Best Burgers
July, 09 2008
By Pamela J. Principe-Golgolab
We asked for it — and she found one. NJ My Way contributor Pamela J. Principe-Golgolab says she knows the best burger in New Jersey.
The top hamburger in Enn-Jay is a Louie Burger.
Uhhh?
A Louie Burger, handmade daily by third-generation meat-supplier turned-butcher Louie Gross, owner of Chester Meats (27 West Main Street in Chester, 908 879-7523).
At this throw-back to an old-time butcher shop — complete with large windowed cases of prime select meats, pickle barrel, deli spot and dog bone barrel — Louie and his staff of handsome butchers (ladies, it’s worth the trip!) prepare more than 1,800 of his burgers a week. More, if you count the burger donations to town and local events.
What makes it so great? While Louie will not reveal his “secret” recipe, he does say it begins with the right mix of “fresh wholesome beef” and fat. He gets his meat delivered fresh daily, and the burger making process begins around 5 a.m., continuing all day long.
Louie says his burgers are 90 percent lean, which gives them the right amount of fat to keep moist and juicy. Another key to his burgers is the patty machine. What looks like a big old steel drum gently mixes then compresses the meat into patties. The machine creates one-third and quarter-pound burgers like handmade, but perfectly shaped.
Grill, broil or pan fry? Louie says please grill! He told us don’t press them down — the juices run and dry out the burger. Just place the patties on a hot grill for about 8 minutes per side for the perfect medium rare burger.
He says they don’t need much — just season them after you’ve cooked them with a little salt and pepper and whatever topping you like. Louie likes his on a nice Kaiser roll, toasted, with a fresh slice of Jersey tomato, sweet onion and good old fashioned catsup.
n our last visit we grabbed two dozen burgers, headed home to fire up our grill and before we knew it we had converted family and friends to Louie Burger loyalists.
Pamela J. Principe-Golgolab, of PNA Associates in Chester, is a veteran Louie Burger loyalist
If you have a favorite hamburger, home cooked or eat out, write the editor of NJMYWAY
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