How Hamburger America Became the Top Burger Spot in NYC - Icons

Meet George Motz, the self-proclaimed burger scholar and the owner of Hamburger America in NYC. Serving up a whopping 7,000 burgers a week, Motz is on a mission to spread his undying love for the all-American hamburger. At his joint, it's all about the classics - expect just three options on the menu: the smash burger, the fried onion burger, and a rotating monthly burger special highlighting regional patties across the U.S. For Motz, every burger is a tribute to the craft and culture of this iconic American food.
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Credits:
Producer: Connor Reid
Directors: Connor Reid, Murilo Ferreira
Camera: Murilo Ferreira, Jake Robbins
Sound Operator: Bill Vella
Editor: Howie Burbidge
Assistant Editor: Christine Ring
Executive Producer: Stephen Pelletteri
Director of Production: Stefania Orrù
Supervising Producer, Development: Gabriella Lewis
Post-Production Supervisor: Lucy Morales Carlisle
Audience Engagement: Frances Dumlao
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[@bigkayagrass1809]

went, burger was awesome - best part was watching george interacting with his staff - hopped behind the grill, helped out everywhere and treated them all with respect. love this guy.

[@user-me1mv4vy9q]

How good was the food tho? Better than fatburger or culvers? U dont have to answer if its not as good or if ur unable to differentiate

[@jamietingey7498]

That's so cool. Some chef's are jerks to the staff. He's a legend to me.

[@fi7959]

@@user-me1mv4vy9q Far better than either of those places.

[@commandingsteel]

@@user-me1mv4vy9q can't really compare a smash onion burger to fat burger...also, at the end of the day it comes down to beef quality and seasoning that's gonna make a good burger...

[@caffeinedelusions]

I’ve heard some claim that he’s only on-site if there’re going to be cameras present that day. You’re saying you caught him being present on a regular day, just taking care of the shop? Because I want that to be true. I get that he’s not going to be in every day, but I’d much rather think of George as a community guy than a self-promoter.

[@aysaiahdemarbiex786]

He’s literally teaching you the secret sauce, that’s how much he loves the burger game. It’s insane the amount of knowledge i’ve learned from the king, thank you George

[@NickcLaBelle]

he's the anti-mr krabs. no recipe belongs to him, and he takes pride in that

[@nile7999]

burger game

[@NickcLaBelle]

@@nile7999 burger game

[@seymourglass26]

That's when you know your experience and skills make a difference. I can copy his burger, but I promise you it won't be the same.

[@metromusic5725]

He paid for this video to get made - what does he care? He's never even at the restaurant anyways....

[@ArielK1987]

This guy is basically the encyclopedia when it comes to burgers.

[@tmbtor]

no hes the burger scholar, he writes the encyclopedia

[@MrKevy40]

@@chimpo131How would you know how someone looks that did that seem a lil suspect 😂

[@Billyjoe_Patriot]

A 2 pages encyclopedia !

[@ImionsaeXwb77]

@@chimpo131 I somewhat agree with you....,

[@RFSpartan]

It's not rocket science sweetheart

[@timothyutton3630]

I love the fact that nothing he does is a secret. He told the viewers step by step exactly what he does to make the best burger and why.

[@ChauNyan]

He's a burger historian and burger master. He preserve discontinued sandwiches

[@MattViral]

It's love that makes the difference.

[@ThatchNetherfold]

​@@ChauNyanHe dictated his entire career to burgers alone. It's easy to make a burger, but to attain mastery over it is a lifetime practice. "A true master is an eternal student." - Master Yi, League of Legends

[@brianpacos4072]

He's got a couple secrets that weren't shown. Not necessarily "ingredients" or anything like that but a few items were left out.

[@Dostendite]

@@ThatchNetherfold man yi is so broken atm

[@MrVovansim]

I'm a simple man. I see Motz, I click, even though I've heard him talk about this burger a dozen times already.

[@mc-designhacker]

I'm on the west coast of Canada, so I don't have access to Martins, but I've followed his videos to the letter otherwise, and now the best burger I've ever eaten is the one I can make myself. Much cheaper too!

[@at0mly]

I could basically give all his interview answers for him at this point but I'll never get sick of listening to him.

[@johnnymonsterrrr]

easiest NPC bait of all time

[@kevinferrell8237]

I keep asking George if he would be open to adopting a 33 year old man. Still haven’t received a response for some reason.

[@WFOChevrolet30]

This is the way

[@hal_inc]

This is the best thing I’ve ever seen on KZbin. Bar none. Holy crap. I knew I was a burger guy, but this is….. I could never believe someone would take it to this level. I live in Sweden. Every penny I earn now goes to a special savings account just for a trip to Hamburger America. Ordering Martins buns as well as we speak. Grinding 50/50 for the home chef. Onions from France mind you, Peru too far. Sweet AF. Thank you George, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

[@wesleygary6651]

Vidalia onions from Vidalia Georgia, U.S.A. Put them up in a fight vs anything from Peru. I'll give the potato advantage to the fellas down south but they gotta fight for the best sweet onion. I reckon they come up short.

[@JimKeepOnTrucking]

Watch korean burger videos

[@mbk526]

He's so chill and passionate at the same time. Utmost respect.

[@bethenawaltz4190]

i think he's obnoxious

[@metromusic5725]

Its fake, just like this video which he paid to get produced. Thats how Eater gets their money. Paid advertorial content.

[@joshlewis575]

George is one of the coolest examples of the power of the internet. Some dude just sharing his love of burgers to become so big time is pretty awesome

[@SqwashGaming]

I’ll never get tired of listening to this dude

[@WillS-pl8wg]

Me neither.Love this guy,love his burgers more.😅

[@benjaminjameskreger]

His passion is contagious.

[@Grd583]

Same here🇸🇪

[@lovetekman]

went to hamburger america on my visit to the states, awesome joint, friendly staff, awesome burgers, and the man himself!

[@stevekjr9563]

Been to Hamburger America. It is a must-go to anyone who loves burgers and happens to be in NYC. I even met George and talked with him for a short time. His personality is just like you see on these videos. He's a little more chill, but that's to be expected. It's an amazing experience.

[@AugF130]

He speaks like a scientist with all these descriptions of the burger making process. He's a professional honestly.

[@chrisrussell9991]

George is finally being recognized as the Godfather of the great American creation we know as the hamburger. His knowledge and enthusiasm for regional classics is infectious.

[@hanzohanzo1639]

Hamburger was created by Germans, in “Hamburg”. Idiot Americans think they created everything 💩💩💩

[@Rj-dq1qe]

He didn't invent the smash burger. It was developed in the 1920s and originally called the "depression" burger.

[@chrisrussell9991]

@Rj-dq1qe he never claimed to invent the smash burger. He has, however managed to perfect it

[@TaCtiCaL323]

​@@chrisrussell9991Perfecting it? Na. Have you had a burger from this place. They're meh at best...

[@chrisrussell9991]

@TaCtiCaL323 yours are probably way better I'm sure...

[@rpier8357]

This man is saving a piece of America that would have been lost. I love everything about it.

[@joememphis1571]

George Motz is the real life Big Lebowski in terms of how cool, chill, real and down to earth he is. He definitely knows his burgers also.

[@McShag420]

Vibe, a bit, but George is WAY more motivated than the Dude.

[@joememphis1571]

@@McShag420 You are right about that. I should’ve clarified what I had said with all due respect.

[@ServingChrist]

Motz is a fascinating storyteller and very easy to admire someone who takes such pride in their work. I can only imagine how great those onion burgers are.

[@Cheeseball007ftw]

This guy has found joy in doing what he was put on earth to do

[@DafyddBrooks]

11:16 "make people happy through ham burgers " you sound like a wonderful man :)

[@R3troZone]

This is what happens when you spend 30 years researching a specific menu item before finally opening a restaurant dedicated to that item. You become the best at it. Lesson: Do your research.

[@j.d.6915]

Keeping the menu small is brilliant. Never need to worry about spreading yourself too thin. No need to worry about people complaining about this or that. There's only three items. Take them or leave them.

[@waywardmind]

Seriously. This is the literal opposite of every episode of Kitchen Nightmares for that very reason.

[@Under-Kaoz]

What? Kitchen nightmares is done by Ramsey who does research a lot... you don't need 30 years for every item. He also always has people reduce menu size.

[@j.d.6915]

@@Under-Kaoz I think the poster meant that keeping the menu small and researching every dish keeps Gordon and Kitchen Nightmares away.

[@Under-Kaoz]

ohhh my bad if that's the case. It's worded very strange.

[@NormanIsPlaying]

Ffing love this guy yapping about burgers. It’s soothing for some reason, he’s passionate !

[@eatmoremusic3650]

I could listen to George talk for hours. So happy the burger shop is doing so well

[@willsmith8586]

This guy loves his job. I really enjoyed this documentary. Being from Oklahoma and transplanted somewhere else, I buy my own chuck rolls, butcher them and grind the left over into perfect hamburger meat. I don't even know the fat content, all I can say is, it makes the best burgers, but you do have to watch for flame up. I know what I'm making tonight.

[@MusiciansRule07]

I love George Motz so much! First We Feast introduced him to me during Lockdown and he reminds me of every chill teacher that I've ever had. And it's so amazing to see someone live their life's dream and make a career out exploring and learning about something they adore. When I make my first of many trips to NYC to see family and do food tours, eating at Mr. Motz's restaurant is at the top of the to-do list.

[@SimonASimonA-j1g]

You're a loser tbh.

[@SimonASimonA-j1g]

Loser..

[@The1910studios]

I loved every second of this video

[@burayan85]

I started making these at home thanks to George Motz's at home videos during the pandemic. No other burger will ever compare!

[@superjody]

Same here, Ive introduced the onion burger to my friend's and they love it. Went to his restaurant twice a few months ago on a nyc trip but he wasn't there 😢

[@stybur19]

​@@superjodyOklahoma burgers are what they are. He hasn't reinvented a single thing lol he's just another food network elitist that you collective minds must adhere to.

[@superjody]

@stybur19 I'm not saying he reinvented it but his videos made me more aware of it and he's great to watch. Not as popular to a lot of UK people unless you are into burgers. None of my mates were aware of it but I explained it's just a simple but effective burger and they really liked it

[@SaffronWorldCR]

​@@stybur19people are praising the history of American food and how great these burgers are. You're just an angry hater, stay mad.

[@lfe151]

Thank you for your work!

[@RyanAustinDean]

George’s love for burgers always makes me want to fire up the griddle and make our own. His passion is contagious. If you haven’t tried making your own onion burger, do it. It’s amazing.

[@e.b.7513]

You can just tell he genuinely loves what he does for a living. Lucky guy.

[@carlbusch1462]

George Motz is an absolute Legend. So knowledgeable and chill, would love to eat there someday.

[@kczofftheheazy]

0:22 You had me at beef steam

[@cjwyhs9601]

Beef Steam would be a great band name.

[@rickrickvandermeulen]

George - We had burgers at my wedding inspired by your burgers. Everyone said it was the best burger they’ve had in their life. Thanks for what you do!!!

[@Paintguy75]

Would love to see more Burger Scholar videos. Found George during lockdown, and I just love his enthusiasm about hamburgers and related sandwiches.

[@nicoleford4654]

11:14 “I feel like my job is to make people happy through hamburgers,” and that’s why I can believe this man has one of the best burgers in the US.

[@sechabamashego9514]

This burger is still on my bucket list

[@ThingsAreGonnaGetSporty]

Go! It really is worth it, been multiple times and has always been quality.

[@devanman7920]

I was there during the summer. The burgers are genuinely fantastic. Nothing fancy but its exactly how you think a great burger should taste.

[@honza2755]

Worth it!

[@LT21Titans27]

If i ever go to NYC this is one of my top go to spots I love burgers

[@greatsisyphus7712]

8:40 Someone should convince George Motz to open a merch store where he sells the 1 lb smash burger spatulas for smashing the burger, made in Argentina.... I'd definitely buy that.

[@mironfs1]

if you serach enough the sell them somewhere, i wanted to buy them few years ago

[@kelbyanthony6748]

Smash burger spatulas are everywhere in Oklahoma😎that burger is ours

[@SaffronWorldCR]

​@@kelbyanthony6748then you should know that you should use a burger press not a spatula, which is for moving!

[@disciplebill]

So is peanut surprise pizza... don't get too high up on that horse. You're liable to fall! ​@kelbyanthony6748 😂

[@osiris5315]

Love the guy. True passion

[@eldibs]

George understands that for a burger to be good, the basics have to be good. The patty, the cheese, the bun. If those are done well, everything else falls into place, and you have a great burger. You don't need a mountain of toppings to make it great (though if you like your burger with all that stuff, there's no shame in it).

[@fordhouse8b]

Yes, but to be clear, it is the process of putting the basics together that has to be good. The ingredients themselves can be sometimes be cheap and basic. George speaking about the Yankee Doodle burger: "Because there is something about those cheap-ass elements together really create, uhm, a great burger, and a great burger experience.” What George understands is that ‘sometimes the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

[@YouCanCallMeReTro]

His philosophy hits home for me. I'd rather have a simple classic thats been mastered down to each detail over anything else.

[@PewPew_McPewster]

This really is the aglio olio of burgers. 4 ingredients, all technique, delicious product.

[@turdfurgason8476]

What an authentic and wildly generous man! He is literally giving away decades of knowledge. So many restaurants keep secrets, this hero keeps no secrets.

[@Meh_Good_Enough]

George seems like a really nice guy. The type you’d like to sit down and have a beer with. Wish him all the success

[@bryanreeder9815]

George is the Franklin’s BBQ of Burgers! The best in the business!!

[@DarkEnv2]

George Motz has such a vast knowledge. Always enjoy hearing him talk about the history of burgers and his love for it all. I hope I can make it out to Hamburger America one day. For now I’ll keep making my Oklahoma onion burgers at home.

[@bobjohnson8169]

I absolutely hate onions, but If I got the chance at a Motz burger, I’d open my mouth. He is not kidding about Martin’s buns and bread! No kidding! B

[@hippydippy]

George's knowledge & passion for burger is unsurpassed. I would love to eat at his place some time. You just know it's gotta be special! I could smell it through my computer screen.

[@12point131]

You could watch a few KZbin videos and gain the same knowledge.

[@DrPhail]

It's funny how this has been going on in Oklahoma forever. This dude comes along and tries one and now he has devoted his whole life to re-creating it. Not sure if he knows, but the onion was added just because it was cheaper than using just ground beef. Beef prices were going up, so they added onion to the burger meat to stretch it and keep the cost down.

[@HerbalTeabag]

he really is the burger GOAT

[@orion7741]

im sure he actually has made a Goat burger before, or at the very least eaten a Goat burger!

[@louiefillet6932]

George made me a fan.

[@ValueVictory]

He gives me alton brown vibes Very technical with his food talk

[@BrettWB]

Also like Alton, he has encyclopedic knowledge of burgers. He's so damn well researched and I adore that about this man.

[@ValueVictory]

@ agree

[@pretendtobenormal8064]

George Motz is a gentleman and a burger scholar! I'm so happy his restaurant seems to be doing so well. Dude has earned it!

[@mikejimenez6470]

Nothing will ever compare to in n out for me. In n out is perfection

[@EatCarbs]

George is just the coolest guy. I would eat there if I could. Thanks for the video

[@SapperRJMorgan]

This guy is amazing.

[@Uwumeshu]

Going here next week, can't wait

[@jackiepe5130]

I love to listen to him talk about the American hamburger

[@Lord_Negatron]

ALRIGHT FINE! I will stop being lazy and HEAD DOWN to Hamburger America! No way I live here, enjoy all of Motz's content on KZbin but never find time to go to his burger joint?? What kind of monster am I?🍔

[@Gyrospeter0815]

I'm a bit jealous because I live in Germany and it's a bit difficult to experience this 😂

[@mcbeenerd]

​​@@Gyrospeter0815I feel the same way up in Canada 😢😂. Enjoy it for us!

[@sylvia106]

How was it?!

[@Lord_Negatron]

@ would you believe I still haven’t gone?! LOL! I get out of work so eager to go home!I im pathetic, I know this now. 😑😐

[@DJohn0991]

I’d buy a burger from him any day of the week. Simple is always best. Good beef American cheese Grilled onions Good sauce(no needed but always welcomed)

[@kali_o_mali]

4:24 reminds me of my ex

[@DoctorSparta]

Lmao wow. Been there too buddy

[@taurus4205]

Ha!!!!!

[@jasonmitchell432]

That’s so fantastic that do a doodle burger in homage to Yankee Doodle. That place was legendary!!! I miss it…

[@chefcook6076]

You know months before he opened there was a sign of what this place was going to be and the name and I was standing in the bus stop and I said who's another burger joint and I said who's doing this now here we are much respect and I will be going to try the burgers

[@jayrayjayme]

This guy is amazing!

[@akiwi2562]

George should be knighted for his service to burgers. This man is a legend.

[@anothercat1300]

There's something really wholesome about this man. I love his mission and in a sense, he's setting Americans up to appreciate and further develop the foods they invented... There's not many of those. lol

[@ericbecker7249]

I just went here this past Monday and I thought "ok, he'll be there for the first month for appearances and will only pop in every so often." Nope, he was there fixing the aluminum trim on the counter and he was genuinely nice, even joking with me about it. Nothing but respect for the man and the restaurant staff!

[@uowebfoot]

I'm freaking starving after watching this!

[@muratk.8669]

he's so cool! he reminded me jack white and johnny knoxville at the same time haha

[@scatman8403]

Thanks George.

[@tomaszj.9608]

I love this dude! Hi energy, passion, and knowledge is infectious! Well deserved success🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@CrushOfSiel]

I make these almost the exact same at home but I still hope I get to go and have one of these one day.

[@davidmech2956]

George is a legend

[@-_-----]

Nice to see Motz still going strong.

[@nissarahamed]

I could listen to him all day talking about burgers.

[@Joe-nb3fs]

Love seeing the Doodle burger! To my memory, for those who are curious, that's butter on the bun, not mayo. It's essential! (An other thing to note is that his Doodle burger is definitely bigger than the ones you'd get at the Doodle.)

[@Fishpasta4]

He is only a 'self-proclaimed' Burger Scholar because the rest of the world just hasn't caught up enough to officially award him the position yet.

[@Adatari_MTG]

love this guy

[@l-wolverine2211]

He was on a most recent episode of Hell’s Kitchen, where he was a guest judge of a Gourmet Burger Challenge. If there’s anyone who’s dubbed the “Burger King”, it’s Chef George Motz

[@Sastank08]

Crazy Uncle George!

[@Stranger_In_The_Alps]

Get a girl who looks at you the way this guy looks at his burgers

[@RichardHuntwork]

this guy is doing numbers.

[@robertpalmer3166]

10:16. We called that a suicide when we were kids.

[@billbelichicksmyhero]

We used to call it “A Graveyard” 😵

[@thunderclappacks9274]

This guy is like the mas scientist of making burgers I love it

[@dawgamonggators]

1:55 the small town of Vidalia, GA might have something to say about an onion from South America stealing their namesake!

[@brianmurphy7195]

Those onion burgers are something serious

[@cheekarp2180]

HAHA! When he talks about the soda he made! that guy is a King among men!

[@mignav464]

3:15 so to sum up: we Germans rock at food, which is correct 😂

[@benfrankie5184]

Hell, yeah, we love Wienerschnitzel and cheeseburgers in America 😂

[@danshepard5083]

That you do. Nurnberger Rostbratwurst, Jager schnitzel, Schwenkbraten, and the best bread in the world.

[@leogibbons400]

love this dude

[@billybutcher913]

''Sir ? there's some burger in my onions''

[@AnotherBrokenEgg-y7b]

Love this!!! just wanna say that if your Vidalia sweet onions are coming from Peru, then they are not Vidalia sweet onions. Vidalia sweet onions, the best onions in the world, are only grown in Vidalia, Georgia USA and the surrounding counties. Been following this guy for a while now and he is the man!!!

[@PrecludeLP]

Find someone who loves you as much as George loves burgers.

[@snowballeffect7812]

impossible

[@Alex-zi1nb]

So great he gets to live out his dream. He's a national treasure

[@TontoKowalski2]

Is it truly the full authentic experience if George doesn't burn himself somehow on the grill?

[@patvenema1098]

Had a few beers and watching this makes me very hungry. Maybe in this live or the next i will taste that yummy burgers 😋. Greetings from the Netherlands

[@ElizabethSerah-i1g]

I'm favoured financially with Bitcoin ETFs approval, Thank you buddy.$28,600 weekly profit regardless of how bad it gets on the economy.

[@hoboeyjobi7020]

this dude is refreshing

[@Ryan-wk7us]

It's a burger relax

[@oscarvelasquez1981]

My best friend back in elementary used to do all the sodas without the pickle. Nice little core memory action.

[@Xxxero42]

Oh man, I have wanted to go there since I heard George opened it.

[@crisdoesitall]

Man I’m so proud of George been watching him since I was in hs back in freshman year and man he has taught me and lots of others the real history of burgers

[@GregWithaQ]

I love this man

[@alexwalker9803]

I am a Brit and have his book, I hope one day to go to his restaurant

[@plynwow]

I love that you use Martin's potato rolls!