Surfin’ Betty’s Burger Bar
Apicius, the ancient Roman cookbook author dating to the fifth century, described a ground meat dish wrapped in caul fat and sauteed in grape juice, the first known published account of what is today described as a hamburger. Chopped ground beef sold centuries later in Hamburg, Germany became known as the Hamburg beef patty, shortened to the ‘hamburger,’ which has never included ham as an ingredient. Around 1900, the hamburger sandwich, including bread and ground beef topped with vegetables, is said to have first been introduced by a corner food store in New Haven, CT, the concept later spreading to middle America, and then gaining international popularity. White Castle claims to have invented the smash burger concept in its national stores starting in the 1920s, but other stores have declared that they started the trend, which today captures a growing part of the annual billions-dollar burger market. Surfin’ Betty’s makes no claim to have invented anything, but sources local beef and hand-cuts its potatoes, frying both to about as good as the comfort food gets. Smash burgers are not all the same, even if the creation concept is consistent, because the ingredients in the beef are unique and the style of preparation and sizzle often set apart independent burger joints from their national chain neighbors. Offering crispy chicken sandwiches, standard and booze milkshakes, and the usual burger joint trappings, Surfin’ Betty’s stands out in Delmarva from other smash burger places, with warm fast food-style service and fun vibes. Independent brand sodas, craft beers, and various salads render the menu open to all adult and family tastes, giving Surfin’ Betty’s that not-so-chain-restaurant look and feel, setting it apart from the ubiquitous burger shops populating all resort towns. It is not known whether the owner’s mother, Betty ever surfed or even cooked burgers, but in a nod to the local culture, the two locations (with more planned) throw-off a surfing vibe, rendering it attractive to just about anyone who desires a good burger. And isn’t that all of us every so often . . .
