Every Burger Worth Making.
Chefs / The Burger Scholar
George Motz

George Motz

Photo: Valder Beebe Show · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
  • Directed the documentary Hamburger America (2004), nominated for a James Beard Award.
  • Author of Hamburger America and The Great American Burger Book (Abrams; expanded edition 2023).
  • Hosts Burger Scholar Sessions on First We Feast, teaching regional American and international burgers.
  • Opened the Hamburger America restaurant in New York City in 2023.

Expertise: Regional American burger history and traditional methods: smashing, steaming, smoking and deep-frying.

AI illustration of this burger, made from its recipe description
AI illustration of this burger, made from its recipe description
AI illustration of this burger, made from its recipe description
AI illustration of this burger, made from its recipe description
Video

Cooking videos

18 linked to burgers on this site.

AI illustration of this burger, made from its recipe description YouTubeTraditional George MotzGeorge Motz

How to Make 2 Famous College-Town Burgers | Burger Scholar Sessions

Both burgers in one episode: the Theta Special with hickory sauce, then the schnitzel-style Duane Purvis with peanut butter.

Watch on YouTube ↗Not yet watched end to end by us
AI illustration of this burger, made from its recipe description YouTubeTraditional George MotzGeorge Motz

How to Cook Miami’s Legendary Cuban Burger with George Motz | Burger Scholar Sessions

The Little Havana frita: chorizo-spiced patty, red sauce and crispy potato sticks on a Cuban roll.

Watch on YouTube ↗Not yet watched end to end by us
AI illustration of this burger, made from its recipe description YouTubeTraditional George MotzGeorge Motz

A Burger Scholar’s Quest to Recreate a 121-Year-Old Burger | Burger Scholar Sessions

Motz builds his own vertical broiler at home to recreate the Louis’ Lunch hamburger as it was made in 1900.

Watch on YouTube ↗Not yet watched end to end by us

Burgers from George Motz

AI illustration of this burger, made from its recipe description
No.005 · Smash

Classic Smashburger “All the Way”

George Motz · Good Morning AmericaFull recipe · 10 min
AI illustration of this burger, made from its recipe description
▶ 1 video
No.012 · Classic & Steakhouse

Steakhouse (Bistro) Burger

Joshua WeissmanFull recipe · 18 min
AI illustration of this burger, made from its recipe description
No.013 · Classic & Steakhouse

Thick Pub Classic Burger

George Motz · The Great American Burger BookFull recipe · 25 min
AI illustration of this burger, made from its recipe description
Since 1920s▶ 3 videos
No.016 · Regional American

Oklahoma Fried Onion Burger

George Motz · Good Morning AmericaFull recipe · 25 min
AI illustration of this burger, made from its recipe description
Since 1940s▶ 2 videos
No.017 · Regional American

Green Chile Cheeseburger

George Motz · Good Morning AmericaFull recipe · 25 min
AI illustration of this burger, made from its recipe description
Since 1936▶ 1 video
No.018 · Regional American

Wisconsin Butter Burger

Cook’s Country · also Joshua WeissmanFull recipe · 50 min
AI illustration of this burger, made from its recipe description
No.019 · Regional American

Guberburger

George Motz · Good Morning AmericaFull recipe · 10 min
AI illustration of this burger, made from its recipe description
Since 1920s–30s▶ 1 video
No.020 · Regional American

Connecticut Steamed Cheeseburger

George Motz · The Great American Burger BookCook along with the video
AI illustration of this burger, made from its recipe description
Since c. 1917▶ 1 video
No.021 · Regional American

Mississippi Slugburger

George Motz · The Great American Burger BookCook along with the video
AI illustration of this burger, made from its recipe description
▶ 1 video
No.022 · Regional American

Texas Smoked Burger

George Motz · The Great American Burger BookCook along with the video
AI illustration of this burger, made from its recipe description
▶ 1 video
No.023 · Regional American

North Carolina Slaw Burger

George MotzCook along with the video
AI illustration of this burger, made from its recipe description
Since 1912▶ 1 video
No.024 · Regional American

Tennessee Deep-Fried Burger

Joshua Weissman · also George MotzFull recipe · 20 min
AI illustration of this burger, made from its recipe description
▶ 1 video
No.025 · Regional American

Sheboygan Brat Burger

George Motz · The Great American Burger BookCook along with the video
AI illustration of this burger, made from its recipe description
▶ 1 video
No.026 · Regional American

Michigan Olive Burger

George MotzCook along with the video
AI illustration of this burger, made from its recipe description
▶ 1 video
No.027 · Regional American

Montana Nutburger

George MotzCook along with the video
AI illustration of this burger, made from its recipe description
▶ 1 video
No.028 · Regional American

Theta Burger

George MotzCook along with the video
AI illustration of this burger, made from its recipe description
▶ 1 video
No.029 · Regional American

Duane Purvis Burger

George MotzCook along with the video
AI illustration of this burger, made from its recipe description
▶ 1 video
No.030 · Regional American

Hawaiian Teriyaki Burger

George MotzCook along with the video
AI illustration of this burger, made from its recipe description
Since 1930s▶ 1 video
No.031 · Regional American

Cuban Frita

Joshua Weissman · also George MotzFull recipe · 30 min
AI illustration of this burger, made from its recipe description
▶ 1 video
No.035 · Regional American

Ramen Burger

George Motz & Keizo ShimamotoFull recipe · About 40 min (with 20 min chill)
AI illustration of this burger, made from its recipe description
▶ 1 video
No.042 · International

Aussie Burger with the Lot

Australian EggsFull recipe · 25 min
AI illustration of this burger, made from its recipe description
▶ 1 video
No.043 · International

Malaysian Ramly Burger

George MotzCook along with the video
AI illustration of this burger, made from its recipe description
▶ 1 video
No.044 · International

Turkish Islak (“Wet”) Burger

George MotzCook along with the video
AI illustration of this burger, made from its recipe description
Since 1900▶ 1 video
No.067 · Regional American

Louis’ Lunch Hamburger Sandwich

George Motz · Burger Scholar SessionsCook along with the video