Let’s get real for a second.
Food is great. Not only is it necessary for us to survive, but at its best it represents entire cultures, combines art and craft in a sensual mix of old memories, new flavors, and collective experience, anchoring families around tables to swap stories and join together, if only for a moment, in a unifying bit of uninterrupted goodness.
Everyone has that one recipe that grandma used to make or the best meal they ever had at that restaurant on vacation which provides a singular, enclosed moment where the ever chaotic world of modern day problems fade away and all that your mind, and the minds of those with you, can recognize is the plate of food sitting in front of you.
Not every dish has to be Michelin star rated to create this fleeting, blissful feeling though.
Sometimes it’s as simple as ground beef, white bread, and pre-cut American cheese that knocks you into a meditative trance.
Cheeseburgers are an American staple and you can ignore those fake pretentious folks who give you that “Well, actually it originated in Germany” BS. Ideas are great but execution is better and it wasn’t until the Stars and Bars took hold of that recipe and slapped some ultra processed coagulated milk protein on top that it took its rightful place on top of the cuisine charts.
Arguments over the best commercially available cheeseburger will never stop being entertaining, but one thing we can all agree on is that burgers have a very high floor and you can find a top notch combo with fries and a Coke everywhere from New York City to Des Moines.
For my money, there’s no better spokesperson for this quintessentially American food than NFL coach Andy Reid.
The Los Angeles native has cemented himself as one of the greatest head coaches of all-time, leading the Philadelphia Eagles to 9 consecutive playoff appearances and one Super Bowl Run before taking over the struggling Kansas City Chiefs, immediately revitalizing the long downtrodden franchise into an absolute juggernaut of a dynasty which many people believe will rival or one day usurp the run of the New England Patriots with Bill Belichick and Tom Brady.
But for all of his gridiron prowess, his ability to represent the American ideal of loving a good cheeseburger is well documented and have turned the coach into one of the most lovable characters in all of football history.
Today, September 18th, is National Cheeseburger Day, so to honor this occasion, let’s look back at some of Andy’s best quotes about the always wonderful cheeseburger.
Biggest cheeseburger you’ve ever seen… Might be a double
Wearing a Superbowl Ring just to get a free cheeseburger
Celebrating a win with cheeseburgers for everybody.
What makes the best cheeseburger and which fast food burger is the best?
And of course, the Chiefs getting Coach Reid a cheeseburger for Christmas.
Dang, I really need a burger now…
