The Strasburger

Last Friday, I took a quick trip over to BGR - The Burger Joint in Alexandria to try the now-famous Strasburger. The burger, which is named for and dedicated to Stephen Strasburg, features Vermont Cheddar cheese (for Strasburg's days with the Syracuse Chiefs), a grilled hot dog (representing the Phoenix Desert Dogs) and 14 pickles for the 14 strikeout debut. BGR founder Mark Bucher conceived of the Strasburger the morning after Strasburg's incredible major league debut. He immediately checked out Strasburg's wikipedia entry to see how he could creatively represent the pitcher between hamburger buns. "It just came to me. I thought I'd make it fun and add a pickle for each strikeout he threw during his debut game," Boucher said. The splurge-like burger is extra salty with lots of different textures. I actually had 16 pickles, but that's hardly a complaint. It's probably just foreshadowing his next start against the Chicago White Sox. It costs $10.99 but $1 from each Strasburger benefits the Children's National Medical Center, a long-term partner of the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation. "It's a great charity and kids love baseball. It seemed like the right thing to do," said Bucher. Fans can purchase Strasburgers throughout the month of June at BGR locations in Bethesda, Arlington, Alexandria and Dupont Circle.