In times of uncertainty or unrest, many of us lean on comfort food. And this year, the world needs all of the comfort food it can get.
As Forbes noted in an article on this subject earlier in the year—which draws on data published in the 2020 DoorDash performance report—between Jan. 1 and June 30, the average American delivery-customer was three times more likely to order comfort food than healthy foods. (Related: 15 Classic American Desserts That Deserve a Comeback.)
This may explain, in part, a recent flurry of innovation surrounding an American culinary mainstay: the cheeseburger. From sushi-themed re-imaginings to 180-degree confectionary transformations, see the wildest takes on one of America’s most cherished foods below.
Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar offers a fusion of two national favorites in the “All-American Bacon Double Cheeseburgooshi.” The one-of-kind dish is everything you love about cheeseburgers but presented in sushi format (sans fish). The masterpiece is topped with the restaurant’s own, proprietary, Cowfish sauce.
Who would have guessed there was a gap in the cheeseburger-pizza market? Apparently, there was because as of August, Domino’s began vying for both pizza and burger lover’s business with its own take on the improbable fusion. The pizza chain even created its own distinguished ketchup-mustard sauce.
Uno Pizzeria deftly satisfies two meal cravings in one fell swoop. For vegetarians who categorically need a cheeseburger-themed pie, look no further than the new Vegetarian Cheeseburger Pizza. (And heads up, vegans, there’s a vegan mozzarella cheese option to go with that!) Note: this dish made its debut in 2019, but we felt it deserved a spot on this list!
Be sure to also check out 20 Packaged Foods That Are Surprisingly Vegan.
Sometimes, innovation is all about condensing, like Cracker Barrel‘s new cheeseburger sliders, which launched at the end of August. The burgers are bite-size, perfect for children, and come with a side of tater-tots. And at just $5.19 per plate, the price is just right.
For the record, there is not a minimum BAC to order this delicious breakfast dish from Over the Bridge Cafe in Delray Beach, Florida. The only requirement? You just have to love cheeseburger fusions! With plenty of veggies and all the burger basics, (ground beef prepared in craft beer, American cheese, bacon) your “lunch for breakfast” cravings have met their match in this three-egg omelet.
Not even the most die-hard, savory-loving burger fanatics can forget about dessert! Tella Balls Dessert Bar, the up-and-coming dessert franchise whose headquarters are based in New South Wales, Australia, unveiled its Golden Gaytime Slider in February 2020. A signature caramel Tella Ball (a donut-like pastry that’s unique to the restaurant) sandwiches a generous helping of gelato, topped with caramel sauce and nuts. The sweet treat truly resembles a cheeseburger slider—but much sweeter.
For more comfort food indulgences, be sure to read 30 Comfort Foods From Your Childhood Everyone Loves.
