If you’re looking to splurge, you can follow Gordon Ramsay’s lead and indulge in one of the most expensive burgers globally. This was exactly what the celebrity chef did during the 2020 “City Slickers” episode of his show “American Road Trip,” when he invited co-hosts Gino D’Acampo and Fred Sirieix to Burger Brasserie at the Bally’s resort in Las Vegas to sample the aptly named $777 burger.
Ramsay collaborated with head chef Karl Krebs in the kitchen to prepare and put together one of the extravagant burgers. The opulent patty was crafted from marbled American Wagyu beef, a mix of rib-eye cap and chuck. The grilled beef was adorned with aged American goat’s cheese, crispy pancetta, sliced lobster, two pieces of foie gras, arugula, and drizzled with a rich 100-year-old balsamic vinegar. To complement the lavish dish, (and add to the sky-high price), it was paired with a bottle of Dom Pérignon Rosé. Ramsay’s guests had differing opinions on the luxurious champagne; D’Acampo found it cultured while Sirieix called it “sacrilege” (via YouTube).
Despite the extravagant offerings aimed at high rollers in Las Vegas, Burger Brasserie ceased operations in 2022. The location has been rebranded as Horseshoe Las Vegas, and the former site of the burger joint is now occupied by Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Sports Kitchen, where the most expensive burger is a comparatively reasonable $27.99.
What factors contribute to the high cost of the 777 aircraft?
Regarding the road trippers’ impressions of the $777 burger, D’Acampo remarked that the flavors of the foie gras and lobster were surprisingly prominent, which he appreciated, while Sirieix expressed frustration that the towering sandwich required utensils to eat. His reaction hinted at a French sensibility, resonating with the debated etiquette surrounding eating luxury burgers in fine dining settings. While both Ramsay and D’Acampo enjoyed the posh dish, Sirieix couldn’t overlook its steep cost. Ramsay encapsulated the experience with the remark, “it’s disgustingly expensive, but it’s bloody delicious” (per YouTube).
The high price tag likely stemmed from the premium nature of the ingredients used in the burger. For instance, A5 Wagyu steak is often seen as the pinnacle of luxury. While this type of beef originates from Japan, rare Wagyu cattle breeds also exist in America, which were brought over before importation was banned in 1997. Additionally, the brasserie’s burger was crafted using the world’s priciest balsamic vinegar, the genuine Academia Barilla Aceto Balsamico. This D.O.P. certified, 100-year-aged traditional vinegar from Modena fetches over $200 per bottle.
While foie gras and lobster also carry hefty price tags, the most expensive component of the $777 burger is, in fact, the bottle of champagne that accompanied it. Depending on the vintage, these premium champagne bottles vary from $250 to over $5,000. A 2001 rosé typically costs around $400.
Where can you find the world’s priciest burger?
Though the 777 burger is no longer available, there are numerous places where you can satisfy your craving for an extravagant hamburger. In England, Gordon Ramsay Burger inside Harrods features his 1849 burger, priced at £85 (just over $109), which is accompanied by truffle-parmesan fries. This specialty includes a Wagyu patty (Japanese Kobe A5), mushroom ragu, truffle-porcini aioli, pecorino, watercress, and aged balsamic vinegar.
In New York City, Serendipity 3, a restaurant established in 1954, won the Guinness World Record for the world’s costliest hamburger in 2012. The $295 Le Burger Extravagant comprises a Japanese Wagyu patty infused with herbed white truffle butter and smoked sea salt. It features cave-aged cheddar, a fried quail egg, and black truffles all housed within a white truffle-buttered bun, topped off with a blini, crème fraîche, and Paramount Kaluga caviar. A solid gold, diamond-studded toothpick holds it all together.
Lastly, visit De Daltons restaurant in The Netherlands, which, as of 2021, held the Guinness World Record for the most expensive hamburger. Priced at €5,000 ($5430.90), The Golden Boy consists of a Wagyu A5 patty placed on a gold-leaf-covered bun infused with Dom Pérignon. It is adorned with Beluga caviar, King crab cooked in Puligny-Montrachet wine, Joselito Bellota Iberico ham, white truffle, English cheddar, tomato pickled in matcha tea, smoked duck egg mayo, a Dom Pérignon battered onion ring, and barbecue sauce made with Macallan whisky and Kopi Luwak, the priciest “cat poop” coffee.