David Chang Blasts Grilled Burgers, Calling Them 'Carbonized Crap'
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David Chang is a Michelin-starred restaurateur, author, and television personality—but you can also add professional hater to that list. He has rallied against just about every food-related thing you can think of. Chang has hated on cupcakes, Costco’s rotisserie chicken, and even Guy Fieri. But his latest hot take might be a step too far.
In the most recent episode of his podcast, The Dave Chang Show, the chef lambasts burgers cooked on the grill. "We have assumed as a culture that in summer, we eat a burger, and it's grilled,” he said. “I actually think the grill is a horrible thing for the burger."
Chang goes on to accuse grilled burgers of being a “marketing lie.” He specifically critiques the claim that grills add a smoky flavor to the meat. “The only flavor that’s being imparted is the carbonized crap that’s on it,” Chang said. “You would need to cook a burger over charcoal for 12 hours to get that smoky flavor.”
Instead, he recommends opting for a griddle to make a batch of burgers. Chang argues that the griddle minimizes the risk of grease fires and leaves you with “no cleanup.”
While we can stand behind some aspects of Chang’s argument (like the grill’s risk of grease fires), this isn’t a take we can cosign. First of all: to achieve a dark, crusty exterior on a burger patty, you’ll probably fill your entire kitchen with a cloud of smoke. The grill is a godsend for anybody without industrial-grade air ventilation.
A grill is also ideal for high-volume cooking, like when you’re hosting a summer cookout. A stovetop griddle or cast-iron pan can only fit four burgers at most.
And most importantly, we like the “carbonized crap” flavor that Chang apparently hates so much. Call it childhood nostalgia, call it general preference, but grilled burgers have a certain je ne sais quoi that we’ll always love on hot summer days.
In response to Chang's comments on his podcast, the Internet understandably had some strong reactions. One Twitter user said, "Just because he overcooks them doesn't mean we all have to stop grilling burgers. Mine are always juicy AF on the grill. Celebrity status does not an expert in everything make."
Another asked, "Does he also hate puppies?"
At this rate, we wouldn't be that surprised.
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