Hog & Hominy, one of the award winning Chefs Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman, can now claim another honor. Their infamous “John T Burger” achieved number one status as the nations best burger in the country by Food and Wine magazine.
Named in honor of Southern Foodways Alliance Director, John T. Edge, the burger is described as an Oklahoma-style patty that’s topped with grilled onions, shredded lettuce dipped in salt and pickle juice, then topped with melted American cheese and mustard.
John T Edge, the burger’s namesake
Edge is the author of several books including Hamburgers & Fries: An American Story and his just released book, The Potlikker Papers: A Food History of the Modern South. He’s about to begin a promotional book tour but I caught up with him to get the scoop on how this incredible burger was named in his honor.
Food & Wine magazine named the John T Burger the nations best in 2017.
“Andy and Michael, who are wonderful friends and incredible chefs, had been working on creating the perfect burger and had read a chapter from my book on ‘Oklahoma-style’ burgers,” noted Edge. “I would certainly say they came as close as anyone to perfecting the technique.”
For novice and wanna-be chefs like myself, I wondered; what is an Oklahoma-style burger?
In layman’s terms, it’s a marriage – rather a love affair – of onions and ground beef using what is known as the “smash technique.”
Making the Country’s Best Burger
You begin with medium course ground beef which is then rolled into loose five-ounce balls and chilled. Next, the meat is flattened on the grill and seasoned with a combination of salt, pepper and garlic powder. Grilled onions are added to the uncooked side before it’s flipped and then the cheese is added.
Next, grill masters add the mustard and soaked shredded lettuce. Originally served solo, the burger now comes with seasoned fries. I can personally attest this is one of the best hamburgers I have ever put in my mouth. It literally melts in your mouth and I’ve never eaten one when I haven’t wanted another.
The burger is only prepared medium rare (as it should be), so please don’t insult the chefs or this burger by asking them to adjust their cooking technique. Well, you can ask but it won’t happen.
How does Edge feel to have a burger named after him, especially one given such high accolades and honors? “I would say equal parts embarrassment and pride,” the esteemed southern writer said.
Hog & Hominy in East Memphis
Hog & Hominy is located on Brookhaven Circle, just off Poplar Avenue in East Memphis. It’s also the sister restaurant of Andrew Michaels, the chefs award winning Italian restaurant. Hog & Hominy features the burger on their lunch menu, but it’s also available on weekend evenings. However, there’s a catch. You can only order it at or after 10:00 p.m.
Hog & Hominy Location & Hours:
707 W. Brookhaven Circle
Memphis, TN 38117
(901) 207-7396
hog&hominy.com