I have been seeking...

to once again find the PERFECT cheeseburger since way back in the late 70's/early 80's, when I use to be able to order THE BEST CHEESEBURGER EVER at the Bismarck Inn, housed inside Chicago's long-since-sold-and-renamed, Bismarck Hotel.

If you think I am a little crazy in my quest, I have a friend, whose husband is a member of a burger club, and they will drive up to EIGHT hours in search of burger perfection.

Well, had I known I was going to make a near perfect burger this past Sunday, I would have invited Kay and Alan over to my house, just a mere 30 minute trip for them.

I took a pre-formed 80/20 pub burger purchased at Jewel, smashed it down and shaped it into a thinner, less uniform patty, added salt, pepper and cooked it to a TRUE medium (pink in the middle and still juicy), and melted a thick slice of sharp cheddar over it.

I placed it on a soft wheat bun with mayo, mustard, a big slice of grown-in-my-yard tomato, raw white onion and two slices of a well chilled dill pickle.

I stood back in awe at the beauty that was before me and then ran for my camera...

took this photo and proceeded to eat it ALL!!

i will worry about losing weight this fall