The most expensive burgers in the world

In aid of National Burger Day and all...

Jeremy Lawrence

August 25, 2016

Most expensive, Burgers, Expensive burgers, International burger day, Hamburger, Beef burger, Fast food

25August2016

Jeremy Lawrence

It’s got to be a good sign for the future of capitalism that you can make money off a product simply by labeling it more expensive than your competitor’s, but the burger is the common man’s food, so a little outrage at some of the price tags out there is understandable.

Still, we’re pretty sure most of these burgers are delivering much more than the average griddle patty, if that’s what you’re after. Last year, a burger cooked at the Dubai Mall was sold for Dh25,690 at an event organised by the Pink Caravan team as part of their drive to spread awareness about breast cancer.

But charitable needs aside, if it’s just a good meal (that will break the bank) you’re after, keep on reading.

We’ve curated a list of the most expensive burgers currently on the market by theme, sold almost all in the U.S (surpise, suprise!) There’s something for the truffle lover and the bling-burger fan as well. And just to keep this in perspective: The median price of a Quarter Pounder with Cheese at McDonald’s is about Dhs14.

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9. The Local Flavour

The Beast - Claw BBQ, Souk Al Bahar
Dhs290 (or: 26 Quarter Pounders)

Weighing in at a whopping 6lb, this giant burger is rightly called ‘The Beast’. It arrives on a supersized plate on a bed of salsa fries, and while this may not be the poshest burger on our list, it certainly gives you value for money.

8. The Steak Burger

The Grand Burger - McGuire Irish Pub, Pensacola, FL
Dhs367 (or: 26 Quarter Pounders)

The restaurant takes a filet mignon, turns it into a patty, and serves it with a side of caviar and a bottle of Moët Imperial. Yes, it’s the most modestly priced burger on the list, and seems to be lacking in spectacle, but it just sounds good.

7. The Truffles-All-Over Burger

DB Royale Double Truffle Burger - DB Bistro Moderne, New York
Dhs515 (Seasonal) (or: 36 Quarter Pounders)

The DB Royal Double Truffle Burger was originally available at a previous Daniel Boulud restaurant, but moved to one of his newer eateries and went part-time a few years ago. Ground sirloin, stuffed with foie gras and braised short ribs and truffle. Then there’s more truffle on top—two layers in fact. So in the fall and winter when it shows up again, do the truffle shuffle.

6. The Bling Burger

Le Burger Extravagant - Serendipity 3, New York
Dhs1,089 (or: 77 Quarter Pounders)

For just over Dhs1,020 after a polite tip, you get Wagyu infused with white truffle butter, cave-aged cheddar, black truffles, caviar, all held together with a diamond-encrusted gold toothpick, which we’re not sure if you get to take away after you finish the burger.

5. The Surf-and-Turf Burger

$777 Burger - Paris Las Vegas, Nevada
Dhs2,855 (or: 205 Quarter Pounders)

You’re required to get a bottle of Dom Perignon with this one, but that seems well worth it when you consider this burger already has lobster, brie, prosciutto, 100-year-aged balsamic vinegar, all piled precariously on Kobe beef. If you’re in Vegas, eating this, and not drinking Dom, you’re doing something wrong.

4. The Most Elaborate Burger

Glamburger - Honky Tonk, London
Dhs6,495 (or: 466 Quarter Pounders)

A big F you to the others, this reigning champ from Honky Tonk debuted last year. A Kobe and Wagyu patty is delicately garnished in gold leaf, with lobster, caviar, venison, a freaking duck egg, and black truffle. It’s something like 2,500 calories and requires you to be okay consuming parts of several different animals and a wedding ring at the same time.

3. The Wine-Paired Burger

Fleur Burger 5000 - Fleur Restaurant, Las Vegas
Dhs18,365 (with wine) (or: 1,318 Quarter Pounders and a larger Coke)

The Fleur Burger is actually just a Dhs259 burger paired with a bottle of wine priced at over 18 grand on the wine list. That said, it’s packed with Wagyu, foie gras, and truffle, and maybe the wine really complements the flavor that well.

2. The Biggest Damn Burger in the World

Juicys Foods - Corvallis, Oregon
Dhs18,365 (or: 1,319 Quarter Pounders)

We know Guinness is the official record, but we’re qualifying this one. Juicys has the largest commercially available hamburger in the world, at 777 pounds including meat and toppings. Yes, their price is the highest not including wine, but we’d also like to point out that this is definitely price by weight, not frills.

1. The Totally Artificial Lab-Grown Burger

Petri-Dish Meat - Maastrict University, The Netherlands
Dhs1.21 million and dropping (or: 87,071 Quarter Pounders)

So it’s not quite a burger you can eat yet, but scientists at Maastrict University have been growing meat in laboratories for a few years now. It’s becoming more efficient every year to use stem cells to replicate muscle tissue sans cow. Dhs1.21 million only gets you about five ounces, though.