clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Miami Chefs Reveal What Makes a Burger Fail Completely

This is what you shouldn't do

Getty Images/Getty Images

In honor of Burger Week, we've surveyed local chefs all about burgers, and we'll share their responses throughout the week. First we asked chefs what makes a perfect burger and then who makes it in Miami. Today we're going the opposite route and finding out what screws up a burger.

WHat's the Biggest mistake restaurants make with burgers?

Conor Hanlon (The Dutch) Using poor quality meat, under seasoning the burger.  And my least favorite, putting way too many toppings on a burger, it’s gross.

Nicole Votano (Fooq’sMaking the patty too thick and not using good quality produce.

Josh Capon (Lure FishbarOvercooking and overthinking.

Thomas Griese (Michael Mina 74There are two common mistakes people often make. The first is over-mixing the patty. If you over mix, you wont get a good texture from your meat. The second is not achieving the right meat to bun ratio.

Scott Conant (Corsair) They are not thoughtful about preparation due to lack of fresh ingredients, overcooked meat, bad bread, etc.

Roel Alcudia (Cypress Room) Not seasoning the burger enough.

Kris Wessel (OoliteOver-cooked, under-seasoned, too lean, too fatty.

Danny Serfer (Blue CollarThe biggest mistake is too much focus on toppings not enough on quality patty

Reuven Sugarman (Buns & BunsOver-cook their meat, choose the wrong bun, open face burgers with uncooked onions, and tomatoes and salad on the side.

Jorgie Ramos (BarleyBigger is not better! Not sure what makes a two-pound burger attractive to some. I want to be able to taste all the components of the burger.

Jason Pringle (db Bistro Moderne MiamiWhen you overwork the meat (patty) in a way as you would be to make meatballs or meatloaf you can tell in the flavor after the burger is cooked. Another common mistake is when you don’t find that balance and add too much fat, or not enough.

Aaron Taylor (STK MiamiThey buy patties that are overworked and not hand pressed, which make the burgers hard.

Alex Chang (Vagabond Restaurant)  Overcomplicating burgers. I don't want to see any nonsense like bacon, avocado, blue cheese, pineapple anywhere near my burger. Keep it simple.

Giorgio Rapicavoli (Eating HouseMost common mistake is that people press the burgers during cooking to help the process. It just leaves them dry and crumbly. Only thing worse would be putting yellow mustard on a burger.

Jacob Anaya (Swine Southern Table & BarPutting too much stuff on the burger. All you really need is four components including the bun. If you add too much, you lose the integrity of the burger.