There are about as many ways to top a burger as there are places serving them. That said, some burger toppings are more debatable than others. Of course, cheese is pretty standard. So is ketchup and mustard. When you venture beyond those simple toppings, debate is sure to ensue: even common toppings like onions and pickles have their fair share of detractors. Here are the most debatable burger toppings.
Mayonnaise
Should mayonnaise go on a burger? This is a debate that has been raging throughout the ages. Mayonnaise is definitely one of those “love it or hate it” types of foods and people tend to be adamantly “pro” or “con” when it comes to mayonnaise on a burger. I tend to prefer ketchup as my go-to condiment, but I am not one to throw any shade at the mayonnaise lovers out there.
Avocado/Guacamole
Avocado – and its tasty derivative, guacamole – tends to be a more popular burger topping on the West Coast. Its popularity has since spread outward, with avocado featuring in “California style” burgers across the country. Still, this burger topping is not without its detractors: some people don’t like the mushy texture, while others might not think it’s worth the added cost. Personally, I fell in love with this tasty topping during my travels throughout California and frequently slather it on my (vegan) burgers.
Egg
The egg – especially the fried variety – has come into its own in the age of Instagram. You’ve probably seen the pictures of burgers and pizza slices with bright yellow egg yolk running down the sides. Some folks swear that an egg makes everything better, while others think it shouldn’t go anywhere near a burger. Luckily, since I am a vegan, I get to sit this one out. But I will say, I definitely don’t feel like I am missing out on this runny burger topping.
While fried egg is certainly a trendy burger topping, it is nothing new. In fact, this topping harkens back to the original “Hamburg steaks” served in Germany in the late nineteenth century, as the ground beef patties (sans bun) were often topped with fried eggs.
Pastrami
While pastrami is king in NYC, the pastrami burger was popularized in Utah, at a Salt Lake City-area chain called Crown Burgers, specifically. Juicy beef patties are piled high with slices of pastrami, for a potential beef overload. While some say this is too much meatiness for one burger, others say that such a thing isn’t possible. If you haven’t tried it, you don’t necessarily have to go to Utah to find out for yourself, as the trend has caught on around the country.
Pimento Cheese
Pimento cheese is another of our most debatable burger toppings. Perhaps its not so debatable in the South, where pimento cheese finds its way into/onto just about everything. Pimento cheese, in case you were wondering, is a mixture of cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, and bright red pimento peppers. It makes a great dip and – according to some – an even better burger topping.
But, of course, the best burger topping is the one that excites your tastebuds the most. So what do you think?