The burger dog at the Olympic Club is a unique culinary creation that combines two classic American foods – the hamburger and the hot dog. This inventive dish is a signature menu item at the Olympic Club’s lakeside restaurant in San Francisco. In the following article, we will explore the history, ingredients, and popularity of the Olympic Club’s burger dog.
What are the origins of the burger dog?
The burger dog was invented by chef Cindy Pawlcyn in the early 1990s when she was overseeing the menu for the Olympic Club. Pawlcyn wanted to develop a fun, innovative dish that paid homage to classic diner fare. She had the idea to fuse a burger and a hot dog together into one dish.
Pawlcyn created the initial burger dog recipe using Niman Ranch beef formed into a patty shape with a depression in the middle to hold the hot dog. She nestled a grilled Sabrett all-beef hot dog into the patty, topping the creation simply with mustard, ketchup, pickles, and onions. The dish was an immediate success with Olympic Club patrons.
Over the years, the basic burger dog concept has remained unchanged, though chefs have made tweaks to the toppings and preparation. Today, the burger dog continues to be one of the most iconic and long-standing menu items at the Olympic Club restaurant.
The 1990s origins
Chef Cindy Pawlcyn first invented the burger dog concept in the early 1990s when she led menu development for the Olympic Club restaurant. The dish was likely added to the menu sometime between 1990-1994 as Pawlcyn oversaw the kitchen. Her inventive fusion of a burger and hot dog into one item created a fun, unique offering for diners.
Chef Cindy Pawlcyn’s inspiration
With the burger dog, Pawlcyn aimed to playfully blend two classic American diner foods into one innovative dish. She was inspired by a desire to offer something memorable, creative, and delicious using simple, high-quality ingredients like Niman Ranch beef and Sabrett hot dogs.
What are the key ingredients in a burger dog?
While preparations may vary slightly, there are several core ingredients that go into constructing the Olympic Club’s famous burger dog:
- Ground beef patty – The patty is traditionally made from high-quality Niman Ranch beef, formed into a patty shape with a pocket or indentation to hold the hot dog.
- Hot dog – The burger dog is typically made with a Sabrett all-beef hot dog nestled into the patty pocket.
- Hamburger bun – The patty and hot dog are sandwiched inside a soft, steamed hamburger bun.
- Mustard and ketchup – Yellow mustard and tomato ketchup add classic burger flavors.
- Pickles – Crisp dill pickle chips provide tartness.
- Onions – Grilled or raw onions lend flavor.
The meat components – the patty and hot dog – are the stars of the show. High quality beef and pork create a satisfying combo of flavors and textures.
Key components
While the preparation has evolved, these core ingredients form the original burger dog concept:
- Niman Ranch beef patty
- Sabrett all-beef hot dog
- Hamburger bun
- Mustard, ketchup, pickles, onions
How is a burger dog prepared at the Olympic Club?
Executing the perfect Olympic Club burger dog involves careful preparation:
- Form fresh Niman Ranch ground chuck into thin patties indented to hold a hot dog.
- Grill Sabrett all-beef hot dogs over an open flame until heated through and lightly charred.
- Nestle the grilled hot dogs into the indented burger patties.
- Grill the burger dog patties to the desired doneness, flipping once.
- Lightly toast the hamburger buns.
- Spread mustard and ketchup on the bun tops.
- Place dill pickle chips and grilled onions atop the bottom bun.
- Assemble the burger dogs by placing the patty and hot dog onto the dressed bottom bun and covering with the mustard/ketchup-brushed top bun.
- Serve the burger dogs hot off the grill alongside French fries and coleslaw.
This method showcases the flavors of both meats. The hot dogs get a smoky char while the patties cook to juicy perfection.
Key preparation steps
Making an ideal burger dog involves:
- Indenting the fresh beef patties
- Grilling the hot dogs first
- Nestling the hot dogs into the patties
- Grilling the burger dog patties
- Toasting the buns
- Layering mustard, ketchup, pickles, and onions
- Assembling the components into a cohesive burger dog
What is the flavor and texture of a burger dog?
The Olympic Club’s burger dog offers an exciting medley of flavors and textures in each bite:
- Beefiness – The juicy Niman Ranch beef patty provides rich, meaty flavor with a tender, lightly charred texture.
- Smokiness – The grilled Sabrett hot dog boasts a smoky, savory taste and firm, snappy casing.
- Tartness – Briny dill pickles and pungent raw onions offer tangy counterpoints.
- Creaminess – Cool, creamy ketchup and mustard tie everything together.
- Breadiness – The soft, steamed bun soaks up meat juices for added savor.
Each element melds together into a satisfying symphony of flavors and mouthfeels. The result is a fun and approachable handheld meal.
Key elements of flavor and texture
The burger dog showcases these flavor and texture components:
- Beefy, juicy patty
- Smoky, snappy hot dog
- Tangy pickles and onions
- Cool, creamy condiments
- Soft, absorbent bun
| Flavor Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Beefiness | Rich, meaty burger patty |
| Smokiness | Grilled hot dog |
| Tartness | Pickles, onions |
| Creaminess | Mustard, ketchup |
| Breadiness | Soft steamed bun |
What variations exist on the classic burger dog recipe?
While the original remains popular, Olympic Club chefs have created some burger dog variations over the years by tweaking components:
- Bison burger dog – Ground bison meat instead of beef for a leaner patty.
- Turkey burger dog – A lower-fat turkey burger patty.
- Veggie burger dog – A vegetarian patty such as beet, quinoa, or black bean.
- Chicken apple sausage dog – Substitute chicken apple sausage for the hot dog.
- preload dog – Jalapeños, chili, and cheese stuffed in the patty pocket.
- Mac and cheese dog – Macaroni and cheese fills the patty indentation.
- Breakfast burger dog – Fried egg, bacon, and cheese on top.
While non-traditional, these creative spins on the original burger dog add variety to the menu.
Notable burger dog variations
Chefs have riffed on the classic recipe with versions like:
- Bison or turkey patties
- Vegetarian patties
- Chicken apple sausage
- Jalapeño popper-stuffed
- Mac and cheese-filled
- Breakfast style with egg and bacon
How popular is the burger dog at the Olympic Club restaurant?
The burger dog remains an iconic menu item at the Olympic Club nearly 30 years after its debut. Diners clearly can’t get enough of the creative burger-hot dog mashup.
In an interview, head chef Jennifer Biesty estimated that the restaurant sells between 75-100 burger dogs daily. That adds up to approximately 25,000-35,000 burger dogs per year, demonstrating the menu item’s widespread appeal.
Olympic Club staff have noted that the burger dog often appeals to first-time diners seeking a uniquely San Francisco food experience. Its enduring popularity across decades is a testament to the original item’s craveable flavor profile.
Estimating burger dog popularity
- 75-100 sold daily
- ~25,000-35,000 sold yearly
- Enduring popularity over nearly 30 years
- Often ordered by first-time diners
This data shows the burger dog remains in high demand after creation in the 1990s.
| Statistic | Amount |
|---|---|
| Daily sales | 75-100 burgers |
| Yearly sales | ~25,000-35,000 burgers |
| Years on menu | Nearly 30 years |
What accounts for the burger dog’s long-running popularity?
There are several factors that help explain the Olympic Club burger dog’s enduring menu success:
- Novelty – The unique mashup of burger and hot dog intrigues diners seeking something inventive.
- Indulgence – The decadent blend of beef, pork, and bacon satisfies cravings.
- Flavor – Complementary ingredients create craveable tastes and textures.
- Nostalgia – Long-time San Francisco residents often have fond memories of enjoying their first burger dog.
- Location – The picturesque lakeside setting enhances the dining experience.
- Reputation – The dish has earned iconic status as a “must try” San Francisco specialty.
For nearly 30 years, the Olympic Club burger dog has delivered the perfect trifecta of innovation, indulgence, and location.
Reasons for enduring popularity
The burger dog remains popular due to:
- Its novelty and uniqueness
- Indulgent flavors and textures
- Craveable taste combinations
- Nostalgic memories for longtime residents
- Location near Lake Merced
- Reputation as a San Francisco icon
How does the burger dog represent San Francisco culture and cuisine?
The Olympic Club’s signature burger dog encapsulates the playful, innovative spirit of San Francisco’s food scene in several ways:
- Inventiveness – The whimsical mashup of two American classics displays the creativity for which Bay Area dining is known.
- High Quality – Locally sourced Niman Ranch beef and artisanal Sabrett hot dogs reflect the region’s commitment to quality ingredients.
- Diverse inspirations – Fusing diner fare and hot dogs represents the blending of culinary influences.
- Classic appeal – Despite its novelty, the dish resonates with tradition and nostalgia.
- Casual setting – Enjoyed in a laidback lakeside setting, the burger dog echoes SF’s casual vibe.
For tourists and residents alike, biting into a burger dog offers a quintessential taste of playfully inventive San Francisco comfort food.
How the burger dog reflects SF culture
As a San Francisco icon, the burger dog embodies:
- Creativity and inventiveness
- Quality, local ingredients
- Blending of culinary influences
- Classic appeal with a twist
- Enjoyment in a casual setting
Conclusion
At the lakeside Olympic Club restaurant, the humble burger dog has achieved iconic status over nearly 30 years by delighting diners with its novel fusion of comforting tastes and textures. This playfully indulgent dish encapsulates the creative culinary spirit of San Francisco. For both visitors and longtime residents, the burger dog provides a quintessential taste of the city by the bay.