Matthew Burnette, Staff Writer

Though I don’t tend to buy into a lot of the “National” days that there are on the calendar like National Paper Airplane Day or National Hug A Plumber Day.

Not that I think plumbers aren’t worthy of a hug, but do we need a whole day set aside for it?

One of those days I can get behind is May 28: National Hamburger Day.

If I had to choose one food item to eat for the rest of my life, it would be a burger, hands down, no debate.

I’d like to give you some sort of health-conscious explanation about how a cheeseburger would be a smart choice because it covers most, if not all, of the major food groups, thus offering a well-rounded meal.

The truth of the matter is, though, that I just love a good burger.

Nothing compares.

The juiciness of a perfectly prepared patty.

The way the cool vegetables blend with the warm burger to create the most pleasant temperature but also add a freshness to offset the saltiness of the condiment and the melted cheese.

Side note: there are a lot of arguments against it because of its very processed nature, but in my opinion, there is no better cheese for a good burger than a hearty slice of American cheese. You may scoff, but deep down you know I’m right.

But as I was saying…

The pop of flavor and texture contrast that emerges from the snap of a crisp dill pickle chip.

Oh, and also bacon.

It’s a little piece of heaven that’s best when delivered in its simplest form.

At this point, there’s a multitude of variations of what a burger is from toppings to cooking style to the various types of protein for those with dietary restrictions, and a lot of those variations also make for a pretty tasty bite.

The charbroiled burger seems to have taken the world by storm and brings back memories of family picnics and summer celebrations, but I’ve yet to find a worthy opponent for a good quality griddle-cooked beef patty.

The griddled burger harkens back to those homemade burgers you’d have as a kid. You’d eat them on sliced white bread that would start to fall apart within the first couple of bites. It didn’t matter, though, because it was delicious.

I often have to qualify any discussion I have about my favorite burgers with what I think is the best “restaurant” burger because, in all honesty, nothing compares to the burgers that my mom makes. Simple seasoning and cooked to perfection.

That being said, I do enjoy going out and finding a great place to get a good burger, and the best places always seem to be those local joints.

You know the place.

They’ve been open for a while. The décor inside hasn’t changed much since it first opened, and you really don’t want it to. You can hear the distant hum of food cooking in the background. The menu has plenty of options but is short enough that you know they put care into everything they make.

You probably have a place in mind right now, don’t you?

Burgers are the epitome of edible Americana and should be celebrated for their versatility and the joy they bring in their various forms.

So go find yourself a good burger. I’ve made myself hungry now, so I probably will too.