I cook a pretty mean hamburger. I call them Daddy Burgers. They are fat and juicy with a salty crust, and when topped with a slice of sharp cheddar and a slice of Vidalia onion, they are hard to beat.
So, it is with some reluctance that I ever order a burger when Nancy and I go out for a bite.
There are some really good burgers in Charlottesville, almost every restaurant now offers a Signature Burger, and most are spot on. But one stands out. And that’s the Half-Pound American Kobe Beef Burger at Bonefish Grill. This burger is exceptional, the American version of Kobe Beef.
Kobe Beef is the meat from the Tajima strain of Japanese Black Cattle, raised in Japan’s Hyōgo Prefecture. The meat is a delicacy, valued for its flavor, tenderness, and fatty, well-marbled texture. Only a handful of restaurants in the United States offer a genuine Kobe Beef Burger, but the Half Pound American Kobe Beef Burger is right up there in flavor, tenderness and texture.
My understanding is that the American version of Kobe Beef originates from Wagyu cattle, which are typically bred with Black Angus to approach the tenderness and flavor of real Kobe Beef.
We first discovered these Bonefish delicacies about a year ago. We were at the bar perusing the menu when the bartender suggested the Half Pound Burger. He noted that the beef used in this sandwich was of the very highest quality offered in the United States, so we both ordered one, and man, were they good. Plus, the Bonefish chefs will cook it to your specification, even rare. Most restaurants these days will only prepare a well-done burger, void of juice and flavor, and what’s the point? I like my burgers with some pink, but not necessarily crawling in and among the French Fries.
When I go to Bonefish these days, I don’t feel badly about ordering the Kobe Burger because I don’t have access to that kind of quality meat.
I have considered having my Kroger butcher grind up part of a tenderloin, mixed with a little fat and try that as a deluxe burger, but so far, I haven’t had the courage to pull the trigger.
In the meantime, I order the American Kobe Beef Burger from Bonefish. In my opinion, it’s the best burger in Charlottesville.