The Poached Burger

This is unquestionably one of the most peculiar burgers I’ve come across in America, and also one of my favorites. When journalists ask me questions like, “What’s the craziest topping you’ve ever had on a burger?,” I always feel like they’re missing the point. In my burger universe, crazy comes in the form of method, not added stuff. I’ve seen burgers deep-fried, smoked, steamed, and beyond—all with fantastic results. And then I met the poached burger.

As far as I know, there’s only one place to get this burger: Pete’s Hamburgers in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. It’s nowhere near a major city and is a destination burger stand if ever there was one. Pete’s is really far away from anything, has a relatively short season (open weekends only, April to October), but show up on a beautiful sunny summer day and there will be a line down the block (which moves very quickly).