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USA Today
24-05-2025
- General
- USA Today
10 different types of burgers that define American flavor
Pimento cheeseburgers are one of the most famous type of burgers from the South – Photo courtesy of LauriPatterson / E+ America's burger landscape extends far beyond fast food chains. Each region boasts its own distinctive take on this beloved staple, reflecting local ingredients, cultural influences, and culinary traditions. Here's a coast-to-coast journey through 10 unique types of burgers that showcase America's diverse food heritage. Regional types of burgers A Connecticut steamed cheeseburger is a juicy regional burger style with a distinctive texture – Photo courtesy of Ted's Restaurant Northeast region The one-of-a-kind Connecticut steamed cheeseburger originated in the 1920s at Jack's Lunch in Middletown, Connecticut. Unlike traditional grilled patties, these burgers are steamed in special metal cabinets, producing an exceptionally juicy texture. The beef patty gets topped with a hefty slab of steamed white cheddar cheese. Ted's Restaurant in Meriden is famous for this regional specialty, which remains largely unknown outside Connecticut but inspires fierce loyalty among locals. Advertisement New Jersey sliders are one of the tastiest regional burgers in America – Photo courtesy of White Manna Hamburgers The New Jersey slider dates back to 1946 when Louis Bridges opened the original White Manna restaurant after purchasing a diner showcased at the 1939 New York World's Fair. Golf ball-sized nuggets of fresh ground beef fry on a sizzling griddle top, then get topped with thinly sliced onions and pressed flat. The onions cook directly into the meat, creating a distinctive flavor profile. The original White Manna in Hackensack remains in its historic building from the 1940s, serving sliders on soft potato rolls topped with cheese. Southeast region Family-owned Borroum's Drug Store has one of the best slugburgers in Mississippi – Photo courtesy of Visit Mississippi Despite an odd name that has nothing to do with garden pests, the Depression-era Mississippi slugburger is also enjoyed in Tennessee and Alabama. The flattened patty, usually beef or pork mixed with flour or soy, is deep-fried rather than grilled, creating a crispy exterior and tender interior. Advertisement Traditionally served with mustard and pickles on a simple bun, it earned its name either from the "slug" of dough used or because it once cost a nickel (slang for "slug"). A sure slugburger bet in Mississippi is Borroum's Drug Store and Soda Fountain in Corinth. Chubby's pimento cheeseburger comes with fried green tomato and is topped with house-made pimento cheese, Duke's mayo, and lettuce – Photo courtesy of Experience Columbia SC The South Carolina pimento cheeseburger combines two regional favorites: burgers and pimento cheese. The patty gets a creamy spread topping made with sharp cheddar, mayonnaise, pimentos, and secret spices that vary by family recipe. The burger gained prominence in Columbia, South Carolina, where it's said to have originated in the 1960s. The warm burger melts the pimento cheese into a gooey, spicy-sweet topping. Get it at Chubby's Burgers & Brewhouse. Advertisement The Frita Cubana from Miami's El Rey de las Fritas is one of the best in Florida – Photo courtesy of Mercedes Gonzalez / El Rey de las Fritas Originating in Cuba, the Frita Cubana found a second home in Miami, Florida's Cuban-American community. The beef patty, frequently mixed with chorizo, is seasoned with paprika and cumin, cooked on a griddle, then topped with crispy shoestring potatoes and sauteed onions and served on a Cuban bread roll. Dating back to 1930s street vendors in Havana before migrating to Florida in the 1960s, the Frita is a distinctive regional variation unlike any other American burger. When you visit Miami, Florida, get a real-deal Frita experience at El Rey de las Fritas. Midwest region The Juicy Lucy from the 5-8 Club comes stuffed with oozy cheese – Photo courtesy of Meet Minneapolis In Minneapolis, Minnesota, you'll find the Juicy Lucy, featuring cheese stuffed inside the patty rather than on top, creating a melty core that erupts with the first bite. Two Minneapolis bars — Matt's Bar and the 5-8 Club — have famously feuded over who invented it in the 1950s. Advertisement The traditional version uses American cheese sealed between two thin patties before cooking, though variations with different cheeses have emerged. Served on a standard bun with minimal toppings to keep focus on the cheese-filled patty, the Juicy Lucy (or "Jucy Lucy" at Matt's) represents Midwestern ingenuity. If you're in Minneapolis, enjoy one at any of these spots. Southwest region An Oklahoma onion burger features a tangle of fried onions – Photo courtesy of bhofack2 / iStock Via Getty Images The Oklahoma onion burger originated during the Great Depression at the Hamburger Inn in El Reno, Oklahoma, when cooks pressed thinly sliced onions into patties to stretch ingredients during tough economic times. Located on historic Route 66, the Hamburger Inn became a popular stop for travelers, helping the onion burger gain fame along the Mother Road. The signature preparation involves smashing a generous amount of thinly sliced white onions directly into the beef patty while cooking on a flat-top grill, creating a caramelized union of beef and onions. Traditionally served on a simple white bun with American cheese, pickle slices, and yellow mustard, this unpretentious creation became a beloved specialty across the state. Locals flock to Onion Burger Day held in El Reno every year. Advertisement Cheeseburgers topped with Hatch green chiles is New Mexico's famous regional burger – Photo courtesy of Photography By Tonelson / iStock Via Getty Images New Mexico's green chile cheeseburger features a beef patty topped with roasted, chopped Hatch green chiles and melted cheese. The chiles provide a special smoky heat that ranges from mild to eye-watering. The Owl Bar, in San Antonio, New Mexico, and (now closed) Bert's Burger Bowl, in Santa Fe, claim to be its birthplace. The state even has an official Green Chile Cheeseburger Trail for enthusiasts. Western region Avocado gives the California burger its classic fresh flavor – Photo courtesy of Habit Burger & Grill The California burger was initially defined in the early 20th century by its fresh toppings — ingredients that were a novelty in many parts of the country but abundantly available year-round in California's agricultural paradise. Today, the California burger is known for adding creamy avocado, reflecting the state's dominance in avocado production since the 1850s. The original Habit Burger & Grill in Santa Barbara serves a burger with two beef patties, fresh smashed avocado, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mayo. Combining buttery avocado with fresh produce and a juicy beef patty creates a distinctive burger that represents California's emphasis on fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Advertisement The Hawaiian burger, with sweet pineapple and tangy teriyaki sauce, is a regional treat – Photo courtesy of Bangkok Happy Bowl The Hawaiian burger features a beef patty marinated or glazed in sweet teriyaki sauce, often topped with grilled pineapple. Reflecting Hawaii's Japanese influences and tropical ingredients, this burger emerged from the islands' diverse culinary heritage.
USA Today
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
12 classic desserts that have stood the test of time
Cheesecake reached classic dessert status in the 1980s thanks to The Cheesecake Factory – Photo courtesy of LauriPatterson / E+ This article was originally published in January 2021 and updated in May 2025. Desserts change, but our sweet tooth doesn't. Our taste for fatty, sweet, creamy, salty, chocolatey treats is a part of our collective DNA. But what desserts we crave aren't just dictated by our hunger, but also by trends. Here are some of the most popular classic desserts broken down by decade since 1900. 1900s | Ice cream cones No classic desserts list can be without ice cream – Photo courtesy of ahirao_photo / iStock Via Getty Images The World's Fair was responsible for many advancements in food technology, and the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, Missouri, is the best example. We have the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Expo to thank for introducing puffed rice cereal, French's mustard, and the popularization of cotton candy and hot dogs. Advertisement However, one of the most notable inventions of that show was the ice cream cone — an accidental invention. The story goes that an ice cream vendor ran out of cups to serve ice cream, and a pastry maker in a neighboring booth offered him a thin waffle cone to serve ice cream in. So the next time you grab an ice cream cone, remember you're holding a classic dessert born of ingenuity and innovation. 1910s | Strawberry shortcake The trinity of cake, strawberries and whipped cream come together in this classic dessert – Photo courtesy of ASIFE / iStock Via Getty Images Shortcakes date back to at least the Elizabethan era. But the modern concept of strawberry shortcake, layering slices of strawberries with sponge cake and whipped cream, came about when a French pastry chef replaced the customary sugary frosting topping with heavy whipped cream instead. The classic dessert became so beloved that during the 1910s, you could find it on menus throughout the United States. Advertisement 1920s | S'mores S'mores is short for "some more" which is true because who can ever eat just one of these? – Photo courtesy of bhofack2 / iStock Via Getty Images Thank the Girl Scouts for inventing camping's favorite bonfire treat. The first recipe for s'mores arrived in the 1927 Girl Scout guidebook 'Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts.' The combination of chocolate, marshmallow, and graham crackers was already popular, thanks to Mallomars, which first appeared in 1913, and Moonpies, which launched in 1917. So the world was already hungry for the treat by the time s'mores came around. 1930s | Mock apple pie Frugality was a hallmark of the decade between the two world wars, and the Great Depression meant doing without many things. Clever home cooks, however, always found ways to bring something sweet to the table, and mock apple pie became a staple during these challenging times. Apples were expensive then, so apple pie wasn't the most economical dessert to make. But in the 1930s, someone discovered that the combination of buttery Ritz crackers, lemon, vanilla, sugar, and cinnamon resembles the taste and texture of real apple pie, and it became a popular dessert that grew in popularity during World War II. Although Ritz removed the recipe from the back of its cracker box in 1993, it's still available so you can make the classic dessert today. Advertisement 1940s | Twinkies with vanilla filling Twinkie, the famous cream-filled sponge cake, used to be filled with banana cream – Photo courtesy of bhofack2 / iStock Via Getty Images Did you know that, before the 1940s, Twinkies had banana cream filling? But a banana shortage during World War II forced the company to develop a vanilla filling instead. Twinkies have had vanilla filling ever since. In recent years, Hostess has brought back the banana cream-filled Twinkies, but they are not as popular as the tried-and-true vanilla-filled ones. 1950s | Jell-O salads Jell-O salads, including ambrosia, are quintessential classic desserts – Photo courtesy of bhofack2 / iStock Via Getty Images Though Jell-O salads are mostly known as mid-century dishes, they appeared decades earlier and became wildly popular, especially during the Great Depression. Depression-era home cooks trying to stretch their ingredients relied on Jell-O to make food last longer. Of course, a Jell-O salad isn't the type of salad most think of today. They don't usually have greens — unless you mean lime-green Jell-O — but sometimes include vegetables, like carrots. These jiggly creations start with flavored gelatin mixed with a creamy element, fruits, sometimes marshmallows or nuts, and became popular in the 1950s for their ease and fun taste. Today, Jell-O salads are popular throughout the Midwest and the South, especially at church picnics and on holiday tables, served as dessert or salad. 1960s | Pineapple upside-down cake Pineapple upside-down cake is a perennial favorite – Photo courtesy of manyakotic / iStock Via Getty Images The pineapple upside-down cake had a moment in 1925, when the Hawaiian Pineapple Company held a contest to see who could make the best pineapple recipe, inviting nearly 2,500 pineapple upside-down cake entries. But the delightful dessert made a big comeback in the 1950s and 1960s. Advertisement The gorgeous presentation of caramelized pineapples adorned with cherries atop a vanilla cake made it a popular dessert for parties. You were considered the host with the most when you brought your guests a pineapple upside-down cake. 1970s | Carrot cake Despite not being the healthiest dessert, carrot cakes were part of the "hippie food" health craze – Photo courtesy of bhofack2 / iStock Via Getty Images It's believed that carrot cakes derived from carrot puddings made in Europe during the Middle Ages. Carrot cakes became very popular in the 1970s, during what's referred to as the 'hippie food' era. The rise in alternative lifestyles and the focus on health and wellness led to more vegetarianism and more fruit- and vegetable-based diets. Carrot cakes are not considered healthy, especially by today's standards, but they are still one of the decade's most popular desserts. 1980s | Cheesecake The cheesecake possibilities are virtually endless – Photo courtesy of LauriPatterson / E+ Cheesecakes aren't new, but in the 1980s, there was a cheesecake renaissance in the United States. Several cookbooks were published focusing solely on cheesecake and the many ways it can be made and enjoyed. Advertisement In 1972, the Cheesecake Factory opened, slowly expanding over a decade, opening America's eyes to the numerous cheesecake possibilities. Plus, delis and diners across the nation had cake displays filled with eye-catching cheesecake desserts. It truly was a decadent decade. 1990s | Ice cream cakes The ice cream cake is one of the best classic desserts through history – Photo courtesy of Victor Yee / iStock Via Getty Images For millennials, nearly every childhood birthday party memory involves an ice cream cake. Ice cream cakes were all the rage during the 1980s and 1990s, thanks to companies like Friendly's and Carvel. The height of ice cream cake excellence was the Viennetta, a sophisticated ice cream cake made of layers of fudgy chocolate and vanilla ice cream arranged in an ornate design. While the latter is no longer widely available, ice cream cakes still reign supreme in grocery stores and shops nationwide. Advertisement 2000s and beyond | Gourmet cupcakes Cupcakes have always been a classic dessert, but gourmet cupcakes really took off in the early 2000s – Photo courtesy of YinYang / E+ Cupcakes have been around for over 200 years — the first-known cupcake-like dessert appeared in an 18th century cookbook — and kids and adults have been devouring them at school functions, bake sales, potlucks, team picnics, and holidays for generations. But we can thank Carrie Bradshaw and her "Sex and the City" Magnolia Bakery cupcake for the gourmet cupcake craze that swept the nation at the turn of the (current) century. That vanilla cupcake with pink buttercream started a trend of (sometimes) enormous confections made with top-notch ingredients in new flavors like bourbon-vanilla, red velvet with cream cheese, and tiramisu. Entire cupcake shops and mail-order businesses became the norm. Gourmet cupcakes are still going strong today. Cronut Crossing a donut with a croissant put the Cronut in classic dessert status – Photo courtesy of martiapunts / iStock Via Getty Images In 2013, pastry chef Dominique Ansel dropped his latest creation at his New York City bakery: a croissant-donut hybrid that took the city and the world by storm. The Cronut — made of flaky, buttery croissant dough that's deep-fried like a donut, then filled with flavored cream, rolled in sugar, and glazed — took months of development before Ansel unleashed it. Advertisement
