Welcome to Burgerdom.
Burgerdom. It's a thing, you know. Oh, you haven't heard of it? That's probably because I only just told you about it.
Here's more info: burgerdom /'bəhr/gər/duhm n. 1. a term used to refer to a subculture composed of fans characterized by feelings of camaraderie with others who share the love of a patty of ground meat, usually placed inside a bun.
I thought of all of that. I just combined definitions from Wikipedia. But burgerdom - it's real! If you made it this far, you most likely identify with the subculture of burgerdom. Welcome!
If you read About the little girl, then you already have a gist of what this blog is all about. If you haven't read it, QUICK, go now because we're getting started!!
Being from Iowa, I'd like to pay homage to my college town - Ames, IA, home of the Cyclones. If you've ever been to Ames or lived within a 100 mile radius, then you have most certainly been to Hickory Park. You've probably waited an hour to get a table after an ISU football or basketball game, but you're okay having your face in someone's armpit in the lobby. Oh wait, is that just me? It probably took you a few times before you realized how many different seating areas there are in the restaurant, and you have also no doubtedly colored the bunny with crayons on the ice cream menu. Don't lie to me. While there are no words truer than the Saucy Southerner, I'm going to let you in on a little secret...
That secret was short-lived. Here it is in all its glory: Cheese & Bacon Hickory. Whoa. What? Yeah, that's right. This. Let me give you the run down: The ratios are winning with this beauty.
patty:toppings:bun=perfection.
On the Hickory Park menu, it's described as, "Beef is ground fresh in-house daily & cooked medium well unless otherwise specified." When ordering, you have your choice among a white, wheat, or onion bun. I always pick the classic white bun so as not to take away from that which is the patty and toppings, and I order my patty medium so it has a nice pink center. Better yet, this burger satisfies all levels of hunger, offering a 1/4lb ($6.25) or 1/2lb ($7.75) patty, and is served with one side.
Imagine sitting by the pool on a super hot day. The sun is beating down on you and you need something really refreshing. You decide to take a dip in the pool, and your sunburnt skin is cooled and your overheated body is refreshed. Hang on, awkward transition: That's pretty much what it's like biting into this burger. You're sitting there waiting for the excitement that is this burger, and when it's finally set down in front of you, you take your first bite and your mouth is satisfied. The bacon rings true with its smokey flavor which nicely compliments the beef. And the cheese? It holds the burger together and, umm, it's melty cheese, need I say more? On a scale of 1 - 5, 5 being the best, here's how I would rate the Cheese & Bacon Hickory and Hickory Park as a whole:
Taste: 5
Portion size: 5
Burger component ratio: 5
Price: 5
Service: 3
Weekend wait time: 2
For large groups: 5
If you're there, you might as well go all out. I mean come on, you're already eating a burger. Make sure you order a shake or malt off their dessert menu. They have like 20+ flavors, and you can mix or match whatever you like! The chocolate marshmallow malt is always my go-to. drool.
There it is, folks. Crushed it. The burgerdom subculture must know: the Cheese & Bacon Hickory is a must. Next time you're at the old and faithful Hick-Park, you know what to do. CBH.
-the little girl.
