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Ewan Macdonald

Ewan Macdonald

Hamburgerist

Soccer and food fan

  • Location: Dallas, TX
  • Favorite foods: Hamburgers
  • Last bite on earth: Medium burger with American cheese

What Should an In-N-Out Virgin Order?

After much experimentation I generally order the below. Light spread on the AS is important because otherwise there's just too damn much.

Double-double animal style, light spread
Fries well
Two packs of hot chillis

Chain Reaction: Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

Thanks for the kind words as usual!

Yes, they are a lot like Steak 'n' Shake, right down to calling them 'Steakburgers'. It's difficult to pick which of the two is better.

San Diego: A Burger Topped with Cheese Curds at Davanti Enoteca

Other than the brioche that looks like the finest burger I've seen in months.

The $1 Poor Man's Big Mac: Worth It Or Not?

Fair enough. I had my last Big Mac in the UK.

The $1 Poor Man's Big Mac: Worth It Or Not?

I could be wrong - it's been years since I had one - but I don't think Big Mac onions are re-hydrated. I think they're fresh on everything above the quarter-pounder with cheese and re-hy on everything below. That's another subtle change.

Welcome Our New Editors!

Houston: Hubcap Grill Can't Quite Match the Hype

Speak for yourself. I have absolutely no disrespect for the people or city of Houston. I greatly enjoyed my latest visit there and I'm looking forward to going back again. The only thing I don't like about Houston is the weather and that's hardly something Dallas can crow about either.

Houston: Hubcap Grill Can't Quite Match the Hype

"Houston sports a couple of bad boy chefs like this. They color the landscape like the Soup Nazi did (that was a real guy) and make things interesting."


Yes, the Soup Nazi did keep things interesting. In 1995.

Houston: Hubcap Grill Can't Quite Match the Hype

The terrible irony is I could really go for an order of their fries right now.

Houston: Hubcap Grill Can't Quite Match the Hype

Sandalman, do you agree that there's a world of difference between "giving people anything they ask for and kissing their butt no matter what" and threatening reviewers with violence for saying that the beef was bland?

Houston: Hubcap Grill Can't Quite Match the Hype

Next time I'm in Houston I'm definitely going to try the cheesesteak burger. I've had something similar before in New Mexico and the 'beef with a side of beef' gambit was successful, so I'm eager for more.

Chain Reaction: Mooyah

saltmanz: I grew up in Scotland, where soggy chips are the norm. They are indeed great, when covered with salt and vinegar. However, they're thick-cut and meant to be soggy. These were thin-cut and meant to be french fries, and in that respect they were disappointing. :)

29 Touristy Spots in America That Are Actually Good

Ninfa's in Houston merits a mention, too.

International Serious Eats Day: February 25, 2012

Wish I could make Plano but I'm otherwise engaged that Saturday afternoon. Hope it goes well.

Dallas: Jake's Hamburgers Deserves its Stellar Reputation

Thanks for the feedback and also the recommendations, folks.

San Francisco: NOPA's Burger Warrants the Crowds

That looks unbelievably good.

Dallas: A Revolution Worth Fighting For at Liberty Burger

Dude, I know. I know. :)

Milwaukee: Smoked Brisket Burgers at Matty's in New Berlin

Nice review. I shed a metaphorical tear when I saw the autopsy shot. How can you form a half-pound patty with premium ingredients then treat it like that? Even the most careless cook should know better.

Hangover Helper: Waffle House Hash Browns

Unbelievably true article. I had hash browns and chili one morning in Shreveport at 8:45am. I was a new man afterwards.

The Pizza Lab: Sausages And the Science of Salt

Another home run from Kenji.

Milwaukee: Butter Burgers at '50s-style Wayne's Drive-In in Cedarburg

I'd hate that based on the hard roll and the patty composition. It looks a lot like the "don't do this" from one of Kenji's burger labs where he pre-salted the meat. Check out item six:

http://aht.seriouseats.com/archives/2010/03/the-burger-labs-top-ten-tips-for-better-burgers.html?ref=aht-bb1

The Woodlands, TX: Coal Burger

Very surprised at how cheap that burger is, but the erratic cooking is a worry and also the patties look very dry. Still, for $6 it looks a lot better than what the competition would serve up for the same price. Nice review.

The Secret Ingredient (Dijon Mustard): Moules Dijonnaise

It would never have occurred to me to use mustard with mussels. Will need to give this a shot. Great looking recipe.

Burger Winners in Zagat's 2011 Fast Food Poll

Stunned that Smashburger didn't make it onto the list.

Irving, TX: Old-fashioned Burgers Still Hit the Spot at Griff's

Seignobos: The "smoke" part of the infobox, I accidentally had left in when I pasted it from my last review, which was of Kenny's Wood-Fired Grill (which, as the name suggests, *does* have a smoky burger.) Now that you've spotted the error here I've fixed this infobox to make it accurate. Thanks!

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