Take a look at how cheeseburgers have been a part of popular culture across generations.
USA Today
Every few weeks, we’ll ask readers to share their favorite place to eat a food item in Southwest Florida. Last week, we asked about their favorite cheeseburger restaurants, and here’s what they said In our new feature, good taste.
When it comes to cheeseburgers, there’s more than one way to prepare them. Some nowadays come with little more than lettuce, tomato, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, onions — and even a fried egg.
But what it boils down to is that it tastes good. That’s why Karen Toney emailed her favorite in Southwest Florida.
“My pick is the cheeseburger at First Round Draft, 1217 Del Prado, Cape Coral,” she wrote.
“It’s simply delicious. The meat is absolutely perfect and you can get it rare which means high quality meat. It’s very high quality and delicious. Everything there is very good and great atmosphere overlooking the canal. I have to try it! I wish I had a picture but it doesn’t last long on your plate . The best!”
The lack of a photo will be forgiven because I know firsthand what it can be like to photograph food while my sick and hungry companions wait at dinner.
Celebrate National Cheeseburger Day
The day is set to be September 18th for the enjoyment of true American foodies.
As cattle ranching became widespread in the late 1880s on the Great Plains, beef became more widely available, and hamburger became one of the cheapest types of beef in the United States.
Many burger experts point to Pasadena, California, as the birthplace of the cheeseburger. Lionel Sternberger was 16 when he was flipping burgers at his father’s sandwich shop and is credited with creating the first cheeseburger in the 1920s. Another story says that a customer was watching Sternberger make the burger and asked for a slice of cheese to add to it.
Some restaurants will also be offering deals on Monday:
- Get a free Coca-Cola when you order any burger at Ford’s Garage (dine-in only September 18)
- All three Brooks Burgers restaurants will be offering the classic cheeseburger with fries for $10 for the rest of the month, starting September 18.
Food condition: Hooters to Home of the Whopper: A look at popular restaurant chains that started in Florida
“Hands down” Best Cheeseburger and Buffett’s Tribute
Chris Mobley knew of the assignment when he emailed: “Yours, Jimmy P’s, on 41 or in Immokalee and Airport. Waygu. Cooked to perfection.”
He even went so far as to honor Jimmy Buffett — who died on September 1 — with lyrics from the pirate sailor’s song “Far Side of the World”: “I’ll still be there when I’m done attending this evening…”
“Yes, it will be, because we’ll be singing his songs as long as we can,” Mobley added.
More readers
“Not many people know this, but Shell Point Retirement Community in Punta Rasa has four restaurants open to the public,” Shell Point resident Teresa Hiatt wrote.
“And Crystal serves an excellent cheeseburger! Combined with the beautiful tropical resort feel of the place, it truly is a cheeseburger in heaven.”
C.B. Rebsamen says his favorite is east of Shell Point, at a spot along Daniels Parkway.
“In response to your 9/13 feature article about the best place to eat a cheeseburger in SWFL, I would like to nominate Artisan Eatery,” says Rebsamin.
“Their Artisan Burger features Wagyu beef, Gruyère cheese, applewood bacon, caramelized onions, and tomatoes on a brioche bun. I have enjoyed this delicious cheeseburger many times and it is my favorite in SWFL. Sorry – I don’t have a photo.” .
Thanks CB! You don’t but we do.
Frank Aiello says they are fans of the popular Florida-based restaurant chain.
“My wife Vivian is a huge hamburger fan,” he wrote in an email.
“When we moved to Naples, we were looking for the best burger in town. We went to every place we could get to. Finally we came upon what we think is the best hamburger in Naples. It’s the Beef O’ Brady on Radio Road. Everything about it is great, the meat, the buns, the toppings, Plus, Mondays are special to them.
Dave Osborne is regional features editor for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can email him at dosborn@gannett.com and follow his social media on Instagram and Threads@lacrossewriter.