There’s nothing more all-American than a burger. In this series, we ask chefs to divulge the mouthwatering details behind their favorite restaurant burgers. Today, we chat with Chef AJ Dixon of Lazy Susan in Bay View. Dixon will be among nine featured chefs at the fifth annual Moveable Feast event at the Milwaukee Public Museum.
Chef AJ Dixon, who serves up her own special burger creations inspired by the television show "Bob’s Burgers" at the Lazy Susan bar during weeknight happy hour (Wednesday through Friday from 5 to 7 p.m.), says the ultimate burger possesses a number of distinctive characteristics.
"It’s cooked to a perfect medium," she says. "And griddled on a flat top. There is something about that crust it gets when it fries in its own fat."
The burger should be seasoned, she says, but simply with just a bit of salt and pepper.
As for toppings, she says there should be "lettuce, tomato, raw red onion and mayo … served on the side, since I’m a dipper," all piled high on a buttered and toasted bun.
Favorite burger
When it comes to her favorite, Dixon isn’t shy about expressing a preference for those she serves at the restaurant.
"Honestly," she says. "I like mine. Every week I am making a new burger, and we are always eating the leftovers once Friday hits, so I don't go out to eat burgers."
On the other hand, she says, if she does go out specifically for a burger, she doesn’t really have a preference.
"We have a lot of good places to get burgers," she says. "I like Kopp's. I like Oscars I also like Solly's and Sobleman's … and Cudahy Burger Joint has some good ones … I am kind of of all over the place with this."
She says there’s one type of burger, however, that incites nostalgia.
"I really like little greasy spoon burgers ... like a Webb's California burger or their double cheeseburgers," she says. "I grew up eating those."
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
