In Praise of the Humble Hamburger
Note: I’m on a brief hiatus from the My Real Memoir series normally posted on Tuesdays. It will return soon.
My Earliest Walk Down Hamburger Lane…
Led to the world’s oldest surviving McDonald’s, located in the L.A. suburb of Downey, California. It was built long before Mickey D’s went on to conquer the known universe. Its mascot back then wasn’t a clown, it was an animated neon chef named Speedee. And, in praise of the humble hamburger…
It Was the Only Place We Could Afford to Eat
Mom and Dad counted their pennies in those days. Our tiny, novice-level tract home was just blocks away, and so we’d walk there together. It was a big adventure for me since I wasn’t even allowed to cross the street on my own. That was where I learned to order a hamburger “with mustard only.” Just like Dad.
A Few Years Later…
We graduated to a bigger tract home in a brand new suburb. As a newspaper dealer, my father worked seven days a week, so I have very few “just me and Dad” memories. And the ones I do have are tied to the newspaper biz.
Hamburger Money
There were little boxes made of ticky-tacky everywhere, with brand new lawns just waiting to sprout. And that meant newlywed couples just waiting to subscribe to Dad’s paper, the Herald Express. So he would regularly round up his most enterprising paperboys, which included me, and we’d knock on front doors. Think of me as younger, cuter Jehovah’s Witness.
Mustard-Only Burgers
I was a quick-talking hambone with an irresistible grin (practice makes perfect). So I nearly always claimed the night’s “Most New Subscribers” bonus. Which was great, but putting the look of pride on Dad’s face was my goal, not putting money in my bank account. Afterward, Dad would take us to a local McDonald’s wannabe, Sam’s Burgers, where I’d order a cheeseburger “with mustard-only.” Just like Dad. We’d eat and laugh, just me and Dad, and, oh yeah, the other boys. But, honestly, it seemed like no one else was even there.
Hamburgers Aren’t My Favorite Food Anymore
Nevertheless, I appreciate a well-grilled gourmet burger with fresh and inventive toppings. And, in praise of the humble hamburger, I still sometimes order a greasy little burger-stand smash-up “with mustard only.” Just like Dad.
Note: Per the very pushy advice of all-knowing SEO (search engine optimizer) gurus, I’ve added headings and subheadings to this post. Oh, and I’m also supposed to keep repeating my keyphrase. So here it is again: In praise of the humble hamburger. There. Happy, gurus? Dear normal non-guru types, what do you think? Should I keep or lose these changes?
Ahh memories of the burger joints where I grew up, Minneapolis. The Clock on one end of Lake street and Biggies at the other end just before the bridge to St. Paul. The clock was ‘the place’ for us and we would drive in after a gig with the kick drum in the back seat and look cool. Burgers indeed. 1963.
Copy that, Norm. Definitely did my share of post-gig fast food over the years.
Hamburgers were never something I grew up with, given my traditional Asian parents and also money was very tight. Now I have appreciation for McDonalds as it’s one of the few “meat” items my son would eat. The humble hamburger. None of the fancy burgers! 🤣
Definitely kid-food, Ab. ;>)
I remember when I as 8 or 9 that my father was the church treasure and he’d often stay an hour or so after Sunday service to sign checks and put the Sunday offering in the safe. I’d wait for him before we could go home while my mother and older brothers went home right after service. On the way home was a hamburger stand that sold a bag of burgers, 5 for a dollar (10 cents more for cheese burgers). He’d buy a couple bags and take them home for the whole family. and the burgers came with mustard, ketchup and a pickle– for a buck you didn’t get choice, just a burger.
Right you are, Andrew. “Choice” definitely didn’t fit into the original McD’s assembly line concept.
When I was young the nearest McDonalds was about 30 miles away, so a very rare treat. When I was a teen Burger King was the first fast food place to come to our town. We don’t frequent fast food places, but we do enjoy a Culver’s butter burger now and then. Much better than any of the others.
Plus, they have frozen custard!
Culver’s butter burger is great!
Hamburger memories are pure gold. Every one who reads this will recall similar golden memories and will thank you for bringing them to mind. Alas and alack with my venerable age my first visit (1961)to a take-out burgers was two miles out of town. The fries were fresh potatoes (exceptional) and one choice of burger. This was considered “a treat”.
Back in the day, it was indeed, Jean.
I still appreciate the (relative) affordability of McD’s. (Oh, who am I kidding–it’s all overpriced.) I enjoy reading your narrative about you and your dad. Mustard-only sounds pretty good, though time with your dad sounds even better. As for subheadings, I’m not sure I noticed, though I guess I did see them. They didn’t grab me, in and of themselves. The content of the story got to me, of course.
The subheadings are supposed to help make the post findable via Google (or so I’m told).
Mitch, the style and excellence of your narratives stand by themselves. Adding subtitles is sometimes a good idea because it provides readers with a break, but I would suggest that you only do what comes naturally to you as a writer. Do you really care if a search engine strategy gets you a few more subscribers? You already have many loyal followers who derive enjoyment and knowledge from your posts as they are. Happy New Year. Sincerely, Dirt
Thank you so much, Dirt. Actually, it’s not about adding subscribers, it’s about being findable via Google. My posts have completely disappeared from Google for some reason.
Sometimes you just have to have a cheeseburger ! (after watching what you eat everyday for your health). Also, I’m with you on the mustard-only… absolutely no ketchup and don’t even mention mayonnaise. And the mayonnaise on french fries thing – no no NO, what’s wrong with people !
Come on, Katie, what do you really think? ;>)
Headings are fine; they don’t bother me.
I continue to Love the way you write….
Thank you, my Anonymous friend.
Maravilloso escrito, como siempre, Dios le bendiga grandemente 🎁
Gracias, Norma, y que Dios te bendiga!
Unfortunately I love hamburgers more than salad.
Interesting aside – there’s a decent movie called “The Founder” that gives some insight to how McDonald’s came to be.
I’ve seen it. Terrific movie.
Burgers from McDonald’s were a rare treat when I was a kid, but on those rare occasions when Dad happened to be in a good mood, he would sometimes bring home a bag of those fifteen-cent hamburgers for supper and we kids would go wild. We thought they were the greatest things ever. I wonder sometimes now if Mom ever felt hurt that we preferred McDonald’s to her cooking…
Poor Mom. If only she’d had a multizillion-dollar fast food test-kitchen, and a massive advertising budget.
My teen hamburger memories involve White Castle, where you could get ten for a buck. Of course it’s a stretch to call those sliders “hamburgers “. The patties were square, with holes punched in so they’d cook faster, and they were served covered in reconstituted onion bits. But on a teen budget, they made for a cheap meal.
Mitch, just be who you are in your posts. You’ve never been a conformist so why let an algorithm boss you around now. Keep posting and I’ll keep reading.
Thanks, Bob! I’m not really trying to conform, btw, just trying turn Google back on. For some reason, my posts have completely disappeared from Google.
Mitch, I just Googled your name and a number of your posts came up. But there have been a couple of your new post e-mail notifications that led nowhere when I clicked on the link. Said the page couldn’t be found.
Sorry to hear that, Diane. If we each had a nickel for every WordPress glitch, we’d be richer the Elon Musk.
Just had another of those that I can’t find: Two Spirits Sharing Our Human Experience. It just says page cannot be found. Oh, how I love technology! 🙁
:>(
Happy 2026 🥂
You too, Sonia❣
There was a Wimpey burger restaurant in my childhood town centre. We never went there, but did go to the chippy near where we lived. Very occasionally, I fancy a fillet o fish “meal” (possibly due to advertising) and don’t deny myself. Happy 2026 when it arrives.
Thank you, Angie, you too!
Great post and lovely memories. Since you asked and just a personal preference, less is more with headings and sub-headings. I use them sometimes for longer pieces – probably not enough for the gurus! ~ Rosie
Thanks, Rosie!
Now I want a burger…badly!! (For me, ‘blogging is an antidote to running away to join the laziest circus on earth. If one is hoping to make $ off of it / being more essay-like, though, it’s probably best to listen to the gurus!) Whatever you do here, Mitch, is fine by me.👍
Thanks, Carol! ;>)
I grew up loving burgers grilled or fried. Now, in no particular order, I love burgers from Bob Evans, Denny’s, Applebees, Ruby Tuesday and a place that sells Gas named Sheetz – best 5$ around. Over charcoal still my favourite. Love em best with cheese and sprigs of spinach.
Oh, Yes, Dad made the best charcoal grilled burgers around. Have not had one of his since 73…My favourite sandwich.
Nothing better than home-grilled!
I remember the first McDonald’s in Vermont, 1969, Burlington.
I dont remember the first Mcdonald’s in NZ, but the first big corporate international fast food chain to come to our nearest city was Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). It was a little wee shop with that iconic architecture.
The queue was over a mile long when they first opened.
As for that ‘all knowing’ SEO’s advice, do what works for you. I’m not playing the numbers game myself, I’m just writing what I want to write.
Thanks, and interesting to get a little background on McD’s presense (and KFC’s) in NZ.
The first McDonald’s in my city was in 1959-the first of many for Albert Covelli. I kind of like the orderly headings. But, regardless, your posts are always interesting. 🙂
how was 95 99 84 44
Aw, thank you, Nancy. And Happy New Year❣
That was a fun read. I think I’m a little green with envy. LOL
;>)
About any changes, my vote is to do what feels right to you.
Loved this piece, Mitch.
Why, thank you, Joan!
That is nostalgia Mitch. I visualized all this, it is that good 😊.
I thought I should try those headings and sub-headings but it’ll be too professional?
Your stories always stand out Mitch.
Thank you, dear friend. And Happy New Year, Iba!
Happy New Year to you and Trudy ✨️💫. Blessings
Heartwarming. My Dad was a newspaper man too. Similar memories. Except, he likes everything on his burgers.
Nice to know we share that background, Gerry.
Happy New Year!!
Likewise, Jean!
I remember when McDonalds started up and it was the only place you could get a cheap hamburger. Now if you get out of there for less than $10 you’re lucky. Here’s to the good old days. Thanks, Mitch for always sharing your talent with us. Happy New Year.
You too, dear friend❣
McDonalds is comfort food. You know exactly how it is going to taste no matter where you are or how many decades have passed!
I like headings and subheadings. I find it easier to read, especially on a screen, and even easier to write. But I have read that now with AI, it isn’t as important to SEO, which I’ve never worried about anyway. I don’t eat at McDonalds much now, but my kids survived on Haplpy Meals. I do think they have the best french fries.
If AI makes it easier for SEO to find posts without all the repetition and prominent headings, I’m happy to hear that, Aletha! I don’t write “10 Ways to…” or “How to…” type posts as a rule, and those elements can be very clunky in a more storytelling-oriented blog.
Personally I go for a more gourmet burger – but comfort food memories are important.
In terms of the changes, style depends on purpose.
If I am reading a story, I don’t find that the heading add much unless they are to signal a scene change. In your story here, I don’t find them necessary or useful. When I was writing longer management reports and proposals as an IT consultant, we used a layered structure with a long title (so that the big boss knew enough to know who to give it to), followed by a half-page summary aimed at the senior director (so he knew a little bit about the subject and who to give it to) followed by a very structures, heading-dominated body (aimed at the project management team), with a cluttered mass of detail in the following appendixes for the real workers to use.
But I would not write a blog or an oral presentation in that style
Likewise repeating the key phrase is good if the purpose of the writing is to be very persuasive for an important message, but not useful in a warm conversational story.
Sadly, those are elements are apparently necessary for Google to list a post where anyone can find it, David.
This is delightfully nostalgic, Mitch. I grew up in a small rural town. Our burger joint was a local independent version of White Castle or Krystal, the little square burgers, ultra thin meat steamed with tiny chopped onion. They were magical, in their little cardboard sleeves. Hugs.
I didn’t grow up with the original sliders, Teagan. But first via travel, and now, since moving to Ohio 21 years ago, I have immediate access. Every now and then, a few White Castle burgers just hit the spot. Hugs back.
I enjoyed the STORY.
The headings were cool but the part that I LOVD was repeating the phrase … not the one in praise of the burger … the one about the “hamburger with mustard only … Just like Dad.” THAT makes this entire post what it’s REALLY all about – the relationship with your day, how important it was to you & the love you had for him. That’s what makes this post such a BEAUTIFUL post
🧡
Everyone feels comfortable with McDonalds. Happy New Year, Mitch.
Likewise, Jennie!
😀
Or as we used to call them back in New York, “steamed hams” 😉 … Happy New Year!
And to you as well, James!
Headings and subheadings became common in STEM publications long before search engines (let alone SEO gurus) arrived. Used thoughtfully, they can enhance readability and can indicate convenient places to pause reading if a pause is needed.
Thanks for the feeback, MC.
Late to the game, but I recall when the first MacDonald’s opened on state highway 40 just inside the city of Kansas City, KANSAS.😉
We only stopped there a couple of times for their $0.15 hamburgers! But there was a local place not far from my school that was out of the city limits, and though their hamburgers were almost a$1.00, they were real meat and self-serve amenities! The old boss there always called us “Kiddos.”
The popular joke in jr hi when I got there was, “Hey, did you hear the Pope said it was okay to eat Macdonald’s hamburgers on Friday since they are so much filler!?”😂
Ahh, the memories.🤠
;>)
I remember both the first McD opening in England, and in Switzerland. Makes me an antique.
I believe “classic” is the term you meant to use, Catherine. ;>)
I’m certainly not an SEO guru. I do like the subheadings. They serve as transitional statements to keep me focused. You don’t have repeat your key phrase for me, though it does add a bit of levity.
Thank you for your feedback, Pam.
McDonald’s did not open in my home town until 1972, several years after I left home for another city to find work. Around the time I started high school a Shake n Burger opened near the school. I don’t remember ever eating there. I took lunch to school with me and didn’t have money to buy restaurant food, so I have no memories of fast food places growing up. I have never liked McDonald’s burgers, so I figure I didn’t miss much. My mom always made her homemade burgers with mustard, onions, and a slice of tomato. Those I enjoyed.
Nothing beats a good homemade burger, Diane!
This was lovely. “Little boxes made of ticky-tacky, little boxes on a hill.” The tone and remembrances in little snap shots all centered around the hamburger — delightful reading, Mitch.
So glad you enjoyed it, Jane.