βurgerβusiness

The best of times. The worst of times. Some of the December Burger of the Month specials at burger joints echo beloved end-of-the-year children’s stories. The Roast Beast at Seattle’s Blue Moon Burgers nods to Dr. Seuss’s “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.” It begins with the house-standard seasoned third-pound beef patty and adds slices of fried ham and house-made 5 Spice pineapple glaze, a slab of Havarti cheese with a generous serving of house tarragon-Dijon aïoli and slice of tomato on fresh arugula. It’s all served on a toasted brioche bun.

Blue Moon Burger’s Roast Beast Burger

For those who love Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” Buckeye Beer Engine in Lakewood, Ohio, is menuing a Not So Tiny Tim Burger. That’s a half-pound beef patty topped with Braunschweiger and sauerkraut balls with Gruyère cheese and Dijon Mustard. It’s $10, and it beats a Christmas goose any day, Guv’nor.

Mayan children may have snuggled in their beds and heard tales of the end of time, which some translations tell us is set for Dec. 21, 2012. Slater’s 50/50, with locations in Anaheim Hills and three other Southern California markets, salutes the Day the Earth’s Expected to Stand Still with the Armageddon Burger. This starts with Slater’s signature burger patty (50% ground beef, 50% ground bacon) and tops it with rendered pancetta, mustard, bacon, arugula, prosciutto and chipotle ketchup, all on a bacon pretzel bun. Tell me that story again.

Here are a few other December Burgers of the Month going on grills this month:

5 Star Burgers, multiple Southwest locations
Port Bison Burger
Hand-ground bison patty topped with red onion and crumbled Gorgonzola ($11.50)

BGR: The Burger Joint, multiple locations
The World Champion
Topped with bacon-and-onion jam, fried egg, cheese and pineapple

brb: Be Right Burger, Reston, Va.
The Burgermeister Meisterburger
Angus beef patty with Black Forest ham, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and Dijon mayo on a toasted pretzel bun

Blue Door Pub, Saint Paul, Minn.
Horsekick Blucy
Two hand-formed beef patties encase creamy blue cheese and zesty horseradish, which is grilled and topped with crispy onion strings and served on a bun slathered with horseradish sauce with a side of au jus

Bobby’s Burger Palace, multiple locations
Pacific Northwest Burger
White American cheese, cremini Mushrooms and red wine BBQ sauce

Burger Bar Chicago, Chicago
Wild Boar Burger
Topped with smoked pork belly, fontina cheese and spiced-apple chutney

The Grafton Irish Bar & Grill, Chicago
The King
Angus beef topped with a fried egg, grilled onions, red peppers, American cheddar and chipotle dressing

Jake’s Uptown, multiple Texas locations
The Kitchen
Triple meat, American and Swiss cheese, bacon, tomato, onion, mushrooms, ketchup, mustard, lettuce, pickles and mayo

Jake’s Wayback Burgers, multiple Northeast locations
The Brisket Burger
Beef patty topped with sliced brisket, American cheese and Wayback Gold Sauce. Paired with the Eggnog Milkshake of the Month.

Milwaukee Burger Company, Eau Claire, Wis.
Anna Chaplin’s Burger
Burger topped with ham (sautéed in brown sugar and butter), pineapple, jalapeňos, raw onion and a mayo-mustard mix