The No-Miss Father’s Day Dinner

Father’s Day does not have one official dish.

Thanksgiving has turkey. The Fourth of July has hot dogs. But Father’s Day dinner depends a lot on where Dad lives — and what he likes best.

For some families, that means steak. According to restaurant transaction data from Toast, steak orders rise sharply on Father’s Day compared with a typical June Sunday. In Texas and Oklahoma, the celebration may lean toward brisket. In the Carolinas, slow-smoked pork often takes the spotlight. Along the New England coast, lobster and clams are hard to beat. In Louisiana, shrimp and crawfish can make a strong case for the holiday table.

Restaurants also get a big Father’s Day boost. The holiday is often listed among the busiest restaurant days of the year, behind Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day. Millions of Americans choose to take Dad out instead of cooking at home.

But plenty of families still celebrate in the backyard, where the grill becomes the center of the day.

For a no-miss Father’s Day meal, one dish crosses almost every regional line: the bacon cheeseburger. It is simple, familiar, and hard to argue with. It does not require fancy ingredients or hours of prep. It just needs good beef, crisp bacon, melted cheese, and a toasted bun.

Here is a classic version that delivers every time.

Classic Bacon Cheeseburger

1½ pounds ground beef, preferably 80/20
4 strips thick-cut bacon
4 slices sharp cheddar cheese
Salt and black pepper
4 sturdy buns, toasted

Form the beef into four patties, each about ¾ inch thick. Press a small dimple in the center of each patty. This helps keep the burgers from puffing up on the grill.

Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper just before cooking.

Grill over high heat for 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium, or longer if Dad likes his burger more well done. Add the cheddar during the final minute of cooking so it melts over the patty.

Cook the bacon separately until crisp. Toast the buns on the grill for extra flavor.

Add lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, mustard, ketchup, barbecue sauce, or whatever Dad likes best. Serve with chips, potato salad, corn on the cob or a cold drink.

And do not forget the most important toppings: a hug, a thank-you, and a little extra attention for the guy being celebrated.