Dream burgers are the ultimate burger experience. They go beyond just a normal burger to provide a multi-sensory experience that engages all the senses. From the first bite, you know this is no ordinary burger. Keep reading to learn all about the origins of dream burgers, what makes them so special, and where you can find dream burgers near you.
What are the origins of dream burgers?
The concept of a dream burger was first pioneered in the early 2010s by celebrity chef David Schiller. Chef Schiller wanted to create a burger experience unlike any other – one that combined high-quality ingredients, unique flavors, and a truly memorable eating experience.
He debuted his first dream burger at a popular food festival, where it quickly gained buzz and developed a cult following. From there, the idea took off, and more chefs began experimenting with their own interpretation of a dream burger. It became a new category in the world of burgers – going beyond just a beef patty on a bun to become an artistic culinary experience.
What makes dream burgers so special?
There are a few key factors that set dream burgers apart from a typical burger:
- Innovative ingredients – Dream burgers utilize unexpected ingredients like truffle aioli, foie gras, caviar, lobster, or exotic cheeses. The goal is to surprise and delight the tastebuds.
- Artful construction – A lot of thought and care goes into designing the dream burger. There may be multiple patties, sauces, toppings, and buns that all come together harmoniously.
- Over-the-top presentation – Dream burgers are constructed in a way that makes them a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach. They’ll be stacked high with toppings and often served on creatively branded buns or plates.
- Fine dining quality – Only the highest quality ingredients are used for the patties, toppings, buns, and condiments. Dream burgers bring gourmet sensibilities to the humble burger.
- Memorable eating experience – Between the look, taste, and novelty factors, eating a dream burger is an experience you’ll remember.
While a regular burger aims to simply fill you up, a dream burger aims to be an artistic culinary experience that engages all the senses. It’s as much about the journey as the destination.
What are some examples of dream burger creations?
Here are a few examples of the types of over-the-top dream burgers that have been created:
The French Onion Burger
Made with caramelized onions, melted Swiss cheese, beef broth reductions, and onion aioli on a pretzel bun.
The Breakfast Burger
Includes a beef patty, fried egg, bacon, cheese, and hash browns between two halves of a waffle.
The Pizza Burger
Features a beef patty infused with oregano and basil, mozzarella cheese, marinara sauce, and pepperoni on a pizza bun.
The Mac Daddy Burger
Includes a patty topped with mac and cheese, pulled pork, bacon, and BBQ sauce between two deep-fried mac and cheese buns.
The Korean Bulgogi Burger
Made with a patty marinated in bulgogi sauce, kimchi, spicy mayo, and pickled vegetables on a rice bun.
As you can see, chefs really let their creativity run wild when designing dream burgers. The sky’s the limit in terms of unusual ingredients and presentations.
Where can you find dream burgers?
Originally only found at food festivals and pop-up events, dream burgers have grown in popularity to now be menu items at certain restaurants. Here are some of the best places to try dream burgers:
Meatopia
A meat-lovers paradise, Meatopia has an entire menu dedicated to outrageous dream burger creations like the Captain America (with blue cheese and apple bacon slaw) or the T Rex (with pepper jack, jalapenos, and fried pickles).
Slater’s 50/50
This California-based chain is all about innovative burger blends, with burgers made from 50% beef and 50% bacon or other meats. Some of their dream burgers feature creations like the PB&J burger or the chili cheeseburger.
Burger Brawl
Chefs compete to create the most unique dream burgers at this annual competition. Previous winning burgers have included a crab cake burger, a creme brulee burger, and a burger with peanut butter and sprinkles.
Burger Days
For three days every summer, this New Jersey restaurant hosts a dream burger festival featuring their staff’s wildest burger inventions. It’s the one time a year you can try their dream burgers like the Mac Attack or Filthy Filly burger.
Psych Burger
This brand has locations in California and Las Vegas focusing entirely on dream burgers. Some of their most popular indulgent burgers include the Cheesus Burger (with 4 cheeses) and the Heavenly Burger made with a waffle bun.
Keep an eye out for pop-ups and special events too. Many local restaurants will create special dream burgers just for food festivals or competitions.
What are some tips for making your own dream burger?
While you can always visit one of these restaurants, it’s also fun to make your own dream burger creation at home. Here are some tips for burger innovation:
- Look beyond just ground beef – Consider blending meats like bacon, sausage, pulled pork, or even seafood into the patty.
- Experiment with international flavors – Mix in spices like curry powder, harissa, or ras el hanout into the patty or toppings.
- Layer it high – The sky’s the limit when stacking on slices of avocado, bacon, onion rings, slaw, etc. Get creative!
- Speckle it with surprises – Toss on toppings like crushed potato chips, pepper jelly, or candied nuts for unexpected bursts of flavor.
- Make it an experience – Serve your dream burger with an elaborate presentation, exotic dipping sauces, or tableside preparations.
At the end of the day, the only limit with a dream burger is your imagination. Don’t be afraid to get creative and come up with your own dreamy burger concepts at home.
What is the future of dream burgers?
Dream burgers continue to grow in popularity as more restaurants add them to their menus. Here are some predictions for the future of over-the-top burgers:
- More hybrid burgers – Combining burgers with other foods like pizza, sandwiches, or omelets will become more common.
- New cooking techniques – From sous vide to molecular gastronomy, chefs will keep innovating with their cooking methods.
- Global inspiration – Look for more burgers utilizing flavors from places like Asia, Africa, and South America.
- Alternative buns – Using waffles, donuts, or even ramen noodles instead of buns will become more widespread.
- Plant-based options – Veggie and vegan dream burgers will also emerge for those with dietary restrictions.
While dream burgers started as a food festival trend, they are cementing themselves as a permanent player in the gourmet burger scene. The demand for innovation, quality ingredients, and memorable eating experiences is only continuing to grow.
As dream burgers become more mainstream, you can expect to see them at additional restaurants and fast casual chains. They’ll also keep getting more elaborate and cutting-edge. One day, everyone may have a local spot serving drool-worthy dream burgers!
What are some frequently asked questions about dream burgers?
Are dream burgers healthy?
With their over-the-top ingredients and giant portion sizes, dream burgers are generally not considered a health food. Most have high levels of calories, fat, sodium, and cholesterol. They would be an occasional indulgence food rather than part of a balanced everyday diet.
Do dream burgers taste good or are they just gimmicks?
Most dream burgers are carefully crafted to both look epic and also deliver on taste. While they may seem like novelty items, chefs use high quality bold flavors that come together nicely. The theatrical appearance usually matches the memorable eating experience.
Are dream burgers expensive?
Due to the specialized ingredients and preparation required, dream burgers are one of the pricier burger options. Expect to pay anywhere from $15-$50, depending on how elaborate the burger is. However, fans view the experience as well worth the premium price.
How do you eat such a tall burger?
Dream burgers often require some strategic eating to tackle their enormous stature. Cutting them in half or into quarters first makes them easier to eat. Stacking the layers properly so they don’t slip also helps. Expect a bit of a mess too – it’s par for the course with these burgers!
Can you make a dream burger at home?
Absolutely! While it helps to have professional cooking skills, anyone can let their creativity run wild and make dream burgers at home. Raid your pantry and fridge for fun ingredients, look up recipe ideas online, and experiment with stacking and presentation. Half the fun of dream burgers is making them yourself.
Conclusion
Dream burgers represent the innovative future of the classic American burger. No longer just a beef patty and bun, they’re an opportunity for chefs to showcase culinary creativity and give diners a memorable eating adventure. With their unexpected ingredients, over-the-top construction, and night-and-day presentation, dream burgers provide a full sensory experience. If you’re looking to take your burger game to the next level, seek out or create your own dream burger masterpiece.
