It’s possible we’re at the cusp of a new era, one where the fresh crop of restaurant burgers are just as diverse and interesting as the people who love them. After what feels like an eon of humble smash burgers dominating the dining landscape, it’s time for burgers with depth, swagger and a bunch of different sizes.
We rarely pass up a burger on a menu, and these are four that have risen to the top of our craving list with flavors borrowed from Jamaica, Thailand, Brazil and Japan. Grab a thick napkin and step right this way.
Pão Burger at Hola Arepa
Share this one with your gluten-free friends, because this bun, so toasty and cheesy in flavor, just happens to be gluten-free. Pão de queijo is a popular Brazilian puffy cheesy bread made from tapioca flour that’s usually served as a tasty little snack. Here it houses a thin burger cooked to order and topped with herbaceous chimichurri, pickles, American cheese, lettuce and a little green onion aioli. The burger is part of a new happy hour menu that executive chef/owner Christina Nguyen put together with Janene Holig, the new culinary director for both Hola Arepa and Hai Hai. The two are masterminds when it comes to building big flavor, and this burger is no exception. All the supporting ingredients set the stage for the juicy beef, enhancing its flavor and texture.
Cost: $10.
What about fries? This is a bargain burger that’s sans fries, but crispy yuca fries are on the menu for another $6. It’s even better paired with the $6 chips and salsa flight.
When: Its limited availability makes the fleeting joy of this burger all the better. Get it during happy hour from 4-5:30 p.m. Tue.-Fri., 4:30-close Sun.
Where: 3501 Nicollet Av. S., Mpls., 612-345-5583, holaarepa.com
Karai burger at TokiDoki Burger
When Matthew Kazama opened his first ramen restaurant in 2015, he was flooded with fans eager to warm their hands on bowls of his noodle soup. With his second restaurant, just a few steps away, he was hoping to take the opening a bit easier. But, the time has come for everyone to know about these burgers. The first one to order is the Karai burger, a spicy number built around a thicker beef patty — a welcome reprieve from years of skinny burgers dominating menus. Cooked medium, the beef is surrounded by a Thai chile and Japanese Karai sauce with bacon, cheddar cheese, a handful of shredded lettuce and tangy-sweet pickled carrots. The whole business is served on a buttered, toasted brioche bun, although gluten-free buns are available by special request. The heat from the burger builds with each bite into a pleasant warmth that will bring a flush to your cheeks.
