my gut f**ks with me in me old age-so I cant eat alot of what I like. Cant eat too much Lousiana Hot Sauce or Tabasco lately either.

So far I'm pretty lucky that I can still eat hot stuff.  It's deep fried things that wreak havoc on my system. 

[BoyScoutKevin]

This thread reminds me of some old memories of mine. Anybody ever have what I call a "British Burger?" When I first went over to the U.K., which would be about forty years ago, the principal hamburger chain at that time was one called Wimpy's. Now that the Burger Kings and McDonalds have taken over the U.K., it may not exist anymore, but it was still the principle hamburger chain in the U.K. at that time, and as some of us were hungry, we stopped in. Maybe because it was seemingly the only place open that late at night. And boy, was it different from what I was use to in the U.S. The burger was a plain burger. No bun. Just a plain burger. Fries or chips as they call 'em came with it. Actually, I think chips came with everything on the menu. If you wanted it, you could get a fried egg with your plain burger. The catsup or ketchup had all the taste and consistency of vinegar. But good times for all that.

[The Burgomaster]

Stabdard toppings:

* Cheese (often cheddar, but bleu cheese burgers are awesome, especially if you use a decent quality of cheese)
* Pickles
* Onions
* Mushrooms
* Ketchup
* Mustard
* Salt
* Pepper

When I'm feeling frisky, one or more of these might do the trick:

* Guacamole
* Bacon
* Green peppers
* Barbecue sauce
* "Special" sauces (like the sauce McDonald's puts on Big Macs)

Sometimes, I also use lettuce and tomatoes.  But I think you need to be careful.  A huge tomato slice or too much lettuce can overpower the burger.

[Mr. DS]

Depends on who is making the burger really.  Fast food places like BK and Wendys I'll get a plain cheeseburger usually.  If its a sit down place like Red Robin, Johnny Rockets, Five Guys I'll opt for cheese, mushrooms, mayo and grilled onions.