Earlier this month I wrote that cheeseburgers are back on the United economy class BOB menu in January. I mentioned how much I enjoy them and for this installment of Matthew’s Meal of the Week I will explain why.
It was November of 2012 and I was traveling home from Newark to Los Angeles via Houston, deliberately to fly on the (then brand new) 787-8 from IAH to LAX. I used a confirmed regional upgrade to ensure I would not wind up behind the curtain, which meant lunch on the EWR to IAH flight despite a 10:40a departure time.
After takeoff, a FA took meal orders. Today’s choices were chicken salad or a cheeseburger. While I can vouch for chicken salads on United, the choice was obvious: a cheeseburger for me.
I always loved cheeseburgers on Continental (they were never served on United prior to the merger). In fact, they used to be served in economy class for free. Continental was the last major legacy carrier to eliminate free meals.
But in first class hamburgers are even better. Why? The sesame (now pretzel) bun is nicely coated and the cheddar cheese nicely melted on the burger patty.
On the side, raw onion, tomato slices, pickles, and lettuce are available, making the sandwich almost complete. While some IN-N-OUT sauce would have been nice, ketchup and mustard was also offered.
A delicious bowl of chicken tortilla on the side with a small bowl of fruit.
I love lunches like this. I don’t fool myself into thinking it was a healthy meal or the meat patty was not at least 25% fat, but I’m willing to splurge on a good cheeseburger.
But wait, there’s more! A hot oatmeal raisin cookie prior to landing. Icing on the cake of a great lunch on United.
Looks disgusting- apart from the fruit.
I have met you in the past at a FTU Event (X2) I really like your insight in all things Miles and Points. However of recent when reading your post.. Mosts seem to be a look back to the past with very little content that is current. In fact, in one post you spoke about your Mom and your Yellow Fever Card and another that you didn’t have one. So why bring back posts from the past a post them as new? Today a 787 Hamburger that is way too old as well.. Why post this.. ? Thanks and looking forward to CURRENT content..
I just finished a current trip report (Tanzania report) and now have pivoted back to a foundational trip report about my story — this trip, as you will (hopefully) read played a big role in my life. I have never had a viable platform before upon which to tell it. You will be seeing me alternate between current and old for the next year at least as I finally publish content I have been holding back for this very moment. Every time I review an old product I will make clear the date of my travel and its relevance today. The Houston to Lagos flight 787 flight, for example, still has the identical seat and IFE onboard.
You are commenting on my weekly Matthew’s Meal of the Week post, which never purports to be current. On the contrary, each week I take a look back at a memorable meal…obviously from the past. Sometimes one year, sometime five, sometimes ten. This will continue and is precisely the point. Next week it will probably be a TAP meal from 2010. I explain these posts here–
http://liveandletsfly.boardingarea.com/2016/12/14/swiss-first-class-steak/
Ultimately, though, I will post what I feel like writing about. This week is full of “current” articles but for the next two weeks I will be posting 1-3 installments per day of my 2014 Month in Africa report. The trip report is written, I like it, and feel it tells an important story I would like to share with others, even if it is over two years old.
Flying Machine – Please start your own blog… Then decide what you want to write about. I enjoy reading Matthew’s blog. It’s helpful to compare changes (whether good or bad) over a course of time. Matthew – Keep up YOUR good work. Don’t worry what the tools say.
Heh, glad to see I’m not the only one that loved those cheeseburgers! The last time I had one was in August of 2013. I ended up in F going from DFW to EWR, and the cheeseburgers were on the lunch menu. The FA also had little packets of mayonnaise, which made it even better. 🙂
(Yes, I’ll admit it’s a strange obsession. Someone who once drove 250 miles each way to Tulsa to try an award-winning burger and root beer actually likes an airplane burger.)
I as well had that burger at one point and fell in love. Mine was served as a pre landing snack on a ewr-hnl
Pretty much had the same meal SFO-ORD three years ago in Business on an International Configuration 772. It was good.
I am very fascinated by inflight meals, so this column is perfect for me. Thanks for the nice pictures and great stories that accompany them Matthew!
My burger