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In (Ex)cel-ebration of hamburgers - well it is National Burger Day in August - The Fox team are inviting you over for a burger!
The Fox succulent burgers come in three styles. Choose from a traditional meat patty topped with Monterey Jack cheese, Southern fried buttermilk chicken with homemade ‘slaw, or a meat free pea protein patty perfect for vegetarians.
As the burger is synonymous with the USA, we were going to go all American on 29th in honour of its finest export but we were surprised to learn that the burger actually originated in Rome over 2000 years ago - and back then, it wasn’t even known as a hamburger. Time for a lesson about the history of the burger!
The first take out for soldiers on the go!
During the 1st Century AD, Romans ate burgers - minced meat prepared with pine nuts, petters and wine. But no bun or pickles.
Twelve centuries later, the fierce Mongols of Mongolia tucked thick slabs of beef under their horse saddles for eating after a day's riding. Still no bun or cheese. But the riding tenderised the meat so it could be eaten ‘on the go’ which was useful as they had a nomadic lifestyle and a lot of Eurasia to conquer!
We claim burgers as British!
It wasn’t until 1747 that a recipe book written in London introduced burger-style meat served on toast. Known as a ‘Hamburg’ sausage, this was minced beef mixed with suet, pepper, cloves, nutmeg, garlic, vinegar, salt, red wine, and surprisingly, rum. We may try making this one day!
In 1802, the Oxford English Dictionary described Hamburg steak as "a hard slab of salted, minced beef, often slightly smoked, mixed with onions and breadcrumbs." Clearly burgers are British, so why are they associated with America?
Burgers - The USA argument
At the Erie County Fair in New York in 1885, The Menches Brothers are said to have run out of pork sausages so put beef into a sandwich, thereby creating a burger. But in the same year at a Fair in Wisconsin, Charlie Nagreen, known as "Hamburger Charlie," apparently squashed a beef meatball between slices of bread so his customers could walk around eating — a concoction he claimed was the first hamburger.
But the first documented burger, came in 1891 in Oklahoma, when flame-grilled beef patties were put in a sourdough bun by Oscar Weber Bilby and his wife Fanny to celebrate the Fourth of July.
The first cheeseburger was allegedly made in 1925 in Pasadena California 🤷 although the first trademark for a Cheeseburger was submitted in 1935 for the Humpty Dumpty Drive-In in Denver, Colorado.
Maybe we’ll give them the hamburger and keep the burger!
The rest, as they say, is hamburger history!
Today, burgers are prevalent all over the world in many different styles. They’re a popular choice as you can pretty much use any meat - or no meat - and all kinds of additional ingredients. We’ve chosen the most popular combos but if you want something added - or taken away - please ask our amazing wait team and the kitchen crew will be happy to help.
Burgers and beer - and a few more ideas!
Personally, we think hamburgers and beer make a great combination but any ‘light’ flavoured drink works well. Maybe a rum and cola, or even a whisky sour to cut through the fat and bread? Sangria is another good suggestion as the red wine pairs well with meat, or pick a simple lemonade or spritzer. Whatever you choose, we will be more than happy to serve you!
Book now for Burgers in August at The Fox ExCeL
The Fox is located at ExCeL Docklands, only 4 minutes walk from Customs House Tube Station on the Elizabeth Line. We’re open 11am-11pm every day (10.30pm on Sundays) so come join us!
Find the Fox ExCeL here: K Warehouse 2 Western Gateway, ExCeL Centre, London, E16 1DR