Mr. Bill's Top Platter Burger

When we were kids, there was this great restaurant in the Everett Mall called Mr. Bill's.  It was a retro 1950s style diner that served your typical burgers, shakes and malts.  The owners had run several other "Mr. Bill's" restaurants around town that were the old Drive-In style with car hop waitresses on roller skates.

As kids, Mr. Bill's was one of our favorite restaurants.  My brother, Joe, and I begged to go there as often as possible.  When Erik and I met, it became one of our favorite places to visit with friends.  (Remind me to to tell you the "Cherry Coke Story" one day.)

My all time favorite burger -- and I mean, this is better than the Creamery Burger at Big Scoop in Mount Vernon -- it's better than Bob's Western BBQ Burger -- it is the ultimate of yummy burgers -- Mr. Bill's TOP PLATTER -- and I'm going to make it for you today.  It's pretty easy, but so so so so so so good!

You will need the following:

1 lb. lean ground beef

1 Garlic Clove

Salt

Pepper

Worchester Sauce

1 Avocado

1 Package Philadelphia Cream Cheese

Ketchup

Mayo (if you so desire)

Hamburger Buns

* Place ground beef in a medium size mixing bowl.   Break up meat a little.

* Mince your garlic clove and sprinkle over ground beef.  If you don't own a garlic mincer -- get one, STAT!  I love mine and use it all the time!

* Generously grind (or sprinkle) salt and pepper over meat.

* Add a couple splashes of Worchestershire sauce.

* Knead the beef by hand until all ingredients are combined nicely.

* Divide the beef mixture into 3 round balls.

* Flatten each beef ball (heh, beef ball!) into a nice size patty.

* Grill or fry beef patties until cooked through.

Now, traditionally, The Top Platter burger was served with Mayo on the bottom bun and Ketchup on the top bun.  So if you want to be completely legit, use the mayo.  If you're me and don't eat mayo, skip it and double down on ketchup.

* Spread Mayo on bottom hamburger bun (or ketchup, whatever works)
* Spread Ketchup on the top bun
* Now layer your burger, from bottom to top, like this:

1. Bottom bun
2. Burger patty
3. Spread Cream Cheese on patty
4. Slice Avacado and place 2-3 slices on top of cream cheese
5. Top Bun

This is the easiest burger to make, but so delicious!  I was heartbroken when Mr. Bill's closed, but Erik and I make this burger every few weeks and relive the goodness.  Enjoy!

-xo