Patrick Natola and Chef Justin Rucobo of Town Tavern suggest pairing their Shift Drinks: Reposado Edition cocktail with the chef’s Classic Cheeseburger recipe. The Last Night I Dreamed is similar to a margarita, so they drew inspiration from Jimmy Buffet songs!

Classic Cheeseburger

yield: 4 burgers

Ingredients

Thousand Island Dressing

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 Tbsp diced pickles

Burgers

• 1 1/2 lb ground beef, preferably 80/20 mix
• 4 sesame seed buns
• 4 leaves green leaf lettuce
• 4 slices tomato
• 4 slices yellow onion
• 12 slices pickle
• 4 slices cheddar cheese
• 4 oz house-made Thousand Island dressing
• salt and pepper

Directions

Thousand Island Dressing

1. Mix all ingredients together.

Burgers

1. Divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions (6 ounces each). Shape into patties.
2. Turn the oven’s broiler on.
3. Heat up a cast iron skillet or grill (allow to get very hot—this allows for a better crust).
4. Season the patties well with salt and pepper.
5. Place the patties in the skillet or on the grill. Cook 3–4 minutes per side.
6. Toast the buns in the broiler.
7. Allow the patties to rest at least 3 minutes.
8. Spread 1 oz dressing on the underside of the top bun. Onto the bottom bun, place a lettuce leaf, tomato slice, onion slice, and pickles, in that order. Repeat for each bun.
9. Place a slice of cheese on top of each patty and place under the broiler to melt.
10. Assemble each burger, and enjoy with the Last Night I Dreamed cocktails!