How do you want your burger?
Burgers are our national craving. We love the flat, griddled old-school style patties of classic burger joints and the fresh grinds of prime beef dressed up on high-end menus. Last year we purchased 50 billion of them served every-which-way—that’s about a burger a week for every man, woman, and child. The Zagat survey took a recent look at what’s between our buns.
$295 Guinness record holder for priciest burger served at New York’s Serendipity Restaurant
How much are you willing to spend on a burger?
less than $10: 29%
$10 – $14.99: 50%
$15 – $19.99: 14%
$20 or more: 8%
How do you like your burger cooked?
Medium Rare: 38%
Medium: 36%
Medium Well: 16%
Well Done: 6%
Rare: 4%
image via The Burger Joint, New York
Where do you typically go for a burger?
Specialty Burger Restaurant: 15%
General Restaurant: 18%
Fast-Food Spot: 14%
Diner: 3%
Make at Home: 14%
69% reported that they have at least once indulged in a super-premium burger with ingredients like truffles or foie gras
Toppings menu via 5 Guys, recently named America’s Favorite Burger Chain in Zagat’s survey of fast food customers
Which Toppings Do You Like Best? (choose multiple):
Cheese: 82%
Lettuce: 59%
Tomato: 59%
Onions— Grilled: 56%; Raw: 43%
Bacon: 54%
Pickles: 48%
Mushrooms: 33%
And Your Least Favorite Topping? (choose one):
Jalapeños: 20%
Raw Onions: 15%
Mushrooms: 13%
Guacamole: 12%
Pickles :12%
60% of diners say they prefer a specialty roll while 23% prefer a standard bun
Another survey from the market research firm Technomic found a generation gap in burger customization with nearly twice as many 18-35 year olds willing to pay extra for premium toppings than those who are 35+.
vintage condiment set via Etsy
Favorite Condiment (choose multiple):
Ketchup: 66%
Mustard: 47%
Mayonnaise: 44%
Barbecue Sauce: 27%
Thousand Island Dressing: 17%
Least Favorite Condiment: (choose 1):
Relish: 20%
Mayonnaise: 19%
Hot Sauce: 18%
When it comes to cheese, cheddar is the clear favorite at 38%. American is second at 15%; blue cheese is a surprisingly strong third at 13%, followed by Swiss (12%, and Monterey Jack (6%).
image via SnackoClock
Do You Mostly Eat Burgers for…? (choose 1 or 2):
Dinner: 75%
Lunch: 60%
Late-Night Snack: 9%
Breakfast: 2%
image via University of Pennsylvania Vegan Society
Pick your patty:
Beef: 85%
Bison: 5%
Turkey: 4%
50% of women and 33% of men also said they occasionally opt for a vegetarian patty
Grass-fed and/or organic beef registered as an important choice for just 15%; another 43% said it’s a consideration, and 42% said it’s not a factor.
6% prefers little sliders to full-size burgers.
image via Side A Fries, Detroit, MI
Favorite side:
French fries: 63%
Onion rings: 16%
Tater Tots: 6%
(note that Tater Tots were favored at the same rate as sliders. Mere coincidence or overlapping survey populations?)
