Classic Diner Burger
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Last Updated on July 31, 2022 by Lisa Johnson
It is no secret how much I love burgers. This Classic Diner Burger is the burger that started it all back when I was a child. A juicy…some would say greasy…cheeseburger slathered with thousand island dressing that runs down your arm. The kind of burger that comes wrapped in white paper with french fries and a chocolate shake!
Yes, I am old enough to remember Bob’s Big Boy. I loved eating there when I was growing up. Then in college, the Bob’s Big Boy in town was torn down to make room for a bookstore. It was okay though, I had the “Theresa Burger” at Marie Callenders. Theresa was the head cook when I started working there, and boy did she make an awesome burger!!
Sadly, Theresa left for a better job. The cute little diners slowly disappeared and were replaced by large corporate chains, and barbecue bacon cheeseburgers kind of took over.
Fast forward 28 a few years, and now I can make my own! 🙂 Grass-fed ground beef, Homemade Hamburger Buns, and my very own Thousand Island Dressing bring back fond memories of when food was real and and not processed beyond recognition. No, I am not oblivious to the fact that the buns were “toasted” on the same grill that the burgers were cooked on. I never claimed that burgers are health food, just that they can be made with healthier ingredients! 😉
How to make a Classic Diner Burger
Form ground beef into patties. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook over medium heat until no pink remains.
Place cheese slices on top of burgers and allow to melt.
Spread thousand island dressing on bottom bun. Add the pickles and cheeseburger, then top with lettuce, tomato, and onion slices.
Spread additional dressing on top bun, top burger and serve with fries and a chocolate shake.
I have been planning to post this burger for quite a while now. Then when I looked at the calendar and saw that today was Patriot Day, it just seemed perfect. What could be more American than a big ‘ol cheeseburger, some freedom fries, and chocolate shake?
More delicious burger recipes:
- Bistro Burger
- Cowboy Burgers
- California Burgers
- Tex-Mex Burgers
- Santa Fe Burgers
- Mexican Burgers with Queso Blanco
If you love this recipe, please rate it five stars and help me share on facebook and to help other readers in our community!
Enjoy!!
Classic Diner Burger
Ingredients
- 1 ½ Pounds grass-fed 85% ground beef
- sea salt & fresh ground pepper to taste
- 4 Slices cheddar cheese
- lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles
- ½ cup Thousand Island dressing
- 4 hamburger buns toasted
Instructions
- Form ground beef into patties. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook over medium heat until no pink remains.
- Place cheese slices on top of burgers and allow to melt.
- Spread thousand island dressing on bottom bun. Add the pickles and cheeseburger, then top with lettuce, tomato, and onion slices.
- Spread additional dressing on top bun, top burger and serve with fries and a chocolate shake.
Oh I remember Bob’s soooo well. I too am sad that some of the mom and pop diners have not been able to withstand all the chains. Your burger looks great!
Lisa, this really looks like a restaurant photo! I am with you on this being the perfect kind of burger except the part about dressing running down your arm. I’m a freak about messes, so that part makes me cringe 😉 Pinned!
This looks way better than a restaurant hamburger! And I love that it’s healthier made at home 😉
Yummmm! Now I want a cheeseburger for breakfast!
Lisa, this is like my hubby on a plate, lol! This is one delicious looking burger, without question! Thanks for sharing – pinning and buffering! xoxo
You always do make a damn good burger, Lisa, and I’m old enough to remember Bob’s Big Boy, too! lol This burger looks just perfect with all those fixins! Gotta have the 1,000 IslandDressing for sure.
I just moved around the corner from a diner and I love it! Thanks for the recipe!
I’m with Danni…burgers for breakfast! Or pizza! Okay, I’ll take the burger, fries, and milkshake for breakfast please!
-andi
Hello from Iowa 🙂 … your recipes look wonderful! How long does the thousand island dressing keep in the refrigerator ? Thanks… Are you an Iowan too 🙂 !
marilyn ….!
Yum! I love a good burger! It looks delicious:)
Hi Lisa, thanks for sharing at MM this week! You know that I LOVE a good burger; pinned and sharing on FB!
What a perfect looking burger – I am ready to dig in and take a big bite!
Thank you for linking this to the In and Out of the Kitchen Link Party. I am always glad that you share your great recipes!
OMG!! When you were describing the burger, I thought to myself, “sounds like a Big Boy!!” My parents were obsessed with that place and we would go all the time on our drives to Door County. This looks so awesome!!!
Hi, you hamburger looks so good and I bet it’s delicious! Thanks for hosting the party and have a great weekend.
Julie from julieslifestyle.blogspot.com
Yum! Looks so good!
I’ll take one for lunch! 🙂 Looks fantastic, Lisa!
A classic burger would really hit the spot right about now! 🙂