Finally: The $175 burger
posted at 1:55 pm on May 22, 2008 by Allahpundit
Most people will watch and wonder, “How much would I pay?” Wrong question. Right question: What sort of event would have to happen in your life to justify this sort of insane luxury purchase? Birth of a child? Lottery jackpot? Buyout from Google? Or, perhaps, the purchase of a sweet-ass 3G iPhone, generating a rush of well-being so effusive that one simply can’t resist the urge to round it off with a hamburger topped with gold?
Seriously, though, it’s really stupid. Exit question: Is it any stupider than a $175 steak dinner at a four-star restaurant, though? It feels stupider.
Blowback
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I don’t care, I’ll buy it.
When it comes to food, I’ll go homeless.
Indy Conservative on May 22, 2008 at 1:57 PM
I’ll pass on the burger, but I’d definitely hit the blonde.
wccawa on May 22, 2008 at 1:59 PM
I dropped $17 for the Kobe burger at Pete’s Tavern. Not a bad deal for Manhattan.
But $175? I don’t think so. You can get a decent dinner for two at Sparks for that money.
JammieWearingFool on May 22, 2008 at 2:01 PM
I’m hard-pressed to think of anything more stupid than eating gold leaf, unless of course the gold gets sculpted into something beautiful on it’s way out…
CliffHanger on May 22, 2008 at 2:01 PM
heh, you crack me up Indy! Unless I hit the lottery I wouldn’t spend that kind of money, however I must say I make a hell of a burger myself at home for much less money! In fact for that kind of money I could invite the neighbors over for burgers, sides, beer, and have money left over to play some Texas Hold’em!
Liberty or Death on May 22, 2008 at 2:01 PM
Don’t tell Obama it’ll be his next campaign stop.
bj1126 on May 22, 2008 at 2:03 PM
Barf! I’ll go to McD’s.
jencab on May 22, 2008 at 2:04 PM
Ingesting freaking gold leaf?
Then again, I’m the weirdo that can’t fathom people drinking Goldschlager either.
MadisonConservative on May 22, 2008 at 2:07 PM
I live to eat not eat to live.
That’s my motto in life.
I’d spend the last penny I have on a respectable elephant-size buffet or just a hefty 5 pound burger if I have to.
That’s what I’m doing right now and I’m enjoying every bite of it.
Indy Conservative on May 22, 2008 at 2:08 PM
Fried? Fried? I can’t watch the video but…$175 and it’s fried?
TexasDan on May 22, 2008 at 2:09 PM
This is one of those stories where my typical response is that I don’t really care because the main reason most people care about this is that they care far too much how others are spending their own money. Someone sees someone else buying a burger like this and asks the quite ignorant question, “Why doesn’t this person give their money to someone who needs its?” Of course anyone buying a burger like this is doing far more to enrich us all by spending in such a manner, but this is always lost on the economically illiterate of this nation and the world.
NotCoach on May 22, 2008 at 2:11 PM
The fries will run you another $80, but the ketchup packets are free.
Cicero43 on May 22, 2008 at 2:12 PM
I thought this was the Dems’ new plan to fight obesity – a $174 tax on every hamburger sold.
Master Shake on May 22, 2008 at 2:14 PM
Something tells me that the intended audience for this burger would see lottery money as a pittance.
calbear on May 22, 2008 at 2:17 PM
There are a multitude of reasons NOT to drink goldschlager that have nothing to do with the gold flakes. Although it is a good indicator that it’s time to call a cab for your buddy when he’s at the sink trying to sieve out the gold because he wants to sell it for “a bunch of cash, man!”.
OT, I can’t see the video because youtoob is blocked at work, but I’m guessing that Kobe beef is involved?
Asher on May 22, 2008 at 2:18 PM
Really. What kind of pathetic individual would pay 175 for a tarted up hamburger just to feel better than others. I can’t imagine the shallow, vapid existence of such creatures.
ronsfi on May 22, 2008 at 2:19 PM
Oh, and if you are curious about how much gold is actually in a bottle of Goldschlager –
Not Much
Asher on May 22, 2008 at 2:21 PM
I hate this stuff. They have the pissing contest of “the worlds most expensive XXXX”, then the reason it is so expensive is because they throw gold on it! It is like that $25000 dessert that made news a little while ago, it was $15 worth of ice cream and a $24985 gold bracelet.
Jeff_McAwesome on May 22, 2008 at 2:22 PM
Oh jeez, the stupid gold shit again. Every time that shows we are usually very near a major top in some world market. I think it has to do with a complete disregard for money.
patrick neid on May 22, 2008 at 2:23 PM
I’ve been known to drop $175 at a fine sushi place…toro is worth its weight in gold!
RushBaby on May 22, 2008 at 2:25 PM
The burger itself is probably $20. It’s the fries and ketchup that cost $155
infidelpride on May 22, 2008 at 2:27 PM
No sh*t, that’s what I thought.
They couldn’t even bother to grill the damn thing?
omnipotent on May 22, 2008 at 2:31 PM
I wonder if biting on large pieces of gold leaf has the same effect as biting on aluminum foil?
eeyore on May 22, 2008 at 2:33 PM
For $175, I can buy about 20 boxes of Bubba Burgers (6 frozen paddies to a box). Of course, the buns would be extra.
pilamaye on May 22, 2008 at 2:33 PM
Fried in foie gras no less – it’s a heart attack on a plate.
I’ll spend $175 on a lovely dinner – and entire dinner for 2, including appetizers, salad, main course (with sides), dessert, coffee and wine.
On one thing in the dinner? Puh-lease. But like CalBear said above, lottery winnings are pocket change to the people who this thing would be marketed to. $175 for them is the pennies at the bottom of my purse.
KrisinNE on May 22, 2008 at 2:34 PM
Yep.
I doubt that’s true. Even with today’s high price of gold, gold leaf is pretty cheap, because it’s so thin: Not very much weight for the surface area. I think it’s the quality of the ingredients, combined with the fact that they could charge this, which accounts for this; this seems to be a Veblen good.
calbear on May 22, 2008 at 2:35 PM
Wow. Inflation is a bitch.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on May 22, 2008 at 2:58 PM
Wow. Inflation sure is a b!tch.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on May 22, 2008 at 2:59 PM
How many sliders could you get at White Castle? Enough to re-enact Harold and Kumar?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on May 22, 2008 at 3:00 PM
New show coming to MTV…….Pimp My Food.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on May 22, 2008 at 3:02 PM
They also had gold leaf on the $41 burger my friend got at the Old Homestead Steakhouse in New York 7-8 years ago, back when a $41 burger (and homemade condiments) really meant something.
On the positive side, the fact that restaurants feel free to go into this battle of conspicuous consumption and wretched excess is a sign that, no matter what the Democrats are saying, the economy isn’t in a recession. Were times really tough, gas lines long and the unemployment rate hovering near double digits like the late Carter years, no restaurant in their right mind would want to brag about having America’s most expensive burger, since the hostile negative publicity would far offset whatever PR profile boost came with it.
jon1979 on May 22, 2008 at 3:04 PM
Anyone that would pay this price for a waste of Kobe beef won’t be rich for very long.
spmat on May 22, 2008 at 3:19 PM
Isn’t that Emeril’s older brother Emil?
drjohn on May 22, 2008 at 3:24 PM
I would buy it once to say that I had one. I doubt that it’s much better than what I BBQ.
Krydor on May 22, 2008 at 3:28 PM
The gold might give you the Fort Knox heartburn the next day.
Akzed on May 22, 2008 at 3:37 PM
This is only slightly more insane than a $30 TV dinner.
Attila (Pillage Idiot) on May 22, 2008 at 3:39 PM
Limerick’s Double Play Burger
Zesty burger that is perfect with a beer and your favorite team pitching at the bottom of the ninth.
1 1/2 lb of lean ground beef
1 lb of ground sirloin
(tip…the more fat in your meat the MORE it will shrink when cooking)
1/4 cup chopped green onion
1 minched garlic clove (or to taste)
1/4 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce
1 tbsp salt
1 tbsp black pepper
1/2 cup chopped jalepeno peppers
(tip….japepeno’s can be temp tested by looking at the number of small scars on the skin. The more scars, the hotter that sucker is)
A bit of olive oil
red leaf lettuce
Sliced fresh tomato
Your favorite hamburger bun
Wash your hands…..please
mix ground beef and ground sirloin in a large bowl. Set aside
Wash your hands again….thanks
In skillet quickly stir fry the chopped green onion, minced garlic cloves with the olive oil over high heat. The minced garlic should be a minced fine and when stir fried a bit carmalized but not burnt. Drain and set aside
Mix the sauteed green onion/ garlic, salt, pepper, and BBQ sauce with the meat. Finally add the chopped jalepeno.
(tip, wash your hands now, or you’ll end up rubbing your eye, or something else, and never enjoy your burger. Some jalepeno’s can be brutal)
Form into patties
(tip DONT PRESS FLAT. Form the patties by spinning and plumping between your palms on a bread board. If you smash the patties flat you are a closet democrat). 3/4 inch thick is about right.
Wash your hands yet again!
Grill method, HOT, but flame thowers make the worst burgers. Cook to desired state (live dangerously, that pink inner part of the burger only kills wimps). For you OMG there might be germs in it folks 160deg meat temp)
Stove top method, HOT, and drain grease as needed, leaving just enough to keep your cardiolgist pissed at you.
Lightly toast the buns on the grill or under the broiler.
Add lettuce and tomato.
Garnish with brown mustard. If you put ketchup on it Limerick will hunt you down and remove your spelling powers.
Relationship warning: DO NOT try to kiss your girlfriend or boyfriend for 1 hour after consuming. Limerick is not responsible for your grief if you do.
Did I tell you to wash your hands before eating?
Makes about 10 burgers (divide recipe for fewer servings).
……
Send $175 per burger royalty payment to
Limerick
123 4th St
Here, Texas 77777
Limerick on May 22, 2008 at 3:39 PM
OOOOPs
that is teaspoon of salt…NOT TABLESPOON
Limerick on May 22, 2008 at 3:52 PM
It isn’t eating the gold that is unhealthy it’s the retrieval…
ronsfi on May 22, 2008 at 4:37 PM
Heard a rumor that the meat in Bubba Burgers isn’t exactly prime. One story I saw even said that they would buy sub-par beef.
If you’re ever in Hawaii (Kauai to be exact) try a Bubba’s Burger (no relation).
Del Dolemonte on May 22, 2008 at 5:18 PM
Actually, no, and for just this instance I have to agree with the Obama supporters. Some of his erstwhile supporters would refuse to vote for him over the foie gras used to prepare the burger. It is a little too cruel to the duck for my taste. In fact, all the countries around France have banned foie gras. It’s just another dumb French idea.
thuja on May 22, 2008 at 5:26 PM
Dang people! It means it costs $175 to fill up your gas tank for the drive to the burger joint.
But seriously, folks. I’d be all over it but and spoiled by having the creator of major dad’s World Famous Cheeseburgers living at home with me.
Yes. I’m smug.
YUMS.
tree hugging sister on May 22, 2008 at 5:34 PM
Give it up already dude, she ain’t gonna buy you one, no matter how many hints you drop! Face it, you’re stuck with the two tin cans and a piece of string.
RMCS_USN on May 22, 2008 at 5:35 PM
$175 burger, and the fries comes in a newspaper?
BadgerHawk on May 22, 2008 at 5:42 PM
Ingesting heavy metals causes brain damage. Lead and mercury the most common causes.
Anyone who eats these burgers is a retard, literally.
jaime on May 22, 2008 at 6:06 PM
If you’re ever in Hawaii (Kauai to be exact) try a Bubba’s Burger (no relation).
Del Dolemonte on May 22, 2008 at 5:18 PM
lsutiger on May 22, 2008 at 7:17 PM
OK try this again:
Are you talking about this one?
And yes it was AWESOME!
lsutiger on May 22, 2008 at 7:19 PM
$175.00 Hamburger————–NUTS!,
But at that price i-phone should be complementary,no!
canopfor on May 22, 2008 at 8:57 PM
I hear P. T. Barnum laughing in his grave.
fossten on May 22, 2008 at 10:28 PM
Gold doesn’t qualify as a heavy metal, at least in this regard. It’s an almost miraculous metal. It can be injected (microscopically) into arthritic joints to replace bone tissue, thus alleviating some pain, and ameliorating further tissue loss due to wear. Also, I’m a jeweler, and have had a piece of 14K yellow gold in my left thumb for over twenty years. It isn’t even pure gold, and it’s never given me a problem.
sondiehl on May 22, 2008 at 11:41 PM
Oops. Meant to say also that gold is non-toxic and non-allergenic.
sondiehl on May 22, 2008 at 11:43 PM
Looks yummy as the blond, but look at the small amount of fries served in the N.Y. Times not a spot of grease. Must be a trans fat free establishment.
Kobe beef prepared by the flying knives of a sushi chef is the only way to go – grinding into burger meat is sacrilegious.
The price is caused by the addition of the gold flakes which must really be paint chips which give you a lead/mercury high so griping you’d pay anything for another bite.
MSGTAS on May 23, 2008 at 9:37 AM
“Seriously, though, it’s really stupid. Exit question: Is it any stupider than a $175 steak dinner at a four-star restaurant, though? It feels stupider.”
Why the beef-hate?
ggoofer on May 23, 2008 at 10:05 AM
I have a $300.00 dollar burger made from cat fed very lean dolphin made by a masturbating monkey chef who randomly adds whatever condiments he choses. Any takers? I can send it UPS.
BL@KBIRD on May 23, 2008 at 11:48 AM