Ethnic Burgers
WEB-EXCLUSIVE: Local restaurants add some cultural spice to the all-American hamburger.
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Bun, beef, cheese, repeat. Has any meal ingrained itself in American culture more so than a burger with fries? From cheap and greasy options available at the drive-through to homemade variations straight off the backyard grill to gourmet innovations appearing on upscale menus throughout Orange County, this all-American sandwich makes just about everyone’s mouth water. Even vegetarians have repurposed extra-large mushroom caps, black beans and other protein-rich ingredients to get a taste of this savory classic.
Even with the undeniable mass appeal of the hamburger, however, it can get boring fast when only imagined with ketchup and mustard. Fortunately for our tastebuds, biting into a burger doesn’t necessarily mean sacrificing the sweet, spicy and sophisticated plays on flavor that our palates have come to love in global cuisine. Lately, this familiar favorite has been popping up on some of the least-expected menus throughout Southern California, but don’t think that the burger is only on the menu as a safe bet - these are far from ordinary.
Habana
Known for its lively date-night atmosphere, this Costa Mesa hideaway is the best place to go for authentic Cuban fare short of rafting southbound into the Caribbean. While you may have already stopped by one evening to grab a cocktail at the bar, don’t rule out this eatery for lunch. Although Habana has a somewhat run-of-the-mill burger on its regular lunch menu, be sure to show up on a Thursday when the Kobe Burger graces the specials list. Accompanied by tropical coleslaw, this Caribbean take on burger and fries might just put our favorite pork Cuban sandwiches to shame and certainly gives American variations a much-needed kick. The Lab, 2930 Bristol St., Costa Mesa :: 714.556.0176
Umami Burger
Although this establishment’s name gives away that burgers will dominate the menu, the sandwiches at this Los Angeles favorite are quite unexpected. From Mexican influences like Hatch chiles with housemade cheese to the Asian-inspired pickled ginger and wasabi flakes, there is no shortage of flavor at this burger joint. Locations for this popular haven have been popping up in LA over the past few years but, come December 2011, Orange County can rejoice for its own location in the Anaheim Brewery. 336 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim :: umamiburger.com
25 Degrees
Ethnic spins on burgers aren’t completely unheard of - fast food chains learned to heap on guacamole some time ago - but an Italian burger is still in uncharted waters. No wonder we were surprised by cheeses such as the Gorgonzola, crescenza and burrata that accompany fresh pesto and crispy prosciutto on the ground sirloin burgers at this molto delizioso Huntington Beach establishment. 412 Walnut Ave., Huntington Beach :: 25degreesrestaurant.com
