A Day Making NYC's Most Hyped Burgers at Hamburger America | On The Line | Bon Appétit

“I’ve been obsessed with burgers, easily for about 25 years now. Hamburger America is the name of the documentary film I made in 2004; I have since then written five books, I’ve had three TV shows, and now a restaurant.” Today Bon Appétit spends a day on the line with George Motz, burger scholar and owner of Hamburger America.
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Bon Appétit is a highly opinionated food brand that wants everyone to love cooking and eating as much as we do. We believe in seasonal produce, properly salted pasta water, and developing recipes that anyone can make at home.

[@marvinko6610]

George is one of the most genuinely passionate people out there. He deserves all the success he has gotten an is going to get

[@metromusic5725]

Holy moly - what a bot style disingenuous cringe comment. You don't even know this dude. And he paid for the video to be made.

[@danielhogue6484]

!00% his attitude is amazing!

[@myho749]

That looks delicious

[@donniemoder1466]

I don't care if it is genuine or not. He projects a great attitude. Upbeat, positive with a little chuckle.

[@karadan100]

I really like the guy. He's sweet, genuine, smart and extremely funny. His recent collaboration with the channel 'Jolly' really highlighted his easy-going nature, commitment to his art and his on-point sense of humour. Great bloke.

[@alastairvanmaren5243]

So THAT'S where George Motz disappeared to! I didn't know he'd opened his own burger place. I love that for him. Such a wholesome gentleman. 😁

[@tberkoff]

I had the same reaction.

[@nicholas5240]

George Motz, George Hotz Amazing people

[@squeektheweek6949]

I believe on first we feast he did a few videos while they were setting up the restaurant

[@JOZoSo.]

You guys have been living under a rock because this is like the 5th video of him in his restaurant.

[@squeektheweek6949]

@@JOZoSo. I believe its the first on Bon Appetite, most of his content is on First We Feast.

[@drewcigna8197]

He researched hamburgers in America for two decades before deciding to open a restaurant. That's incredible and I wish him and his team nothing but success!

[@Sid-xh6so]

Doesn’t take much research or analysis to make a burger bud😂

[@lowerdragoon]

​@@Sid-xh6so Doesn't change the fact that George did research burgers for years before opening his own restaurant. Not every burger joint tastes the same. In my opinion the best burger joint I've been to is probably five guys.

[@eddiekim7101]

@@Sid-xh6so Motz literally talked about how silly it is that nobody took burgers as a serious historic food and here you are making the same mistake 😂

[@94seanster]

This 9 minute video, for some reason, felt like it was 3 minutes long in the best way

[@nathanmacedo881]

Fr id love an hour long video about this restaurant and him

[@uplatewithdave]

The buns are Martin’s Potato Rolls, just like Shake Shack uses.

[@siddharthbhatia8815]

This is the most American thing I've ever seen and I mean that in the best way possible. This is beautiful.

[@moos5221]

I love the counter, straight out of Back to the Future No.2.

[@bifftannen9718]

Smash burgers are unAmerican. You don’t know what Americanism is.

[@mendeldavis5755]

His energy is amazing. You can tell he is passionate about his food and cares about his employees.

[@SanTM]

And they get 3 weeks paid holiday each year!

[@metromusic5725]

How can you tell "Mendel"? He paid for this to be produced, and he's acting in front of a camera. Don't be so cringe.

[@auritdutta4937]

Relax your username is metromusic

[@metromusic5725]

@@auritdutta4937 The whole video is fake. He's never at the restaurant an all he wants to do is open more, and then it will fail. Thats the story of all "celebrity" chef ventures. He rather be in front of the camera than behind a grill.

[@ildlyn8966]

yeah he cares so much he hides the mexicans in the back

[@drewpearson6722]

I love George's enthusiasm! You can really tell this IS the restaurant he's always wanted to have. Hopefully, I'll get a chance to visit someday

[@MrGetItIn]

George's onion burger is one of the best burgers I've ever had the pleasure of eating. Highly recommend to anyone in NYC

[@faust451]

Concur. I visited in January and was planning on ordering the smash burger as I thought the onions would be overpowering. Ultimately I convinced myself to try the onion burger and it was perfection, absolutely delicious.

[@mammontustado9680]

How was the price? Considering it's NY

[@chinqlinq89]

@@mammontustado9680 Some of it’s shown in the video. $7.25/single $11.50/double milks are $4-5

[@MrGetItIn]

For the quality, very reasonable. I think the double onion burger and fries came to about $17@@mammontustado9680

[@michaelhockus8208]

nice thanks, I'll check it out

[@Screwdriver346]

Grill top facing the clienteles is genius. It’s more personal and entertaining for the customer.

[@crazyelf1]

It becomes like the hamburger equal to teppanyaki.

[@soultaker840]

Just onion, pickle, and mustard is LITERALLY MY FAVORITE ALL TIME BURGER. They make it that by default?!?! 10/10

[@jgcobb79]

That's the real deal OG burger.

[@whatshername369]

I'm an Oklahoma Girl. That's all I literally know!!

[@McShag420]

He's a burger purist.

[@drworm1332]

​@whatshername369 do you know The okc qthunder?

[@whatshername369]

@drworm1332 Yes, the basketball team. 🏀 😀

[@henlolneh]

Mr Motz deserves everything great coming his way. The man's passion is palpable.

[@whitephantom3774]

2:16 *responds in complete Spanish* Replies “oh”

[@chrisschumacher4418]

George is the consummate burger ambassador, and we all love him for it. Nobody has made me go to the store and buy ingredients multiple times to try and duplicate what George does. Long live the burger master!

[@corgeousgeorge]

How have your attempts gone? Any successes?

[@chrisschumacher4418]

@corgeousgeorge I have been pretty successful doing smashburgers and onionshmash patties. My wife was nice enough to get me a nice Blackstone flat top, and it has been a game changer. I'm also lucky to have 2 teenage boys around, so I'm not eating all the experiments.

[@corgeousgeorge]

@@chrisschumacher4418 we Stan a supportive family unit!!

[@ItzBwo]

There’s food folks with personality, then there’s George with his PERSONALITY! Can’t not root for him just based on how passionate he is about his craft

[@el_music0]

George Motz I love you sir! Your restaurant is on the bucket list and it will stay there no matter how many times I go! You are an incredible human being sir 🙏🏼

[@BornAndErrorOccur]

With the amount of knowledge Mr. Motz has on this subject, he deserves a restaurant for sure! So happy.

[@JigilJigil]

I like it when people dedicate their whole life into one thing.

[@metromusic5725]

He's not - and he paid for this video to be produced for his restaurant.

[@GOOSE.]

They were meant to do what they do.

[@1b0o0]

Highly recommend “Jiro dreams of sushi”

[@MrCoffeekelly]

you mean like working a job to survive because they weren't born into money?

[@Volvalex]

I'm so glad that George has finally been able to open a location where he can share his affinity and influence for burgers to the world. He looks so happy, and he deserved this, for being such a unique and influential gentleman. Congratulations George!

[@julieuk5855]

I believe in facing the customer. I met my husband that way. He was the Chef. 15 years later and we're still happy.❤

[@joeyrogerson83]

I see the merit in it but as someone who cooks for a living I DO NOT want people staring at me while I cook.

[@metromusic5725]

I'll take things that didn't happen for $400, Alex

[@Rosa-kd2cl]

@@metromusic5725aren’t you a ray of sunshine in all of these comments

[@briguyinsi]

Incredible simple food, he’s the best.

[@cheef825]

sadly wasn't there when george was behind the grill, but the atmosphere and food was delicious. hopefully i can see him next time im in nyc, as he's the one who made me think more about the burgers ive been eating my whole life. highly reccomend the offmenu chester!

[@Jack-qk7tq]

been following this george sense he started showing up on first we feast. He's so genuine and nice, i strive to enjoy my life and job as much as he does.

[@GG-bl2vm]

How can you not love George and his passion for burgers. 😊

[@storyoptics4964]

It's awesome to see George on Bon Appétit after having watched his First We Feast videos for so long.

[@user-yq6cj2kt8t]

George is amazing ! His knowledge of burgers is absolutely insane lol love how he interacts with his employees

[@darrenr2538]

Now that there is one passionate, legend of a cook. I stumbled across this video by accident and stayed because he was an absolute joy to listen to. His entire team were great. If only this Londoner was back in NY again!

[@uuuultra]

It was no accident

[@G-Maumee]

Always a joy to watch someone like George who is passionate about what they are doing. He deserves all the success he's gotten over the years.

[@banglarrannaghor]

That special item is called the Patty Melt 7:59 :)

[@zhiracs]

That specific one is the Chester, actually

[@joeyrogerson83]

A patty melt needs to have onions, but almost.

[@ken138]

That's what I was thinking too but then I think a Patty melt has onions. Also, Patty Melt would be too obvious. I think he was going for something a bit more obscure.

[@oldironsides4107]

Something a bum would make.

[@ganymede4030]

​@@oldironsides4107 What's with the bad attitude? Relax

[@MrRom92DAW]

Out of all the restaurants ever featured on this channel, this is 100% one I NEED to visit.

[@julseabate4173]

wow he is STILL excited making burgers!! bravo George!

[@josereyna8885]

What a beautiful demeanor! The burgers look amazing and the energy of the place is magic!

[@jameswilliams2494]

I make smashburgers every day. Usually around 100-200. The pre cook one side, then flip and smash just changed my life. My go to has been stripping seasoning on one side so that it sticks to the grill and not smasher... I no longer have to grill brick between big rushes. you have saved my forearms sir.

[@RealBigBadJohn]

❓

[@vincer7824]

Yeah it’s a neat technique.

[@TyyTheFlyGuy]

Always enjoyed his videos. Happy he found his calling with his own restaurant, the food look fantastic.

[@thenameisyosh]

This is awesome congrats George!!!

[@kerryabruzzo5297]

I love his energy!

[@phronsiekeys]

I think this is what they mean by "follow your bliss" 🙂

[@kindablue1959]

When you say 'they' you mean Joseph Campbell.

[@metromusic5725]

He failed at television - so he opened a restaurant. And he paid for this video to be produced. Also BOT COMMENT

[@laughaway7955]

​@@metromusic5725 so?

[@76marex]

@@metromusic5725 You obviously need help urgently

[@nobodyhome-jy2bd]

this guy was born to burger.

[@ChemicalEngineeringGuy]

5:58 thats a great tip!

[@richardporter154]

I love watching and listening to him speak so passionately about what he loves.

[@tejastrojan]

I'm so glad I watched this. Thank you sir.

[@stianaslaksen5799]

He's such a fun and genuine character. I wish him all the best with his restaurant!

[@lucassilvapascoal3581]

I discovered George Motz on First We Feast and I love his show there, I love to see the passion that he has in what he does, he is a source of motivation to me.

[@fruitpenguin6285]

One of my favorite people on the planet it's always such a joy to see George talking about what he loves

[@rohanxdavis]

Love to see this energy around food!

[@DeVouRHm]

You can really tell that he loves what he does, is just wonderful!

[@Marshy94]

that dude is VERY american.

[@matthewtunney7331]

I had him clean bent over the kitchen feeding it to him he loved it busted that thing

[@seandavis5981]

I could listen/watch George talk about/educate people about the history of the hamburger and its regional offshoots for eternity. His passion for it draws you in and his charisma/love/thirst to know even more than he already does keeps you coming back. Adding this spot to my bucket list for when I can get back to New York, for sure.

[@jasecee8992]

Loved watching this vid, and the burgers. Great vibe you have.

[@handymadness]

This is my favorite video your channel has ever put out.

[@123456djgoogoo]

I hope I find my purpose like this guy one day, genuine happiness.

[@Andy-pr5be]

what a leyend, very inspiring thank you!

[@edgarmiranda3231]

love the concept, the food, and most of all his personality

[@Alex-zi1nb]

so happy for george. cant wait to visit one day

[@dikhetto]

For the people who wanted to know the machine for onion, its called robot coupe cl50

[@tweakypoppy]

Why is it proprietary? George makes it sound like he invented it.

[@peterhoang2107]

@@tweakypoppy Maybe he modified it or had it on a specific setting to get his perfectly sliced onions.

[@vincer7824]

Robot Coupe is the king of food processor type commercial appliances. Goated, as the kids say.

[@williamwallace410]

Thanks, I was wondering.

[@danielbothman3511]

the handle makes it look more like a CL 52

[@andrec.fennell9255]

It's so refreshing to see a personality be so into what they do and passionate about it, laughing the whole time.

[@1969MARKETING]

the passion is what makes a great restaurant

[@foboshobo]

His restaurant is worth the hype, one of the best burgers ive had

[@brookmelee5983]

No ketchup, no mayo or aioli, love it. Mustard, pickle, onion, cheese. That's the way.

[@bensonr2]

This is the way.

[@yettel8shrjriene922]

It seems that you can add them optionally

[@dolan-duk]

Wow, I love his energy!

[@Spacer_vr]

Amazing!! Love that ❤️

[@swervsplatt9672]

For anyone who's wondering, he's using a Robot Coupe in the beginning to slice onions. Quite possibly the best food processor ever... 👍🤠

[@shawnswinehart3461]

As a sous chef myself I literally thought "I do the same thing with a robot coupe." It's not propriatary like he said but it's definitely efficient.

[@danielbothman3511]

more specifically looks like a robot coupe CL 52

[@keyproco]

It's just for being funny, we can understand how painful was without that robot !

[@Caderic]

@@keyproco Ok, I was think, "Am I the only one that thought he was going for a joke there?" I mean, I am glade to know what the name of the machine is now, but I was under no impression it wasn't just a joke.

[@benwasserman8223]

I got to visit George's place last month. His Oklahoma Fried Onion Burger is fantastic - highly recommend if you ever stop by Hamburger America. Then again, there's only two burgers on the menu, so probably best to buy a pair.

[@frikaleoteras]

This guy always brings a smile to my face. All the best with the restaurant

[@heathermiller3135]

Wow! Looks amazing!

[@joshuapatrick682]

if anyone personifies the simple joy of having a perfect burger, it's George.

[@coinstruck6079]

Hamburgers are the most delicious underrated delicacy in the world.

[@chicobicalho5621]

Obviously he is one happy camper. Lovely to see his enthusiasm, and working with him has to be a joy.

[@AnotherAverageCanuck]

Something so simple and yet so elegant. Nothing fancy about it and what looks easy to make def looks hard to master. Talk about a perfect meal.

[@smithyc2051]

A burger done properly is the finest food in the world.

[@richardb561]

Great to see George living the dream! Will have to make a pilgrimage to Hamburger America one day; I got to try his onion burger in London a few years back and it became my go-to method for making a burger.

[@williamwallace410]

what makes it better than a regular hamburger patty?

[@pepperman2385]

@@williamwallace410 The burger patty is roughly 50/50 ground beef to onions. Not really better, just different. It was created in Oklahoma during the Great Depression as a way for diners to to be able to provide reasonably priced and still filling meals for those struggling to make ends meet back in those rough times.

[@reddy272]

Love all of his innovations and well designed aspects to his kitchen. The onion slicer, holder for the napkins on the counter, the way his station is set up, smashula

[@FalloutPlays]

George is a legend & his passion is inspiring

[@534]

Watching this while fasting

[@Shwexx]

His secret onion machine is a Robot Coupe CL 50 series E for anyone wondering

[@REALchocochan]

😻ty

[@raultraje]

Very ugly of him to want to hide this equipment. And a little naive too. Any burger place in practically any country in the world has one of these or an equivalent...A manufacturer here in Brazil that does something similar is Skymsen

[@discounthub1401]

Wonder why he said it was propiertary? thought he designed it himself.

[@Shwexx]

@@discounthub1401 he might have said that to throw people off but the silhouette of that machine looks EXACTLY like the one I mentioned.

[@discounthub1401]

@@Shwexx lol

[@RobbieNero]

So much energy he could do anything and be a success

[@beardown6574]

Love George! Became a fan watching him on first we feast. Just love his energy and passion for burgers. So happy for him and the success he's having.

[@damascusraven]

$7.25 for a single. New York in a nutshell.

[@mr.blamochai2801]

the rent is mainly what causes this

[@DevoteeCT]

@@mr.blamochai2801 First is food costs, then a NYC living wage for employees, then rent.

[@BarryBlockZay617]

Tbh not bad but I live in Boston and it's more expensive than NY 🤷🏾‍♂️ I'd pay that for a burger like this

[@NumeroMOrk]

A😊😊​@@DevoteeCT

[@mrackerm5879]

Someday I will visit you there, George. Congratulations. You were once kind and answered a few email messages I sent you.

[@turtleboypurp]

def making the trip to nyc this yr and this place is on the top of my bucket list.

[@phug0id]

congrats George! you deserve everything you've worked for including this restaurant! hope to visit some day 🙂🙂

[@bored7743]

Rlly glad George Motz is getting his bag. Well deserved. He’s done a lot for the burger. Sounds odd but it’s true.

[@vh4355]

I miss Burger Scholars. :( George is always entertaining. :)

[@tomawen5916]

Love. Love. Love. How the American dream comes true with a classic smash cheeseburger. Great video on Hamburger America. Thanks BA!

[@hope.birdii]

i love this series because it really is just genuine people doing what they love :)

[@domi2023x]

That guy sounds like ASAC Hank Schrader.

[@kind2311]

machine @ 1:28 is a Robot Coupe CL50 Continuous Feed Food Processor

[@HuismanJudith]

Thanks. Any idea why he wanted it blurred? Was it more than just not showing the brand?

[@kind2311]

@@HuismanJudith I have absolutely no idea 🤣🤣🤣

[@rickstilkey4390]

Came here just for this comment.

[@aaronermis4082]

George’s smile and laugh is infectious.

[@tgregs07]

Love this dudes passion

[@genejitsu3305]

I want a burger so bad

[@Dapur-0073]

He is the perfect American, he created content about hamburgers, capitalised on the value and got sideburns, he is textbook American, with capitalism and marketing

[@WasnClown]

The Energy this guy brings into a room is amazing, thats the way you'll be successful!

[@MilitantOldLady]

I love watching people who are happy and love what they're doing.

[@frasermartens3976]

Hm, you’re saying steaming the hams is an Oklahoma thing? I thought that was more of an Albany recipe.

[@acro7]

steamed hams

[@jng99]

George is a national treasure. When I visit the US, this will be one of my foodie destinations!

[@Pronoob88990]

Incredible Burger with passion

[@leazyfpv5521]

Love this.

[@vistasuprema]

That's 2-3 cows worth of ground beef per week. This is why we have an agricultural crisis in this country. That is an unsustainable level of consumption. And yes, I do love hamburgers.

[@rysus]

Is it a patty melt?

[@Michael20]

its great to see someone who enjoys their job with this much pride and enthusiasm.

[@RR1976]

I remember seeing your documentary, still love it!!!