The “Double Double” at In-N-Out is one of the most popular items on its regular menu (goodiesfirst / Creative Commons).

While hamburgers were first invented in Hamburg, Germany, devouring the burger its current form—in a bun—was an American invention. Legend has it that the hamburger sandwich—the concept of putting the meat between two pieces of bread—originated in Seymour, Wis. Seymour has a rich burger history, evident through its celebration of “Burger Fest,” an annual hamburger festival. Furthermore, Seymour holds the record for the world’s largest hamburger, weighing in at 8,266 pounds in the 2001 festival. 

While more than 8.2 billion burgers were accounted as being served in commercial restaurants in 2001, PBS reported (http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2012/08/the-hidden-costs-of-hamburge...) last year that Americans, on average, eat three hamburgers a week … increasing the national burger consumption total to 50 million burgers per year. 

This month, blogs like Eater LA and OC Weekly's "Stick a Fork in It" have been tracking down all burger-related news, ranging from newly opened, up-and-coming burger eateries to classic joints like In-N-Out Burger that still attract large crowds. Here are some award-winning burger eateries you might want to visit this month to pay homage to one of the staples of the all-American diet.

1. IN-N-OUT BURGER

Considered the hallmark of burger joints in Southern California, In-N-Out is known for its simple menu, cheap prices and quality ingredients. One of the most popular items on this eatery’s regular menu is the “Double Double,” comprising two, 100 percent pure American beef patties, two slices of American cheese, onion, tomato, hand-leafed lettuce and signature spread between two freshly baked, toasted buns. In-N-Out is also recognized for having a “Not-So-Secret Menu," featuring customer favorites like “Protein Style”—a bun-less burger wrapped in hand-leafed lettuce instead—and “Animal Style,” the customer’s choice of burger paired with a tomato, pickle, hand-leafed lettuce and extra spread with grilled onions. 

2. SLATER’S 50/50

Home to the renowned “50/50 Burger,” Slater’s 50/50 provides a variety of burgers—as well as other customer favorites like mac ‘n cheese variations and specialty items like “Fried Chicken & Pancakes”—on its menu. While the “50/50 Burger”—a patty made with 50 percent ground beef and 50 percent ground bacon covered with avocado mash, Pepper Jack cheese, chipotle adobo mayo and a sunny-side up egg atop a white, brioche bun—reigns as the eatery’s signature dish, other popular items are the “Peanut Butter & Jellousy,” a ground beef patty adorned with creamy peanut butter, thick-cut bacon and strawberry jelly atop a honey wheat bun, and the “Fritos Crunch Burger,” featuring a ground beef patty covered with Slater’s signature chili, Fritos, 1000 Island dressing and melted Cheddar cheese atop white brioche bread. In addition to these unique burgers, Slater’s provides customers with a “Design It” option as well, giving them the opportunity to make their burger fantasies come to life. As if these savory burger options aren’t enough, Slater’s offers an equally unique dessert menu. Be forewarned: save room for dessert. The “Homemade Bread Pudding”—mixed with bananas and Nutella—and “50/50’s Famous Bacon Brownie” are too decadently delicious to pass up.  

3. JUICY LUCY

Located in the “Taste” section of Downtown L.A.’s Figat7th dining and shopping district, Juicy Lucy is known for its delicious burgers made with locally sourced products. Although its menu is simple—only five varieties of burgers—Juicy Lucy delivers when it comes to taste and originality. Especially notable is the eatery’s “Juicy Lucy Burger," in which cheese is inserted inside the patty so that it melts when it cooks. This burger is finished off with butter lettuce, pickles, a tomato and aioli inside a brioche bun, and customers are sure to enjoy the oozing cheese with every single bite. 

4. BURGERIM
Famous for its mini-burgers with gourmet toppings and a Mediterranean twist, part of Burgerim’s mission is to “revolutionize a classic favorite using fresh, all-natural and hormone-free ingredients.” Customers will be amazed at the variety of meats they can find on the Burgerim menu, ranging from the traditional chicken and turkey to specialty items like Mergez Beef, Kobe Beef, Ahi Tuna and Lamb. Looking to order more than one burger? Burgerim provides a variety of unique combos with catchy titles, such as “The Fusion”—turkey and veggie burgers—and “The Meatatarian,” featuring Signature Beef and Kobe Beef burgers.

Red Robin’s “Oktoberfest Burger” was featured in 2011 and was back last fall by popular demand. This burger is a combination of a fire-grilled beef patty, beer mustard, sautéed onions, green leaf lettuce, melted Swiss cheese and Black Forest ham in a toasted pretzel bun (goodiesfirst / Creative Commons).

With more than 15 different burger varieties to date, it’s clear that the burger is a staple on Red Robin’s menu. Customer favorites on the restaurant’s menu include the “Red Robin Gourmet Cheeseburger”—the eatery’s “original” burger—and “Red’s Tavern Double Burger,” comprising two fire-grilled patties with all the fixins’ plus Red’s Secret Tavern Sauce. Currently, Red Robin is featuring the “5-Alarm Burger,” back by popular request for a limited time at select locations. This burger features a fire-grilled patty adorned with jalapenos, sliced tomatoes, salsa and spicy Pepper-Jack cheese and chipotle aioli for some extra kick.

6. STOUT BURGERS & BEERS

A simple yet upscale restaurant, Stout strives to redefine the “local pub” by offering a fine selection of handcrafted, unique beers to complement some of the most exceptional burger creations in town. The Stout menu contains a variety of uniquely named burgers. Notable burger choices include the “Goombah”—composed of Parmasiano flakes, crispy Prosciutto, lemon basil aioli and smoked Mozzarella—and the “Six Weeker,” made with fig jam, Brie, caramelized onions and arugula. The menu also includes suggested beer pairings with each specific burger. 

7. THE COUNTER

In honor of “National Burger Month,” The Counter is featuring two new burgers for all of May. The “Red Eye Burger” features a bison burger topped with a fried egg, bacon, lettuce, tomato and Cheddar cheese and is covered with a sweet Sriracha sauce inside an English muffin, while the “Knife and Fork Burger” comprises a beef burger topped with an oven-roasted Roma tomato and Parmesan French fries atop a hamburger bun and is covered with The Counter’s signature steak sauce. The Counter is well known for its “build your own burger” menu with a wide range of ingredients, including a variety of cheeses—Soft-Ripened Brie, Herb Goat Cheese Spread—and numerous toppings like roasted corn & black bean salsa, dill pickle chips and sautéed mushrooms.

The “Umami Burger” is one of the classics at Umami Burger, featuring roasted tomatoes, Parmesan crisp, Umami ketchup, caramelized onions and shiitake mushrooms inside a lightly toasted bun (Jun Seita / Creative Commons).

 Umami Burger, famous for its hand-formed, house-ground patties infused with its signature “Umami Master Sauce” and slightly sweet, lightly toasted buns is taking the burger world by storm … especially when it comes to UMini, the chain’s fast food version that debuted in Westwood last fall. Favorites on the Umami Burger menu include its signature “Umami Burger”—comprising shiitake mushrooms, roasted tomatoes, a crispy Parmesan layer, caramelized onions and Umami ketchup—and the “Truffle Burger,” made with a truffle glaze and home-made truffle cheese. UMini features the same Umami flavors in burgers that differ slightly from its parent company. For example, the “B.U.B.”—“Big UMini Burger”—is a twist on the classic double cheeseburger and, with double cheese, double bacon, double beef, minced onions, house ketchup, pickles and mustard, reigns as one of the eatery’s signature dishes. Sidenote: Whether you go to Umami Burger or Umini, be sure to order the famous Umami Fries, which come generously seasoned with the eatery’s savory house blend.

9. BUILT CUSTOM BURGERS

BUILT Custom Burgers, a fast-casual joint by The Counter, which opened recently by USC in mid-March, offers clientele a chance to conveniently create the burgers of their dreams. Considered “the next evolution” of The Counter, BUILT’s burger bar features a “build-as-you-go” assembly, during which customers and choose their burger’s ingredients and watch employees create their ultimate sandwich. While its burgers are slightly smaller (all one-fourth pound patties), available toppings and sauces are the best sellers from The Counter, with rotating seasonal specials available as well. 

10. BARNEY’S GOURMET HAMBURGERS

Serving up “Niman Ranch all-natural, ground chuck” burgers, Barney’s Gourmet Hamburgers provides a plethora of burger options on its extensive menu, which includes “Classic Burgers” and “Specialty Burgers.” The “Classic Burgers” include staples like the “Garden Burger” and “Barney’s Turkey Burger,” while the “Specialty Burgers” section provides an varied selection for the customer. Under the “Specialty Burgers” section, customers get to choose a patty—ground turkey, ground beef, chicken breast, garden burger or Wild Alaskan salmon patty—before selecting a unique burger option. The possibilities seem endless, ranging from the “Maui Waui”—patty covered with teriyaki glaze, Canadian bacon and grilled pineapples—and the “Piedmont,” featuring sautéed onions and Cheddar cheese atop a whole wheat toast, to the “Popeye”—sautéed spinach and Feta cheese combo with a hint of roasted garlic—and the “Greek,” comprising avocado, lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes and Feta cheese in a whole wheat pita bread. 

11. THE BUCKET

Considered ancient compared to some of the newer burger joints in town, The Bucket has been standing since 1935, serving customers some of the most unique burgers to date. The larger-than-life burgers are unique when it comes to both titles and ingredients. The Bucket is well known for its creations like “The Julio”—a ½-lb. burger with tomatoes, grilled onions, mustard, ketchup, pickles, lettuce, the customer’s choice of cheese and signature “Julio sauce”—and the “Famous Cardiac” … made with two ½-lb. burger patties topped with tomatoes, pickles, mustard, ketchup, the customer’s choice of cheese, grilled ham, bacon, lettuce, mushrooms and a heapful of grilled onions. Talk about a heart attack on a plate. 

12. FIVE GUYS BURGERS AND FRIES

Known for using only fresh ground beef and peanut oil on its trans-fat free menu, as well as providing a wide range supply of toppings at no extra charge, Five Guys Burgers and Fries gives joints like In-N-Out some friendly competition. With a straightforward menu—with “little” portions of its famous burgers—there’s something for everyone at Five Guys. Besides menu items like the “Bacon Cheeseburger” and “Cheese Veggie Sandwich,” the “Five Guys Style” French fries are customer favorites. The thick, fresh-cut potatoes generously seasoned are truly the best sidekick to any burger on the menu. 

13. ORIGINAL TOMMY’S HAMBURGERS

Often compared to In-N-Out Burger, Original Tommy’s Hamburgers debuted in Beverly Hills in 1946 with its signature chili burger, which is still in high demand today. Currently known as the “Famous Double Chili Cheeseburger," this dish features a generous portion of mustard, freshly chopped onions, a thick slice of cheese, a hand-sliced tomato, pickles, a 100 percent beef patty and, of course, Tommy’s own thick, special recipe chili. 

14. BURGER LOUNGE

According to its website, Burger Lounge “grew [in 2007] out of the idea that a hamburger should not only taste great, [but] it should also utilize healthy ingredients produced in a sustainable environment.” With that, Burger Lounge features grass-fed beef burgers that are 100 percent fresh. Customer favorites on its menu include “The Lounge Burger”—made with 100 percent fresh, single-source American grass-fed beef with organic cheese (American or White Cheddar), lettuce, a fresh tomato, house-made 1000 Island dressing and a fresh or grilled onion—as well as the unique “Organic Quinoa Veggie Burger,” made with brown rice, zucchini, garbanzo, corn, carrots, organic Quinoa (a whole grain similar to barley) and a Chipotle sauce. Burger Lounge is currently featuring a grass-fed “Lamb Burger”—comprising jalapeño relish, tomatillo green chile mayo and Asadero cheese—for a limited time. Besides its burgers, also notable on Burger Lounge’s menu are its sides, especially the “ ½ and ½”—onion rings and French fries designed to share—for those who can’t decide between the two.

The “Macaroni and Cheese Burger” at The Cheesecake Factory features a layer of fried macaroni and cheese atop a charbroiled patty (Kelli Shiroma / Neon Tommy).

 While The Cheesecake Factory’s claim to fame is its over-the-top desserts, it is also known for its extensive menu … which, of course, includes burger entrees. Called “glamburgers” on The Cheesecake Factory’s menu, these burgers range from the traditional “Classic Burger” to the more unique “Macaroni and Cheese Burger.” The latter is an especially good selection for cheese lovers, as it features a charbroiled patty topped with a slightly flattened, creamy Fried Macaroni and Cheese ball, lettuce, tomato, Cheddar cheese sauce, pickles, mayo and onions. After devouring this savory burger, you’ll definitely need a sweet cheesecake to balance it out. 

Interested in making your own burger creations? Here are some ideas to get your grill on.

Reach Kelli Shiroma here.