Why Burgers?

I’ve been known as “the burger guy” for most of my life. Burgers have shaped my journey in ways I never expected: they inspired an Instagram account I’ve managed since middle school, were the theme of my Common App essay that got me into Duke, and even became the focus of a TED Talk I gave during my freshman year of college. They’re my thing! For years, I’ve seen them as a delicious way to build bridges — bringing people together across differences.

To expand on this idea, I created a burger map to supplement my TED Talk and highlight their ubiquity and universal appeal. Now, for the first time, I’m turning that map into a full website to make my research more accessible to the hungry and curious.

The world can be a troubling place, but a good burger provides a comforting escape from the challenges of daily life. More than that, burgers connect us to our communities and give us a taste of belonging, no matter where we call home or the identities that define us as individuals.
That’s why I’m so passionate about their significance in contemporary culture.

Every burger tells a story. Whether it’s from a local grill, a roadside diner, or a fine dining restaurant, burgers teach us that it’s often the little things that unite us, bridge divides, and remind us of our shared humanity. Isn’t that a delicious idea? I sure think so.