This is Why I Love the Internet…and hamburgers

The internet is fertile ground for the niche. Unlike print, radio, or TV, the cost of entry is next to nothing, meaning that more people are able to publish about their passions. In traditional media if you publish something and only a few people read it you won’t be able to meet the monetary requirements to keep publishing. But on the internet, a site that only has a few loyal readers can keep going for about the cost of feeding a starving child in Africa. This leads to a wide variety of niche sites, each perfectly suited to its small but zealous readers. All of this is just a long winded way of saying I found a site that speaks to me deeply. I now present to you, for your reading pleasure, A Hamburger Today. (Go ahead, go read it. You can come back and thank me later).

Reasons why A Hamburger Today is genius:

• Hamburgers have been scientifically proven to be nature’s perfect food.
• Quality of hamburgers varies widely from restaurant to restaurant. From piles of monkey puke (Fuddruckers) to steamed pillows of glory (White Castle), to the best damn burger on the planet (Mike’s Grill, Blacksburg, VA). Because of this, it’s important to have someone rate burgers at various places, so we know what we’re getting into
• Who doesn’t love looking at pictures of burgers?

Ah, Mike’s Grill. My vote for “Happiest Place on Earth” (screw you Walt!). I’m going to get you a little drunk on words before I show you the money shot. Mike’s opened for business in 1976 (ooh, me too!) and the smart money bets that they haven’t cleaned the grill since. That’s the secret. The waitresses wear shorts all year (ooh, also like me!), the prices haven’t changed in years, and if, for some reason, you’re not in the mood for a burger, you can get a calzone the size of your head. They allegedly have pizza also, but I’ve never been able to substantiate that. Ok, are you ready now?

Reasons Mike’s is the best:

• The grill. Don’t think they ever clean it. Don’t think they ever should.
• The prices. Two people can have burgers, fries, and sodas for about $12. Gotta love college towns
• The decor. Faux wood panelling everywhere.
• They serve the burgers upside down. I asked why one time. The waitress told me it so the grease doesn’t soak through the thinner bottom bun. I love this place