Lum's Ollieburger

Submitted by Lexie

"Lum's was a restaurant back in the '60s and early '70s that was unique in that it was modeled after a trolley. The burgers were HUGE, messy and delicious! It was the first place I had ever eaten what would now be considered "seasoned fries". I found this recipe while surfing the net a few years ago and had forgotten about it. I have tried it and it does taste remarkably like I remember it. Times and portions are approximate."

 

• Ready In: 30mins
• Ingredients: 11
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• 2 lbs ground chuck
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons seasoning salt
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon A.1. Original Sauce
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1⁄2 cup beef broth
• 1 teaspoon Heinz 57 steak sauce
• 1⁄4 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar

directions

1. Shape the ground chuck into 6 patties, approximately 3/4" thick.
2. Combine all other ingredients in a resealable bag and mix well. Add the patties and marinate, refrigerated, 12 hours or overnight.
3. Grill, panfry or broil to your desired degree of doneness.
4. Remove from heat, pass the napkins and enjoy!
5. NOTE: Prep time does not includes marinating time.

Reviews

[Max B.]

Actually, the Ollie burger started way before Lums. For old timers on Miami Beach, when we used to leave campus from Beach High for lunch there were 2 goto restaurants, Ollie's and Maria's Sandwich Shop. Ollie only made the Ollie burger. Never shared the recipe but rumor has it that there were over 100 spices. He sold the recipe to Lums in either the late 70s or early 80's. I don't remember much about high school but I do remember the Ollie Burger.

 

[LoversDream]

I'm afraid I have to disagree with Brad and add a plug for Dennis ("Director of Operations"). I searched far and wide for the Ollie Burger recipe, tried this one awhile back but it was not close enough to review as an Ollie Burger. I got the entire collections of spices from Dennis for Ollie Burgers, Ollie Fries, Roast Chicken, Roast Beef and the directions of the hot dogs steamed in beer -- thus far I have only tried the Ollie Burgers and Fries (as has my British wife and my parents). My parents and I both agree that the Ollie Burgers with the Bun sauce are EXACTLY what we remember and are incredible. My wifie says it's the best "beef burger" she's ever had (although her british taste buds didn't appreciate the ollie fries....sorry Dennis!). I DID THOUGH! This recipe by Lexie does make a pretty good tasting burger - but alas, if it's an Ollie Burger you're after you're only going to find it from Dennis and only as long as he is able to provide it to us....and then I'm pretty sure we'll have to do without unless Dennis passes on his place of purchase to some one else to carry on the legacy of what I think is the best hamburger on the planet. The recipe posted here is a partial recipe from http://ollieburger.wordpress.com/2007/12/24/the-worlds-greatest-hamburger/ which is yet another attempt to try and duplicate the Ollie Burger... The full recipe they list is below... but alas, it's not the same! DRY INGREDIENTS* 1/4 C Sugar 2 tbsp Paprika ¼ tsp Turmeric ½ tsp Onion Powder 1 tsp Ground Coriander ½ tsp Cornstarch 1 tbsp Ground Celery Seed 1 tbsp Ground Cumin 1 tbsp Garlic Powder 2 tsp Fennel Seed 1 tbsp Crushed Red Pepper ½ tsp Cayenne Pepper 1 tsp Ground Black Pepper 2 EA Crushed Beef Bouillon Cubes LIQUID INGREDIENTS* 6 tbsp Lemon Juice 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 2 tbsp Soy Sauce 2 tbsp Steak Sauce (A-1) 2 tsp Vegetable Oil 2 tsp Heinz 57 Sauce 2 tsp Cider Vinegar BUN SAUCE* ¼ cup Miracle Whip ¼ cup mayonnaise 2 tbsp orange, French dressing ½ tsp sweet relish 2 tsp dill pickle relish 1 tsp sugar 1 tsp dried, minced onion 1 tsp white vinegar 1 tsp ketchup 2 tbsp prepared Ollie Seasoning Marinade 1 tsp Montreal Steak Seasoning

 

[nelsenbill]

I managed a Lum’s restaurant in two locations, Elkhart and Merriville, IN. in the early 1970’s. The Ollie burger was introduced during that time and was an immediate hit. This recipe sounds to contain all the flavors consistent with the finished product. One thing for sure the burger was “fried” on a flat grill heated on top and bottom expiding the actual cooking time. Shades of the past !

 

[realtorwsm]

I worked for Lum's at Red & Bird Rd area just down the street from Welsh's Drug Store when I was in high school 1973-1974. I was the short-order cook and remember the Store GM (Danny, I believe was his name; had a cruss on his daughter) was excited that Lum's bought the recipe and introduced the proceedure to prepare & cook thus master piece. This was before the company pulverized the ingredients. The seeds of some spices were obvious and I could have sworn seeing a rye seed mixed in that patty and over heard Danny say there was more than one meat ground together. And that sauce we put on the patty was a thick black spicy sauce before we melted the slice of cheese on it. Those 1st customers who tried it were coming up to the counter jumping in their shoes saying, "Wow! What is in that hamburger?" Interested in trying this recipe out. Marsh

 

[bayarearon]

I agree that this is not the Ollie Burger recipe by a long shot. I grew up on Miami Beach and went to Beach High. A couple of blocks from the school was an original Ollie's burger joint. The burgers had tons of flavor from lots of different spices, most of which are not part of this recipe. I am afraid that list of spices are lost forever.