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Bonds & Burgers: The Unsung Power of a Patty
In good times or bad, it’s always a good time to gather together and eat. Many holidays bring us around the table to commemorate some of the darkest days in our history, times when we faced the darkness and saw the light prevail. No matter where we come from, food brings us together, strengthening the ties that bind.
Likewise, the burger place has always been a community gathering space. It was a place for people to mix and mingle in a safe environment and for blue-collar workers to get a quick, filling meal. With the advent of the fast-food chain, burgers became ubiquitous across America and then the world. Whether it’s a gourmet stack or an appetizing slider, the burger has become solidified as the food for any occasion, for anyone, bringing people together over the joys of a crisp-yet-juicy patty in a bun.
So, it’s no surprise that our kosher burger joint has become a community hotspot. Wherever we find ourselves, be it Miami, Boca Raton, or Queens, we create a fun, welcoming space for people to gather. Connection over burgers is our favorite American tradition – but is there more to the power of a patty?
Breaking Down Barriers with Buns & Beef
There’s something very approachable about a burger. The fact that you have to eat it with your hands makes everyone around the table a little more relaxed; nobody stands on ceremony while holding a juicy smash burger with all the trimmings. It’s the kind of food that invites everyone to be a part of the community that usually forms around local burger places.
A good burger joint is more than a restaurant – it’s a gathering place for the community. People generally feel more at ease when eating a more casual, relaxed food, and it shows in the way that they relate to each other. Burgers are also an incredibly “easy” food when it comes to pleasing a picky family or friend group – the sheer variety of toppings that can be added means that just about everyone can find something to enjoy. And there’s nothing better than sharing fries with friends.
Digging into a good burger can make you feel good – and there’s some scientific evidence to back it up. Carbs get a lot of the glory, but protein is the real hero when it comes to feeling and staying full. Not every patty is made the same, of course, but a burger made from top-quality grass-fed beef is leaner and richer in healthy fats and omega-3s. Nutrients found in beef, like niacin, iron, and B vitamins, have even been found to help lower the risk of developing depression. And, of course, the great flavor combinations in a good burger can lift your mood, especially when paired with the restorative effects of a square meal.
A Shared Experience at the Table
Research has shown time and again that eating with others is good for your mental health. When we eat in a group, our brains understand that we are safe and cared for. Combined with the positive effects of spending quality time with family and friends, it’s a potent tool for our general well-being. Who knew a meal at your favorite local kosher burger place could have such a big impact?
The local burger place often becomes a sort of “neutral space” for the community, where diverse people can gather and relax. Burgers are a quintessentially American food, not just because of their origin story but also because everyone is invited to enjoy them. There’s no gatekeeping, just delicious meals for everybody. Even the most highfalutin fine-dining gourmet burger still has a welcoming quality – what other food do people complain about if they can’t eat it with their hands?
Social eating also has an impact on communities. Every time you recognize the regulars at your local burger place or share some banter with the staff, you strengthen your connection to the world beyond your home. A beloved local restaurant becomes a home away from home. You feel a part of something bigger than your immediate family; this is one of the foundations of community.
Making Memories One Bite at a Time
The humble burger is one of America’s favorite foods – second only to French fries, in fact. It’s no surprise, then, that it features in many of our cherished food memories. The burger place that’s your late-night go-to holds defining moments of friendships. Family moments, big or small, played out over burgers at backyard barbecues. The burger is always there when we need it.
At the Smash House, we consciously hearken back to the heyday of burger joints in our decor, but we know that everyone has their own piece of burger nostalgia. Even though it’s become ubiquitous, we’ve all experienced the excited anticipation of waiting for our burger to arrive.
The burger’s ability to fit into any occasion makes it a repository of so many of our food memories. It could be the burger your parents made you when you were a kid, the excitement of getting burgers for your birthday party, or maybe it’s the burger you ate the first time you met your spouse. Everybody’s got a burger story. Now let’s make some more together! (You can share yours with us on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok!)
The Best Get-Togethers Happen at The Burger Place
A burger is so much more than just a meat patty layered with lettuce, onion, tomatoes, pickles, and (vegan) cheese on a bun. It’s a meal that brings people together and reminds us who we are and where we come from. It’s the king of foods and the food of the people – at least, we sure think so.
Smash House Burgers is the burger place to be, whether you’re in Miami, Boca Raton, or Queens, NY (yes, we’ve finally arrived!). Bring your family and friends and join us for a burger meet-up just because. There’s nothing better at bringing loved ones and communities together than the humble burger, preferably smashed to crispy, juicy perfection.
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