Human beings need five resources in order to survive: air, water, shelter, sunlight, and… food. Food is not only necessary for survival, but it has been a community-building activity since the beginning of time, with plenty of societal rituals associated with it, from growing, harvesting, hunting, cleaning, storing, preparing, and consuming food within a community. In fact, I read a 2010 article published by the University of Maryland that discusses one of the earliest indications of community feasting in a Galilee burial cave dating back 12,000 years.
There is certainly a difference between calories necessary for survival and food that is enjoyable to eat, but how do we bridge the gap from one to the other? There are entire fields of study dedicated to understanding taste and the science of food, which leads us to the question: What makes a good hamburger? There are many elements to a good burger, including flavor, texture, and ease of consumption. Now, I’m no scientist, but as far as I can tell, the following considerations need to be made in order to create a truly superior burger:
Meat: Hamburger meat must not be too lean, lest it dry out. If it is too fatty, you’re left with a greasy feeling in your mouth, down your face, and a soggy bun that will fall apart before you’re finished. Burger meat can be supplemented with organ meats, breadcrumbs, herbs and spices, and eggs used to bind them together. The recipe for a burger patty is the foundation for what comes next.
Vegetables: Vegetable toppings are an important part of a hamburger, as they not only impart flavor, but texture as well. The taste of lettuce on a burger would not be the same without the cool, crisp texture that accompanies it.
Sauces: Sauces are another consideration for hamburgers. The herbs and spices must not clash with the flavors of the burger and other toppings, and the texture must be considered as well. The quantity of sauce is something to consider—enough to keep the dish moist, but not so much that the bun is destroyed. Then again, some burgers are loaded with sauce and delicious in their own right, but these are simply decisions that must be made intentionally.
Bread: Burger bread is often overlooked, but the kind of bun a burger is placed on impacts the overall experience of a hamburger as well. The bread must be sturdy enough to carry the burger from start to finish of the meal, but it also must be soft enough not to compete with or overpower the other textures and flavors within the burger.
My unscientific, unsolicited, but mildly informed critique of burger development aside, choices are made, and ingredients are intentionally considered for those burgers that are truly one of a kind. Chefs and recipe creators work hard to develop a signature recipe that balances flavor, texture, and cost of production. Both Lake Superior Burger Co. in Two Harbors and Beefcakes Burger Factory in Thunder Bay have taken the time to understand what makes a good burger and pride themselves on the ingredients, flavor, and care that have gone into their offerings.
Lake Superior Burger Co., Two Harbors
Lake Superior Burger Co. opened in May 2024 as part of the Odyssey Resorts properties at Grand Superior Lodge. There, you’ll find stunning views of the lake and burgers they take pride in. Burgers at Lake Superior Burger Co. are made from Braveheart Black Angus beef, which is sourced from family farms in the Midwest.
Lake Superior Burger Co. serves a variety of smash burgers. Their classic Lake Superior Odyssey burger features two smash patties topped with gruyere and maple bacon sweet onion jam atop a buttery brioche bun. The CDBC Smash Burger is served with Castle Danger beer cheese atop a pretzel bun, with onion tanglers and American cheese. Lake Superior Burger Co. also offers a spicy burger with pepper jack, jalapeno relish, bacon, and pickled onion called the Ope, That’s Hot! Most burgers can be made gluten-free upon request, and they offer a vegan burger as well—the Imposter. The Imposter is an Impossible patty topped with pesto, lettuce, tomato, and feta.
In addition to burgers, Lake Superior Burger Co. serves several sandwiches and other handheld dishes. The pork belly tacos are topped with seasoned cream cheese, greens, tomato, and pickled onions, and finished with a garlic sesame dressing. The Mile High Club features shaved turkey and smoked bacon served with lettuce, tomato, and lingonberry mayo on cranberry wild rice bread. Perhaps you’d finish dinner with a Lakeside Lifter Soda, a “classic” Minnesota soda (or pop) made with Diet Pepsi, lime, and coconut cream… Or a Pineapple Up North Cake—sparkling water, pineapple, vanilla, and grenadine with cream.
Beefcakes Burger Factory, Thunder Bay
Beefcakes Burger Factory is the brainchild of award-winning chef Derek Lankinen, where the focus is on local, quality ingredients and putting them together in new and interesting ways. Beefcakes burgers are made from local, coarse-ground beef and seared at 400 degrees to achieve the Maillard reaction. This chemical reaction occurs when amino acids and sugars interact when heated, creating a crunch and depth of flavor that hits all the right taste buds. Beefcakes Burger Factory pairs its burgers with locally grown, fresh ingredients.
The menu at Beefcakes Burger Factory is full of delicious burgers, both simple and complex. The Swiss mushroom burger is exactly what you might expect: a burger with extra cheese, caramelized onion, and beef au jus, but they offer more adventurous burgers as well. The cheddar chipotle Daddy Dog comes with cheddar chipotle sauce, caramelized onions, bacon, their signature sauce, and crispy onions. If you’re really hungry, you might try the Bull: four patties stacked and loaded. You can add fries from potatoes grown at B+B Farms down the road, and, of course, the Canadian classic poutine. Beefcakes Burger Factory has a few vegetarian options as well, including the O.G. bean and oat veggie, and a yam and risotto veggie, in addition to several salad options.
While we often think of burgers as a backyard sandwich, I think Lake Superior Burger Co. and Beefcakes Burger Factory would say that a truly delicious burger requires nuance and attention to detail. So, whether you like your burgers basic or bougie, try out Lake Superior Burger Co. or Beefcakes Burger Factory when you’re in the area.