Whether you're an armchair traveler, a serious hamburger connoisseur, or a curious adventurer up for a road trip, Hamburger America will be your guide to reclaiming this precious slice of Americana. No other food says “America” like the hamburger, and documentary filmmaker George Motz has made it his personal mission to save our nation's unique burger identity. He has traveled across the country in search of the best burger joints - those that have survived outside the fast-food mainstream - and has documented their rich histories and one-of-a-kind taste experiences. This edition of the book includes George Motz's 1 hour documentary “Hamburger America” that profiles 8 burger joints across the USA.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
In the 2005 documentary of the same name (included with the book), Motz documented eight classic hamburger joints across the country. In the ensuing years he's broadened his horizons but not his tastes; here he presents a hundred hamburger spots in 39 states, each profiled with love and accompanied by mouthwatering full-color portraits. From Louis' Lunch in New Haven, Conn.-allegedly the oldest continuously operating hamburger establishment in the U.S.-to Olympia, Wash.'s Eastside Big Tom, Motz talks with the owners, employees and customers who keep the cuisine alive and eclectic. In addition to the traditional, Motz introduces readers to regional spins like Iowa's Maid Rite sandwich, a kind of sauceless Sloppy Joe; the green chili-topped burgers of Santa Fe's Bobcat Bite; and Sedalia, Missouri's "Guberburger," dressed with melted peanut butter. Motz limits his selections to independently owned operations that use fresh, not frozen, meat, the most shining example of which is Oklahoma's Joe Maranto, who raises longhorn cattle for eating at his nearby restaurant. Those with a soft spot for Americana, diner cuisine or delicious burgers will delight in this bright, quirky love letter to the American everyman staple, complete with contact information and recipes.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Review
"A fine overview of the best practitioners of the burger sciences."--Anthony Bourdain
"As a French Chef who took an unexpected approach to the American burger, I'm glad that George has put together this fantastic guide to 100 of the classics."--Daniel Boulud
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Essential Americana reading and a fantastic guidebook for the perfect food
May 13, 2008
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I first saw Motz's documentary Hamburger America (which is included with the book) and was amazed on how he captured more than just places that serve a mean hamburger. Every place he went in the film gave you a look at different types of Americans, their history, their future and all held together by the love of America's favorite food. The book builds upon that. Each entry is written with admiration for the burger, the restaurant and the people that cook them. By visiting different cities, cultures, races, and histories of the many burger joints in this book, Motz is able to bring them altogether on one theme: they all make a great burger. And isn't that what America is about? This hodgepodge of cultures in one place looking for the dream, can all be united by ground beef in a bun. Forget the mass produced fast food chains. It's the local mom and pops, diners, decades old places that Americans hold true to their heart. It was written that if you don't claim your hometown greasy spoon as serving the best burger, then you're a wimp. Well this book covers many of those hometown favorites. Even if you do not especially like hamburgers, this book is essential for reading on American folk-life and its wonderful people.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By M. Ward
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
this book was really fun to read and so much information about the best hamburger places in the country. Makes you hungry the minute you start flipping through it. The DVD that came with it was a great bonus and very entertaining. This is a great buy.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By J. Driver
Format:Paperback
I got this book for my husband for Father's Day. He has been on a little search of his own for the best burgers around. He loves the book and we can't wait to try some of these on our travels this summer.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
fun book, but only for one read
This was a fun book, but after reading it once, I don't think I would read it again so it really wasn't worth buying.
Published 4 months ago by Drucilla Moeding
1.0 out of 5 stars
WASTED TRIP
WASTED TRIP
I received this book from a friend with good intentions.
Based on "facts regarding the state I live in and the states I have good familiarity... Read more
I received this book from a friend with good intentions.
Based on "facts regarding the state I live in and the states I have good familiarity... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Scat Savoy
5.0 out of 5 stars
A travelogue of burger discovery
By way of anchoring this relatively unknown entity: if you like Food Network's Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, then you will love this. Read more
Published on March 18, 2010 by Jason Kirkfield
3.0 out of 5 stars
OK but lacks one thing
The book is clearly a labour of love, and it will charm any burger lover. But I had hoped for more recipes than the handful which were included.
Published on March 16, 2010 by Tom Alaerts
5.0 out of 5 stars
Three reviews in one - Kindle, paperback and DVD versions
I bought the paperback version of this book several months ago and it included the DVD documentary movie version. Read more
Published on October 10, 2009 by Timothy B. Riley
4.0 out of 5 stars
A celebration of freedon
First, I was struck by the quality of the book itself. Thick quality paper stock, ample photos, font size that doesn't require a magnifying glass to read and a dvd to boot! Read more
Published on September 29, 2009 by Donald B. Willaims
5.0 out of 5 stars
America's love with the hamburger
George Motz's book, "Hamburger America" is a delight from beginning to end. Accompanied by an hourlong DVD highlighting some of the places the author has visited, Motz sets out to... Read more
Published on September 1, 2009 by Jon Hunt
4.0 out of 5 stars
A great starting point, but it leaves some questions about some burger...
We picked up this book, late in 2008, and after viewing the DVD that was included with it, and reading about some of the restaurants featured in areas that we sometimes travel, a... Read more
Published on June 28, 2009 by DMC-FS5 User
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hamburgers
I am partners in a small Hamburger joint here in Arlington Texas. I had to have this just to see what great gimmicks there are out there. I was greatly pleased with this book. Read more
Published on May 2, 2009 by R. Stephan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book!
If you travel and love hamburgers this book is a must have. The wife and I love hamburgers and will use this book as a reference when we travel. Read more
Published on March 7, 2009 by Chris Scalchunes
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