the burger joint_TM

©2007-2008 Capitol Burger, LLC

 

It all goes back to the long days of summer, growing up just outside Philadelphia where each Sunday the entire neighborhood would gather for a block party of sorts. As a child, there was nothing better then Mr. Kaufman’s burgers.  You could smell them cooking over the grill for blocks. All the kids lined up, waiting to get their hands on the first one.   As it turned out, Philip Kaufman  was a butcher.  He owned the only Prime Beef butcher shop in the area. This was back in the day when groceries were bought at the local store, and steaks and beef were purchased from the neighborhood butcher. They were simpler times; we were all less rushed.

                

Philip Kaufman saved the best cuts for his Sunday burgers. I never forgot the smell of the burgers cooking, nor that special one-of-a-kind taste that immediately brings me back to my childhood.  Imagine Mr. Kaufman, a small man in stature, about 5 ft 6, weighing in at a svelte 240. He looked like a pear, but he definitely knew his food.  He always wore the same white smock and big white chef’s hat - the kind that made it look as if he had a balloon over his head.  It was goofy. Looking back he was cool, very cool.

                

As an adult, burgers were simple.  Grab some ground beef at the local store, and put in on the grill for backyard cookouts. They were always good, but I was in a constant battle to recreate that fond childhood memory for my family and friends.  Then it became an obsession.  My wife, kids, friends and neighbors will confirm that this was quite a process lasting years:  mixing, blending, grinding, cooking and sampling burgers. Indeed we visited all of the burger chains, both big and small. Some were good, actually very good; but not spectacular and not worthy of my lifelong memory of The Event. 

 

Philip Kaufman passed away in the late 1980’s.  His family still lives in the Philadelphia area.  Our burgers are a tribute to the long days of summer and creating fond memories.

                

Today we stand here ready to present to you our passion and commitment to create enjoyment, pleasure and memories for you and your family.  Our burgers are hand-crafted with the finest beef on the planet.  We only use grain-fed Midwestern cattle raised on family farms; all natural, no hormones, fillers or antibiotics, and most importantly they run free in the fields.  Our Prime beef is dry aged (the amount of time is a closely guarded secret), blended and ground fresh daily.

                

The beef is only one component, but it’s the canvas we use. The buns are made for us locally and delivered fresh every day. The tomatoes are the finest available.  Lastly the burgers are grilled to temperature over an open flame, not fried on a piece of stainless steel. We present to you not a fast food place, not a mass production burger operation, but a “joint” - one that you can make your own, stay awhile and enjoy the food.