These pictures were taken 5 years ago. The very first burgers ever cooked at Kohala Burger and Taco.
I knew that we would have "this" burger on the menu, but it still had not found a name. With most everything on "my" menu there is a story behind the item and the name. A juicy burger with classic 1,000 Island Dressing is a staple at most diners and burger joints. This one was borrowed from my "Alma Mater" World Famous, Char-Pit in Lake Tahoe, There, it was called the Yankee Burger. The Yankee was my wife, Stephanie's, favorite burger, so even more important that we had it on the menu here. Happy wife...you know.
After leaving my job with Merriman's on Nov 4, 2010, I only had few days to get Kohala Burger and Taco off the ground by the drop dead date of November 16, 2010. I really do mean drop dead, I was out of money. Needless to say things were getting done quick and "on the fly". Although I had made it a "thousand" times before, I jotted down the ingredients on a piece of scratch paper so I could teach one of my original employees how to properly make it. Suddenly I remember feeling as though I had stepped into a time machine and been transported back to North Lake Tahoe, 2001. It was then and there, where I learned to make this same recipe. Previous Char-Pit owner, Kevin Carrillo, had it's ingredients scratched on the back of an old envelope. This was the only written evidence of the "holy grail" of burger dressings. This "Secret Sauce" was brought to Kings Beach's Char-Pit, by it's original owner, Chef Mo, in 1962. Since then, it has dressed hundreds of thousands of burgers and tickled the tongues of many burger aficionado. If you haven't tasted this burger yet... imagine the "in n out" only made with High Quality Grass Fed Beef and the best bun money can buy.
Our first delivery of Hormone & Antibiotic Free Hawaii beef and Fresh Standard Bakery Brioche had arrived earlier that day. The Gas Company had turned on the propane and calibrated the griddle. We were ready to cook. As the clock ticked closer to the 16th, I called out instructions to my Cook Assist, and he prepared the dressing. I hand formed two burger patties. We tasted the dressing and made note of final adjustments. The patties went down and smelled delicious as they sizzled. The buns hit the griddle and crackled as they toasted, when golden brown we dressed them with shredded Iceberg, local tomato, shaved red onion and that glorious sauce. In just a few minutes the first burgers were done. After the first perfect bite, it was crystal clear...these were "The Original" burgers!
To celebrate our 5 year anniversary, from November 16-19th, 2015, we are offering the "Original" Burger for only $5. You can also enjoy $5 Chocolate Malts, Dos Crunchy Beef Tacos, and a Daily Fresh Fish Taco Special.
All to say thank you Big Island for 5 great years, C'mon on in and give us a HI-Five!
Chef Cary